Exeter council approves entertainment license for National Guard parachute competition at private farm

The Exeter Town Council on an announced date approved an entertainment license for a National Guard parachute competition — billed as an annual training and competition — to be held Aug. 3–4 at 300 Hot House Hill Road.

At a public hearing, applicant Pearl Adams and host Earl Adams described multiday arrival and training, on‑site medical teams and military police, a designated parking plan that uses an open field off Hockhouse Road and traffic‑management steps. "We haven't had any traffic issues that I know of," Earl Adams said during his presentation, noting volunteers, scouts and retired military line roads with flags and that paratroopers are returned to base by bus after jumps.

Councilors asked about the engineering battalion and construction equipment sometimes present during training; the host said bulldozers and graders were used in past years to create internal access roads and fire access, and that helicopters do not land on site except in emergencies. The host said the activity also produced a new access road useful to fire apparatus.

After public questions and the close of the hearing, the council moved to approve the license and held a vote. No specific permit conditions beyond standard event permitting were read into the record at the hearing.

Next steps: event organizers will proceed with operational coordination (parking, safety and public notices) and the manager's office will complete any permit paperwork required before the August event.