The 25th annual Derryfest arrives this weekend, and the committee is putting the finishing touches on what coordinator Mike Gendron said promises to be an even bigger and better celebration than usual. Derryfest itself will be held at MacGregor Park from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, with a spaghetti feed Friday night at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School and Greater Derry’s Got Talent competition Friday night at the Derry Opera House.
Gendron said 116 booths are planned, featuring fair food, games and activities for children, information from local non-profit organizations and vendors offering crafts, jewelry and services. Slices of a free 25th Anniversary cake will be given out to all attendees about noon.
This year entertainment will take place on two stages and will be broadcast on Derry C17 Cable Television.
Details about Derryfest, including parking, free shuttle locations, booth map, events and entertainment schedules can be found at www.derryfest.org and in today’s Nutfield News. For more information about Derryfest, email the committee at [email protected].
A full schedule follows:
Friday, Sept. 19
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rotary Spaghetti Supper at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School. This is a change from its traditional location at Pinkerton Academy.
7 p.m. Final Round in Greater Derry’s Got Talent at Derry Opera House.
Saturday, Sept. 20
7 to 10 a.m. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Pancake Breakfast, free will offering accepted.
10 a.m. Derryfest opening ceremonies at MacGregor Park.
10:05 a.m. Bel Airs Doo Wop & Oldies Music
10:45 a.m. New Hampshire Academie of Dance
11 a.m. Derry Red Star Twirlers
11:55 a.m. God Bless America
Noon MIA/POW (Missing In Action/Prisoner of War) Ceremony
12:15 p.m. Kids Coop Theater Presentation
12:30 p.m. Greater Derry’s Got Talent Top Winners perform.
1 p.m. Alexander, King of Jesters Show
1:45 p.m. Music lessons by Melissa Blasek
2 p.m. Wildlife Encounters
2:45 p.m. Dance Progressions
3 p.m. Beatlejuice
3:30 p.m. Stagecraft, Let’s Play Music
“The Derryfest Committee is looking forward to seeing everyone at this year’s 25th Anniversary Derryfest,” Gendron said. “Come and enjoy seeing friends and neighbors and probably old friends returning to Derry to participate in Derryfest.”
Derryfest sponsors include: Parkland Medical Center, Triangle Credit Union, How’s Your Onion Restaurant, Service Credit Union, T-Bones Great American Restaurants, Betley Chevrolet, La Carreta Restaurant, the Derry Republican Committee and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt.
Co-sponsors are Handel with Care Veterinary, Enterprise Bank, Kids Coop Theater Organization, Broadway Chiropractic, Brownell Insurance and Rig A’ Tony’s Italian Take-out, Gendron said. Patron sponsors are East Derry Tire & Auto, Ahern, Nichols Family Dentistry and Peabody Funeral Homes.
