Press Kit

News from Mt Washington Valley, Nov 10, 2014

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207.846.6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH

North Conway, NH:  Jingle your bells, go riding through the snow and light the trees along with communities throughout Mt Washington Valley, NH as we usher in the holidays.  From ski resort openings to holiday shows and parades, the holidays are ushered in with plenty of good cheer in Mt Washington Valley, NH.

November 22: Don’t miss Black Mountain’s Annual Snow Dance: November 22 marks a ritual Black Mountain established a few years ago.  Ever since the Show Dance tradition was started, we’ve had good snow years, so we’re not going to stop now.  Start gathering around the bonfire outside the Black Mountain base lodge on November 22^nd at 4:30pm. Chelsea, a talented snow dancer and yoga instructor, will pray to the snow Gods and we’ll all cheer them encouraging a great snow year. Afterward, there’s entertainment, dancing and plenty of spirits for all in the Lostbo Pub.  All ages are welcomed.  Info:  603-383-4490, www.blackmt.com .

November 22-29: Festival of Trees:  Salyard’s Center for the Arts in Conway Village, NH will be transformed into a vibrant and magical wonderland of Christmas elegance during the week. Young and old, alike will delight in the displays of beautifully decorated and lighted Christmas trees, each one unique and all available for a chance to win and take home to decorate their own home this holiday season. Info: http://www.nhfestivaloftrees.com/.

November 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, Sat & Sunday in December through 12/21: Christmastime at Santa’s Village: Santa greets every child, and listens ever so attentively to all the wishes and wants of the season. Mrs. Claus joins in on the hospitality and offers some warm wassail for all their guests. If you visit, be sure to stay 'til after dark when the beautiful lighting throughout the park displays a sense of well-being and warmth on those cooler nights. Dress warmly as it gets snuggly cold on the Skyway Sleigh Monorail or the Merry Christmas Ferris Wheel. Fourteen rides are operating and the festivities are all geared to Christmas.  Plus, a newer 3-D show entitled "A Tinkerdoodle Christmas" will leave you laughing at the antics of L. Fastidious Tinkerdoodle as he prepares Santa for his yearly journey on Christmas Eve. Info, tickets and list of rides: http://www.santasvillage.com/public/seasons_and_events/seasons/christmastime.cfm

November 27:  Thanksgiving in Mt Washington Valley:  The celebrating starts  with the Thanksgiving Day 5K on Thursday, November 27 at 9:00 AM at the Main Lodge, King Pine Ski Area / Purity Spring Resort.  NH Route 153, East Madison, New Hampshire 03849.  (Registration is at 7:30-8:30 AM, Main Lodge at King Pine Ski Area / Purity Spring Resort.  All Race Proceeds to Benefit the Kennett High School XC & Track and Field Programs.  Register online: www.runreg.com/purity-spring-thanksgiving-day-5k) and continues on to Thanksgiving dinners served from noon on in restaurants throughout Mt Washington Valley, including a FREE thanksgiving dinner at Rafferty’s Restaurant and Pub for the community.  Click here for a complete list of Thanksgiving dinner specials, events and much more! Click here for the full list of Thanksgiving weekend activities.

November 28-30, December 5-7, December 11-14, December 18-22:  Journey to the North Pole, Polar Express:  Take a magical journey to the North Pole via the Conway Scenic Railroad turned Polar Express train to hear Santa read the Christmas Classic, The Polar Express.  Special treats served up by elves, along with a gift for each child are highlights.  Tickets available via lodging partners and a call in system.  Info: http://www.polarexpress.org/.

November 29, Dec 6, 13, 20:  Tea with Mrs Claus at Bretton Woods: Bring the little ones in your life to enjoy special holiday music, a child-friendly tea menu and holiday stories with Mrs. Claus.  This special event will take place Saturdays at 1:00 pm from November 29th - December 20th.  Reservations required, fees apply. Info: 603.278.8989, www.brettonwoods.com/activities/event/detail/679 .

November 29:  Skiers Homecoming at Cranmore Mountain: From 3pm-5pm enjoy live music, sample local beers, and get a chance to bid on Cranmore trail signs, where all proceeds benefit the Jimmy Mersereau Scholarship foundation, during this year's annual Homecoming Event, held in Zip's Pub and Grill.  The park staff will also have an element or two set up for some informal jibbin' in the base area. Plus, this fall, Warren Miller releases its 65th ski film, No Turning Back, which will be debuted in Zips Pub, with doors opening at 5:30pm.  Tickets are $10.  Info:  click here.

November 28, 29, 30, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 :  Santa’s Holiday Express on Conway Scenic RR: Santa is on board with his mischievous elves who will be sharing their hot chocolate and cookies with everyone. They'll take your picture, too, if you ask nicely, so be sure to bring your camera! Info and tickets: 603-356-5251, www.conwayscenic.com .

Nov 28, 29, 30: Santa Rides up Mount Washington on the Cog Railway Snow Train: The Mount Washington Cog Railway is inviting Santa Claus to ride the snow train up Mount Washington as part of a festive Family Holiday Weekend, happening November 28-30. The Cog will be offering three Snow Train trips with Santa, Friday through Sunday, at 10:30 am, 12 Noon and 1:30 pm. The halfway round trip up the mountain to Kro-flite Kamp takes approximately one hour. Passengers can get off the train at this half-way point and take photos of the train and views with Santa. Santa will have a special gift for every child on the trip, and on return to Marshfield Base Station, visitors can enjoy complimentary cookies, hot cocoa and mulled cider, gather by the fireplace and join in family fun activities such as “Pin the Nose on The Snowman”, a reading of “The Little Engine That Could” and Cog trivia with prizes. Tickets can be purchased online at thecog.com, at 603.278.5404 or directly at Marshfield Base Station.

November 28, 29, 30^: Kick off the ski season with Bretton Woods Skiers’ Homecoming:  Skiers can plan to kick off the 2014/15 ski and snowboard season at Bretton Woods . Friday evening will feature the annual screening of Warren Miller’s 65th annual feature film, “No Turning Back”. There will be great prizes from Omni Mount Washington Resort’s very own TreeTop Sports. Saturday will bring great skiing (weather permitting), music, food, and the resort’s annual Homecoming Brew Tasting!   Info: 603-278-8989. www.brettonwoods.com/activities/event/detail/677 .

November 29: An Old Fashioned Christmas:  Get ready to kick off a year-long celebration of the town of Conway’s 250th Anniversary with an old fashioned Christmas celebration in Schouler Park, North Conway Village.  It all starts with traditional holiday tree lighting with Santa, then the Angels and Elves walk to Eastern Slope Inn for story time, hot cocoa and s’mores. North Conway Village stores will offer sales and special in-store celebrations too. It’s all presented by Eastern Slope Inn , White Birch Books, Fields of Ambrosia , North Conway Village Association, the MWV Band and the Mt Washington Valley Radio Group!  Info: http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/events/conwaycelebration.cfm.

November 28, 2014:  Black Friday in North Conway:  In the true shoppers’ tradition, stores throughout North Conway will open as soon as the clock strikes midnight and Thanksgiving is over! Some may even open earlier. All stores in Settlers’ Green Outlet Village will be open by 5:00am on Friday, November 28th.  Store hours will vary from store to store.  Special offers for Settlers’ Green stores will be posted on the What's On Sale page.  Additionally, special sales and additional information on Black Friday deals will be posted on the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and in Shop Talk, the free bi-weekly shopping tip newsletter.  Sign up to receive the Shop Talk newsletter at www.MtWashingtonValley.org.  We’ve compiled an exhaustive list of all the sales closets, clearance lofts and special websites for finding the best deals for your holiday shopping.  Simply click here for a full list of where to find great tax free deals throughout Mt Washington Valley, NH .

December 6: Town of Conway Holiday Parade and Celebration: It all starts with pictures with Santa at 1:00pm at Northway Bank.  Next it’s storytime at 2:00pm at Conway Public Library.  The big Holiday Parade kicks off at 3:00pm and continues down Main Street in Conway Village, culminating with a tree lighting at 4:00pm at the Conway Information Center.  The annual Free Holiday on Ice Skating Show at Ham Arena will get underway at 5:00pm followed by an Open Skate at 6:30pm.  More Info:  http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/events/conwaycelebration.cfm.  Register to be a part of the parade with Jessica Whitelaw, Whtlaws3@yahoo.com.

December 6 : Holiday Tree Festival at Settlers’ Green Outlet Village: Live caroling music, festive trees decorated by locals competing for cash awards, free hot chocolate & candy canes, free horse-drawn wagon rides with Santa are all highlights of this event. Plus, Cranmore Mountain Resort will build a miniature snow tubing park so the kids can enjoy time tubing on the snow while parents shop.  Info: Click here.

December 6:  Homestead Christmas at Remick Country Doctor Museum: From noon to 3:00pm, view seasonal decorations and exhibits, Victorian Christmas confections, Captain Enoch Remick House Tours, make and take home crafts, open hearth and wood stove demonstraitons, farmhouse kitchen treats for sale.  All this for $5 admission.  Info: http://remickmuseum.org/index.php?page=christmas-in-the-village.  

December 12 to 24:  Military Appreciation Days at King Pine: Active United States military personnel and their dependents can ski/ ride for FREE until Dec. 24th. Retired US military personnel can ski/ride free until Dec. 24th. Military I.D. card must be presented. Info: https://www.kingpine.com/events/military-appreciation-days-king-pine. 

December 13, 14: 18^th Annual Inn to Inn Cookie Tour: Mark the calendar for the 18^th Annual Inn to Inn Cookie and Candy Tour in Mt Washington Valley, December 13-14, 2014, 11am-4pm.  Visit 11 inns all dressed in their holiday finery; taste scrumptious holiday cookies and take home a collection of scrumptious holiday cookies and candies. You’ll also view beautifully decorated inns and take home some holiday decorating ideas for your own home.  Stay at one of the inns and receive a custom-made keepsake ornament.  Two night packages including two nights’ accommodations, breakfast each morning, two tour tickets, and a colorful recipe collection, collectors’ ornament are available too, and offer the best way to insure cookie tour tickets.   Tickets go on sale the first week in December or reserve a lodging package including tickets any time. All tickets must be reserved in advance. Info: 800-338-1356, 603-356-2642 or www.countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com.  

Ready to plan your Mt. Washington Valley holiday getaway?  Visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org for complete trip planning ideas.  Better yet, call and talk to a vacation concierge at 800.DO.SEE.NH (800.367.3364. To learn more about planning your New Hampshire vacation, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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