Fall Equinox Fest 2023 in Exeter: Here's lineup for celebration of music and art
EXETER — Celebrate the start of fall with music, art and fun at the Fall Equinox Fest on Swasey Parkway.
Town.Exeter.Arts.Music (TEAM) will host the sixth annual event Saturday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature live performances from local bands, artist vendors, food trucks and family activities.
“As we all transition from summertime and kids are back to school and seasons are changing … it’s kind of a celebration of ushering the new season in,” said Scott Ruffner, executive director of TEAM. “We’re excited this year because so many (bands) didn’t get a chance to play in the fest (Exeter Arts and Music Festival) we did in June. It ended up raining really bad a couple of hours in … a lot of the bands got canceled.”
He said this year’s festival will have its biggest lineup in terms of live performances.
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Who’s performing at Exeter Fall Equinox Fest?
The main stage at Swasey Parkway will feature a diverse group of musicians playing everything from soul and groove to classic rock music.
“We’re actually having different bands play every hour on the main stage at Swasey," said Ruffner. "Where normally we only have three or four bands, this time we’re gonna have six bands. It’ll be more exciting because people will get a chance to see a different band and a different style of music every hour.”
Known for their covers of rock, Americana and country songs, John Given and The Mercenaries will kick the festival off at 11 a.m., followed by Red Tail Hawk, an alternative, grove rock and pop band, at noon.
Hip-hop and neo-soul collective trio Liz Ridgely & Forbidden Fruit take the stage at 1 p.m. before Seacoast-based classic rock band Tim Parent & The Grim Bros. takes to the stage at 2 p.m. Artty and the Escalators, featuring frontman Artty Francoeur, will be on stage at 3 p.m. followed by The Meter Maids, a New Orleans-themed funk, soul and groove band who will close out the festival at 4 p.m.
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Festival puts spotlight on singer-songwriters
The singer-songwriter tent at Swasey Parkway will feature six different artists: Christopher Bartell at 11 a.m., Madeline Blais at noon, Gradyn Ard at 1 p.m., Darien Castro at 2 p.m., Michael Wingate at 3 p.m., and Elijah Clark at 4 p.m.
One of the singer-songwriters Ruffner said to look out for is Exeter’s own Madeline Blais, a Los Angeles College of Music graduate who makes and sings classical and jazz music. Blais was also a basketball student-athlete at Marist College from 2012 to 2015.
“She’s a very talented singer and songwriter,” Ruffner said of Blais.
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Who are the art vendors at the festival?
More than 25 artisans will be featured at the festival, selling everything from scenic paintings to independent perfumes.
From Rustica (chai spice, fresh ginger, tobacco leaf, suede) to Mirage (Sichuan pepper, incense, smoked sandalwood, toasted sugar), Miriam Shchet, owner of LabHouse Perfume, will have a wide array of scents for sale.
For unique decor, Samantha Hart of Hart To Art Glasswork offers colorful mosaics, stained glasses and suncatchers.
Other artist vendors include Meraki Pressed Flowers, Sea Spray Love, Earthlight Wellness for Life, Chrystalline Harlot, EJ Designs, Merrimack Mud Co, Creative Crazy Creations, A&D Creations, Diane Crespo Fine Art, Nicole Ellis Artist and Midnight Soapworks.
What will the food trucks be serving?
The Fall Equinox Fest will have two food trucks featuring international cuisines. Cafe El Camino will serve Puerto Rican food such as the classic empanadas while Fat Pockets will offer falafel, tabouli and more from its Middle Eastern menu.
The dessert booths will include treats from Kona Ice and local staple Memories Ice Cream, known for its signature ice cream flavors such as Death by Cookie (a combination of Cookie Dough and Cookies & Cream) and Coconut Chip (coconut ice cream with chocolate chunks).
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What are the activities for kids?
There are plenty of activities for kids, including face painting and henna tattoo. The Exeter Parks and Recreation Department will also have all of its lawn games available such as cornhole and board games like Jenga.
Before COVID-19, Ruffner said the festival would partner with other organizations such as the YMCA, musical arts nonprofits and different dance groups. However, when the pandemic hit, the festival – much like other organizations – lost its momentum.
“Hopefully, next season we’ll be able to get back to where there’s more choices and more variety for kids,” he said.
What is the cost of admission?
The suggested donation is $10 per person and $20 per family. Donations can be made ahead of the event at portsmouthnhtickets.com/events/2023team-fall-equinox-fest-10-21-2023. Cash and Venmo donations will also be accepted on the day of the event.
Is there a rain date?
The Fall Equinox Fest is a rain-or-shine festival.
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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter Fall Equinox Fest 2023 at Swasey Parkway: Music, food, more
