SHELBURNE MUSEUM GOES TO THE DOGS! FEATURES LEAPING AMAZING DOCKDOGS CANINE ATHLETIC FEATS FOCUS OF PAWLYMPIC THEMED EVENT

Shelburne, Vermont - Shelburne Museum Goes to the Dogs! will feature the leaping amazing feats of four-legged competitors vying to make a big splash in the DockDogs competition. The “Pawlympics” is the theme for the 12th annual party for dogs presented by locally owned Pet Food Warehouse and Shelburne Museum on September 16.

   The day made for dogs runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and benefits dog rescue groups and humane societies.  The featured attraction at this year’s event is  DockDogs, showcasing the incredible and athletic talent of dogs getting big air over a 26,000 gallon pool.

   Owners will have the opportunity to test their Pawlympians in several disciplines: Outdoor Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve. All breeds are welcome to enter the DockDogs competition. The event is expected to draw semi-pro and pro dogs as well.  For more information please visit: www.dockdogs.com

   The event also features bestselling author and Iraq War veteran Luis Carlos Montalván with his service dog Tuesday. Montalván is scheduled to speaking at noon and 3 p.m. and will be signing his book, Until Tuesday, which is about how his golden retriever helped him cope with post traumatic stress disorder. Active military and disabled veterans are admitted to the museum free of charge.

Other activities throughout the day include:
Pawlymic costume parade with costume judging and awards
Dog gone good demonstrations by police dogs and dancing dogs
Flying disc dogs competing in the Vermont state championships
Fantastic face painting

   Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children (5-18).  Museum members and dogs are free! Dogs must be on leashes. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Pet Food Warehouse locations in Shelburne and South Burlington.

   About  Shelburne Museum:  Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont is one of North America’s finest, most diverse and unconventional museums of art, design and Americana. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in a remarkable setting of 37 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the museum grounds.  Coming in the fall of 2013, the Center for Art and Education with galleries, classrooms and an auditorium, will transform the museum from seasonal to year ‘round operation. For more information please visit:  www.shelburnemuseum.org
 
   About Pet Food Warehouse:  With locations in South Burlington and Shelburne, locally-owned Pet Food Warehouse is Vermont's favorite pet food and supply store, since 1983.  www.pfwvt.com

Quintessential live band Rusted Root returns to the Flying Monkey on September 15th.

Plymouth, New Hampshire - The Flying Monkey Performance Center is excited to bring back Pittsburg band Rusted Root on Saturday, September 15th at 7:30pm.  Rusted Root is known for their high energy, live shows filled with improvisation and surprise guests, as well as never doing the same show twice.   They reportedly had the entire crowd on their feet and dancing for the entirety of their lengthy sold out show last time in Plymouth.   Special guest Lucy Stone will open the show. Tickets for this concert are $40.

The quintessential live band, Pittsburgh’s Rusted Root celebrates their 20th anniversary this year.  Formed in the early 90’s by singer/guitarist Michael Glabicki, Rusted Root’s worldly style quickly charmed fans of roots music and world rock. To date they have released 7 albums and sold over 3 million records worldwide. 1994 produced the platinum selling breakthrough When I Woke, which featured the massive hits Send Me On My Way, Ecstasy and Martyr.  Their huge success allowed the band to tours with Santana, The Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers Band, HORDE Festival and, perhaps most notably, the highly coveted support role on the landmark Jimmy Page/Robert Plant reunion tour.

Rusted Root’s sound is heavily influenced by world music — some of the group’s rhythms wouldn’t be out of place in African or Latin music.  The group’s songs also allow for plenty of interpretation.  According to Glabicki, a Rusted Root concert is going to be something different each time.

“Each night we bring something different to it,” Glabicki said. “We can interpret it differently each night.”

The band will roll into Plymouth on their Fortunate Freaks Unite Tour, supporting their new album which marks the groups 20th anniversary year. As for the future of the band, Glabicki expects it to be long-lasting.

“I think music is the way we stay present in the world, I think for all of us,” he said. “I think it’s almost like a spiritual practice for us. Rusted Root is a great ritual for us.”

The Flying Monkey is quickly becoming known as the ‘best place in NH’ to see a show.   Go experience dinner and a show with world class artists, state of the art sound and lighting, and unparalleled food and beverage service by the Common Man Family of Restaurants.

Tickets for the Rusted Root concert are $40.   For tickets and more information on concerts and the Flying Monkey Performance Center, visit www.flyingmonkeynh.com or call 603-536-2551.

NEW FEATURES AT WARNER FESTIVAL Entertainers, Crafters, Competitions Fill Schedule

Warner, New Hampshire - This year’s Warner Fall Foliage Festival will be held October 5, 6 & 7 in downtown Warner, and will feature many new activities and entertainers. A children’s One Mile Fun Run will take place on Sunday at 9:30 a.m., and all children are invited to participate.
     Also new this year is the Apple Pie Making Contest, sponsored by King Arthur Flour, which will be held on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. If you make a great apple pie, enter into the contest and see if the judges agree. 
     “The Apple Pie Contest is the brainchild of Shandi Allen,” said festival president, Sherry Thomas. “Her cousin works for King Arthur Flour in Norwich (VT), and it is through her that the contest was born.” Top winners will be awarded prizes.
     More local food vendors will be offering their treats while helping to support local farmers.
     New bands this year are Beechwood, Buffalo Plaid, The Bradford Bog People and Tyler Road. Wandering fiddler, Tom Hooker Hanford will play his toe-tapping renditions for everyone‘s enjoyment.
     New children’s entertainers include singer Ben Rudnick & Friends, Roaring Duck Puppets, and still life performer Linda Peck, who will surprise festival goers when she comes to life. Free carousel rides and crafts are sure to bring smiles to little faces.
     In addition to all of this, many entertainers and events from previous years will be returning, such as the 5K road race, lumberjack and oxen competitions, demonstrations, farmers' market and over 70 arts & craft booths featuring the best work of area artisans. 
     “Jenny Courser is chair of the parade committee, and her chosen theme is ‘Entertainment Through the Ages,’” Thomas said. A children’s parade will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. and the Grand Parade will be held on Sunday at 1 p.m.
     “This year the need for volunteers is greater than ever before, and we have a variety of positions available, from ticket sales, parking coordinators, entertainment helpers, to sitting in for crafters who need a break,” said Thomas. “We hope all Warner citizens will join us giving back to our community by volunteering.”
      More information, volunteer and registration forms are available on the festival’s website: www.wfff.org.

Attitash Mountain Resort Hosts POC Eastern States Cup Downhill Mountain Bike State Championship Sunday, September 16

A downhill mountain biker combines
style & speed during an Eastern States Cup race at Attitash.

Bartlett, NH – For a second year, Attitash Mountain Resort is scheduled to host the POC Eastern States Cup downhill mountain biking series New Hampshire State Championship on Sunday, September 16. The Eastern States Cup (ESC) is a USA Cycling (USAC) Regional Championship Series with events being held in New Hampshire , Vermont , Massachusetts , and New York .

“We are excited to again be hosting the Eastern States Cup New Hampshire Championship on our downhill terrain,” said Attitash Mountain Bike Programs Coordinator Nate Waterhouse. “With a newly built jump feature and finish area within view of our main base lodge, the weekend event will be an exciting race for spectators to watch and a fun weekend for riders.” Attitash has been offering lift-serviced, mountain biking since the late 90’s, but the sport and downhill technology has progressed significantly since then. The POC Eastern States Cup event will feature riders competing in a single run format taking the best times in age and rider level categories. The course will be a mix of descending open trails and single-track sections through the woods on Attitash Mountain . Riders will be practicing Saturday, September 15 and racing Sunday, September 16.

Attitash has over 20 miles of mountain bike trails including the more difficult and technically challenging downhill trails and eight cross country trails more suited to all abilities and those just beginning to discover mountain biking as a recreational activity. The mountain bike season at Attitash Mountain Resort remains open weekends only through Columbus Day, October 8. The Dirt Trax Bike Shop, located on the main floor of the Attitash Base Lodge in the South Wing, stocks mountain bike clothing and accessories, as well as a fleet of rental bikes and protective gear. For more information on the POC Eastern States Cup events and to view a preview race course video, visit attitash.com.

Attitash Mountain Resort in the Mount Washington Valley offers fall fun with the original Alpine Slide, year-round Nor’Easter mountain coaster, lift-service downhill and cross-country mountain biking, scenic summit chair ride and will host its 15th annual Oktoberfest during the Columbus Day weekend. Attitash Mountain Resort is also home to the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel & Conference Center providing the areas only full-service, slopeside accommodations. For further information, please visit attitash.com or call 1-800-223 SNOW.

Public Information Sessions Scheduled Regarding Mittersill Improvements

CONCORD / FRANCONIA, NH – The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation announces public information sessions regarding proposed snowmaking, lift access, and trail improvement project on the Mittersill side at Cannon Mountain Ski Area in Franconia Notch State Park. The first session will take place at 6:30 PM on Thursday, September 20 at the Department of Resources and Economic Development, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord. The second session will take place at 6:30 PM on Friday, September 21 at the Brookside Learning Center at Cannon Mountain Ski Area, located adjacent to the Peabody Base Lodge at exit 34-C off of Route I-93 / Franconia Notch Parkway.

The public comment period on this project is September 20 through October 12. Written comments may be submitted on comment cards available at the public sessions, or via e-mail to cannoncomments@dred.state.nh.us. More information on the recreational activities offered at Cannon Mountain Ski Area and Franconia Notch State Park can be found at www.cannonmt.com and www.franconianotchstatepark.com.

ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE DIVISION OF PARKS & RECREATION
The Division of Parks and Recreation is comprised of the Bureau of Park Operations, Bureau of Historic Sites, Bureau of Trails, and Cannon Mountain. The Division manages 92 properties, including state parks, beaches, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas. The Division of Parks and Recreation is one of four divisions of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. To learn more, visit www.nhstateparks.org or call 603/271-3556.

VSO Made in Vermont Music Festival To Tour the State

Vermont - The Vermont Symphony Orchestra goes on tour again this fall, presenting the annual Made in Vermont Music Festival in eight villages and towns across Vermont. From September 21 to October 1, the 18th annual VSO tour will offer brilliant music to go along with Vermont’s brilliant foliage season.   The program includes a sparkling work by Haydn’s younger brother, Michael; a world premiere by University of Vermont composer David Feurzeig; a darkly appealing piece for string orchestra by Dmitri Shostakovich; and Schubert’s richly melodic Symphony No. 5 with Anthony Princiotti conducting.

     In keeping with the VSO tradition of commissioning a new piece every year, the program features a new work by David Feurzeig of Williston.   His piece, High Water, is a three part impression of Hurricane Irene.  It begins with “Rain,” with gentle falling figures representing the storm’s deceptively mild onset, soon overpowered by the inexorable rise and destruction of Vermont’s rivers.  The central section, “Silt,” the emotional heart of the piece, begins with brooding string chords suggesting the feeling of paralysis as people struggled to dig out.  A haunting refrain from “Goodnight Irene” links to the final section, “Grit,” and celebrates the communal resolve of Vermonters following Irene’s devastation.

     David Feurzeig joined the faculty of UVM in 2008.  His music has been performed throughout the United States and in New Zealand, Asia, and Europe.  He is a pianist as well as composer, and specializes in eclectic lecture-recitals featuring music from the classics to stride piano, jazz and new music.  He received a DMA in Composition from Cornell University and a BA from Harvard College.

     The tour includes the following locations:  

Friday, September 21, 7:30 p.m., Dibden Center, Johnson State College, Johnson  
Saturday, September 22, 7:30 p.m., Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes
Sunday, September 23, 4:00 p.m., Haskell Opera House, Derby Line
Thursday, September 27, 7:30 p.m., Alexander Twilight Theater, Lyndon State College
Friday, September 28, 7:30 p.m., Bellows Falls Opera House, Bellows Falls
    (Co-presented with Bellows Falls Opera House)
Saturday, September 29, 7:30 p.m., Chandler Music Hall, Randolph
     (Co-presented with the Chandler Music Hall)
Sunday, September 30, 3:00 p.m., BFA Center for Performing Arts, St. Albans
    (Presented by The Saint Albans Society for the Performing Arts)
Monday, October 1, 7:00 p.m., Castleton State College Fine Arts Center, Castleton

     The statewide Made in Vermont Music Festival tour is co-sponsored by Merchants Bank and Vermont State Colleges.  Additional support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Vermont Arts Council, and the Lintilhac Foundation.

     Tickets will be available in late August.  They will cost $26 for adults, $22 for seniors age 65 and older, $13 for Vermont State College faculty and staff, $13 for students, and $6 for Vermont State College students.  For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Flynn Regional Box Office at 802-863-5966 or visit online at www.flynntix.org.  Tickets will also be available at local outlets.  For details, please visit the VSO website at www.vso.org or call 800-876-9293, ext. 10.

Wade Boggs, Cecil Fielder, Chris Carpenter Headline First Guests Confirmed for 2012 Granite State Baseball Dinner on November 17

Sam Fuld, Scott McGregor, Ron Blomberg, Darrell Evans, and Jordan Cote also on Guest List

Manchester, New Hampshire - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, are excited to announce the first group of guests confirmed for the 2012 Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental, on Saturday, November 17, at 5 PM at the Radisson Hotel and Expo Center in Manchester. The annual event will once again benefit the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD), the Ted Williams Museum, and the Fisher Cats Foundation.

Headlining the introductory guest list are baseball Hall of Famer and Red Sox legend Wade Boggs, former MLB slugger Cecil Fielder, and current Major Leaguers and New Hampshire natives Chris Carpenter and Sam Fuld. Additional guests include former big leaguers Scott McGregor, Ron Blomberg, and Darrell Evans, and New Hampshire native Jordan Cote of the New York Yankees.

"We are once again excited to host this incredible event with our partner, Northeast Delta Dental," said Fisher Cats Owner Art Solomon. "Every year our guest list becomes more and more impressive, and this year is no exception. We welcome back New Hampshire's Chris Carpenter and look forward to meeting new guests like Wade Boggs and Cecil Fielder, all to support the work of three outstanding organizations in CHaD, the Ted Williams Museum and the Fisher Cats Foundation."

Tickets for the charitable event are $80 and will go on sale in two stages. Fisher Cats Season Ticket holders can obtain preferred seating courtesy of a 24-hour exclusive pre-sale opportunity beginning Thursday, September 6, at 10 AM. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Friday, September 7, at 10 AM. Tickets may be purchased at the Fisher Cats Ticket Office, by visiting www.nhfishercats.com, and by calling 603-641-2005.

Doors to the event will open at 5 PM with a silent auction and an autograph session with the honored guests from 5-7 PM. Dinner will begin at 7 PM leading into the start of the evening's program.

The primary benefactor of the dinner is the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), New Hampshire's only NACHRI approved, comprehensive, full-service children's hospital. CHaD provides an extended regional system of care that offers advanced pediatric services dedicated to giving each child the best care, in the right place, at the right time, every time. CHaD is also the only pediatric service in New Hampshire that is an integral component of an academic medical center where children receive enhanced care thanks to an environment of learning and inquiry.

The Ted Williams Foundation works to preserve and build on the rich tradition of our national pastime through education and outreach. Proceeds from the Granite State Baseball Dinner are instrumental in the Foundation's mission to provide youth baseball programs and scholarships for deserving student-athletes. The Foundation is also an active partner with community organizations, providing assistance to several charitable groups, including the Boys & Girls Club, the Children's Dream Fund, and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
 
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats established the Fisher Cats Foundation to be a catalyst for the betterment of communities statewide by supporting youth programs that encourage education and promote healthy living. Through the generous support of players, employees, sponsors, and fans, the Fisher Cats Foundation continuously works to make a positive impact throughout New Hampshire and north central Massachusetts. As the primary funding source for the team's philanthropy, the Fisher Cats Foundation supports a wide variety of non-profit organizations and coordinates several fundraising programs and events. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation and the Fisher Cats have provided more than $1.87 million in monetary and in-kind donations to over 2,500 non-profit organizations.

"What an exciting batch of guests to begin our countdown to this year's dinner," said Fisher Cats President Rick Brenner. "Fans are already familiar with some of the Granite State's best players in Chris Carpenter and Sam Fuld, and Red Sox fans will certainly remember the highlights of one of the best hitters of our generation in Wade Boggs. It will be fun to watch this impressive guest list grow leading up to the dinner."

Boggs, a first time guest of the dinner, is no stranger to New Hampshire baseball fans. A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2005, Boggs spent the first 11 years of his career with the Red Sox before moving on to the New York Yankees and the then-named Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He recorded 3,010 hits over his 18-year career, including seven straight seasons with 200 or more hits. Boggs won a World Series with the Yankees in 1996 and finished with a .328 career batting average.

Fielder was one of the most intimidating power hitters in baseball for 13 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers. He amassed 319 career home runs, highlighted by a 51-homer campaign in 1990. A three-time RBI champion, Fielder was also a member of the 1996 World Series champion New York Yankees. His slugging son, Prince, is following in his footsteps as the current first baseman in Detroit.

Carpenter is simply one of the greatest and most decorated players to hail from the Granite State. A longtime supporter of the dinner and CHaD, the Raymond native has put together a 14-year major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals. The former Trinity High School Pioneer has won two World Series rings, the most recent in 2011, thanks in large part to several gutsy postseason starts by Carpenter himself. He was named the 2005 National League Cy Young Award winner after posting a 21-5 record with seven complete games and 4 shutouts. During last year's dinner, Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon presented Carpenter with a special award and named one of the Fisher Cats Foundation yearly high school scholarships after the Granite State icon.

Fuld, a Durham, N.H. native, has made quite a name for himself since being acquired in a trade by the Tampa Bay Rays prior to the 2011 season. Sidedlined by injuries at the start of this summer, the Phillips Exeter Academy graduate is often seen on the nightly highlights, displaying a flair for the dramatic with his defensive abilities. After a solid campaign in his first full major league season a year ago, Fuld recently came off the disabled list, and is hitting better than .300 since returning from injury.

McGregor, a first round pick by the New York Yankees in 1972, pitched his entire 13-year Major League career with the Baltimore Orioles, winning 138 games, including a career-high 20 in 1980. He was a member of two Orioles World Series teams, losing in 1979 to the Pittsburgh Pirates before defeating Philadelphia for the title in 1983. In that championship season, McGregor was 18-7 with a career-low 3.18 ERA, and finished sixth in the American League Cy Young Award voting.

Blomberg is best known for being the first designated hitter in Major League history when he batted for the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park on April 6, 1973. The number one overall pick by the Yankees in 1967, Blomberg was nicknamed "The Great Jewish Hope" as the first significant Jewish player on the Yankees, and had a successful career in baseball both during and after his playing days.

Evans had a lengthy and successful career that spanned from 1969-1989, covering 21 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Detroit Tigers. In addition to 414 career home runs, Evans finished with 1,354 RBI, 1,344 runs scored, and more walks (1,605) than strikeouts (1,410).

Cote is a native of Sanbornton, N.H., and made his much-anticipated professional debut this summer with the New York Yankees' Gulf Coast League affiliate. A graduate of Winnisquam Regional High School, the 2011 third-round draft pick posted a 3-0 record and 0.98 ERA for the GCL Yankees before a promotion to short-season Staten Island. A guest of the dinner in 2011, Cote threw a no-hitter for Winnisquam in the team's state title game in 2010 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

For more information about the charitable Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental, please contact Fisher Cats Director of Marketing & Public Affairs Jenna Raizes at (603) 606-4177 or visit www.nhfishercats.com. Corporate sponsorships are also available.

Opening Day 2013 is Thursday, April 4 against the Reading Phillies at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Full and Half-Season Tickets and a complete 2013 schedule are available by visiting www.nhfishercats.com.

Jane Stickle Quilt on Display at the Bennington Museum

Bennington, Vermont - From September 11 through October 21 the quilt that inspires quilters all over the world will be on its yearly display at the Bennington Museum.  Brought to the museum 60 years ago, the Jane Stickle Quilt is only shown for a short time each year due to the fragility of the fabric; Quilters from around the country and world plan trips to the region during that time to see the 1863 quilt.    The Jane Stickle quilt is comprised of 169 five-inch blocks, each in different patterns, containing a remarkable total of 5,602 pieces surrounded by a unique scalloped border. The craftsmanship of the quilt has been mentioned in numerous quilting books, and is the topic of Dear Jane, The Two Hundred Twenty-Five Patterns from the 1863 Jane A. Stickle Quilt, by Brenda Papadakis.
         
"The significance of quilts, with their vibrant colors and precise geometric patterns, goes beyond the comforting, everyday use they received by their original owners. Today, within the context of museums, these early textiles can be re-envisioned as works of art on par with any abstract painting of the twentieth century. The Stickle quilt, with its dizzying array of printed cloth patterns and individual block designs, surely embodies this idea of quilt as art,” states Jamie Franklin, curator of the Bennington Museum.

Jane Stickle was born Jane Blakely on April 8, 1817 in Shaftsbury, Vermont.  Married to Walter Stickle sometime before 1850, they did not have a family of their own.  They did, however, take responsibility for at least three other children in the area. In an 1860’s census, Jane Stickle was listed as a 43 year-old farmer living alone.  She eventually reunited with her husband, but during that time alone, she lovingly created what is now known as the Jane Stickle Quilt.  As a reminder of the turbulent times the country was going through, she carefully embroidered “In War Time 1863” into the quilt.
         
The Jane Stickle Quilt can be viewed with regular museum admission. The Bennington Museum, located at 75 Main Street (Route 9) in Bennington, has the largest public collection of Grandma Moses paintings in the world as well as the largest collection of 19th-century Bennington pottery.  In the other nine galleries, the museum presents a 1925 Wasp touring car, one of only twenty produced, military artifacts, one of the earliest ‘stars and stripes’ in existence, fine and decorative arts and more.  The museum is complemented by the Hadwen Woods and George Aiken Wildflower Trail.  On view through October 30 is Rockwell Kent’s “Egypt”: Shadow and Light in Vermont, the first exhibit to focus on the artist's life and work during his years in Vermont, 1919-1925.  The museum is just a short ride from Manchester, Williamstown, and eastern New York, and is open every day through October. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students over 18.  Admission is never charged for younger students or to visit the museum shop.  Visit the museum’s website www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival comes to Waterville Valley Resort

Waterville Valley, New Hampshire - The Wild & Scenic Film Festival comes to Waterville Valley Resort on Friday September 14, 2012 and Saturday September15, 2012 , sponsored by:  Pemigewasset Chapter of Trout Unlimited

The festival will feature three hours of award winning adventure and environmental films. It also includes Marion Stoddart’s inspirational story of leading the effort to clean up the Nashua River. And there will be  a banquet with speaker Willem Lange host of “Windows to the Wild.” Saturday morning there is a hike sponsor by the Rey Center to learn about the ecology and geology of the area or learn fly casting and tying techniques.

For additional details about this event and on-line reservations and ticket purchases go to http://www.waterville.com/events-deals-apres/event-calendar.html?id=5382

Prices:  Friday’s or Saturday films $15, both nights $25, Banquet and Saturday films $45 (incl. tax and service)

Reservations are also available for the Films, Banquet and Lodging available by calling 1-800-Go-Valley

Conway Scenic Railroad Celebrates Its 38th Railfans’ Weekend

Photo Credit: CSRR/Doug Scott

North Conway, New Hampshire - Conway Scenic Railroad will be the site of great fun when it hosts its 38th Railfans’ Weekend on Saturday & Sunday, September 15 & 16. There will be frequent departures of passenger trains and mixed passenger/freight trains, powered by vintage diesel engines and its 1921 steam locomotive #7470.

In addition to their regular trains, there will be other round-trip excursions throughout the weekend to Hazens' switch in Whitefield, Sawyer River in Hart’s Location, Crawford Notch, and Redstone.

Several of these departures will include unique “photo run-by” opportunities, so be sure to bring your camera. Run-bys are scheduled along the former Boston and Maine Railroad line south of North Conway, and along the former Maine Central Railroad’s famed Mountain Division line from Mountain Junction in Intervale to Twin Mountain and beyond. There also will be photo run-bys at isolated locations along both the Crawford Notch Line and Conway Branch.

Designed for avid railfans and families alike, the event will feature an outdoor Railroadiana flea market and displays of special equipment, including collectors’ displays, a turn-of-the-last century operating turntable, motorcars, as well as the chance to try an old-fashioned hand car and rail velocipede, a 3-wheel, human-powered vehicle created in the Victorian age, also known as a “boneshaker.”

The North Conway Model Railroad Club display will be open for viewing both days and is free to the public. Housed in the Railroad’s historic Freight House, the Club maintains an exhibit that’s the envy of many other clubs around the country. The complexity and details of its displays give visitors a fascinating look at what the area looked like 100 years ago.

There also will be a Saturday evening photo session in the Rail yard, coordinated by professional photographers. The public is invited to participate.  For the full schedule of events, please visit ConwayScenic.com, or call 356-5251.