The Great Portsmouth NH 400 Community Picnic Oct. 1
PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. announces plans for The Great Portsmouth NH 400 Community Picnic, to take place on Sunday, Oct. 1, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Leary and Central Fields. The event is free and open to everyone in and involved in the Portsmouth community, providing food, entertainment and lawn games/activities for kids and families on the field.
Picnic-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, coolers, side dishes and blankets.
In the event of rain, the picnic will be held inside the Connie Bean Center, on the same date and time.
The PNH400 team has enlisted the support of members of the City Council to grill and serve hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers − while supplies last and contingent on Health Department requirements. Flatbread will offer free pizza, Pease Development Authority and Allegiant Airlines are sponsoring free ice cream and free snacks will be available. All food will be served first come, first served, while supplies last.
The Great Portsmouth NH 400 Community Picnic is being sponsored by AC Hotel/ Envio/Rooftop, Residence Inn/ Venue, Hampton Inn and Residences at Portwalk (Opus and Aria). Picnic sponsors also include Allegiant Management
Corporation.
The entertainment includes two bands on the infield of Leary Field. Councilor Rich Blalock is organizing a pickup wiffle-ball game to take place on Central Field.
PNH400 volunteers will help with street crossings, parking and event management and are working with the Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments to ensure a safe and entertaining picnic for the community. ADA-accessible parking will be provided. See PortsmouthNH400.org calendar page for details when finalized.
“The goal of Portsmouth NH 400 is to make the celebration of the city's 400th anniversary as fun and inclusive as possible,” said PNH400 Managing Director Valerie Rochon. “We have designed each of our signature events to be as safe and welcoming as their venues have permitted, which can be a challenge when excitement grows and the spaces cannot. We have planned the Great Portsmouth NH 400 Community Picnic to take place in one of the city's largest and most accessible places – Leary and Central fields – in the middle of downtown Portsmouth. There's still lots of 2023 left and many more opportunities to join the celebration. We look forward to seeing everyone who can make it on October 1st!”