Market Square Day Festival

Market Square Day Festival
Saturday, Jun 10, 2023 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Market Square Day was the first event produced by the non-profit, Pro Portsmouth. Created to celebrate the renovation and beautification of Downtown Portsmouth and, in particular, Market Square, the Festival has grown in size along with the growth and popularity of Portsmouth. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 people walk through Downtown Portsmouth on that day enjoying the entertainment, products and food offered by artists, crafters and merchants - many from the Seacoast area.

MSD Entertainment and Activities

The Chickenshack Bluegrass Band
11:30am - 12:15pm
The Chickenshack Bluegrass Band is a dynamic bluegrass band with influences from  classic rock, country and beyond. With five lead singers and some high-octane harmonies, each song is entertaining and different from the song before it. The Band Comprises of: Guest Musician Scott Heron from Green Heron on mandolin, vocals, Paul Smith on fiddle, vocals, Al Pratt on guitar, vocals, Tim Hedlund on banjo, vocals, and, Val Smith on upright bass, vocals AND yodels

The Maine Marimba Ensemble
12:45pm - 1:30pm
Maine Marimba Ensemble returns to Market Square Day! This talented group performs complex polyrhythmic arrangements of traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean music on handcrafted marimbas…and they sound great!

Vital Tones
2:00 - 2:45
Vital Tones is a mosaic of unique melodies, creative harmonies, and soul-filling lyrics.  With a blend of covers and original music, Chris Guzakowski, Stefanie Guzakowski, and Julie Alexander bring an array of vocals ranging from mellow to mighty, and from silky to sultry.  They deliver a mixture of indie rock and Americana music that leaves listeners longing for more.

TJ Wheeler and the Smokers with Hatrack Gallagher
3:15 - 4:00
TJ Wheeler met Pat "Hatrack" Gallagher at a bar gig on Bainbridge Island, WA. in the summer of 1973. Over the next 5 decades they have played together, either as a duo, or with their full band all across the USA and Canada. They always pay homage to the Black American Ancestors of Blues like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Peg Leg Sam, Furry Lewis and Bukka White. Their Jazz influences range from Louis Armstrong, Bllie Holiday, Joe Pass, to Toots Thielman. This concert with their full band celebrates their 50th anniversary.

Location:
All MSD performances (music, dance, etc.) are scheduled on the Pleasant Street Stage

Market Square Day 10K

-Running with strollers is allowed - we ask that you run at the back of the 'pack'.
-Participating without registering ('bandits') is prohibited.
-Those wishing to walk (non-competitive) the course are welcome to do so, but keep in mind; we employ a 'rolling closure' over the course. This means that the street closures/intersection traffic control have a time limit; additionally, the finish line/timing mat is removed from the street at approx. 11/11:30am in order to reopen the South End vehicular traffic.
-Dogs are prohibited on the course and at our Hospitality Area - Strawbery Banke unless they are licensed service dogs.
-Amplified sound/music on the course (transported on strollers, etc.) is prohibited; ear buds are not recommended.

Click here for More Information about Market Square Day 10k