Downtown Nashua Association lays out summer events and takes on Bridal Festival amid parade confusion

Alyssa O'Mara, executive director of the newly rebranded Downtown Nashua Association, told the Nashua Board of Aldermen’s Planning and Economic Development Committee on May 19 that the group will run a packed calendar of downtown events this year and has taken responsibility for the city’s Bridal Festival while parade logistics remain with the mayor’s office.

O'Mara described a summer lineup that includes a rubber‑duck regatta on May 24, a farmers market in Renaissance Park through mid‑October that will accept SNAP and Granite State Match ("$20 is $40" when match applies), and a summer music series June 6–Aug. 29 at the riverfront pavilion. "We create a destination downtown, increase foot traffic to local businesses," she said, outlining outreach results such as a downtown newsletter with roughly 43,000 subscribers and a combined social reach of about 30,000–50,000 across event pages.

Why it matters: DNA managers said they are trying to broaden downtown activity and reduce barriers for small businesses by removing participation fees for local vendors and by coordinating with city economic development on facade and revitalization efforts. Committee members pressed for clarity about who would operate the Pride Parade and how organizers would communicate with long‑time volunteers after social‑media reports that the parade had been canceled.

On the Bridal Festival and parade: O'Mara said DNA was offered the festival portion and initially considered taking the parade, but emergency‑management concerns tied to a venue change made parade management by DNA impractical. "We were given the festival portion of the full day of events," she said. "We were offered to take on the parade, which we were excited to take on. We had our meeting with emergency management, and based on the venue location change, it just wasn't feasible." She added that the mayor’s office is coordinating parade planning and that the city will announce final plans as they are confirmed.

O'Mara also sought to address community concern about abrupt online reports. She said her committee had provided details to at least one community member who then posted on social media that the parade was canceled, which generated "uproar." Committee members urged better proactive outreach to historically involved volunteers and organizers; O'Mara said the mayor’s office would release an official announcement once arrangements are set.

Funding and charitable commitment: Liz Hannam, the city’s economic development director, told the committee the winter stroll cost about $36,000 last year and that a $40,000 line item covers the event; the city also maintains discretionary funds (about $50,000) for downtown events. O'Mara said DNA is not on the city’s budget as an ongoing line item but will seek city support for specific events when needed. She also said, "All proceeds that we have from this event over the cost are going to New Hampshire Outrights Nashua chapter," a local LGBTQ nonprofit.

On small‑business support and redevelopment: O'Mara described recruitment of new businesses and efforts to revive vacant buildings, calling out historic tax credits as a tool to spur investment ("The state of New Hampshire offers a 25% historic tax credit rebate; the federal government offers a 20%"), and asked the committee to back facade grants and other incentives.

Next steps: O'Mara said DNA will share event updates with vendors and the public once the mayor’s office finalizes parade logistics. Committee members thanked O'Mara for the presentation and directed staff to continue coordination on route, cost and communications.

The committee then moved on to the Planning Department's land‑use code discussion and had no further action on DNA items at the May 19 meeting.