In the spirit of our 400th birthday and inspired by long time fabulous annual events like the Portsmouth Halloween Parade (arguably one of the best in the country!), the Community & Neighborhoods Pillar team began to conceptualize the first Little Italy Carnival and Masquerade Ball to honor the history of Portsmouth’s North End, and to recognize the men, women and children who lived and grew up in what was once also known as Portsmouth’s “Little Italy”.
Like many cities in the 1970s, Portsmouth targeted the former North End for revitalization. Fatigued and decrepit, Little Italy was seemingly an area in need of renewal. Unfortunately, bit by bit, the hard-working families who lived in the North End were pushed out in the name of progress when over 400 homes were bulldozed as part of a city and federal plan to bring people off the highway and back into the city to spend money and pay taxes.
Lot by lot, the North End’s Little Italy vanished and was replaced by grocery stores, hotels, and businesses. Families were torn apart and displaced.
The men and women of this close-knit neighborhood were mostly poor. They worked in factories, the shipyard, and breweries. They worked hard, and lived, loved, and cared for Portsmouth like we do today. Unfortunately, they did not have a voice at the city council back in those days. Jammed in and densely populated, their houses were declared substandard, opening the door to gentrification.
To honor these families and their neighborhood, our team decided to hold a traditional Italian carnival with food, a circus guild, games, music, local entertainment, oral history, and remembrance. Considered a Portsmouth NH 400th Signature Event, the carnival and ball take place on August 6th and is free to the public.
As a planning committee made up of several nationalities, including Italians, we are excited about giving the former residents of Little Italy a voice to tell their stories and to help Portsmouth to celebrate the history of the North End over food, kinships, kindness and compassion.
We will hold a Venetian Masquerade Ball on July 29, 2023 to raise funds for this free family day event that takes place on August 6, 2023.
Join in the fun!
Dawn Przychodzien
Pillar Lead and Owner, PortCity Bike Tours
