Thousands Expected for 3-Day 375th Anniversary Celebration

Officials are putting the finishes touches on a packed schedule of events to commemorate Hampton's 375th anniversary, a big three-day bash that will include the unveiling of the restored town clock, dozens of businesses and food vendors, and a bevy of live music and entertainment.

Residents and tourists will get to check out a 100-vehicle antique car show, dunk selectmen and well-known Hampton figures in a dunk tank, watch police officers and firefighters duke it out for softball diamond supremacy, and take in live war reenactments.

Dick Desrosiers, chairman of the Hampton 375th Commission, said the idea was to make the three-day celebration — which kicks off Friday, Aug. 9, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 11, in and around Tuck Field and Founder's Park on Park Avenue — an event that had "something fun for everyone" while honoring the history contained within the milestone itself.

"It gives everyone in town an opportunity to have some fun," said Desrosiers.

The end result of the painstaking restoration of the fire-damaged town clock is among the most anticipated parts of the celebration, which starts at 4 p.m. Friday, because it's a "major symbol" that "really represents the founding of Hampton," said Desrosiers. 

The clock, which School Administrative Unit 90 Superintendent Kathleen Murphy said has a "gorgeous" design, will be enshrined in a working monument in front of Centre School. While the monument isn't yet complete because more donations are needed, the relic will be front and center for a gala that will try to unite the community in ways reminiscent of the town gatherings held since Hampton's birth as Winnacunnet centuries ago.

"We want to bring the community together," said Experience Hampton board of directors member Rusty Bridle, who said various individuals estimate between 3,000 and 5,000 people will attend the three-day celebration. "It's exactly what we need to continue. We need to continue to foster good relationships in the community."

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) was in Hampton on Monday to help usher in the anniversary with a Congressional Record statement. Shaheen said she won't be able to attend the official opening ceremony portion of the celebration, which is at 11 a.m. Saturday, or other parts of the anniversary, although she said she "hope[s] to be" at other events that commemorate the 375th anniversary later this year.

"When you think that Hampton has been here for 375 years, it gives context to this community and the history that's here," she said.

Video from Shaheen's Congressional Record statement is attached to this story.

The full schedule of 375th anniversary events — which also include an opportunity for residents to wear white and spell out "375" for an aerial photo at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, as well as a free outdoor showing of the movie "Cars" — can be found here.