Moonlight Madness a Downtown Draw in Rochester

By JOHN QUINN
jquinn@fosters.com

Article Date: Monday, June 30, 2008

Monica Haley, an employee of the Paincare Center in Somersworth, performs a belly dance during the annual
Moonlight Madness celebration in downtown Rochester Saturday.
(Craig Osborne/Democrat photo)

ROCHESTER — Revelry filled the downtown during the annual Moonlight Madness celebration Saturday,
which featured displays of antique cars, bikes that briefly defied gravity, dancing, ducks and Thai
food.A variety of entertainers attracted crowds, including singers, belly dancers and performers
from Studio 109, the Nancy Bretton School of Dance and Corrinne's School of Dance, said Mandy
Barstow, owner of Studio 109 and a member of the Rochester Main Street board of directors.

"I was so proud of the turnout, and I hope it was successful for all the businesses downtown,"
she said, adding that many set up tables on sidewalks along with other vendors.

Bruce and Becky Bacon of Rochester said they were surprised how much the event has developed
over the past year. "This is our second or third year, and it's gotten better," Becky Bacon said,
adding that they especially enjoyed stopping by the Chicken Roast on North Main Street.

Craig Osborne/Democrat photo Packy Campbell of RSA Reality juggles fire during the annual
Moonlight Madness celebration in downtown Rochester Saturday.

The Maximum Velocity Stunt Team wowed audienced with BMX demonstrations in front of Tri-City Bicycles
on South Main Street.

"That guy is incredible," Bruce Bacon said after a member of the team lifted off one of three ramps
the team used.

Kolbie McCabe, 17, of Rochester, said he enjoyed the evening and hopes there are more events for teens
in the city — perhaps offering the chance to dunk the Spaulding High School principal.

Participants also got to help fellow citizens and honor two residents who died this year.

Dianne and Ed Murray said they were impressed at the level of community support as they collected
donations for a scholarship fund in memory of their daughter, Emilee, who died at 17 after being
involved in a car accident.

Craig Osborne/Democrat photo Chip Gehman of New Durham checks out cars on display during the annual
Moonlight Madness celebration in downtown Rochester Saturday.

Marilyn Berry, who serves on the board of directors for the SHARE Fund, said the night was not the
same without Dan Steinbach, who succumbed to cancer in May after helping so many in the city for many years.

"He's wickedly missed this year," Berry said.

She said others have had to take over for Steinbach, who was a consummate organizer, but their efforts
honored a man who made his mark helping others.

"That's how his spirit lives on — through good deeds," she said.