You Get a Say in Dover’s 400th Anniversary at Monday Meeting

The committee charged with planning Dover's 400th anniversary celebration wants to know what the public wants as part of the celebration.

The forum is scheduled for the Dover Public Library from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.and all ideas are on the table, according to executive director Jeanette Poulin.

The volunteer group has started planning for the celebrations in 2023 with a parade and perhaps a boat parade and fireworks all in the works. Leading up to the big celebration Dover 400 is also hosting events to bring awareness to Dover's history.

"We want to make sure we are hearing from the public as to what the public would like to see. We're going to be able to pull off every suggestion that comes up but we do want to hear what people would like to do or what people would like to see in terms of us celebrating the city," Poulin told Seacoast Current.

There were public forums prior to the pandemic but now that dates are being solidified and some events are already being planned the group would like to give an update and receive additional feedback.

There is also a need for volunteers to help with the events being planned.

"We would need people to help put the parade together. We're talking about having a boat parade. I would love for someone to take that on and coordinate that," Poulin said.

There's also a need for volunteers to help with parking and with organizing those who do offer to help.

A concert in June and a "cultural celebration" in September of this year are already being planned.

"As the first settlement in New Hampshire, Dover has the honor to lead the way for many regional anniversary celebrations," Poulin said.

Portsmouth is planning for its 400th anniversary in 2023.

The group held it's first public event, a Family Fun Day at Tendercrop Farm at the Red Barn that drew 1,300 to enjoy the food trucks, games, a beer and wine garden, cornhole and corn mazes.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH