Harvest Fest Set For Oct. 19 at Historical Society

Londonderry-based Nutfield Publishing, which owns the Londonderry Times, and the Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce present a community-wide Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Historical Society’s Morrison House on Pillsbury Road.

On that same day, RE/MAX 1st Choice Realty offers its annual Trick-or-Treat on Main Street from noon until 2 p.m., ending with the community festival at the Morrison House from 1 to 4 p.m. and sponsored by the Londonderry Business Consortium.
According to Chamber Executive Director Stacey Bruzzese, the Main Street Trick-or-Treat centers on the businesses at the Nashua Road (Route 102) malls.
“The children are given a map and the parents drive them from mall to mall along Route 102 so the children don’t have to cross the road,” she said. “They can trick or treat at the businesses, and then we have them meet at the Morrison House, and the child with the most businesses stamped on their map will receive a prize. We really are trying to make it a town-wide event.”
Lisa Fitzgerald, branch director of the YMCA in Londonderry, said the Y will sponsor a pumpkin-carving contest.
“The children will carve their pumpkins at home and bring the carved pumpkins to the Morrison House between 1 and 2:30 p.m. for judging at 3 p.m.,” she said. “There will be first-, second-, and third-place prizes. We have three judges lined up – Town Manager Kevin Smith, WMUR meteorologist Josh Judge, and Elder Affairs Commissioner Susan Haussler.”
Kathy Skinner of RE/MAX 1st Choice said the realty company has sponsored Trick-or-Treat on Main Street since 2001. “The businesses pay a registration fee and all the money goes into the children’s prizes and having the maps printed,” she said. “The big change this year is that in past years we’ve ended up at Matthew Thornton (School), but this year they aren’t participating, so we’ll end up at Harvest Fest at the Morrison House. The kids will still wear costumes but the costume parade of past years won’t be taking place this year.”
In addition, a jazz band from Orchard Christian Fellowship will perform, and the Londonderry Women’s Club will have candied apples. LYSA – the Londonderry Youth Soccer Association – will host a 5K road race, the Londonderry Lions will be serving chili, and the Londonderry Explorers will offer safety tips. Mr. Steer donated hotdogs for the event.
Deb Paul, owner of Nutfield Publishing and vice president of the Londonderry Historical Society, was instrumental in putting together this event, which is planned to be an annual activity. She said the Historical Society would be home to tours, games, popcorn, and crafters’ booths.
“There will be doughnuts on a string, a pie eating contest sponsored by the Londonderry Business Consortium, and other great activities going on,” Paul said. “We hope to add to this event every year with more civic group involvement. It will be true community fun.”
In the event of rain, the Orchard Christian Fellowship has donated the use of its building, which is next door to the Historical Society.
All events are free, but some crafters will have items for sale.