Since its creation in 1938, the Sunapee Recreation Department has supported sports teams, events, and public spaces for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy. We host an annual rotation of sports teams, including baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer, in addition to specialty clinics and lessons. We have a phenomenal team of volunteer coaches, partnerships with regional leagues, and support from the Sunapee School District that help make these offerings possible every year.
Explore the resources linked on this page to learn more about program offerings, event schedules, and ways you can get involved and support the mission of Sunapee Recreation!
Check out a few of our 2024 events below, and read through the full schedule in this year's Sunapee Recreation Newsletter!
Every summer the Recreation Department looks forward to partnering with Project Sunapee to host the Sunapee Farmers' Market in Ben Mere Park. The Market is open every Saturday, 9:00am – Noon, rain or shine. Summer 2025 is our fifth year and is already shaping up to be the most successful yet! Farm vendors provide a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, eggs, honey and maple syrup, addition to vendors offering sweet and savory baked goods, jams, mustards, and sauces. We also welcome a new artisan each week to offer a rich assortment of pottery, jewelry, bowls, and more! To learn more about the Market, volunteer opportunities, and to view a schedule of vendors for the season, visit www.sunapeefarmersmarket.com.
Kids Programs (9am - 12pm)
Kids programs are free and no sign up is necessary!
- schedule of events for kids program to come.
* Free mini putt putt golf is also available behind Stacey’s Smoothies during the market for ages 10 and under.
Join us for live music every Wednesday from July 2 - August 27 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Ben Mere Bandstand in Sunapee Harbor!
July 2nd - KID PINKY & his RESTLESS KNIGHTS
A retro-style four-piece blues band from the Concord, NH area that is both authentic and unique, but not loud. A throwback to a more simple blues with its dedicated stylization and engaging personalities, Kid Pinky is always intimate and fun, a blues that’ll knock you out!
July 9th - BACK BAY TRANSIT
Back Bay Transit is a fresh and unique musical group currently working the New England region. Comprised of six top-notch musicians, they perform original renditions of music classics from the genres of funk, rock, pop, and jazz. Their sound features 3-part harmonies with exceptional horn arrangements and covers artists that include Aretha Franklin; Steely Dan; Grover Washington Jr.; Billy Preston; and Bill Withers, to name a few. Musicians include Bill Wightman on keyboards and vocals; John Dassoni on bass and vocals; lead vocals by Ajlan Beer; Jody Bregler on drums and vocals; Greg Mostovoy on saxes; and Jeff Hoyt on trumpet and flugelhorn.
July 16th - THE LAKE EFFECT
What is The Lake Effect? It’s a family of professional musicians including Sean Lake on bass & vocals; Emily Lake on keyboard & vocals; Dave Lake on guitar and slide guitar; and Jody Bregler on drums. They bring to you a variety of music ranging from older to modern country, southern rock, 80’s classics, and modern-day top 40 favorites!
July 23rd -THE HONEY BEES BAND
What’s that buzz? It’s the sweet sounds of The Honey Bees Band! Equal parts 30’s era Jazz, Western swing, Folk-Rock and Americana, the Bees mix it all up with flair, fun and a hint of mischief. Mary Fagan pollinates the rhythm with acoustic guitar or piano. Guitarist Chris O’Neill colors the nectar with sassy chording on a hollow-body jazz box and nimble runs on the Fender Telecaster. Holding it down low on the “big” bass, Jock Irvine keeps it cool and swinging while enhancing the mix with casual back up vocals. Journeyman drummer Jared Steer pops and locks the grooves while Greg Mostovoy’s improvisations on Saxophone and Flute make it all sound like the honey tastes ~ smooth, sweet and satisfying.
July 30th - BETTER DAYS BAND
Better Days Band (BDB) is the continuation of a band from 1970s with three of the founding members; Steve Hirsch on guitar; Mike Colburn on guitar and vocals; Bobby Gagnier on drums and vocals; and Skip Truman on bass and vocals. Drawing on years of collective musical experience and widely varying styles and tastes, BDB plays a mix of pop, B sides; R&B and Fusion.
Aug. 6th - THE FLAMES
A four piece “Rock & Roll” band playing music of the 50s, 60s & 70s with three vocalists including John Lovejoy on keyboards, Cam Cross on guitar, Eric von Ammon on drums and Terry Langford on tenor sax.
Aug. 13th - JOHN SULLIVAN BAND
John Sullivan, considered one of the most highly respected vocalists in the New England region, has shared the stage with music legends including Joe Cocker / Steve Tyler / James Montgomery / Danny Klein (J Geils) and has opened for Rick Derringer / Average White Band / The Ramones / Steppenwolf / Jan Hammer / and The Guess Who, to name a few! With seasoned musicianship, distinctive songwriting and exceptional vocals, John is still considered a ‘voice to be reckoned with.’ John is accompanied by Andy Hanscom on drums; and Gene Kossakoski on bass and vocals; both accomplished musicians who have played with the best of the best throughout the region for years. To purchase John’s original music to johnsullivan2 [at] bandcamp.com (johnsullivan2[at]bandcamp[dot]com) .
** Late Summer Time: 6 to 8pm **
Aug. 20th - THE EAST BAY JAZZ ENSEMBLE
A 12 to 14-piece big band featuring Gerry Grimo with lots of brass performing all the “big band” favorites these town bandstands summer music series are famous for.
Aug. 27th - DR. HARP BLUES REVUE BAND
A four-piece blues band specializing in the driving boogie blues popularized by Johnny Winter, George Thorogood and the J. Geils Band; a sound that owes equal debts to Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker. Dennis Martin took up the harmonica at age 10; over a 30- year professional career, he’s performed all over the world, including the former Soviet Union, and opened for everyone from B.B. King to Steppenwolf.
*** A huge thank you to everyone who came out to make this year’s event one of our most successful yet! Not even the snow could keep away our enthusiastic participants, and we all had an incredible time. The funds raised for the Sunapee Recreation Department will go toward our Field, Program, and Scholarship donation fund. ***
The Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot 5k is back for its 18th year!
This Thanksgiving Day tradition in Sunapee Harbor will be held on November 19th, 2024. Each year, hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages line the racecourse loop from Burkehaven Hill Rd to Lake Ave. The Turkey Trot is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Sunapee Recreation Department, and a favorite event across town.
In 2023, we had one of our most successful years to date, with almost 700 participants, as well as our first-ever Title Sponsor, Mountain Edge Suites, help to market and spread the word for our race. Registration information, race results and additional details are available at www.sunapeeturkeytrot.com.