10 Things to Know Before You Go to the Expo and Merrimack Rocks

Saturday, Sept. 28 is the day that many in town have been planning and waiting for. It is the seventh annual Merrimack Fall Festival and Business Expo during the day and the first-ever Merrimack Rocks musical event in the evening. A group of volunteers lead by Dave McCray and Dave Shaw, as well as town office employees and members of the Town Council have been meticulously planning these events for months preparing a day that's sure to be packed with family-friendly fun. 

Read through for essential information you should know today about schedules, parking, admission and more. 

If you're planning to attend the event, take some photos and share them on Patch. We've created an open blog where you can go upload photos, observations from the events and you can even tell the organizers what you liked and what could be done better, and share suggestions for future events. Read more here to find out how you can even do this right from your phone.


First things first. You cannot go to the Merrimack Fall Festival and Business Expo or Merrimack Rocks until you've watched the above rap video promo produced for the event by the staff at Merrimack Community TV. It's simply awesome. End of story. 

At the Fall Festival and Business Expo

Hours. The Merrimack Fall Festival and Business Expo will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Schedule of events.
Mastricola All Purpose Room Stage 

• 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Karaoke with DJ Bernie D 
• 10:30 AM: Belinda Bridgeman Dance Academy Demonstration 
• 11:00 AM: Broadway Bound Dance Demonstration 
• 12:00 PM: Zumba Fitness with Deb Ham 
• 1:00 PM: Independent Karate School Demonstration 
• 1:30 PM: Belinda Bridgeman Dance Academy Demonstration 
• 2:00PM: Zumba Fitness with Deb Ham 

Smith Gym 

• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Bring your camera and have your picture taken with Red Sox Mascot, Wally the Green Monster 

Mastricola Parking Lot 

• 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Fire Department Demonstrations
• 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: McDonny’s Petting Farm 

Mastricola Parking Lot Stage 

• 11:00 AM: Curly Jones Band (Blue Grass, Country, Folk Band)
• 12:30 PM: Taser Demonstration 
• 1:00 PM: Canine Demonstration
• 1:30 PM: Siroteau (60’s and 70’s Band) 

Festival parking. Parking will be at the O’Gara drive parking lots and Our Lady of Mercy parking lot. There will be shuttle buses operating throughout the day. Handicapped parking is in the Our Lady of Mercy parking lot, denoted by blue signs.

Festival Admission. Admission is free, though some businesses will be selling their products and several Merrimack restaurants will have food for sale at the event.

Merrimack Rocks

Admission. Just like the Merrimack Fall Festival and Business Expo, admission to Merrimack Rocks is free and open to all. 

Parking. Parking for this event is limited on site to handicapped attendees and the Gibson and Gagnon families. All other attendees must park at Merrimack High School or the old Shaw's Plaza. There will be shuttles every five minutes from both locations to Watson Park. 

Who's being honored. There will be tribute at 7:30 p.m. to Merrimack's Cpl. Timothy Gibson who was killed in 2005 in a helicopter crash while serving in Iraq. At 6:10 p.m.: Pete Gagnon will be given a lifetime achievement award for 39 years of volunteer service to the town. 

Rockin' Schedule of events.
4:00 PM World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales arrive at Watson Park for 1 hour picture taking after marching in from Town Hall
4:30 PM Folk singer- Tristan Omand
5:15 PM Color Guard presents Colors
5:30 PM Classic Rock Masters "The Shotz"
6:10 PM Lifetime Achievement Award for Community ServiceArthur "Pete" Gagnon
6:40 PM Classic Rock Masters "The Shotz"
7:30 PM Tribute to Corporal Timothy Gibson
8:00 PM Fireworks Spectacular

Bring your own seating. Chairs will not be provided at the event. Please bring your own chairs and or blankets to sit on to enjoy the show.

Food for sale. D.W. Diner will be on site preparing food for sale to attendees of Merrimack Rocks. Lindt Chocolate, from the Merrimack Premium Outlets, will also be on site with free samples. 

Have fun!