4th of July Events in the Mt. Washington Valley

 

The Independence Day of the United States is quickly approaching and the Mt. Washington Valley has many ways for you to celebrate! The towns of Bartlett, Gorham,  and Conway as well as Fryeburg, Maine are putting on 4th of July Celebrations.

Town of Bartlett 4th of July Celebration

The Annual Hellen Hayes Memorial 4th of July Parade will start at 11am and there will be a BBQ and live music following the parade at noon. For more information, visit http://www.townofbartlettnh.org/.

Town of Conway 4th of July Celebration 

The Town of Conway 4th of July Parade  will start at 1pm, with activities at Schouler Park in North Conway beginning at 3:45pm. The community is welcome to enjoy food, music, and fireworks, beginning at 9:30pm. For more information, visit http://conwaynh.org/.

Town of Gorham 4th of July Celebration

Gorham rings in the holiday with New Hampshire’s longest 4^th of July celebration, an event that spans four days over the July 4 weekend. The celebration promises hours of fun, food, and merriment, including parades, music, amusements, and a classic car show, topped off with a brilliant and memorable firework display.  Times and schedule TBA. For more information, visit http://www.gorhamnh.org/Pages/index.

Town of Fryeburg, Maine 4th of July Celebration

The Town of Fryeburg’s 4th of July Parade will start at 10am. For more information, visit www.fryeburgrec.com.

Happy 4th from everyone at the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce!

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Holiday Train Rides at Conway Scenic Railroad

The Conway Scenic Railroad is ‘geared’ up for the Holiday Vacation Season! Starting December 26th and ending January 1st, their old-fashioned train rides will be offered twice daily. The train will depart from North Conway at the Conway Scenic Railroad Station for an 11-mile, 55-minute roundtrip Conway excursion. This trip is perfect for visitors seeking a shorter train ride and is great for young children. See the sights of the Moat Mountain Range, Valley farmlands, Moat Brook, the Saco and Swift Rivers, as well as charming Conway Village.

The first daily departure is scheduled at 11:30am and the second at 1:30pm. Visitors can choose from coach, first class, and dome riding options. The prices are as follows:

CONWAY	Coach	First Class	Dome
Adult	$17.00	$21.00	$25.50
Child (4-12)	$12.00	$16.00	$21.00
Under 4	Free	$9.00	$13.00

To purchase tickets, call the Conway Scenic Railroad or visit this page. For more information on Holiday Train Rides at Conway Scenic Railroad, located at 38 Norcross Circle in North Conway, please visit their website at www.conwayscenic.com or by calling 1-800-232-5251.

To plan your winter adventure in the beautiful Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire, reach out to the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce by calling 800-367-3364 or by visiting our website. Happy Holidays! 

3rd Annual New Year’s Eve Gala at M&D Playhouse

Start 2017 in style at the Third Annual New Year’s Eve Gala organized and sponsored by the M&D Playhouse and Pam Memmolo, with additional sponsorship by Marjory Taylor & Dean DeMaster and The Valley Originals. This event is a fundraiser for M&D Productions.

Attend for a night of dining and dancing, with catering by White Mountain Chalet and Caterers and dance music provided by Al Shafner. Additional food has been provided by Tuckerman’s Tavern, Vito Marcello’s Italian Bistro and M&D’s board of directors.

Doors open at 7:30pm. There will be a cash bar throughout the evening, as well as a cocktail hour with music by Heather Pearson, and dinner immediately following, with music provided by Miss Maybell and Slimpickin’s.

Tickets are $50 per person with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Black tie optional.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at (603) 733-5275, visit www.mdplayhouse.com or speak with a member of M&D’s board of directors. Happy Holidays!

Journey to the North Pole Success in its 21st Season

This seasons 21^st annual Journey to the North Pole Fundraising Event for Believe in Books Literacy Foundation was a huge success raising funds to support Literacy in Northern NH and Western ME.

The Journey to the North Pole is the family adventure of a lifetime taking families on a magical trip to see Santa.  Families boarded the Journey to the North Pole train in their pajamas and were greeted with a cup of delicious hot chocolate served by magical chefs, along with Santa’s favorite chocolate nougat!  Guests then arrived at the North Pole, departed from the train and were escorted by ecstatic elves past the North Pole Post Office and Toy Workshop to the North Pole.  The classic “The Night Before Christmas” a poem by Clement Clarke Moore was dramatically read and immediately following the elves serenaded the crowds while Saint Nicholas himself visited the young and old.  It is a magical event that makes believers out of everyone.

“My four-year-old daughter had a wonderful time on Monday! Her eyes sparkle when she tells the tale of her trip to the North Pole”, said Susan D. Bosk.

Many people are not aware that the Journey to the North Pole is organized by the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, as is its largest fundraiser.  This event boosts the local economy by millions of dollars each year by sending their guests to local restaurants, lodging accommodations, shops, gas stations, and other services.   The Literacy Foundation serves over 1600 households with their Outreach Reading Programs and has gifted over 2 million dollars worth of literacy programs, scholarships, grants and book distributions throughout its history in Northern, NH and Western, ME.

The dedication and hard work of hundreds of community volunteers and supporting businesses are what keeps this event alive.  The Believe in Books Literacy Foundation depends on volunteers year round to help with all of their events and Literacy Programs and continues to offer many opportunities to get involved.  Anyone interested in volunteering please visit http://www.journeytothenorthpole.org.

This event is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser supporting their mission of exercising the minds and bodies of youngsters through early literacy initiatives, education, and the engagement of healthy habits.  The Literacy Foundation is a Charitable 501(c)(3) Non-Profit guided by the needs and involvement of the communities of which it serves.

The Foundation office and its 100 Acre Wood property are located on Observatory Way in Intervale, NH, just two miles north of the Scenic Vista, directly across from Town Hall Road on the west side of Route 16.

For more information call 603-356-9980 or visit believeinbooks.org.

Check listings for area fireworks displays

Ring in the New Year with any number of fireworks displays around Mt. Washington Valley!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Go for a ride at Farm By The River Bed & Breakfast and Stables

Farm by the River on West Side Road in North Conway has wagon, horseback and carriage rides now until snowfall, then sleigh rides (private and group) as well as horseback riding when the horses get their special winter shoes on.

Cranmore Readies for Holiday Vacation Week with Ski and Non-Ski Adventures!

Despite a warm start to winter, Cranmore Mountain, located 1 mile from downtown North Conway, is offering an array of activities for the entire family this holiday vacation period, Saturday, December 26th through Sunday, January 3rd. Activities include skiing, tubing, Mountain Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Line and Giant Swing rides, bungy trampoline, climbing wall, Spider Mountain Slide and Aerial Adventure Ropes Course. Three Cranapaloozas are scheduled, including a special NYE Bash, daily family activities and après entertainment in Zip’s Pub, plus a pancake breakfast with C-more and Santa.

With a few upcoming nights of snowmaking weather leading up to Christmas, Cranmore is projecting skiing on 7 trails and 2 lifts for the holiday week, including the summit Skimobile Express Quad and South Quad. Lifts will run from 8:30am-4pm for the week. KidsRule Camps and GET lessons will be offered based on availability. Guests are encouraged to call ahead for early season ticket pricing, lesson availability and reservations by dialing 603-356-5544 ext. 241.

The Tubing Park and Mountain Adventure Park featuring the Mountain Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Line and Giant Swing will be open daily through starting December 26th and operate from 9am-9pm, and from 9am-4pm on Sunday, January 3rd. A two hour tubing ticket OR unlimited Mountain Adventure Park ride ticket is $29 per person or a Tubing and Mountain Adventure Park Combo ticket is available for $46. Children 38” and under can tube free with a paying adult. Tickets for the Mountain Adventure and Tubing Park can be purchased online at Cranmore.com or on property at the main ticket office or ticketing area at the Artist Falls Lodge.

In addition to winter activities, Cranmore’s Aerial Adventure Ropes Course will be open with sessions available at 9am, 11:30am and 2pm. Each 2 hour adventure includes a half hour ground school session, where participants will learn course safety and the basics of equipment use. The Aerial Adventure Park features different courses and varying in elevation and ability level. Elements include ropes bridges, ladders, cargo nets, zip lines and an array of features. All courses are self guided and each person is attached to a guide line at all times. Tickets for the Aerial Adventure Park are $39 per person and are available at the ticket office. Advanced reservations can be made by calling 603-356-5544 ext. 241.

Expanded activities for the week include Spider Mountain, Bungy Trampoline, Climbing Wall and Kid’s Ropes Course will, operating daily from 11am-7pm and from 11am-4pm on Sunday, January 3rd. A 3-ride transferable punch card can be purchased at the ticket office or Artist Falls Lodge for $19.

The Bungy Trampoline lets guests fly high doing flips on one of four stations. Guests can scale the climbing wall or climb through each level of Spider Mountain and take the inflatable slide back down. The Kid’s Ropes Course is designed especially for children ages 3 to 9. Located next to the Skimobile Express Quad, this continuous belay course will offer fun for younger guests, featuring bridges, zip lines and more.

Height, age and weight restrictions do apply for the Aerial Adventure and expanded attractions. A full list of restrictions can be found online at Cranmore.com.

Cold River Radio and the Wildcat Tavern Present a White Mountain Christmas Concert

Jonathan Sarty and Dan Blakeslee get into the spirit of the Holiday Season with a special intimate dinner show, a White Mountain Christmas Concert, at the beautiful and historic Wildcat Inn and Tavern in downtown Jackson, NH this Sunday, December 20th. There are no tickets or reservations required, and there will be no cover charge at the door. Music begins at 7 pm.

Call ahead for dinner reservations and more info 603-383-4245.

Snow Kids event at Great Glen Trails Sunday, December 20

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center will be the site for a kids’ event this Sunday, December 20, 2015. In place of the previously scheduled “Christmas on Snow” event, “Christmas Imagining Snow” will be held, with outdoor games, relay races and indoor activities for kids in grades first through eighth.

Games of, Who Stole My Moose, Capture the Flag, Chuck the Rubber Chicken, and a Red-nose Biathlon Relay will be played outside in the morning. Following a random draw, teams of two will face off in head-to-head Reindeer Relays with winning pairs moving on in a tennis tournament-like ladder. The Reindeer Relay course will be made up of jumps, slalom, arches and more. Starting off each run with a ski shuffle will bring memories of sliding on snow to mind.  Equipment for this ski shuffle will be provided.

After a lunch break (BYO), there will be additional outdoor games, followed by two indoor activities. A snowman cookie-decorating station will be set up, as well as a station for creating natural bird feeding ornaments. All ingredients will be supplied by Great Glen.

Registration for Christmas Imagining Snow is day of, beginning at 9 am. There is no cost for the event, unless Great Glen receives enough snow to hold the event on skis. (In that case, the event charge is a $5 day pass for participating kids.) Details and the schedule for Christmas Imagining Snow can be found on the webpage:  greatglentrails.com

For more info or to register, please contact Sue at Great Glen Trails: 603-466-2333; ext. 146, email  Sue@greatglentrails.com or visit greatglentrails.com.

 

6th Annual Letters to Santa this Friday at Conway Rec

The Conway Recreation Department, in partnership with Friends of Conway Rec., will host the Fifth Annual “Letters to Santa” this Friday from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Conway Recreation Department in Center Conway.

The event is recommended for newborn to third grade children from Conway and Albany although all children are welcome.

“Children are encourage to bring their letter to Santa to be put in our mailbox and sent just in time to reach the North Pole,” Michael Lane, assistant recreation director said.

Lane said Santa will be on hand for pictures. In addition, kids can decorate a Christmas ornament, decorate cookies, prepare reindeer food and enjoy hot chocolate. All children who attend can expect a letter and picture back from Santa.

This event is free.

“We’ve done pretty well in the past in terms of turnout,” Lane said. “We’re hoping for another good crowd and Santa is looking forward to seeing the children.”

For further details contact Michael Lane at 447-5680 or go online to conwayrec.com

Williamsburg inspired decorations at White Mountain Hotel

Have you been to the White Mountain Hotel yet this holiday season?  It’s worth a trip for the beautiful views from the dining room alone, but add in the gorgeous holiday decorations, and the White Mountain Hotel is a must see this holiday season.  The inspiration comes from Williamsburg, where hotel owner, Gary Sullivan, was once a tourguide for his family’s company, Collette Tours.

All of the decorations are made from natural, fresh greens and fresh fruit and everything is made by hand by the talented sales staff.  And just to insure that it stays fresh, the fruit is refreshed every three to four days.  One look at these photos, and you can see how much work goes into keeping the decorations fresh and refreshed. You’ll find everything from pineapples to grapefruit and apples and plenty of White Mountain fresh greenery and red berries too.

The exterior decorations are designed in a Victorian style, inspired by the old hotels of yesteryear in Mt Washington Valley.  The interior decorations have a more Colonial styling, adopted from themes found in Williamsburg. Take an armchair tour of the decorations with these photos here.  Better yet, plan to enjoy dinner, a drink or brunch at the White Mountain Hotel this holiday season and check out the decorations in person.