Claremont Kiwanis to host free KidsFest at Barnes Park

Claremont Kiwanis will turn Barnes Park into a free summer stop for Sullivan County families on Saturday, June 20, when KidsFest runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 63 Belding Street in Claremont. The event is open to families across the county, children of all ages are welcome, and a local event listing says free giveaways are aimed at school-age children and teens ages 6 to 18.

For parents trying to stretch summer budgets, the appeal is straightforward. There is no admission charge, no ticket barrier and no need for a long drive, only a public-park outing in the county seat. Sullivan County has about 43,063 residents in the Census Bureau profile, with Census Reporter putting the ACS 2024 estimate at 43,715 and the median age at about 47, a reminder that a kid-focused, no-cost event can be a practical draw for younger households.

KidsFest also fits a long-running service tradition. The Kiwanis Club of Claremont NH says it has been helping local families for more than 70 years and is devoted to serving children in the greater Claremont community. Earlier in 2026, the club marked 75 years of service to the children of Sullivan County at its annual President’s Party, and its fundraising calendar includes the Big Kiwanis Auction, which raises money for children’s charities. The club also highlighted a kids fishing derby in nearby Newport earlier in June, showing KidsFest as part of a broader summer outreach effort rather than a one-day stand-alone event.

SAU #6 posted notice of KidsFest on June 8, helping carry the word through school and community channels. Claremont, Sullivan County’s only city, has long served as a gathering point for county events, and Barnes Park offers an easy, central setting for a free afternoon that can bring together children, parents, siblings and grandparents without adding to the household budget.