The influx of tourists that floods Portsmouth every summer dramatically alters the city’s population for at least three months. But how often do local residents introduce themselves to these newcomers and get to know their temporary guests?

Portsmouth Community Radio is doing just that with a new weekly program. “Live from Market Square” airs every Friday afternoon from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on WSCA, 106.1 FM, broadcasting from outside Me & Ollies on Pleasant Street. 

Hosted by Ann Haggart, the show pulls aside visiting tourists to discuss their backgrounds, explain what brought them to Portsmouth, and describe what they’re doing while in town. In return, Haggart shares a bit of the city’s history and makes suggestions about fun places to visit.

Ann Bliss, chair of WSCA’s board of trustees, said the new program is partly aimed at supporting local businesses that rely on tourists who shop, dine and seek entertainment in the city. The station provides tourists with information about sponsor businesses like Me & Ollies, York’s Wild Kingdom, and the Star Island Corporation.

“We want to support the community and we want to support the businesses in the community, and this seemed like a really fun way of supporting businesses downtown, particularly during tourist season,” Bliss said.

She also hopes the program will expand the station’s listening audience by getting tourists to tune in. “They’ll also learn a lot about what’s happening in Portsmouth while they’re here visiting,” Bliss said.

A family of four from San Diego became the first guests to step to the microphone on Friday, July 8. Susan and Eric Bandrup and their daughters Erica and Patricia were visiting friends in Massachusetts who recommended they spend a day in Portsmouth. The family swung through Hampton Beach before proceeding to the Port City, where they strolled around Market Square.
“We’re just looking around at the beautiful architecture and the small town here,” Eric Bandrup told Haggart.  

That night, the Bandrups planned to head to Fenway Park to see the Boston Red Sox and their star first basemen—former San Diego Padre Adrian Gonzalez.

“Live from Market Square” is made possible by new remote broadcasting equipment the station acquired last year. It’s WSCA’s first regular weekly program to employ the technology. They’re also starting a live show from the Portsmouth Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Saturday morning in the parking lot outside City Hall.

The WSCA crew encountered some technical difficulties during the first installment of “Live from Market Square,” but they soon worked out the kinks. Haggart even chatted with a family from Sweden and shared the history behind the iconic North Church building in Market Square.

The show will be broadcast live each week and also archived on the WSCA website at www.portsmouthcommunityradio.org. “Live from Market Square” also has its own Facebook page, which will soon include a podcast. The program will continue every Friday afternoon through August.