Portsmouth Market Square Day: What To Know

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The annual Market Square Day in Portsmouth is taking place this Saturday. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people are expected to come to a vehicle-free downtown Portsmouth to enjoy vendors, music, food and a 10K Road Race. The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is produced by the nonprofit Pro Portsmouth.

With Market Square closed to vehicles, the downtown will be filled with booths including food vendors, downtown merchants, artisans, nonprofits and local business. Entertainment will be on the Pleasant Street stage and the North Church performance area.

The 10K Race

The Market Square 10K Road Race will start promptly at 9 a.m. at the North Church. About 2,000 runners have registered, according to the Police Department. The route will take runners through the historic city streets, ending at the Strawberry Bank Museum with hospitality and awards.

Parking and street closures

Parking will be banned on several downtown streets from 4 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m. There will be no shuttle for remote parking from the Mall at Fox Run. The Foundry Place Parking Facility will have a $3 flat-rate parking fee from a.m. to 5 p.m. The Hanover Street garage will be open with regular rates.

Significant traffic interruptions are expected during the 10K road race. And from 4 a.m. to about 7 p.m., the following streets will be closed to vehicles:

• Congress Street
• Pleasant Street from State Street to Market Square
• Market Street from Bow Street to Market Square
• Daniel Street from Chapel Street to Market Square
• Fleet Street
• Ladd Street
• Chestnut Street from Congress Street to Porter Street
• Porter Street
• Church Street
• Penhallow Street
• High Street from Congress Street to Ladd Street

Nearby events

The Seacoast Growers Association will have a farmers' market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the municipal parking lot on Junkins Avenue.

On Daniel Street, the historic Warner House will have free tours with costumed reenactors from noon to 3 p.m., and Scottish Country Dancers will offer a dance demonstration with audience participation from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

The Middle Street Baptist Church at 18 Court St. will serve a breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., with pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.