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Hampton Beach Shell Gala Kicks-off June |
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
A Gala celebration will be held at the new Hampton Beach Seashell in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire on June 1 and 2, 2012. The festivities mark the completion of the state's $14.5 million renovation project, which included a complete overhaul of the bathhouses at the north and south ends of the promenade and construction of the stunning new Seashell venue. (Continued below)
The new bathhouses feature rinse-off showers, shaded seating, solar-heated hot water, flush-less toilets, and overlooks trellised with vines such as wisteria and trumpet creeper. The new Seashell facility has seating for 750, two ancillary stages as well as a main stage, state of the art sound and lighting, and a tensile canopy structure. Office space, restrooms, a lifeguard lookout, and a new clock tower complete the complex.
The Gala salutes a job well done and the start of a new era in Hampton Beach. "This Gala is the official kick-off of what we hope will be an exciting future at Hampton Beach," says John Nyhan, Gala chair and chair of the Hampton Beach Commission. "A great deal of work has been completed over the last 10 years as we have begun implementing the tasks on the Hampton Beach Area Master Plan. We know much work still needs to be done, but it is also important to take a moment to recognize everybody's hard work. This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community, have some fun, and celebrate our successes!"
The Hampton Beach Area Commission is coordinating the Gala, along with a committee comprised of representatives from the town, state, Greater Hampton Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Beach Village District, Hampton Arts Network, plus local community and business leaders.
Plans are still being finalized, but details so far include a ribbon cutting by Governor John Lynch on Friday afternoon at the Seashell, followed by entertainment all evening long on the new stage. Featured will be a wide range of bands who have played Hampton Beach over the years, with a fireworks display for the grand finale. On Saturday, the fun starts at noon with an art show hosted by the Hampton Arts Network, a craft fair with vendors selling New Hampshire-made products and services, plus continuous entertainment on the Seashell stage until 10 p.m. Saturday night. There will also be a formal dedication of the Chief James Donahue Life Guard Station. More entertainment and activities are expected to be added, so watch local media and visit the Hampton Beach web site at www.hamptonbeach.org for details.
The Gala launches a summer calendar that is once again packed with entertainment--look for everything from the renowned Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition to Miss Hampton Beach, Hampton Beach Talent Competition, the Catamaran Regatta, Children's Festival, the famous Seafood Festival, plus several exciting new offerings, including the "King of the Beach" New Hampshire Beach Soccer Tournament and the USAV Beach Volleyball Tournament. Visit www.hamptonbeach.org for complete listings.
"Our Slogan is 'Fun, Family, Tradition' and coming to Hampton Beach is an annual summer escape for thousands of visitors," says John Kane, marketing director for the Hampton Beach Village District. "Whether they are spending a day or a week at the beach, we will be offering the same great experience that they have always enjoyed. We have a full slate of summer activities, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Eastern Seaboard, and lots of great restaurants, shops, and hotels waiting to serve our guests. Now, we have a wonderful new Seashell complex to top things off. It's going to be a fantastic summer at the beach."