What’s on Deck in June

It’s Time to Partayyyyy!

Get ready to see the grandest parade in town!

Our Grand Parade is just days away, and trust us, you don't want to miss it!

Here’s a teensy weensy peek into the incredible lineup of 73 groups that have signed up to make this parade an unforgettable spectacle!

Prepare to groove to the beats of local music acts from start to finish. We've got it all, from the energetic Portsmouth High School Marching Band to the funky vibes of the Leftist Marching Band. And let's not forget the Soggy Po Boys! But here's the cherry on top - the Portsmouth HS Marching Band, known as the Clippers, will blow your socks off with a massive showing of over 200 current students and alumni marching together, creating their very own music extravaganza.

But the excitement doesn't stop there. Brace yourselves for the grand entrance of the Air National Guard, adding a touch of awe-inspiring presence. And guess who else will be marching? The spirited crew of HMS Minerva, who graced us with their presence during our memorable 350th anniversary parade. It's going to be seriously cool!

Keep your eyes peeled for the Former Mayors of Portsmouth, waving with pride from their very own float. You'll also spot vintage fire trucks, classic model T's, and be amazed by the incredible PNH400 float design brought to life by our enthusiastic volunteer team.

Make sure to visit our website for all the details on parking and free public transportation available on the big day. And mark your calendars because June 3rd will be a day to remember, packed with not only the Grand Parade but also three fabulous PNH400 partner events happening simultaneously. It's a whole day of non-stop fun! See below for more details.

So get ready to cheer, dance, and celebrate with us at the most sensational parade Portsmouth has ever seen. Hip, Hip, Parade!

• The Annual Riverfest at Strawbery Banke from 10am-5pm

• Prescott Park’s Annual Chowderfest from 11:30-2:00pm

• City of Portsmouth Fire House Open House from 1-5pm

Would you like to volunteer a bit of your time to help make the parade a spectacular experience for all? We could use a bit more help.
Click here to signup and thanks in advance!

About Paula. Paula Munch has lived on the Seacoast of NH for last 35 years and is proud to call it her home. A graduate of Theatre from UNH, she has traveled extensively, raised two girls and four dogs, and holds Portsmouth in her heart. As a Partner Coordinator for the PortsmouthNH400, she loves seeing all of the excitement and involvement in this fabulous anniversary. She even traveled to our Sister City, Portsmouth, England, to invite the Lord Mayor himself to PNH400 events.

PNH400 Role: Paula has been managing all of our event applications from review and approval to acting as liaison with the organizations whose applications we have approved as an official PNH400 event. Paula has also been the keeper of our calendar, making sure we have all the event details we need to maintain our online information found here. It’s a monumental task and we can’t thank Paula enough for all the work she has put into making sure you have the information you need to plan your summer!

Here’s why Paula decided to be part of the PNH400 Team: The PortsmouthNH400 holds a special place in my heart because I lived in Portsmouth starting in the 70's. I have watched it transform into a beacon of the arts, great food, music and community. I want to celebrate that.

About Michael. Michael Sterling is a Portsmouth-based photographer. He is past president of the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists, and a juried member of the New Hampshire Art Association. He has exhibited in local one-man and group shows, and has been a contributing photographer for Portsmouth Magazine, Square Magazine, The Sound, and PortsmouthNH.com.

“Since moving to the Seacoast, I found that photographing in and around Portsmouth helped me get to know the city and its residents. It is also a way to pay forward the enjoyment and sense of community I get from living here. This has enabled me to participate as a photographer for many events which make Portsmouth so dynamic: TEDx Portsmouth, New Hampshire Film Festival, Seacoast Skating with the Stars, True Tales Live (PPMtv), Pontine Theatre, and the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra.”

Here’s why Michael joined the PNH400 Photography Team: I got involved with Portsmouth NH400 as an extension of the above activities. Plus, it is exciting to live in a city which can celebrate its 400th anniversary and to highlight what makes Portsmouth so special.

www.michaelsterlingphotography.com

For Portsmouth High School junior, Marlon Pinto, joining PNH400 was an opportunity to do something for the community, especially because his freshman year in high school coincided with the onset of the COVID19 pandemic.

“COVID removed so many opportunities. There were no extracurriculars going on; no real community engagement. When I became a sophomore and COVID was under more control, I really wanted to figure out what I could do for the community. Besides the clubs at school, I wanted to do something nonacademic. I really found PNH400 to be interesting, especially the education team because it’s so closely related to school and learning. Learning is important for the future generations. Otherwise, you can’t better the past.”

So, in January 2022, Marlon and his schoolmate, Jillian Richmond, became team leaders of the PNH400 Education team and took on the Oral Histories project.

“It’s been a great experience so far and a lot of that is due to the support from the community. Without Valerie, without Susan, this wouldn’t have been possible. And PPMTV. Without PPMTV, we would be nowhere near what we are doing now. Overall, the actual experience of the recordings has been so valuable. I’ve learned so much from all the different residents. It’s really opened my eyes to how Portsmouth has changed, why it’s such a great place, and why I come here every single day and go to school. Portsmouth is really inclusive. They want to try and get as many people as possible. They are really a welcoming little town.”

An ambitious project, the first two interviews were met with some nervousness, shared Marlon. “Now I have a method down and it’s so much easier. I can finish an interview in about 20 minutes.”

We asked the first interviewee of the Oral Histories project, former Mayor Jack Blalock, about his impressions of the project: “The project will be extraordinarily helpful for those trying to understand Portsmouth’s beginning to where it is now. And the PNH400 group that conducted the oral history interview seemed to be headed in the right direction. It was a great experience. I think I gave them a good jumpstart as the first interviewee. Plus, I like working with young people, esp. when they are engaged in their community.”

Bob Lister, former Mayor of Portsmouth and School Superintendent, serves as a mentor to Marlon and Jillian. He echoed Blalock’s sentiments: The project is very important because it’s multigenerational. I am so impressed with the young people driving the project. And it will be a long-term benefit for the community to recognize some very important Portsmouth citizens.”

Great job, Marlon and Jillian!

Here’s a look at our first oral histories interview.