Community arts projects. A model railway. Gundalow tours and scenic boat rides. Talks and stories by the river. This year's Heritage Festival includes lots of special events you won't want to miss. Check the full schedule, On the Waterfront, and other links on the festival site to be sure you don't miss a thing.

Newmarket's Living Treasures
Listen to stories of Newmarket's past—as remembered by those who lived it. Don't miss this special Sunday afternoon presentation under the Main Tent. During JOE DIXX PRESENTS (12:45 – 1:30 pm), Newmarket's Richard Schanda shares his knowledge of the the Great Bay and Lamprey River. During the MILL WORKERS ROUNDTABLE (1:45 – 3:00 pm), tales of life in Newmarket's mills will be told by those who worked among the pounding of the looms.

Newmarket Engine House Celebrates 150 Years!
Don't miss the Saturday night celebration ceremony (5:00 – 5:30 pm) at the newly restored Engine House. The event kicks off with a procession from the Main Tent to the Engine House led by King Ludwig's Bavarian Band. Read more about the Engine House Project.

All aboard the Model Railway!
Bells and whistles, chuffs and diesel roar, real smoke and lots of fun are guaranteed at the model railroad display brought to you by the Bristol S-Gauge Club (the oldest S-gauge model railway group in North America). Community Church vestry.

Tour the Gundalow
The Captain Edward H. Adams gundalow will be open for tours all weekend with Justin Kane, gundalow captain. Justin will also give several talks in which he reveals fascinating facts--plus a bit of fabulous fiction--about the flat-bottomed vessels that once traveled the waters of the Piscataqua region. (See Children's Corner for information on Justin's rope bracelet-making workshop.)

Get Curious!
The ever-popular Children's Museum of Portsmouth returns to Newmarket. Interactive exhibits include Touch and Sea (a three-dimensional quilt of underwater sea life); Different Lands, Different Masks (authentic and replica masks representing the traditions of different countries), and Family Album: Our Immigrant Origins (a community-based exhibit about immigration—including stories of Newmarket families). www.childrens-museum.org

It Takes a Village
Sunday, 1 - 1:30 pm
Settle in by the Lamprey River and listen to local author/illustrator Jane Cowen-Fletcher reads aloud from her books (including It Takes a Village), answers questions about her writing process, and signs copies of her books. Waterfront tent.

Scenic Boat Ride
Learn about the environmental history of the Lamprey River and Great Bay. Tours leave every half hour. Boats can take 10 passengers and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. See On the Waterfront for details.

Waterfront Talks and Stories by the River
Hear the story of the Gundalow. Meet Newmarket's prehistoric creature. Learn about the incredible Piscataqua region in which we live. Talks and presentations, plus great stories for kids, are scheduled throughout the day under the waterfront tent.

Community Arts Projects
Contribute to a community quilting project. Learn to fold origami creatures. Try your hand at weaving a tapestry. Festival-goers can participate in the creative process under the Artisan Tent. No experience necessary.

African-American History in Newmarket
New at the festival this year will be the Cheswell Burying Ground Tours led by Newmarket resident Rich Alperin, who has become an expert on Wentworth Cheswell (1747 – 1817), one of Newmarket's founding fathers. Of African-American ancestry, he served the town for more than 50 years in many capacities, from selectman to assessor to scrivener. Alperin is chief fundraiser to restore the deteriorating stone that marks Cheswell's grave and lives on the site of the Cheswell family home.