After being away for three years, due first to immigration visa issues and then to the pandemic, the Kiwanis Fair is returning to Concord’s Everett Arena.
“There will be fair foods, plenty of games for the kids, and a nice mix of rides – giant wheel, a few new thrill rides and all the old standbys. … We’re up in the garage putting the finishing touches on them now,” said Scott Miller, who with Joanne Miller owns Miller Amusements, the Webster firm that has long put on the fair.
The fair will be held Thursday to Sunday, May 12 to 15. Parking and entry are free.
“You don’t have to spend a nickle if you don’t want to – just walk around with friends, family, enjoy the fresh air,” Miller said.
The Kiwanis Club has hosted fairs in and around Concord for more than 60 years, usually the weekend after Mother’s Day. In 2019, the fair was canceled because Miller Amusements was not granted any workers through the federal government’s H-2B visa program after the number of allotted visas was filled. Miller said getting he’s getting enough visas this year, a necessity since hiring local staff is difficult for all industries right now.
While the Kiwanis Fair was on hold, a similar spring amusement carnival with games, food and rides, took place last May in the parking lot of the Steeplegate Mall. It was run by Seabrook-based Fiesta Shows.
Most New Hampshire county fairs will be taking place season after two years of cancellations or uncertainty due to the pandemic. The North Haverhill Fair on July 27-31 will kick things off.
