Press Kit

Good News From Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

FAB FALL FESTS, FAIRS, FUNDRAISERS, FOLIAGE & FAMILY FUN IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH

Mother Nature puts on a show that never disappoints, add these special events to a fall foliage getaway for the ultimate in autumn vacations

North Conway, NH – Applauded by media with accolades like “most spectacular places for fall foliage” by Buzzfeed and “Best fall destination” by TripAdvisor and USA Today/10 Best, Mt Washington Valley and the White Mountains are a popular fall vacation choice.  It’s no wonder why.  Mother Nature simply never disappoints with her harvest hues painting a patina across the mountains.  There are so many ways to peep a leaf in Mt Washington Valley, and that’s reason enough to come.  Add in special fall festivals, family fun, foliage and fairs throughout the Valley and it’s no wonder this is such a popular vacation destination.  We always advise visitors to ‘book now or forever hold your peep”.  With more than 150 lodging properties in the Valley, there’s always room for fall visitors, but it gets harder and harder to find availability the closer you get to peak foliage (usually coincides with Columbus Day but varies by weather each year).

Pull out the calendar and start planning your fall getaway around these exciting fall festivals, fairs, fundraisers, foliage and family fun this fall. 

Sept 6,7, 8: MudBowl 2019: World Championships of Mud Football: “Mudeo Games” is the theme for this year’s Championship of Mud Football played each hear at Hog Coliseum adjacent to Schouler Park. It’s a combination of touch football played in  knee deep mud with veteran teams including the Mt Washington Valley Hogs, North Country Mud Crocs, Carrabassett Valley Rats, Mud Gumbys, North Shore Mud Sharks, New Hampshire Mudcats, Jack’s Predators, Cumberland Muckaneers, Rowley Mud Ducks, The Muddas, Massachusetts Mud Dogs, and North Conway Mud Things. Each $15 ticket ensures entrance into the games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and doubles as a raffle ticket for a $500 prize on Saturday & Sunday. Day tickets and a family package are also available. Add in the annual Tournament of Mud Parade on Saturday morning on Main Street in North Conway with its whimsical  floats and displays with prize money to be donated to a non-profit of the winners’ choice. More than $350,000 has been raised over the 30+ tenure of this event for Mt Washington Valley non-profits. Info: www.northconwaycommunitycenter.org/mud-bowl.

Sept 6, 7, 8: Muster in the Mountains A weekend of colonial reenactment comes to the Auto Road: This event features a colonial encampment of reenactors representing the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and Mountain Man periods from 1750 through 1840. The gathering happens in the fields at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Participants demonstrate the use of appropriate tools, clothing, and firearms from their respective time periods. This event is free and open to the general public Friday and Saturday from 10am – 4pm, Sunday from 10am – 1pm. The Auto Road is open during this event.  Info: www.mt-washington.com/events.

Weekends, Sept 7 – Oct 14: Johnny Appleseed Express on the Conway Scenic RR: New for 2019:  On the Conway Scenic RR’s Valley Train, there will be an optional weekend stop at Densmore Orchards en route to Conway where passengers can get off the train to visit the orchard and farm stand for about 20 minutes.  Passengers will be picked up by the train on its return trip to North Conway, leaving enough time to pick and shop for appleishous treats.  Info: www.ConwayScenic.com.

Sept 14: Jen’s Friends Climb Against Cancer: The Climb Against Cancer has become symbolic of the hurdles that cancer patients, survivors, and their families must overcome to win the battle against cancer. Many people participate to celebrate survivorship; others come to commemorate the lives of those who lost the battle with cancer. And still others hike to raise money for their friends and neighbors who are being helped by Jen’s Friends. People of all ages participate, and many bring their four-legged family members. It consists of a 3-mile hike up and down the slopes of Cranmore Mountain is approximately three miles. Participants may choose to hike the entire or partial route.  Look forward to live performances by local singers and dancers. Snacks and water at the summit, then after the hike, lunch is provided plus and more live entertainment. Awards and prizes are also given out to the teams and individuals who raised the most money. Info and schedule: Click here.

Sept 14 , 15: 2nd Annual Sensory Sensitive Weekend at Story Land:The sights and sounds will be adjusted to better cater to the autistic community. Expect park and ride music, announcements and other sound effects to be turned down or off completely, and certain geysers and water features will be turned off. VIP Passes will be available to those who have difficulty waiting in queue lines. Therapy Dogs and representatives from Autism Speaks will be on site. Info: www.storylandnh.com/sensoryfriendlyinfo.

Sept 15: Red Parka Pub World Tricycle Downhill Grand Prix at Attitash: Starting at noon, Don’t miss a day of thrills and spills on the country's most challenging downhill tricycle course at Attitash Mountain Resort. Compete solo, race as a team, or watch the action from the deck of the Bear's Den.  Four racers are on the course at a time in a Grand Prix format. Helmets are required, bring your own helmet and trike or we have plenty available to use that day. All competitors must be 21 or older, but all ages are welcome to watch and cheer racers on to the finish. The Bear's Den will be open serving up burgers, beverages, and more. Proceeds go to the Dewey Mark/Red Parka Scholarship Fund. Info: https://www.attitash.com/event/trike-race/.

Sept 21: Walk for the Animals at Whitaker Woods: Formerly named “Bark in the Park” this fun day filled with events and activities for the whole family – both two and four legged will take place at Whittaker Woods  in North Conway, NH this year. Registration begins is 9:00 to 9:45 and the walk begins at 10:00. There will be vendors and food and contests to enjoy too. This is a fundraiser for the Conway Area Humane Society, with top fundraisers receiving prizes.  Info: https://www.conwayshelter.org/event/walk-for-the-animals-2019/.

Sept 28: 100-Acre Challenge 5K Obstacle Adventure: Run, Swim, Crawl, Climb & then some in the 100 Acre Wood in Intervale, NH. Competitors will run, swim, crawl and climb as this 5K challenge takes them into the mud, water, over walls, rock piles and through the wood. It's all for a good cause with net proceeds benefiting the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation’s Outreach Reading Program. Individuals and teams of two, three or four are invited and for kids 12 and under there is the Mini Acre Challenge featuring mini obstacles. The kids' race starts at 9:30am. Starting at 10am, heats for the individual competitors and teams of two, three, and four will depart the starting line every 12 minutes. Info: www.believeinbooks.org/100-acre-challenge.html.

Fri, Sat, Sun, Sept 28-Nov 2: Ghoullog at Cranmore: Now in its12th year of fear, this approximate 50 minute haunt features over 15,000 square feet of indoor space. Meander if you dare through a series of dark rooms, scary mazes and unknown places, plus an outdoor element which leads the unsuspecting through the dark woods with all of the scares and screams you've come to expect. The Ghoullog is recommended for ages 10 and up. In addition, venture over to the Haunted Playground featuring the Mountain Coaster, Giant Swing and Soaring Eagle Zip Line. All Haunted Playground rides offer a unique night-time experience with special lighting, effects and the occasional ghost or ghoul when you least expect it. Age, height and weight restrictions apply. Finish the night off with a drink in the Broken Skull Pub or a visit to the Rotting Corpse Gift Shop.  Info, schedule and tickets: https://theghoullog.com/.

Sept 29-Oct 6: Fryeburg Fair: Considered Maine’s Blue Ribbon Fair, since 1851 when a few farmers and merchants got together to show off their harvest and animals. Now the Fryeburg Fair takes place on 185 acres in more than 100 buildings. The eight-day fair hosts more than 3,000 animals including prize-winning draft horses, ponies, racing horses, oxen, dairy & beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits and much more. Fryeburg Fair has flourished since that first fair when William Walker of Lovell won $3 for the best acre of corn and William Spring of Brownfield earned $1 for the best seed wheat. Fryeburg Fair attracts more than 225,000 people annually. Look forward to fair food of all flavors, carnival rides, live entertainment nightly, harness racing, daily livestock showings, and a wide range of events from the sheep dog trials to skillet and anvil throw. For a complete schedule of events and information: https://www.fryeburgfair.org.

Oct 12-13: 22^nd Annual Attitash Oktoberfest: This two-day event will feature traditional Bavarian music from the world renowned King Ludwig's Band, authentic German fare as well as a Biergarten featuring 20 different local and regional breweries serving a host of seasonal beers and ciders. In addition, kids will enjoy games offered by the MWV Children’s Museum in the Kinderplatz  while parents take compete or watch the annual Keg Toss and Stein Lift competitions.  It’s fun for the whole family.  Schedule and info: https://www.attitash.com/event/oktoberfest/ .

Fri, Sat, Sun, October 18-20 & 25-27: Pumpkin Patch Express on the Conway Scenic RR: Enjoy a ride on this vintage train as it travels to the “Pumpkin Patch” in Conway, where passengers are invited to get off the train and participate in activities there.  Each child can pick out his or her own pumpkin and enjoy some “Trunk or Treat” displays and barrel car rides.  Two departures on Friday:  11:30 and 1:30, plus 3:00 trains on both Saturdays and Sundays. Under four rides free in coach. Info: www.conwayscenic.com.

It's smart to plan fall foliage getaways to Mt Washington Valley early to insure the best availability at campgrounds and other lodging in the Valley.  For the most up to date calendar of events, and additional vacation planning resources visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call a vacation adviser at the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce at 800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). To start planning your New Hampshire getaway and adventures be sure to go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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Photo courtesy of Conway Scenic RR.

Look for additional photos in the online Flickr Photo Library at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwvchamber/albums