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Question:

Looking for sleigh rides in the Dartmouth area? thanks John A.

Answer for John -

I guess when Lowe's and others already have aisles of Holiday decorations out, you may ask where to flag down a sleigh! And I love when I can say this...I couldn't have 'said' it better myself! Review many options posted last December....call again!

Kimberly

I know I keep promoting the fair scene, and other typical fall fare, but I just realized that I left a stone, a very big stone, unturned this summer...I forgot to tell you to get the heck up to Storyland!

My parents used to take the family up to Storyland when we were young, or maybe we only went once, but the memory of it stayed with me into my adulthood. So it only made good sense that I take my own family there once a summer while we camped close by. And let me tell you, the kids talk about Storyland throughout the year, sometimes even wishing past Christmas, in order to bring the next summer and trip to Storyland on faster!

This is the kind of place where the pictures tell the story, so trust me, take a peek, visit the site and go, GO NOW, as Storyland is only open for the next two weekends! Get there as soon as the gates open, and the rides are all yours. Get there 2 hours after the gates open and be prepared to tell the child freaking out on your left leg to wait patiently in line 10 more minutes! While there don't forget to stop in at Zeb's in Conway and ride the Cog. Post your photos on Explore New England's Your Photos if you go...some of mine are there!

As we can probably bid a final farewell to summer and all its offerings [the last of my Impatiens are laying limp and the sunflowers have collapsed], we can at least wake in the cool crisp air of autumn, replenish the yard with colorful mums and feel great knowing that it is Fair season!

This weekend, September 29th-October 2nd marks the 130th annual Deerfield Fair in Deerfield, NH. There is nothing lacking at this fair, kid and adult rides, sausage carts, french fries, funnel cakes, chili, pizza and ice cream. Crafters, artisans, famous products from TV's best commericals [I will never forget the man slicing through the Coke can with his Ginsu and then slicing right through a beefy red tomato - WOW! - my mother bought one and still uses it!], live music, tractor pulls, oxen pulls, horse shows, piglets, gigantic vegetables, showcase flowers and fire trucks. The list does not end. As I stated last year, the worst thing you can do is leave the house spontaneously! PLEASE do yourself a favor and leave at the crack of dawn or just before the gates close. The miles of traffic barely crawl to the gates if you arrive around noon time for lunch. Plus, you can get there when the roosters crow and mow down a donut the size of your head....can't wait! See you there for sure!

Well, for some reason I will be in Vermont this very eventful NH weekend, but I wanted to be sure that you all knew about many cool cool things going on around this great granite state....Here's five I frequent...

1. Wool Day, Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH

2. 19th Annual High Hopes Foundation Balloon Fest, Anheuser-Busch Factory, Merrimack, NH

3. Merrimack Boy Scout Troop 424 Annual Yard Sale, Zyla's, Merrimack, NH

4. 31st Annual Highland Games...Loon Mountain

and

5. 37th Annual Littleton Art Show, Littleton, NH

The Annual Yard Sale of Boy Scout Troop 424 of Merrimack, NH is back, and a bit earlier this year...last year's blog said it all! Insider tip - remember, BRING BAGS OF ALL SIZES!!! You WILL tote something home, and you will need all the help you can get! Friday and Saturday, September 22nd and 23rd!

This Indian Summer we're having up here in NH [it's 84 right now!] mayjust hang around long enough for this weekend's big event - the High Hopes Foundation of NH is holding its 19th Annual Balloon Fest this weekend September 22-24th at the Anheuser Busch Factory in Merrimack, NH.

This is definitely a family draw as you can expect a Climbing Wall, Bounce House, Food Concessions, Live Entertainment, Raffles, Crafts and Novelties for sale, Hay Rides, Giant Slide Balloon Rides, Face Painting and possibly even Bungee jumping! OH wait, not to mention tens and tens of magnificent hot air ballooms!

So come support the High Hopes Foundation whose only goal is to grant wishes for chronically or terminally ill children of NH.

[Photo courtesy of High Hopes Foundation]

Kimberly

I am starting my own craft home based business and looking for craft fairs. Any thoughts on where to look or go for info for fairs, especially Christmas fairs within 45 mile radius of North Conway NH?

Linda

Hi Linda...

It's best to consult the experts at Castleberry...take a peek!

However, I must plug my son's school craft fair in November - it's incredible year after year!

Good luck!
Kimberly

Hi Kimberly,
My wife and I want to just "wander around" the New England area for approx 4 days in October.
What are the "must sees?"
Thanks
Scott

Hi Scott -

Wandering around is the best way to approach any travel I think....but how long are you actually in New Hamshire? And where are you coming from, so that I can point you to new and incredibly unique experiences?....Well, without knowing the aforementioned, here goes for NH Must Sees:

1. The Flume - a natural wonder unique to NH - it will be perfect to visit here in October because you're bound to get all kinds of foliage with it!
2. Squam Lakes - viewed from the top of Rattlesnake - if you hike this 30 minute groomed trail straight up, you will spend half the day looking down upon the Lakes...please treat yourself!
3. Portsmouth, NH - with this town you'll get architecture, salt air and delicious dining and shopping - all walkable! Check out past Portsmouth blogs on eating and entertainment!
4. Mount Washington - even a drive by is worth the trip. If daring, drive up it and wear the infamous "This Car Climbed Mount Washington" bumper sticker on the way down!
and
5. Driving Route 4 - Known in NH as Antique Alley, even if you don't like antiqueing, you'll get picturesque towns all the way!

Kimberly

How blessed I feel to come across your website and blog. My wife and I have a desire to move to a quaint village in New Hampshire. We are looking for that post card town like Stars Hollow on Gilmore girls. We have never been to NH but it seems like the perfect place to raise our daughter and new child coming in April. What towns would you suggest we visit to see where we want to live? We like dinning, shopping, outdoors, and great community. Thanks for your help

Kyle

Hi Kyle and family!

How fortunate you are to be considering moving a young family to NH...I really believe you will find many, many towns with your ideals. Without knowing where you're coming from, here are a few to consider:

1. Conway, NH...quaint town with great private business, dining, theater, arts and the white mountains.
2. Meredith, NH...charming lakeside village where dining, shopping and the Lakes abound.
3. Jackson, NH...for more of the outdoorsman, but great finds tucked into every corner.
4. Keene, NH...one of my favorite little cities, its main street and town center draw you in every time [where parts of Jumanji was filmed]
5. Exeter, NH...a Separate Peace like none other!
6. Amherst, NH...a true village center with hardly any commerce but surrounded by plenty.
7. Milford, NH...not the Milford I grew up in, but nonetheless, a thriving community with delightful town center that keeps getting better.
8. Wilton, NH...often unnoticed Wilton is a haven for artists and scholars. You have to look a bit more for the treasures here, but they are there!
9. Hollis, NH...an old farming community that grew up to be rich...but it tries to stick to its roots anyhow...
and
10. Concord, NH...no town certainly, and seeing it from the highway you might be thinking nah...but enter the town center and explore Main street and you may change your mind!

Please let me know where you visit!
Kimberly

Dear Kimberly,

May I know if it would be possible to visit New Hampshire without the use of a car? My mum and I are travelling to the US this October, and will be visiting Vermont before NH. I can't seem to piece together a proper itinerary using rails and busses. Any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks!
Lillian

Dear Lillian...

I am afraid to say we are not where Europe is with public transport [I am assuming you are from Europe because you said 'Mum']. We do have town and city-wide transportation [not rails though], but I honestly do not know how easy these services are to utilize. Without knowing where you plan to travel, please take a look at some Public Transportation within popular towns. I do know that renting a car is very easy from the Manchester, NH airport, and because our state is so small, you can travel to all the state boundaries within days if driving yourself. I am curious as to where you are starting from, and how you will manage to get around Vermont as well. Let me know what you end up doing...take care and enjoy your visit however you may get around!

Kimberly

Another two for the weekend - yes, I know I am giving you too many things to pick from this weekend - but I swear, there ARE too many good things happening this weekend [just wait for my next update on antique shows!]

For Porky Pig and Mud Cake Lovers...
September 8-10th, North Conway, NH
31 Years of World Championship Mud Bowl, Hog Coliseum
I have never made this infamous NH mud bowl, but I do hear of it from manykinds of people, all remarking on the synchronized mud swimming and cheerleader competitions. I imagine you could probably join in the fun for this kind of thing as well...if someone goes, please post some photos on Your Photos within ExploreNewEngland.com....

And for the Cleaner, More Thrifty Folk...
Town-Wide Yard Sale, Plymouth - town-wide!
September 9, 9am-3pm
The Plymouth Area Community Closet (PACC) is a non-profit group helping provide emergency funds, food, clothing and support in the Plymouth, NH area. There will be over 100 yard sale locations throughout the town of Plymouth. On the day of the event we will be selling $2.00 maps showing all the locations. Proceeds of the location map registrations and map sales will go to the PACC.

Here I am again! This weekend is another favorite event of mine and many...the Hampton Beach Seafood Fest happening September 8-10!

New Hampshire's known for its Antique Alley, and its sister antique route of 101A. But it's also known for some fantastic shows in smaller towns. And this Saturday, September 9th, is your chance to hit two in neighboring towns! In the quaint Main Street community of Milford, NH, drop in to the 47th Annual Antique Show and Sale and in Amherst, NH, the 11th annual Antiques on the Green Show and Sale! I will see you there!

So much is going on this weekend so check often as I post things sporadically over the next couple of days for this weekend's event listings! Don't miss Laconia, NH's 5th Annual Multicultural Market Day on Saturday Septemtber 9th from 10am-7pm.

A FREE, all day event that celebrates diversity is nothing to miss. Set at the Belknap Mill and Rotary park, go and enjoy ethnic and cultural food, children's area, animals, entertainment, music, concerts, exhibits social services, and all kinds of other fun.

You've got to see this to believe it! Right here in my hometown of Merrimack, NH, is the 10th Annual Cardboard Boat Festival at Wasserman Park on Lake Naticook. Happening this Saturday, September 9th from 10am-4pm, you can come support a fantastic town library and go home with some unique memories, possibly a raffle item and definitely a belly ache from laughter! I swear, the boats are made entirely of cardboard - in fact, it's not too late to enter a boat yourself if this is your kind of thing!

[Photos courtesy of Merrimack Public Library]

The first Library Festival was held in 1996 and featured crafters and demonstrations, adult and children's activities, vendors, food and a very brave fleet of 14 homemade cardboard boats. The Cardboard Boat fest has certainly grown and changed since then, however, the focus of the day remains watching to see whether the boats made entirely of cardboard can make it around the 150 yard course!

Expect a fantastic used book sale, great raffles, face painting, lots of food, children's sand castle building contest, and of course, the infamous boat race! Non-stop entertainment starts at 11 AM so pack a blanket or bring some chairs and make it a full day down on the Lake. All proceeds from the Festival benefit the Library Development Fund, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise money for equipment and furnishings for the new library. If you go, cheer on the Watt Family boat - they've sure to go further than last year before sinking...I mean, before winning!

Ever drive by strip malls, and other shopping plazas and notice the sign, "Jazzercise." I guess I had this image of a bunch of Jane Fondas in matching leg warmers and head bands jumping around in front of a mirror. And that when my boys were invited to a free Junior Jazzercise class, that they too should try and find some matching Bjorn Borg head and wrist bands. Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. So while I haven't gone to an adult class yet, I certainly know that Junior Jazzercise was a 90 minute blast for boys and girls ages 5-12. So if you're local or driving on by, stop in to Amherst Jazzercise [in most any attire you wish by the way]!

The program's goal is to expose children to exercise in a fun, non-competitive environment. Instructor Beth Parenteau says, "Junior Jazzercise is a 50-60 minute class that combines aerobics with kickboxing, Pilates, yoga, and adding exercise games. The class is set to today's latest child appropriate, pop and dance music and utilizes fun props, such as hula hoops, jump ropes, balls, pom-poms, and much more. Children also learn about bones, muscles, and proper nutrition. Junior Jazzercise is also great for Scouting badges, after-school programs, physical education classes, home-school students, and birthday parties."