Antique bicycles at Waner House in Portsmouth

The criterium and antique bicycles in Portsmouth

The Portsmouth Criterium takes place downtown on Sunday, Sept. 19 with kid races at 11 a.m. and adult races kicking off at high noon. Head downtown to Market Square to catch a view of the amateur, and professional cyclists, view exhibits and check out the lifestyle expo. There is no admission charge to watch. For information and a complete schedule of races (from Men's Category 4 at noon, through Men's Professional 1/2 at 3:45 p.m.) visit www.portsmouthcrit.com/

The Criterium won't be the only bicycle related event taking place in the city on Sunday. Across town, at 150 Daniel St., the Warner House will feature Zip Zamarchi and his unique collection of antique bicycles from noon to 4 p.m. This family friendly event will be held in the garden.

The Warner House was built between 1716 and 1718 for Captain Archibald Macphaedris, a merchant and ship owner, in preparation for his marriage to Sarah Wentworth, daughter of Lt. Gov. John Wentworth. The house remained in the same family until 1931 when the Warner House Association was formed and the house opened to the public. The Warner House is a Registered National Landmark and a rare survivor of an urban brick mansion in New England. The wall murals lining the staircase in the front entry are the oldest still in place in the U.S.

The Warner House is open Wednesday-Monday from noon to 4 p.m. Regular admission fees for a guided tour range from $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, students and AAA members, and $2.50 for children ages 7 and up. The museum closes for the season Oct. 17. 436-5909, info@warnerhouse.org, www.warnerhouse.org.

There's still time

to get your wings

It's time to dust off your fairy wings and start collecting twigs, stones, feathers and seashells. The annual Fairy House Tour returns to Portsmouth's South End on Sept. 18 — 19, from noon to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Friends of the South End (FOSE), the Sixth Annual Fairy House Tour will feature whimsical dwellings built by school children, families, artists, and local clubs. The self-guided tour will wind through the paths and gardens of Strawbery Banke Museum, the Gov. John Langdon House, the Wentworth Gardner and Tobias Lear Houses and Prescott Park.

Tickets are on sale at Discover Portsmouth, G. Willikers, The Flower Kiosk, Paradiza, Treehouse Toys, Mainely New Hampshire, and the Tyco Center at Strawbery Banke, or at www.prescottpark.org. Ticket prices purchased before the event are: Adult $10; Senior $8; Child (3-12 yrs.) $4 and children under 3 yrs free. Day-of-tour ticket prices are: adult $15; senior $10; child $5. Tickets include admission to all historic sites on the tour. Free parking on Peirce Island. Ticket proceeds to benefit local non-profit organizations. www.fairyhouses.com or www.prescottpark.org.