Press Kit

Fields on the Saco 2009 -- Wrap Up



Despite the uncooperative nature of the weather, the second annual Fields on the Saco held Saturday, August 29th in Weston's hayfield in Fryeburg, Maine, was a tremendously successful event. All in attendance were treated to an elegantly prepared four course meal made from the produce of local Maine, New Hampshire and New England farms.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

CONTACT: Siiri Grubb, 603-356-5701 ext. 304, siiri@mtwashingtonvalley.org

 

‘FIELDS ON THE SACO 2009' PAIRS LOCALLY GROWN, ARTFULLY PREPARED CUISINE WITH COUNTRY ELEGANCE FOR A TRULY UNIQUE NIGHT ON THE FARM


FRYEBURG, ME-Despite the uncooperative nature of the weather, the second annual Fields on the Saco held Saturday, August 29th in Weston's hayfield in Fryeburg, Maine, was a tremendously successful event. All in attendance were treated to an elegantly prepared four course meal made from the produce of local Maine, New Hampshire and New England farms.

 

Guests were greeted at Weston's Beach by a vintage trolley provided by Village Taxi, Trolley & Shuttle Service, before being shuttled around to tour the four participating farms. As with last year, dinner guests were able to tour Weston's Farm, a six generation family farm located in Fryeburg, Maine and meet with the Weston family to learn about their sustainable practices and pesticide free, organic produce. Guests also toured Sherman Farm, a local dairy and vegetable farm, just across the border in East Conway, New Hampshire. Owner Kathy Sherman invited guests to come back to the farm for Sherman Farm's ever popular Corn Maize opening September 19th for the 2009 season.

 

This year's Fields on the Saco guests were delighted with the expansion of the farm tours to include two additional family farms. Green Thumb Farms, a local grower and shipper of quality potatoes, located in Fryeburg, Maine, invited guests to tour their packaging and shipping facility. Owners Don and Brenda Thibodeau, were on hand to give the tours of their facility and inform guests of their expansive product line which includes Cold River Vodka, a super premium potato vodka made exclusively from their potatoes. The forth and final stop on the circuit was Nearfield Farm, a Border Collie farm located in East Conway, New Hampshire. Owners Rodger and Kris Deschambault invited guests to watch their world champion Border Collies in action as they performed their herding trials. Rodger's champion dogs, imported from England and Scotland, delighted guests with their speed and accuracy in herding the sheep.

 

After the farm tours, guests were dropped off at the majestic white tent set out in Weston's Farm hayfield. The mood was elegant as music from the ‘Jazz Meisters,' played while guests sipped on blueberry tart and lemon martinis from Cold River Vodka set out on a beautifully handcrafted bar provided by New Hampshire Log and Timber Homes. 


The menu, accompanied by perfectly paired wines from Wine Thyme, was created by four award winning chefs from throughout the Mt. Washington Valley. Each course was created using the fresh ingredients provided by Sherman, Weston's, Green Thumb, Wiley Mountain, Meadowsweet, Barrett Hill, Misty Knoll and Fluffernutter farms as well as some of the fresh harvest from our local community garden located in Conway, New Hampshire. Each course was presented to the guests as chefs Bryant Alden of the Chef's Market of North Conway, Executive Chef Bradley Southwick of the White Mountain Hotel and Resort, Chef Jonathan Spak, co-owner of the Oxford House Inn and Chef Jim Harrison of the Flatbread Company described their delectable creations and the farms from which the ingredients came. 


After dinner, guests enjoyed port and stilton cheese provided by Wine Thyme and rich coffee selections from The Metropolitan Coffee House. To end the evening, a live auction was held to auction off eight hand painted, cedar ‘Art-A-Ron-Dack' chairs made by R&R Woodworkers of Jackson, NH and painted by local and regional artists.
Each person attending the dinner took home a beautiful engraved lead wine glass from Glass Graphics, a hand made napkin from Sally Bags, a Cold River Vodka nip, herbs provided by Cormack Construction Management Inc, Bean Pod Candles from Soyfire Candles as well as a bag full of other great goodies to remember the nights events. 


Proceeds from this event will support the Mt. Washington Valley Green Team's efforts to engage area residents and businesses in adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce their environmental impact. 


The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Fields on the Saco 2009 sponsors:
Event Sponsors:
Chef's Market of North Conway, Cormack Construction Management, Inc. (Green Business Sponsor), Flatbread Company, Green Thumb Farms / Cold River Vodka, Nearfield Farm, Oxford House Inn, Sherman Farm, The White Mountain Hotel & Resort and Weston's Farm


Supporting Sponsors:
Barrett Hill Farm, Cole Scott Photography, Community Garden, Fields of Ambrosia, Fluffernutter Farm, Glass Graphics, Ladybug Photography, Misty Knoll Farm, Meadowsweet Farm, Mountain Garden Club, MWV HOG Chapter, New England Inn & Lodge, Perrier, Poland Spring, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Sally Bags, Shirley Rae Fabrics, Soyfire Candle, The Metropolitan Coffee House, Tim DiPietro Electric, Village Taxi, Trolley & Shuttle Service, Wiley Mountains Farm and Wine Thyme - A Wine Shop & Cafe


Also thank you to those who volunteered their time, including Chamber and Green Team staff and board members as well as all those involved in making this event such a success.


For more information about Fields on the Saco or to purchase tickets for next years event, call 603-356-5701. Visit mtwashingtonvalley.org for other great Mt. Washington Valley events, accommodations, dining and attractions.

*Photos available upon request from Ladybug Photography at www.ladybugphoto.zenfolio.com and Cole Scott Photography at colescottphoto.com

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