Annual Fruit Cookoff Returns to James House

By Skip Webb

President of the James House Association, Inc.

The James Homestead, located at 186 Towle Farm Road in Hampton and consisting of the 1723 James House with an attached 1705 building as an ell and a 1702 farmstead with a still visible 1700s irrigation system. The main crops on the farm were apples, pears, blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb and grapes. They raised cattle for a dairy business which supplied the Pevely Dairy and a husbandry business.

Each October for the past seven years The James House Association, Inc. has hosted its main fund raising event which highlights the farm's fall crops. The "7th Annual Apple, Pear, Blueberry Cook-off" will be held on Oct. 6 (heavy rain date Oct. 7) at the homestead.

To participate in the Cook-off, obtain entry forms and rules from the Hampton, North Hampton, Exeter or Seabrook libraries, the Seabrook Community Center, the information counter at Hampton Town Hall, or online through the Association's website (jameshousemuseum.org) calendar page.

A separate form is needed for each item you plan to enter. Mail the forms to the James House by Oct. 2. Prepare your creations and deliver them on the event day to the Homestead between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Professional judging will start at 1:30 p.m.

Rules require preparation of two of each entry: one for tasting and judging; one for silent auction. The number of entries is not limited.

The public is invited to come at 2 p.m. to taste/judge the delicacies, bid to win the goodies entered, listen or circle dance to bluegrass music by "Rt. 1 Bluegrass" led by Kevin Dyer, participate in a 50/50 raffle, have a chance to win a large jar of candy, and/or buy a used book. There will be a $3 fee to taste and judge.

More information is available by calling Ann Kaiser at (603) 926-8538 or Skip Webb at (603) 926-3851.