a 501c3 non-profit with a mission centered around economic and cultural vibrancy in Downtown Nashua, NH
 
 
The Downtowner
Your Source For All Things Local! 
 
 
            
 
 
 
 
Dear –FNAME–, 

The annual Winter Holiday Stroll in Downtown Nashua is a major community event for southern New Hampshire, steeped in local tradition and typically held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving as a kick-off to the holiday season. As many of our Downtowners know, the Stroll features a wide variety of performers, vendors, demonstrations and attractions. It brings more than 30,000 people to Main Street in beautiful Downtown Nashua, which is closed to vehicular traffic for the evening, allowing attendees to safely stroll about with friends and family. If you can believe it, this year we would have celebrated the 27th year!

Like many large community events in 2020, the Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll is cancelled due to continued community-based transmission of COVID-19, upon the advisement of local health officials. The decision was made in partnership between the City of Nashua and Great American Downtown, its coordinating partner in producing the event. We are very much looking forward to getting back out there with our large scale community events as soon as we can, and we plan for the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2021 to make the Stroll’s triumphant return to Main Street. 

Fret not! Though nothing can replace this iconic community event, we are working on some fun and exciting programs to ensure a merry and bright season in the months ahead. In November, we’re holding a children’s cookie recipe contest. December will bring a map of holiday lighting in Downtown storefronts, as well as decorated homes of interested participants in city neighborhoods. The Nashua holiday lighting program will also feature a voting component, where light peepers can vote for their favorite business and residential displays, online at www.DowntownNashua.org. Check out information on the cookie contest below, and stay tuned to The Downtowner next week for information on how to participate! 

We’re working on a few other fun and festive programs, like our Plaid Friday event, which highlights our small business community with fun giveaways and promotions, we will be developing a 3D building projection display for Main Street, and booking outdoor live music on Saturday afternoon’s throughout the Downtown. Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more info on these and other programs! Thank you for your support of Great American Downtown, and our community of vibrant businesses and organizations that make Nashua such a special place to live, work and play! 

Hoping you and yours are well, 
Paul Shea
Executive Director
Great American Downtown
 
 
 
 
For more Downtown information, visit DowntownNashua.org
 
 
Explore our website
 
 
Photo of the Week
 
 
 
 
Our photo of the week was sent to us by Charlotte Vincent of Nashua. It shows the lovely vibrancy of autumn in Mine Falls! Thanks, Charlotte!
 
 
 
 
Do you have some great pictures of our vibrant Downtown you’d like to show off? Post them to our Facebook page, or send them to us by email! We love to share images that capture the beauty and excitement of Downtown Nashua. 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
TONIGHT! IMAGINE NASHUA – LET’S PLAN OUR FUTURE!
 
 
 
 
Join city planners for a virtual meeting to kickoff 
Imagine Nashua:
6 pm Thursday, Nov. 5
What is Imagine Nashua?
Imagine Nashua is the City’s first Master Planning or Comprehensive Planning process in almost 20 years; the last one was adopted in 2002 but started in 2000,” explains Sarah Marchant, AICP, Community Development Division Director. “The reason it is so important to get involved in this process is that a year from now we will be updating the City’s land use code to reflect what we hear from the community. The Land Use code are the laws and regulations which govern the what, where and how people can redevelop or develop in the City.
“Specifically, we are going to be diving deeper into six topic areas already stated, to try to understand what people love about Nashua today and what we could maybe do better in the future, to ensure the rules we have or will put in place reflect those ideas and values,” Marchant said.
She also stressed why it is so critical that the committee hears from the whole of our community. “We don’t want this document to only reflect a few people or the views of any one group. The goal is to hear from the very diverse people who make up this community, so as we build out in the future, we know what is important,” she explained.
Some questions that will be considered include:
  • Do we need to invest in more sports field space or natural open space?
  • Where will the new housing go that is needed to support our existing community and businesses?
  • Where should we encourage job centers?
  • How important is it for us to provide roadway or trail space for people to bike and walk to destinations vs. taking their car?
  • How do we encourage and support the future rail service and the bus system?
  • How do we best accommodate our amazing arts community in public and private spaces? 
  • Based on our energy goals, how can we encourage new development and redevelopment to do better?
Read the full intention and schedule of input meetings planned,
in our blog below.
Meeting ID:             813 7472 3782
Passcode:                 735881
To join by phone:   1 (929) 436 2866
One tap mobile:     +19294362866,,81374723782#,,,,,,0#,,735881#
If you can’t connect to Zoom, call (603) 589-3115 for assistance.
Get involved!
 
 
READ MORE ABOUT IMAGINE NASHUA
 
 
VIRTUAL SILENT AUCTION, NOV. 4–11
 
 
 
 
First Church Nashua’s 
virtual silent auction
November 4–11
Until next Wednesday, visit the virtual auction of First Church of Nashua. The Silent Auction benefits the Pastors Discretionary Fund which helps local people in need.
 
 
GO TO AUCTION!
 
 
VIRTUAL AUCTION FOR NASHUA SOUP KITCHEN
 
 
 
 

20th annual Dinner Auction
Virtual Fundraiser for NSKS
7 pm Saturday, Nov. 7

The Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter will be holding its 20th annual Dinner Auction Fundraiser at 7 pm Nov. 7, this year as a virtual event. 
This virtual auction will be held LIVE online on Facebook (NSKS page) and YouTube LIVE.  
The online “silient” auction is now open.  Register today – text NSKSGala2020 to 243725.  It is that easy!  Start bidding now and tune in Saturday night on FB or Youtube.
While no ticket is required to register for the event, your sponsorship, online viewing, or ticket purchase helps NSKS envision a brighter future for our children and families by providing meals, housing, as well as education support.

 
 
LEARN MORE
 
 
VIRTUAL JOB FAIR NEXT TUESDAY
 
 
 
 
Virtual Job & Relocation Fair
11 am – 2 pm Tuesday, Nov. 10
As a part of the state’s Commerce Corridor (from Concord to Massachusetts), Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce is working with New Hampshire Employment Security to present a Virtual Job & Relocation Fair. This event is free to attend for job seekers and companies alike.
Employers: There is still availability to participate, and it is free to do so. Click below to register.
You must register to attend this virtual event. REGISTER HERE.
 
 
EVENT DETAILS
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
KIDS! ENTER OUR COOKIE RECIPE CONTEST!
 
 
 
 
 
Nom Nom November Kids’ Cookie Contest!
Submit your recipe: Nov 1–15
Vote for your favorites: Nov. 17–25
Great American Downtown invites you to participate in our first-ever cookie contest! Our Nom Nom November Kids’ Cookie Contest will offer local young bakers the opportunity to share their favorite recipes and compete for fun and prizes!
Enter in two age groups – 12 and younger, or teen – through Nov. 15. Then online voting starts, and winners will be chosen!
Learn more in our blog, HERE.
 
 
ENTER THE CONTEST!
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 WINTER FOOD PANTRIES BEGIN
 
 
 
 
 
The United Way of Greater Nashua begins its Winter Food Pantry distributions this week. There will be three weekly locations:
2–3 pm Tuesdays: YMCA of Greater Nashua, 24 Stadium Drive
2–3 pm Wednesdays: First Church Nashua, 1 Concord Street
2–3 pm Thursdays: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, 1 Positive Place
These Indoor Winter Food Pantries will include fresh fruits and vegetables, and sometimes rice/pasta, cereal and meat.
 
 
 
 
VETERANS DAY NASHUA
 
 
 
 
Veterans Day parade postponed;
wreath-laying ceremonies to proceed
A reminder that the annual Veteran’s Day parade in Downtown Nashua has been cancelled this year. From the Mayor’s office:
“Nashua’s Veterans Day Parade, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, has been canceled. Wreath-laying ceremonies will proceed as planned on Nov. 11, with members of local veterans’ organizations and the Mayor’s Veterans Council in attendance.
The decision to cancel was made with the health and safety of all potential parade-goers and parade participants in mind, as the city continues to respond to COVID-19 pandemic.
Wreath-laying ceremonies aren’t open to the public, but will be recorded by the city’s Community Television Station and aired on local cable access channels.
In addition, videos of the wreath-layings will be posted on the city’s YouTube channel (Nashua BOA Meetings) and later shared on the city’s Facebook page, The City of Nashua NH, as well as the mayor’s Facebook page, Mayor Jim Donchess.”
 
 
 
 
ORDER YOUR CITY MOOSE THANKSGIVING MEAL!
 
 
 
 
City Moose offers Thanksgiving meals!
Order by Monday, Nov. 9!
Chef Jason of City Moose Cafe & Catering is making his popular seasonal meal again for Thanksgiving 2020! Hurry and order yours this weekend, and then kick back and enjoy the holiday stress-free!
 
 
ORDER FOR TURKEY DAY!
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
LIVE MUSIC IS BACK AT FIRST CHURCH!
 
 
 
 
First Music series begins this week!
3 pm Sunday, Nov. 8
First Church Nashua invites you to enjoy their First Music series, beginning this weekend.  These are in-person concerts with excellent distancing and reduced capacity.

Admission is free. Masks required. Contact tracing at door. Entry at rear of church in courtyard entrance between old and new buildings (parking lot side; handicap accessible).

First Church Nashua is located at the top of Main Street, at 1 Concord Street.
 
 
 
 
LIVE MUSIC IS BACK DOWNTOWN!
 
 
 
 
Above: Connor Coburn
 
 
 
 
Have you been craving live music and crisp autumnal evenings with an adult beverage and a few friends? Us, too! We’re beginning to see our Downtown Nashua restaurants and pubs offering outdoor entertainment, and we encourage you to go down and support them!
Martha’s Exchange Restaurant at 185 Main Street has live entertainment:
This Saturday – Connor Coburn at 8 pm 
Remaining Saturdays in November – Matt the Sax
Fratello’s at 194 Main Street has music 6–9 pm Mondays–Thursdays and 6–9:30 pm Friday and Saturday. November talent was not posted on their website by press time.
Peddler’s Daughter at 48 Main Street generally has musicians Fridays and Saturdays, 8–11 pm. Call to confirm.
Stella Blu at 70 E. Pearl Street has musicians Sundays outdoors from 3–6 pm.
Tostaos at 170 Main Street has live music 7–10 pm Thursdays. 
 
 
 
 
ARE YOU A DOWNTOWN VENUE PRESENTING LIVE MUSIC?
LET US KNOW!
Please email us at [email protected] with your upcoming musicians, so we can share the info with our readers!
 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
Thank you for being a subscriber to The Downtowner!
 
 
 
 
Great American Downtown is a Nashua based 501c3 Nonprofit Corporation that provides coordination, collaboration and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable and truly reflects the character of our city. Learn all about our wide variety of programs here.
We’re happy to share information about your upcoming event in and around Downtown Nashua! If you would like to submit an event to be featured in The Downtowner, or are interested in any other sponsorship and marketing opportunities through Great American Downtown, contact our Downtown Marketing Coordinator at [email protected].
 
 
 
 
DowntownNashua.org    â€¢   [email protected]   â€¢   603.883.5700