Portsmouth Artists Invited To Design 2026 Market Square Day Logo

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Artists have until April 30 to enter Pro Portsmouth's annual logo contest for the 49th Annual Market Square Day Festival and Road Race.

The event will be held on June 13 in downtown Portsmouth.

Pro Portsmouth said it is again asking Seacoast artists to create the logo for Market Square Day. According to the release, the design should include the text “Market Square Day 2026” as well as “A Pro Portsmouth Event or Produced by Pro Portsmouth.” The group also directs artists to review past logos on its website.

The contest as part of a long-running community tradition tied to one of downtown Portsmouth's signature events.

“Once again, the ‘Call to Logo Artists’ is your opportunity to create a logo that lives on for years,” according to the release. The announcement also states, “Since 1978, Market Square Day has taken place in the heart of the City and Pro Portsmouth looks to the artists of the community to put their signature on the 2026 Logo design and message.”

Accepted formats include paintings, drawings and graphic design work, or a JPEG file. Submitted work should be one dimensional, sized 8.5 by 11 inches and limited to six colors.

Pro Portsmouth said the selected artist will be acknowledged, along with the artwork, at a press conference and will receive a cash award. According to the release, the winning logo will also appear on Market Square Day merchandise and other materials produced for the 2026 festival and road race, including social media and the organization's website.

Entries can be mailed to Barbara Massar at Pro Portsmouth, Inc., P.O. Box 967, Portsmouth, NH 03802, or emailed to bmassar@proportsmouth.org.

People interested in other Market Square Day details, including the 10K road race, sponsorships, booth and vendor spaces, and volunteer opportunities, can contact Massar at 603-433-4398 Ext. 3 or by email.

Pro Portsmouth identified itself as a 501(c)(3) organization serving the Seacoast area with a mission to promote “the arts, culture, history and community of the region” through events including Children's Day, Market Square Day, Summer in the Street and First Night Portsmouth.