KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – Keene will come alive with festivities as the Keene Sentinel commemorates its 225th anniversary this Saturday, Sept. 7.
The historic newspaper, one of New Hampshire’s oldest, will host a day-long celebration from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., featuring events spread across the city.
Founded in 1799 as the New Hampshire Sentinel by John Prentiss, the paper originally published weekly, according to a recent piece published in the Keene Sentinel. In 1890, it became a daily publication, rebranded as the Keene Evening Sentinel, before adopting its current name in 1972. Today, under the leadership of Thomas Ewing, nephew of former owners Ruth and James Ewing, the Keene Sentinel continues its long legacy of serving the community.
The event lineup promises something for everyone. Local businesses are invited to join a downtown sidewalk Sale, while live performances by The Lake Effect Band, The Shana Stack Band, Heath Lewis, and Morgan-Nelson will keep the crowd entertained throughout the day. Music stages will be set up in Central Square and the county lot behind Lindy’s Diner.
In addition to live music, attendees can enjoy a farmers market, a classic car show on Gilbo Avenue, and a tour of the city’s Walldog murals led by the Historical Society of Cheshire County. Food lovers will have their pick of nine different food trucks stationed throughout the event.
A special Community History Series will be held at the Keene Library. Alan Rumrill will present on the Keene Sentinel’s history and its role in local journalism, while Tom Ewing, Cecily Weisburgh, and Anika Clark will discuss the paper’s current direction. Visitors can also learn how to navigate the newspaper’s historical archives.
The day will conclude with a celebrity softball game at Alumni Field at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks display to cap off the celebration. The entire event is free and open to the public, offering a perfect opportunity for residents to come together in honor of the Keene Sentinel’s milestone anniversary.
There will be some road closures in downtown Keene Saturday. The Keene Police Department says Central Square will be closed, along with West Street from Federal Street, Roxbury Street from Roxbury Plaza, Washington Street from Vernon Street, and Court Street from Winter Street all to the square, and Railroad Street from Main Street to the west edge of the vision parking lot. There is no parking in and around the area as well.
Visit The Sentinel’s 225 celebration | sentinelsource.com for a full schedule of events.
