Strafford News

The Cochecho Arts Festival returns to Henry Law Park on Thursday, July 6, with a performance by the Dover Community Band.

The 37th Annual Cochecho Arts Festival will feature a Children’s Series, Headliner Series, Community Band, Shark in the Park, Family Movie Night, a Visual Arts Showcase, and more. This year's festival is underwritten by Orpheum Apartments & Cowork.

The Dover Community Band, a traditional New England community band made up of volunteer musicians from around the Dover area, will have Thursday night performances beginning on Thursday, July 6, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. They will appear again on July 20, Aug. 3, and 17.

The Headliner Series will run on Friday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 7 to Aug. 11 and will feature Dancing Madly Backwards, Whiskey Horse, Lexi James and Wildheart, Deep Blue C Orchestra, Studio Two, and Soggy Po’ Boys, as live musical performances.

Concerts from the Patio, sponsored by Trueworthy Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, returns for two of the Friday night concerts (July 7 and July 21) from the Children’s Museum’s outdoor play patio. This adult-only event ticket gets you a seat on the patio overlooking the stage, access to a cash bar, a ‘snack box’, and use of indoor restrooms. Guests are welcome to bring their takeout to the seating at the café and other tables. Tickets are $15 and on sale at www.childrens-museum.org or at the door (space permitting).

The Children’s Series will run on Tuesdays, July 11 to Aug. 15, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The performers include Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate, Aaron Risi, Magician BJ Hickman, Juggler Bryson Lang, UNH Theater, and Wildlife Encounters. At select Children’s Series performances, a local artist will be on-site to work with children on an art project that may include painting, mono-printing, and more at the Art Rocks tent.

Family Movie Night, sponsored by Colony Auto Co. and Roger’s Restaurant & Pizza, will feature Toy Story on Saturday, Aug. 5, and Jungle Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 12. Films start at dusk in Lower Henry Law Park.

The Farmers Market Acoustic Series, sponsored by Seacoast Eat Local, will run on Wednesdays, June 7 to October 4, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the Dover Farmers Market, 110 Portland Avenue, Guppey Park. Come check out all of the great vendors offering fresh and local foods while enjoying a live acoustic music performance.

‘Shark in the Park,’ organized by 102.1 and 105.3 The Shark, will feature the Seacoast’s best classic rock bands. Shark in the Park will run on Wednesdays, July 12 to Aug. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. The bands performing will be J Street Extension, High and Dry, The Big Picture, Key Elements Band, and Rosie.

The Woodman Museum will re-premiere The McConnell Story at the Strand Theater on Saturday, July 22, at 7 p.m. The movie was a Hollywood Biopic about Dover-born Capt. Joseph C. McConnell: The U.S. Air Force’s first triple jet-on-jet flying ace and hero of the Korean War. The event will include a red carpet/ photo op for guests, a special Joe McConnell beer made by Chapel & Main, and more. Enjoy end-of-summer concerts at the Woodman Museum on select evenings in August from 4 to 6 p.m. Summer offerings at The Strand range from dance, theater, and music to comedy and karaoke.

Local artists will showcase their work in the park during The Visual Arts Showcase, sponsored by Atlantic Media Productions, on Saturday, Aug. 5, from noon to 4 p.m.

Show your support for the Cochecho Arts Festival by purchasing a First Seacoast Bank Festival Button for $10. Button holder perks include a free bottle of water courtesy of Kennebunk Savings at the Friday night concerts and entry into the raffle to win a gas grill. All proceeds go directly back to the Cochecho Arts Festival.

Visit https://www.dovernh.org/cochecho-arts-festival for more information.

Original source can be found here.