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Things to do
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Special Events
Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall
The White Mountain region hosts annual events that promote the lifestyle and culture of its villages and people for a wide variety of reasons and purpose. Sporting and recreational events are held to not just challenge the ruggedness of the area, but to provide a venue to educate or help fund worthwhile causes and opportunities. Annual festivals, tours, and weekend events honor local products and harvests, celebrate seasons, and display beautiful and collectible works of artisans, artists and musicians- all geared to attract participation and visitors throughout New Hampshire, New England and beyond, to share exhibitions and demonstrations unique to the Franconia Notch Region.
Our yearly calendar displays dates that celebrate our ethnic diversity, its history, and the legends and legacies of our founders and heroes. In true New Hampshire spirit and fortitude, you will find annual events that even celebrate adversity and poke fun at the hardscrabble survival from discovery to recovery, because we can, and we'll share it with you! Visit our Events Calendar often for additional events, times and places, posted by our collaborative Chambers of Commerce.
The Franconia Notch region is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays. Cut your own tree, visit beautifully decorated inns, homes, shops and craft fairs. The holiday Parade on the Friday after Thanksgiving on Littleton NH's Main Street is always a highlight of the start of the season's activities and a special holiday shopping day in the area. One-of-a-kind stores will answer your need for unique gifts for family and friends. No one says Christmas better than the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, NH- Wagon and Dog Sled Rides, market place with 40+ New Hampshire artisans, "Eco" Santa for children and other weekend activities throughout November's end and all month long in December- Inns & Arts Tours, Cookie Tours, Special 3D movies, Concerts, decorating contests, numerous outdoor recreation from skiing to sleigh rides, skating, caroling and special church services, children's events and concerts- all the holiday events and activities of the tradition and spirit of the holiday in the hospitality mecca of northern New England in the Western White Mountain area of the Franconia Notch Region of New Hampshire.
Spring
The New Hampshire Maple Experience Weekends: March 16 - April 6, 2013
Each weekend The Rocks Estate will feature several educational and hands on experiences for entire families from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Get your sweet tooth ready! Maple sugaring marks the end of a long New Hampshire winter and brings bright thoughts of spring. Join us to hear the legend of how maple sugaring began, why sap flows, and how to ID a tree. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon, help tap a maple tree and learn the process of how sap changes to syrup. Tour includes a donut, sour pickles and maple syrup. A visit to the New Hampshire Maple Museum is included in the cost of entry. A rotating exhibit of Maple artifacts can be viewed throughout the year in the newly renovated 1906 building. Come for breakfast with Polly’s Pancake Parlor at the Rocks Estate and shop in the newly expanded Market Place at the Rocks. Reservations for the tours are advised. Cost: Adults $10, Children $7.
32nd Annual Wildflower Festival at Rocks Estate June 1, 2013
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests invites wildflower enthusiasts to kick off the annual Fields of Lupine Festival at the Rocks Estate. The day will mark the 33nd Annual Wildflower Festival, with a full slate of fun activities planned at the turn-of-the-century Estate. From photography to crafts and floral identification to use as a food, wildflowers will be highlighted on this early summer day. Several workshops and tours are planned to keep visitors engaged with all aspects of flowers from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Forest Society staff and volunteers will lead walks on the beautiful Mile Path, a hidden woodland trail from a bygone era. The Mile Path Walks are limited (only 20 per walk) and fill quickly, so reservations are strongly advised. The cost for the day-long Wildflower Festival is $15, includes lunch and all programs. A $5 discount is given with each Lupine Festival book presented.
Annual Lupine Festival June 1-15, 2013
The Fields of Lupine Festival is a time honored event sponsored by the communities of Franconia, Easton, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Littleton and Lisbon to showcase this colorful pageant. 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of this event. The lupine carpets local fields and pastures in a rolling sea of vibrant purples, pinks, blues and whites. The long-lasting blossoms attract equally dazzling butterflies and create a breathtaking floral display against the majestic backdrop of the Franconia, Presidential, and Kinsman Mountain ranges. Tour guide books are available with daily events throughout the month, weekend specials and includes hospitality and shopping coupons for use throughout the festival. Filled with entertainment and other activities as well as an award winning photo contest.
Official Pollyanna Glad Day 2013 June 8, 2013
10th Anniversary of Signature unveiling of the public art Pollyanna sculpture. The Annual Celebration & Festivities: welcome wave, annual group photo, rub Pollyanna's hightop shoe for luck...plus, lots of time to be glad! be cheerful, and eat cake! Visit - New Hampshire's Most Welcoming Attraction - Pollyanna of Littleton in her welcoming pose at the Library on Main Street, Historic Downtown Littleton. The day is highlighted by presenting the Signature Award that honors individuals who exhibit the character and spirit exemplified in the personality of Pollyanna- living positively and inspiring gladness in an outstanding way.
Old Home Day July 6, 2013
Easton Sugar Hill and Franconia. Sponsored by the Lafayette Lions Club, celebrated annually the weekend of the Fourth of July. Activities include a 4th of July Patriotic Parade, activities and concerts on the Dow Field, joined Fire Department Chicken Bar-B-Q, Duck race, prizes and contests, Book Sale.
Annual Poetry Festival & Conference at the Robert Frost Place (2013)
Poetry Reading Series - Summer 2013; Readings in The Henry Holt Barn at the Frost Place. All readings are free and open to the public.
Conference on Poetry and Teaching
Festival and Conference on Poetry
Advanced Seminar
Feel'n Top Notch - Outdoor Expo & Wellness Fair August 3, 2013
The Annual Feel’n Top Notch Outdoor Expo and Wellness Fair is held on the Dow Field, downtown Franconia, NH. the same day as the Top Notch Triathlon. The combined events offer affordable activities for the entire family in the Franconia Notch Region of New Hampshire, thus increasing participation in both events. Littleton Regional Hospital, Lafayette Recreation Department partner to create this family oriented summer event. Join us for Family Fun at LRH’s Outdoor Expo and Wellness Fair on Saturday, August 4th, from 10 am - 3 pm. Health screenings including cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure provided to you by LRH staff. Enjoy a chair massages, Reiki, or Reflexology treatment! Disney Radio will be on hand with games and music for the entire family, a Climbing Wall for the kids - PLUS much, much more! LRH will host an affordable family style barbecue…so come on down to the Dow Field in Franconia on Saturday, August 4th! For more information, contact: Gail Clark at (603) 444-9304.
Top Notch Triathlon August 3, 2013
20th Annual Triathlon (Mountain Biking, hiking, swimming) begins in the picturesque mountain village of Franconia, NH, Leg one of the event mountain bikes along 3 miles of paved road before embarking on a wooded uphill trail climb to the top of Franconia Notch. Along the way, expect to encounter mud, rocks, roots, and more. The next leg will be a plunge ahead into pristine Echo Lake (average August water temp: 65°) for a brisk swim. Last, but not least, is an ascent up the ski trails of Cannon Mountain. Loose gravel, ledge and wild life may all be encountered on the 2 1/2 mile trek. Your vertical rise from lake to the summit will be 2280 feet. The grand total vertical climb from start to finish will be a phenomenal 3320 feet! "Take the Challenge!" For additional information or questions, call Kim Cowles at 603-919-8925 or e-mail here.
Bode Bash '13 August 2013
Sponsored by the Turtle Ridge Foundation (supporting Health, Diversity & Sustainable Living"). A weekend-long charity event with world champion skier Bode Miller at his organic farm and home. Includes tennis at Tamarack Tennis Camp, 111 Easton Valley Road, Easton, NH, golf tournament at Maplewood Golf Course, Route 302, Bethlehem, NH, live music, great food and much more. Our mission is to support innovative and progressive adaptive and youth sports programs,and to focus our efforts in a specific direction that will be most effective. The adaptive and youth sports sector is what we most identify with and have the ability to make a difference in. The Turtle Ridge Foundation’s Board of Directors has agreed to make a real push and create a movement incorporating some of Bode's sponsors to use their resources and expertise to make improvements in the equipment that adaptive sports programs are using. Your generosity and support will help to make this happen and TRF can’t thank you enough! Click on BodeBash '13 for complete info and registration forms.
At the Loon Mountain Ski Resort, Route 112, Lincoln, NH. Known for its diverse program, highlights include the Gathering of the Scottish Clans, with over 60 clans and societies, 30 Pipe Bands from Canada and the United States appear over the three days, Sheepdog Trials, Celtic World Music Concerts, the New England Regional Scottish Fiddle Championship, Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, National Highland Dance Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming, Scottish Harp (Clarsach) & other instrument competitions. A favorite venue for most of the World's top Heavyweight athletes to compete. Watch both amateur and professionals. Click here for links to 2012 participants, events and more information. September 13 & 14, 2013
Cannon Mt. to the Seacoast, Start: Franconia Notch State Park (Cannon Mt.) finishes at Hampton Beach on the coast. The longest distance running relay race in the United States. Consists of (a maximum of ) 12 person teams that rotates through 36 transition areas that covers approximately a 200 mile distance. Each relay team member runs 3 legs of varying lengths and difficulty and covers an average total distance of 16.6 miles. Ultra Distance division that will have a team limit of 6 members where the average distance covered per Ultra Distance Team runner is 33 miles. Runners rotate in a set order once the race begins and will be obligated to follow this rotation until the final runner Reaches the Beach! Click here for a printable description of all relay legs and here for detailed maps of this fall classic relay event.
Annual Autumn Festival in Sugar Hill September 28 & 29, 2013
Main Street, Route 117, Sugar Hill, NH. This festival provides a grand array of outside vendors, demonstrations and entertainment throughout the festive weekend. Booths align both sides of the street, featuring home made goods, foods and creative gift ideas. Demonstrations in "lost" arts of homemade materials, wool spinning, weaving, pottery and such, vary year to year. Entertainment from local well known musicians and others specifically for children are timed throughout the weekend. Local specials at Harman's Cheese and Country Store, Polly's Pancake Parlor and others add to this great fall weekend festival at the height of foliage in a quintessential New England village with 360 degree vistas of the brilliant sugar maples and others from its Main Street and side roads.
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Franconia Notch Region Chamber
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