6 reasons Market Square Day festival made Portsmouth crowds happy. Yes, 10K race is one.

PORTSMOUTH — Market Square Day was back in full swing Saturday after a COVID-19 cancellation in 2020 and then a cautious, delayed return in 2021. Thousands of people came out to enjoy the resumption of the event in full form on its traditional June date.

The downtown Portsmouth festival, which was first held in 1978, has a number of attractions that bring people back each year.

Here's a look at a six of them from the 2022 edition:

10K road race

Of course Market Square Day really begins early in the morning, with the traditional 10K road race.

According to Granite State Race Services, there were 592 finishers in the race on the route through historic Portsmouth.

The men's and overall first-place finisher was Birhanu Harriman, 16, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, with a time of 33 minutes 15 seconds. Mitchel Norris, 21, of Durham, was second with a time of 34:17.

Jacqueline Gaughan, 22, finished first in the women's field and third overall with a time of 34:55. Gaughan is well known in the Seacoast for her prolific career as a runner for Exeter High School. Gaughan was the Female Athlete of the Year at the Seacoast High School Sports Awards in 2018 and was a two-time Gatorade Runner of the Year in New Hampshire before going on to run for the University of Notre Dame.

Peter Carignan, 32, of Portsmouth, was fourth overall and third among men in 35:22.

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Music

You don't often see five people playing marimbas together, but you could if you were at Market Square Day on Saturday. The Maine Marimba Ensemble was the opening act, providing perfect wake up and get moving music.

Other acts during the day, playing on the stage at the end of Pleasant Street included RMS5, Vital Times and The Rockingham Groove.

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Food

There were numerous offerings by many of the Seacoast area's finest restaurants, like Indy's, Habibu, Shalimar, Tuscan Village and Warren's Lobster Pound. There were vendors in booths selling fresh lemonade, poutine and maple syrup products. Churches like St. Nicholas sold delicious native dishes.

And tthere were the Boy Scouts of Portsmouth's Troop 164. Every year they come out to sell hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chips, soda and water, a fundraiser for the troop.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," said Scout Gregory Riddle. "It helps with troop expenses but also there are three high adventure camps we go to, all over the country. The money helps to pay for that, and particularly for kids who might not be able to afford to go on their own."

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North Church

The North Church is the symbolic anchor of Market Square volunteers. Marcia Leach and Mary Louise Brozena were front and center selling books and other items depicting the history of the iconic structure.

"We are so excited to see the energy here today," said Brozena. "We have a search committee going on now to select a new minister. We are selling the parish house building, and there are many exciting plans we want to make for the the church."

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Nonprofit fundraisers

A significant part of Market Square Day has always been offering a way for nonprofit groups to get their message out and to hold fundraisers for their cause. Saturday was no exception with organizations like Moms Demand Action, Operation Blessing, the Kiwanis and more makiing their pitches.

"This isn't really a fundraiser for us," said Frank Dennett, of the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth, as he watched kids choose rubber ducks for prizes. "It's more to be visible in the community. Where else can you spend $1 and have a few minutes of fun?"

Portsmouth resident Jesse Lynch said he is glad to see the event return.

"It's back in full force," he said. "It has been too long."

Crafts, jewelry and more

Shopping at Market Square Day is a huge draw. Local retailers, specialty shops, artisans and crafters make up a large portion of the vendors.

Steven Manning of The Silver Spoon turns silver cutlery into works of art.

"I have been doing it for over 30 years," said Manning, a Vermont resident. "And I always come here for Market Square Day."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH: Market Square Day 2022 highlights and 10K winners