The Festival began in the summer of 1987, after the Chamber had accepted the challenge of matching an anonymous
donation to produce a summer concert series.
Opening Night, June 5, 1987 featured Tom Rush and Ben Baldwin and the Big Notes. The first year included
"Brown-Bag concerts on Wednesday noon, two performing groups on Friday night at 5:00 and 8:00 and a Sunday Sunset
Concert at 7:00 p.m.
The summer-long Festival showcases both internationally and nationally recognized as well as top local Seacoast
entertainers. launched the Cochecho Arts Festival.
In announcing the first summer music series, Chamber Chairman Dick York described the Festival as "something
our community needs and something that will benefit the entire city." York also spoke of the festival as "an
important step in developing Dover’s cultural resources."
With the Cochecho Arts Festival now thriving, the Chamber has indeed met the challenge. The variety of
performances have always attracted huge crowds to Dover — not only from the Seacoast, but as far away as the
Mid-Atlantic states.
Area residents and visitors who attend the concerts realize immediately why Dover is such a great city. The
Chamber is proud to have taken the lead in promoting the arts and community events in Dover with the belief that
everyone benefits from a vibrant, healthy community.
The Cochecho Arts Festival buttons have always been a great way to help raise money to keep the festival
going. Each year a new button design is created. You can see below for previous button designs.