Exeter's American Independence Festival 2023: Free admission, fireworks, battles and more

EXETER — The 33rd American Independence Festival returns Saturday, July 15, with Colonial reenactors, military demonstrations, games, and fireworks.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and for the first time, admission is free thanks to Service Credit Union.

“Their sponsorship enables us to offer free admission to all ages, which is an incredible opportunity for families in our local region to enjoy a unique, fun-filled day of activities,” said Jen Carr, executive director of the American Independence Museum.

Historically, Exeter celebrated Independence Day on July 16, 1776. As the Revolutionary War capital of New Hampshire, the copy of the Declaration of Independence arrived in town 12 days after it was signed in Pennsylvania.

Carr said this is why the festival is held on a Saturday closest to the 16th each year.

“July 16 is the exact anniversary that a man named John Taylor Gilman read the Declaration of Independence to the town of Exeter,” she explained. “He read the declaration in the center of the town when he was just 22 years old.”

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Live reading of the Declaration of Independence

A live reading of the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the Dunlap Broadside, will kickstart the festival. The copy is just one of 26 remaining copies known to exist.

“We will have a reenactor actually riding a horseback and delivering the declaration to a Gilman descendant to be read on our ground,” she said. “We haven’t done this since before the pandemic and we’re really excited to bring the horse back this year.”

Artisan Village takes over museum grounds

The museum grounds will be transformed into a traditional artisan village. Artisans will demonstrate everything from shoe making, basket weaving, coopering to tinsmithing, needlework and spinning.

Participating artisans include Jost Dumit, chandler; Peter Oakley, shoe making; Ron Raiselis, cooper; Tara Raisleis, millinery; Linda Oakley, fiber arts (needlework); Andy Volpe, engraving/printmaking; Steve Zoldak, pottery; Judy Wasson, basket weaving; William Wasson, rope making; Peter Cook, flax to linen; Melissa Vickers, early American foodways; Nathan Woodsmith and Stephen Shellenbean, brewing; Laurel Jamieson, fiber arts (spinning); Chuck Walker, horner; Victoria Haynes, silhouettes; Barbara Menard Pugliese, Commonwealth Vintage Dancers; R.P. Hale, harpsichords and spinners; Larry Leonard, tinsmith; and Dan Lacroix, joyner.

Military demonstrations, historical reenactments and more

One of the most unique aspects of the American Independence Festival is the militia reenactment groups.

This year’s military demonstration will include Ladies Assoc of Revolutionary America, a group of upper-class women who led a door-to-door campaign raising money for the Continental Army; The 4th (King’s Own) Regiment of Foot, the fourth oldest line infantry regiment in the British Army; and First NH Regiment.

Carr said the festival will also have first-person reenactments, a “new and exciting feature” this year.

“These folks will be doing a performance, but they will also be around for the length of the festival to interact with visitors who may or may not be able to see their full performance,” said Alena Shellenbean, the museum’s event manager.

The reenactment features George Washington; Ona Judge Staines, an enslaved woman who escaped George Washington’s home and sought freedom in New Hampshire; and Elizabeth Freeman (also known as Mum Bett), the first enslaved woman in Massachusetts to earn her freedom in court.

“We picked these ones because they are wonderful performers who tell great stories about our history,” said Shellenbean, referring to the characters chosen for the reenactment. “It’s very inclusive…although different people were a part of history, history is for everyone, not just those people that ended up in positions of power.”

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Return of the Marketplace

This year’s festival marks the return of the marketplace.

Carr said a section of Water Street will be closed for community organizations and local businesses to sell their goods.

“They’re going to be sidewalk sales and scavenger hunt for kids,” she added.

Hey Sugar New England, known for its zero gravity-freeze dried candies, will be there as well as Smokin’ Tin Roof, a husband-wife duo that creates gourmet and intense hot sauces.

Other marketplace participants include Antiques, etc.; CHB Vintage Finds + Creative Designs; Catchpenny; Exeter Republican Town Committee; Rockingham County Democrats; Woodman Museum; Exeter Daughters of American Revolution (DAR); Great Bay Charter School; Exeter Historical Society; Boxes of Love for the Homeless; Exeter Library; Friends of the Exeter Public Library; Exeter Fine Crafts; and Exeter Sportsmans Club.

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What other activities are planned?

Throughout the day, guests will be able to take self-guided tours around Folsom Tavern, where George Washington stopped by for breakfast after the Revolutionary War; the Ladd-Gilman House, the birthplace of Founding Father Nicholas Gilman Jr.; and Steward Park, a riverview waterfront located at the heart of downtown.

At Folsom Tavern, kids can enjoy the newly opened Foy Family Children’s Library, which features a reading nook, curated books on 18th-century life, Revolutionary-era dress-up, play kitchen, games, and more.

Outside the Ladd-Gilman House, adults (ages 21-plus) can enjoy craft brew from Cisco Brewers.

One of the highlights of the festival, Carr said, will be the exhibit of the Dunlap Broadside in the Ladd-Gilman House. It is the only time of the year that the museum brings it out, she said.

In addition to the Declaration of Independence, the museum also features two working drafts of the U.S. Constitution with draft notes that help illustrate the thought process of our nation's founders.

The museum has other treasures to discover. It has a collection of more than 3,000 items dating from the 17th century to the 20th century.

When are the concert and fireworks?

Country rocker and smooth balladeer Chad Verbeck, known for his signature acoustic tone, will perform at Swasey Parkway from from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The fireworks show is at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. The rain date (for fireworks only) is at the same time the following day, Sunday, July 16.

Is there a rain date for the festival?

Unlike the fireworks show, the festival is a rain-or-shine event.

33rd American Independence Festival schedule

10 a.m. – Festival opens

10:15 a.m. – Military reenactment muster demonstration, The 4th (King’s Own) Regiment of the Foot, Folsom Lawn

11 a.m. – Declaration of Independence arrives in New Hampshire, reading with John Taylor Gilman, Festival Podium, Folsom Lawn

11:30 a.m. – Story Time at the Kid’s Tent

12 p.m. – “If I Am Not for Myself Who Will Be for Me” performance of Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti as Ona Judge, Festival Podium

12:45 p.m. – Colonial dancing, demonstration and dance lesson by the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, Inside Folsom Tavern

1:15 p.m. – Kid’s Muster, Be a Revolutionary War Soldier, Ladd-Gilman Gardens

1:30 p.m. – George Washington Greeting, Festival Podium, Folsom Lawn

2:30 p.m. – Hidden Women: The Story of Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman, performed by Tammy Denease, Festival Podium

3 p.m. – Story Time at the Kid’s Tent

3:30 p.m. – Militia Reenactment muster demonstration, First NH Regiment, Folsom Lawn

4 p.m. – Festival ends

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter NH American Independence Festival 2023: Fireworks, battles and more