Hampton Beach Children’s Festival 2022: Here’s what’s planned
HAMPTON BEACH — There are new activities plus all the old favorites at this year’s Hampton Beach Children’s Festival, which returns Monday, Aug. 15, with five days of free activities and entertainment for kids.
Tiffany Maher, of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, said the week-long festival takes place on or around the Seashell Stage and will feature an ocean theme.
“Even the face-painting will have an ocean theme,” Maher said.
Activities are geared for kids aged 2-12, Maher said, but there are a lot of fascinating experiences for adults to enjoy as well.
For example, on Monday at 11 a.m., Surfrider Foundation offers a short presentation about ocean ecosystem awareness, which is followed by a beach clean-up. It’s a way to teach children about the wonder and delicacy of one of the region’s most treasured resources: the Atlantic Ocean, Maher said.
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At 7:45 p.m. Monday night, the Hampton Beach Village District presents the animated movie “Luca.” A 2021 Pixar coming-of-age tale distributed by Disney, this PG film is set on the Italian Riviera. It revolves around a young sea monster named, Luca, who can assume human form. He and his new best human friends, Alberto and Giulia, spend their time exploring the town of Portorosso, having a “life-changing summer adventure.”
The Blue Ocean Society hosts “A Whale of a Time,” an interactive presentation about the giants of the deep, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. At 11:30 a.m., New Hampshire author and illustrator Meghan Piercy reads her ocean-themed book to children, followed by a coloring contest.
“And this year we have an artist in residence,” Maher said. “Kids can paint with Alyssa Pine on Thursday afternoon.”
Also on Thursday, the New Hampshire State Parks Student Conservation Association will host an interactive table for kids to enjoy, Maher said.
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Wayne from Maine, jugglers and more
Children’s Festival favorites are back in full force, too, Maher said, with multiple dance performances, hula hooping, sing-a-longs with Wayne from Maine, jugglers, daily raffles with great prizes, pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Sand and Santa, and interactive tables.
“Children love magicians, and we have two offering three performances,” Maher said. “And I expect the free mini golf at Buc’s Lagoon will be one of the most popular events. Kids need to sign up for that.”
A big attraction on Monday will be Hampton Beach’s lifeguards, she said. And expected to draw crowds is the ever-kid-popular “Touch-a-Truck,” bringing fire engines, police cruisers and more up close and personal for all to experience at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
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The Children’s Festival Costume Parade is also back on Friday, Aug. 19, with kids able to wear their own costumes or pick one available at the festival. Prizes are given to winners chosen in different costume categories, Maher said, and include gift certificates from local Hampton businesses.
The grand finale at the Seashell stage offers every child a prize, Maher said, and a musical performance by Mr. Aaron Band.
Maher said the week-long extravaganza wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hampton Beach Village District, all of Hampton’s municipal departments, the Hampton Beach Lifeguards, New Hampshire State Parks and the state of New Hampshire.
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And of course, she added, there are the businesses whose financial support make the week a reality, including Harris Real Estate, Align Credit Union, Unitil, NextEra Energy, Core Physicians and all local beach and town businesses who donate prizes and their time to ensure kids have a very special week all their own at Hampton Beach.
Hampton Beach Children’s Festival 2022
Monday, Aug. 15
10 a.m. — BJ Hickman Magic Show
11 a.m. — Surfrider Foundation Ocean Ecosystem Awareness & Beach Clean-up
11 a.m. — Face painting by Linda - Ticket handout ends at 12:30 p.m.
12 p.m. — Hampton Beach Casino Daily Raffle - Fun prizes every day
12:30 p.m. — Presentation by Hampton Beach Lifeguards
1:30 p.m. — Extreme Air NH - Hula Hoopers
3 p.m. — Performance by NHAPA: Seacoast Civic Dance Company
7:45 p.m. — Hampton Beach Village District hosts Movie Night on the Beach
Tuesday, Aug. 16
10 a.m. — Blue Ocean Society: Whale of a Time!
11 a.m. — Lane Memorial Library’s Miss Paulina shares Stories, Songs and Merriment
11 a.m. — Face painting by Linda. Ticket handout at 1:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m. — Meghan Piercy, author and Illustrator, with reading and coloring contest
12 p.m. — Hampton Beach Casino Daily Raffle
12:30 p.m. — Free Mini Golf at Buc’s Lagoon. Sign up at the Beach Info Center by 12 p.m.
2 p.m. — McDonough-Grimes Irish Dance
3 p.m. — Touch-a-Hampton Truck. Explore a fire truck, police car and more.
Wednesday, Aug. 17
10 a.m. — Fran Flynn, Magician Extraordinaire
11 a.m. — Fish Printing with Explore the Ocean
11 a.m. — Face painting by Linda - Ticket handout at 1:30 p.m.
12 p.m. — Hampton Beach Casino Daily Raffle
12:30 p.m. — Ice Cream Social with Hampton Beach Lifeguards
1:30 p.m. — Fran Flynn, Magician Extraordinaire
3 p.m. — Red Stars, Baton Twirling
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks
Thursday, Aug. 18
10 a.m. — DrumatiX - Tap Dance and Percussion Performance
11 a.m. — Showtime Steve - Juggling and more!
12 p.m. — Hampton Beach Casino Daily Raffle
12:30 p.m. — Align with Interactive Activities with Dr. Erin from Spine by Design
12:30 p.m. — NH State Parks Student Conservation Assoc. Interactive Table
1 p.m. — Wayne from Maine - Musical Sing Along
2 p.m. — Paint with Alyssa Pine
Friday, Aug. 19
10:15 a.m. — Parade participants meet at the Hampton Beach State Park South
11 a.m. — Children’s Costume Parade
12 p.m. — Grand Finale at the Seashell Stage. Every child receives a prize.
1 p.m. — Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Sand & Santa