The New Ipswich Historical Society is holding a Midsummer/Strawberry Festival on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19th from 11:30 am until 4:00 pm at Barrett House in New Ipswich's historic district. The summer solstice marks the official beginning of summer and is celebrated as “Midsummer” in England, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, and many other places. For New Englanders, Midsummer marks not only the return of the sun, but also the arrival of strawberries. Please join us and celebrate summer in New Ipswich with a day of music, exhibits, entertainment and food.

The Finnish-American dance group, Revontulet, will demonstrate some traditional Finnish folk dances on the lawn of Barrett House and Oivan Ilo, a Finnish-American band will entertain the public with traditional Finnish folk and old-time New England music.

The New Ipswich Artists’ League will exhibit new works inspired by life in New Ipswich and New Ipswich craftsmen will display their wares.

For kids, there will be a painting corner where they can create pictures that depict their favorite New Ipswich sights, and an “I Love New Ipswich” exhibit of their finished works.

Guest speaker:
At 1:00 PM, Marita Cauthen, a native of Finland and editor of the Finnish-American weekly newspaper, Raivaaja, will talk about Juhannus, the Midsummer celebration in Finland.

Exhibits will include an exhibition of Finnish folk costumes in the Barrett House gallery and The New Ipswich Antique Fire Brigade's 19th century hand pumper fire engines will be on display. These engines once constituted New Ipswich's original fire brigade. The newly restored "Water Witch" will join her sister engine the "Southern Hero" on the Barrett House lawn. Dads and all will also enjoy an antique truck/tractor and tool exhibit.

The Barrett House and gardens will be open for tours all day with the last tour of the day beginning at 3 p.m.

Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. and will continue until 4:00 p.m., rain or shine. The festival is FREE and open to the public.

Schedule of events:

'Old-time New England' music: 12:00

Guest speaker: Marita Cauthen 1:00 in the Barrett House carriage house

Revontulet - Finnish folk dances on the lawn: 2:00

Oivan Ilo - Finnish-American folk music: 2:30

Arts and crafts show: all day "I love New Ipswich" kids painting corner on the lawn 12:00 to 2:30

On-going

Exhibition of Finnish folk costumes in the Barrett House gallery: all day

Antique Fire Brigade exhibition: all day

Antique truck/tractor and tool exhibit: all day
 

If you are a craftsperson and would like to participate in this event please send contact us at info@newipswich.org

Contact the Historical Society with information, comments and or questions at info@newipswich.org