How many people enjoyed the annual Kiwanis Spring Fair at the Everett Arena? I feel so bad for members of the Kiwanis Club. This would have been their 64th annual fair, which began in the early 1950s at the Green Street Community Center minus rides. The Kiwanis Club then moved the fair to the grounds of the Concord Airport. This is where I remember going on the rides when I was about 6 years old. Later, the fair was moved to the N.H. Highway Hotel, with the state ballroom full of exhibits and displays by many of the local merchants. There were amusement rides, games, fair food and the Miss Kiwanis Fair contest.
The fair was held in June in the early years, then the members moved it to May. The club held a kickoff parade in downtown Concord, and the fair was moved to the Everett Arena.
The club does so much for this community. The Kiwanis Waterfront Park behind the arena is a great place for a picnic, and the club also sponsors activities – the Salvation Army bell ringing, key clubs, various high schools scholarships and more.
I was told the fair will be back, as it is the unofficial opening to summer. I think of the late Tom O’Connor, Mason Blake, Dick Perkins and others who worked during the fair and among the other events.
Thank you, Concord Kiwanis, for all you do in the community – and let’s hope the fair will be back in 2020.
DICK PATTEN
Concord