Are you an extrovert painter looking to make more friends or an introvert reader bookworm looking for an outdoorsy activity? Look no further! Here’s a list of five fantastic events taking place for you and your friends or family to join.
With a mix of opportunities for social butterflies, wallflowers and everyone in between, everyone is invited to forge their own adventure this weekend.
The Monitor is proud to provide Arts Ahead, sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank, for all residents looking for fun activities and places to explore.
Saturday, July 26
To start the day off, join ABLE NH Disability Justice Advocates at the State House for their Disability Pride Parade at 10 a.m. followed by a festival from 11 to 1 p.m. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and 50th anniversary of the Developmental Disabilities Act, the organization hopes everyone will participate.
Join the celebration of vendors, marching teams, speakers, face painting and music. There will also be an interactive art project to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project will be led by Positive Street Art, a nonprofit Nashua-based organization focused on building strong communities through urban art. This is something you don’t want to miss.
After Disability Pride, you can head over to Pembroke City Limits for a Wine and Paint event at 2 p.m. Whether you’re an experienced painter or haven’t picked up a paintbrush since elementary school, all levels of artists are welcome.
Instruction will be provided, so all you need is a $35 cover fee and some confidence to put yourself out there.
Bookworms will also unite at the New Hampshire Book Swap at Brothers Cortado in downtown Concord from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. that same day.
As part of a monthly book swap series hosted at different local businesses, Coffee Queen Beca welcomes all avid and sporadic readers to bring some books to trade and meet new people. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their friends, and those who come with books can participate in a free raffle as well.
Sunday, July 27
To continue the reading extravaganza, Gibson’s Cafe will host an Audiobook Walk around downtown Concord at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning
During the one-mile loop, you can take in the scenery and enjoy an audiobook of your choice. Ending back at Gibson’s Cafe, the staff encourages walkers to continue on their own if they wish and welcomes everyone to spend time in the shop after.
At the end, feel free to break away from the group and spend more time with your book and walk a little over a mile away to White Park Merrimack Lodge for a free concert at the same time. Each week on Sunday, the White Park Acoustic Concerts feature a local artist. This week, folk-rock singer-songwriter Justin Cohn will perform 10 – 11 a.m.
Have a blast and see you next week!
Kiera McLaughlin can be reached at kmclaughlin@cmonitor.com