MERRIMACK – On July 7, 32 of New England’s best drummers will come to the front of the stage to compete for best drum solo in the seventh annual New Hampshire Drum Festival’s Drum Fun at the Budweiser Brewery in Merrimack.

The largest drum solo competition in New England, Drum Fun is family friendly, free to the public and will include raffles, prizes and giveaways. The event also will feature My Art Show, where more than 75 fine artists will be setting up booths to showcase and sell their crafts and artwork.

“We’ve been doing Drum Fun for six years now, and every year I am amazed by the talented musicians of all ages that come to compete,” said Tom Mungovan, founder of NH Drum Festival’s Drum Fun. “Just last year, a pre-teen took a place in our top three! The addition of My Art Show, an outdoor fine artists exhibition this year makes this a wonderful way to spend the day with some great music and art.”

Drum Fun is NH Drum Festival’s flagship competition, will feature 32 drummers, both male and female, ranging in ages 9 years to 60 years old, competing against one another with five-minute drum solos. The top three contestants will receive cash prizes and gear provided by our sponsors, including Paiste, Vic Firth, Zildjian, Evans, Promark, Aquarian and other nationally known drum manufacturers.

Sponsors also have donated drum accessories and other products that will be raffled off at the end of the day. Freebies, such as T-shirts, key chains, stickers and literature, also will be given out to attendees.

“Hopefully everybody walks away with something,” said Mungovan.

Drum solo performances will be held from noon-7 pm. My Art Show exhibits will be open from 10 a.m.-6p.m. Drum Fun and My Art Show will be both held at Budweiser Brewery, located at 221 Daniel Webster Highway . There is an abundance of free parking, along with can’t-miss attractions including tours of the Budweiser facility, the famous Clydesdale horses and on-site food and drink at The Biergarten.