09/12/2025
A SPECIAL CHAMBER MESSAGE:
After months of preparation and planning, including securing sponsors, vendors, and crafters, coordinating with NH State Parks and our operations team, and reestablishing a 400-member volunteer program made up of nonprofits, Chamber members, and Seacoast residents—WE WERE READY!
Friday was a beautiful and successful day, with strong crowds and great energy throughout the festival grounds. Unfortunately, after a long stretch of great weather, the rain arrived late Saturday afternoon and continued all day Sunday. While this was a financial hit for all of us, the spirit of the festival remained strong. Vendors stayed open, crowds still gathered for live entertainment, and every volunteer who signed up showed up—even in the pouring rain. Once again, the festival lived up to its reputation as a true rain-or-shine event.
As many of you know, the festival is a massive undertaking: three days of setup, three days of festival, and three days of breakdown. I cannot say enough great things about our management and operations team and the hard work they put in to make this event successful. A special thanks also goes out to the crew of the USS Hampton and the NH Correctional Program team, who worked alongside us during setup and breakdown. We had a truly incredible team this year!
This year we also introduced a new Volunteer Award in memory of former Chamber President, Doc Noel, who passed away earlier this year. Doc loved the Seafood Festival and the way it brought people together to volunteer for this great three-day long festival. In his honor, we presented the inaugural award to the NH Lions Club. For the past four years, approximately 45 members from across New Hampshire have volunteered all day Sunday, assisting in managing festival gates. Remarkably, this year all 45 members showed up at 8 a.m. and stayed through the rain until 5 p.m.
Finally, I encourage all Chamber members to continue serving as ambassadors by reminding others how much the festival truly gives back to the community. To clarify, admission donations were requested at each of the 12 gates ($15 suggested), but payment was not required except for entry to the beer tent. While we did face increased expenses this year (our expense budget was over $500,000) and were impacted financially by the weather, we will still donate close to $30,000 to various nonprofits and community groups. We also remain committed to providing free community events in 2026, including the Annual Senior Appreciation Day, Children’s Festival, and our end-of-summer First Responders Appreciation Party.
So a BIG thanks to all involved.
John
