Retro Bicycle Being Raffled Off During Burgerfest, A Benefit For CHaD

CONCORD, NH — The latest Burgerfest event, which runs through Saturday, is underway at The Barley House on North Main Street in Concord.

In its 17th year, the annual event is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). Brian and Deb Shea, owners of the restaurant, started the event in 2005 to raise at least $3,000 to assist families in offsetting the cost of travel to Dartmouth for care. Since then, the event regularly raises more than $10,000, has several local supporters, and offers all kinds of amazing new burgers to enjoy.

“We wanted to help kids, that’s the bottom line,” Brian Shea said. “My dad went to Dartmouth and spent his life giving back in time and service as an orthopedic surgeon, so it felt right. I always loved burgers as a kid, and obviously, I still do, so we launched Burgerfest in 2005, and it took off from there.”

With soaring gas prices, Deb Shea said, everyone in the city is looking for local fun and downtown community events — which means Burgerfest this week and Intown Concord’s Market Days next week.

“Burgerfest is a chance to come together in a big way for all of those children and families that need it,” she said. “Giving to others is always an uplifting experience. We challenge our employees every day to Make Someone’s Day Better. Starting on Monday, we hope to do just that.”

This year, there are 12 new chef creations, including a Hawaiian Sunshine Burger with a pork and macadamia nut rub; a Turkey Pad Thai Burger, a Bourbon Steakhouse Burger, a Barley Gump — with crab and shrimp, and a Beef Wellington Burger.

To go with the burgers, there is beer — Fiddlehead IPA, Stoneface IPA, 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat, Jack’s Abby Blood Orange Wheat, the seasonal 603 Summertime, Tuckerman’s Summer Pilsner, New Belgium Fat Tire, and others, all sponsored by NH Distributors.

NH Distributors have also donated a new retro bike, Boston Red Sox tickets, and concert tickets at SNHU to be raffled.

Along with NH Distributors, the following sponsors are also matching donations for every burger and beer sold: Mason & Rich P.A., S & W Sports, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Rumford Stone, Grappone Auto Group, Baroff and Craven, Attorneys at Law, Fraser Insurance Services, Sanel NAPA Automotive Supply, CoolBitts, Cole Gardens, and Individual Fitness.

The Barley House is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (although Burgerfest runs through Saturday).

For more information, visit The Barley House website.

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