We thought some of the details of our events, particularly our first event, might be helpful to other communities interested in creating an arts-related event of their own. 

History of the First “Children and the Arts Day” 

April 23, 1994

The Peterborough Elementary School (PES) received a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts to fund an “Artist in Residence” during the 1993/1994 school year.  June Anderson Casey, a film animator, spent 14 days at PES during the spring of ’94 working primarily with fourth graders to create an animated film called “Environments.”

One of the requirements of the Arts Council was that the film be shown to the general public.  Peterborough was lucky to have a small community theater downtown that was willing to show the film during the day of April 23rd.

The Arts Committee at PES decided to take this public film showing one step further.  In February a form letter and questionnaire was sent to approximately 60 businesses and groups in the downtown Peterborough area to learn whether or not they would be willing to support (primarily space and financial donations) a “Children and the Arts” all-day event.  The premise was that the many public and private buildings in the downtown area would host a multitude of different artistic endeavors by children and for children and that the PES Arts Committee would act as the liaison between downtown and the many schools and arts organizations.  All the events and displays would be free of charge to families.  The response to the questionnaire was overwhelmingly supportive of the concept.  Before approaching the arts community, we secured several key facilities that day (Historical Society Building, Town Hall, and Unitarian Church).

In March another form letter and questionnaire was mailed to art, music and drama teachers in the Con-Val school district and to local art organizations who sponsor children’s programs asking for their participation.  The response to this questionnaire wasn’t as good as we had hoped it might be, but it did provide us with a small foundation of events and artwork.  From this initial offering, we were able to build a full day of events by calling individuals who did not initially respond to our questionnaire.  It was important for us to have a good mix of artistic events for children of all ages.  Additionally, through our fund-raising we were also able to pay for some of the performers.

We also enlisted the support of the Peterborough Recreation Department (a very active and enthusiastic organization) who helped us with some of the logistics of the day and sponsored a “kick-off” 10 AM parade from the local downtown park to the Town House.  A Rec Department representative gave a welcoming address and a run-down of the day’s events.

Out hard work paid off.  April 23rd was a sunny spring day and from 10 AM until 4 PM downtown Peterborough was alive with children’s art.  The public buildings featured concerts, dance, theater, and lectures; the Unitarian Church was the Site of the “hands-on” craft demonstrations; the animation film was shown twice to a packed house; the storefront windows were alive with children’s artwork; and the air was filled with the aroma of barbeque.  It is our estimate that approximately 800 people turned out for the event.

May 6, 1995

Because of the success and community enthusiasm for the first-time event, the PES Arts Committee decided to sponsor the second annual festival.  One of the motivations for this event was the result of a grant received by PES from the NH State Council on the Arts to help fund an Artist-in-Residence for the 1994/95 school year.  On this year Arthur Hall and his two drummers spent a week at PES offering students exposure to the art of African dance, movement, rhythm and culture.  During Children and the Arts Day, there was a public performance by PES students and Arthur Hall, as well as a workshop for adults and children. 

May 3 & 4, 1996

May 17, 1997

This was the first year we added the Giant Puppet Parade and over 75 giant puppets showed up. The Parade was a great hit for the first time.

May 16, 1998

Over 100 Puppets showed up to march and surprized us all. It seemed that the Giant Puppet Parade had become our signature event.

May 15, 1999

Once again well over 100 puppets showed up to march. This year we added the Village of Arts and Humanities to our performance schedule. The Village is a group of teens from inner city Philadelphia that danced, rapped, sang. and did theatre. We were told that there were between 4000 and 5000 in town at the height of the event.

May 20, 2000

As before our parade was a hit. The Village returned this year. We were joined by Katie Latimer, a 17 year old professional storyteller as well as many other wonderful performances.

2001 - Some highlights of the 2001 festival  were the Village of Arts & Humanities returning for their 3rd year. We also had the 1st Annual Duck Derby to raise money for several arts organizations.  We added the Recycled Refuse Runway Revue with Conval High School students showing off their homemade fashion creations made entirely of recycled materials.  We also had an unbelievalble chalk mural done with Heidi Chester and all the children who stopped by. Once again another successful year.

2002 - This year stood out above all others in that during the entire day we had a major snow storm that dumped inches and inches of snow.  Though our tent in Putnam Park was closed because of the snow load, we had very few cancellations.  The show went on in spite of the weather.  Many questions were asked if the Parade would happen anyway.  It did and we had a very respectable turnout of both Parade marchers and watchers. Though the streets were faily empty most of the day the venue spaces were packed.  Truly folks were hardy this day. We hosted Hillary Chaplain, clown extraordinaire and many others. Welcome to Florida, our very own local band, closed the show with a rocking time at the Peterborough Community Theatre. On Sunday we hosted Tom Chapin and though we did not have a packed house it was good to try our hand at bringing in big entertainment.

2003 - 10th Annual Children in the Arts Day- The Floor Lords,  Boston-based dance performers, packed the Town Hall with their exciting performance that mixed break dance, jazz, funk and tap.

2004 -  "Here Comes the Sun" was the theme.  The Sharon Arts Center held an exhibit of local artwork.

2005 - "Helping Hands" was the theme.  Michael Cooper returned!  Michael is a storyteller who worked the crowd on stilts as a friendly giant.  Craig Kielburger spoke at the Unitarian Church about "Free the Children" and there was a llama in the parade for the first time.  Local schools created decorated doors that were donated by Belletetes.

2006 - "Under the Sea" was our theme.  Corrugated cardboard artist, Jimmy Grashow created an "Aquarium of the Imagination" with local students that filled the Sharon Arts Center with a myriad of sea creatures.  Mugboards were set up around town.  The "Recycled Runway Revue" packed the Town Hall with its dazzling display of haute couture.

2007 - The theme this year was “Our Towns, Our Places: What’s Your Connection?” It could have been “Under the Sea” again as rain poured down for most of the day! For the first time the festival sponsored an artistic residency with Jeff Erwin from Trash Can Lid Productions for Conval students. Four different high school groups turned “junk into funk” as they played their high energy and lively trashcan music.