Pet-Friendly accommodations at Church Landing and the Inn at Mill Falls are available for an additional $25 fee per pet, which covers a portion of the additional cleaning costs and amenities such as pet beds, blankets, food dishes, and treats.  The Inns then set aside $10 of this fee for the NHHS in appreciation for all the good work they do, and so far have donated over $4,000 to this worthy cause!

The Inns also offer pet sitting services to allow guests some time to go out to dinner or shopping, while knowing that their loved ones are safe and happy!  On site are special pet walking and play areas, and there are lots of open spaces and several doggie waste stations throughout Meredith.

When planning your next trip to Lake Winnipesaukee, don’t worry about what to do with your pets… bring them along—Meredith is a pet-friendly town!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image Credit: Mel B. at Flickr.com

Now in its 31^st year, The Lakes Region Fine Arts and Crafts Festival is sponsored by the Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce and is the area’s largest show and sale of fine arts and crafts.  This popular event is an outdoor, juried arts and crafts exhibition, featuring the high-quality works of over 110 artists and craftspeople.  Main Street in Meredith will be closed to traffic to make room for the show, which will be held among the Meredith Village Shops and the Mill Falls Marketplace.

This festival is always a great place to find treasures for yourself, or gifts for loved ones.  All of the exhibitors display and sell their own work, so you know you are supporting local artisans, and enjoying unique pieces.  Hope to see you there!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Images courtesy of the Meredith Area Chamber of Commerce

The traditional Ironman race is one of the most challenging sporting events in the world, with a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a complete 26.2-mile marathon, all in succession.  The Ironman 70.3 triathlon is half the classic race, featuring a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run—still pretty tough!

The Ironman 70.3 Timberman is a scenic course that begins with a swim in the fresh waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, followed by a bike course that includes plenty of rolling hills, and finally a two-loop run that travels along the shores of the lake with spectacular views of the White Mountains.  The Ironman 70.3 will take place on Sunday, and offers the 2,200 competitors a chance at the $30,000 professional prize purse as well as 50 slots to the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, which will take place on Nov. 13^th in Clearwater, Florida.

On Saturday, over 1,300 athletes will race in the Timberman Sprint short-distance triathlon, which will take them on a .3-mile swim, a 15-mile bike, and a 3-mile run with the same beautiful setting.  Saturday afternoon will also give older kids a taste of the sport in the TimberKids Adventure Race.  All races will begin and end at Ellacoya State Park in Gilford, NH.

For children ages 3 – 13, Timber Camp will be the place to be on Sunday!  This special event will take place at Gunstock Mountain Resort, offering kids a “multi-sport” day of activities such as mountain biking, mini golf, and swimming.  There will also be paddleboats, kayaks, and a climbing wall!  The staff has planned a special activity to celebrate the success of the triathletes, and all campers will be able to win prizes in everyone’s favorite extreme water balloon toss, Winger!

The weekend-long TimberFest at Gunstock will feature a sports & fitness expo, seminars for both the novice and seasoned triathlete, the Ironman Champions dinner, and live music by Paul Warnick.  After the race on Sunday, athletes can kick back and enjoy the TimberParty Clambake & Lobsterfest!

Come to Lake Winnipesaukee this weekend to catch some world-class racing and cheer on these fine athletes, all while enjoying the beauty of NH in August.  You just might find some new inspiration!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photos courtesy of asiphoto.com

To kick off the festivities, there will be a 5K Road Race at 9:00am.  This run is an official Runner’s World race featuring computerized timing, traffic control, and prizes to runners in various categories, not to mention one of the most scenic courses in New Hampshire!

If you missed the 37th Annual Lake Winnipesaukee Antique & Classic Boat Show at Meredith Town Docks last month, you have another chance to see some beautiful boats this Saturday at the Vintage Boat Show, which is also part of the Alton Old Home Day events.  The classic boats will be docked and on display from 9:00am – 12:00pm.

The Craft Fair will be held at the Alton Bay Community Center from 10:00am – 5:00pm and will showcase handmade New England craft items, including fine wood crafts, candles, fleece, stoneware pottery, Native American jewelry, fabrics, quilts, doll furniture, scroll saw fretwork, handmade soaps, floral pieces, and much more.

At 4:00, head over to the Alton Bay Bandstand for a game of BINGO with the family, or join the Fire Department for a summer barbeque.  The fun continues with a concert at 7:00 with the music of Echo Tones, followed by a fireworks display over the lake at 9:00.

If you are visiting the Lakes Region this weekend, you might want to swing by Alton Bay on Saturday… a day like this is the epitome of summer in New England!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Don’t have your own kayak?  No worries.  The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls offer kayak rentals in Meredith Bay all summer.  These personal crafts are available to be launched from the Church Landing waterfront daily from 7am – 3pm.  Paddle wherever your spirit guides you and take a deep breath.  You are now one with the lake.  You might even be able to get close to some loons…  This is the good life!

Find your calm center amid the whirl of summer by floating quietly on the water.  The power of the paddle is in your hands.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: FreeWine at Flickr.com

Music in the MIll Falls Marketplace

It seems there is always something going on in this town!  Whether you want to take a cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, or catch some live entertainment, there is no shortage of culture in this quaint NH village…

Looking for something different to do with the kids?  Pack up your lawn chairs and take the gang to Hesky Park for an outdoor movie!  Every Thursday night at dusk, the Meredith Parks and Recreation Department shows a family-friendly feature under the stars.  A $2 donation is appreciated, and all proceeds from sales of concessions go to programs for local youth.

Every Friday night, the Mill Falls Marketplace hosts live music in the courtyard, featuring various local musicians.  Enjoy the music of Tom Robinson Creamsicle, The Craig Jaster Duo, Jared Steer Experience, and Casual Labor as you stroll through all the little shops.  Music in the Marketplace takes place Friday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30, now through the end of August.

The Summer Theatre in Meredith Village is featuring musicals this summer!  This recently renovated and air-conditioned theatre is dedicated to providing professional theatre experiences for all residents and visitors to the area, and will offer four Broadway hits in August:  “Chicago,” “My Way – A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra,” “Camelot,” and the hysterical new musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

So get out and enjoy those summer nights while they last—if you’re in Meredith, there is no excuse for boredom!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

The fun begins at 5:30 in Hesky Park, where folks of all ages can enjoy family-friendly games, activities, and crafts.  For those who like ice cream, there will also be a make-your-own-sundae station!

Head over to Main Street at 7:00 to catch some classic rock and roll performed by City Limits.  Everyone will be dancing in the street!  This is a great way to meet the locals and visitors alike while you enjoy a beautiful summer evening on Lake Winnipesaukee.

So put on your dancing shoes and come to Meredith on Friday for this favorite community tradition!  (If it rains Friday, the event will take place on Saturday, the 31^st.)

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image Credit: Rhian vK at Flickr.com

Vintage Boats Lined up at last year's Boat Show

Come to Meredith this Saturday, July 24^th to see one of the biggest gatherings of classic wooden boats Lake Winnipesaukee has to offer.  Town Docks will be hosting The New England Chapter of Antique & Classic Boat Society’s 37^th Annual Lake Winnipesaukee Antique & Classic Boat Show, and the organizers have stated that last year’s show was so successful, more docking will be added this year!

The event begins on Friday, July 23^rd, when participants in the juried show arrive in the afternoon for a Judging Clinic followed by a registration and cocktail reception, where guests can enjoy hors d’ oeuvres and live music.

Plan to be at the docks early on Saturday to watch the beautiful wooden boats arrive under their own power between 7 and 9am.  Over 80 vintage boats are expected to pull up and be on display throughout the day.  All models of antique and classic boats are welcome, and the organizers are expecting a large showing of Chris-Craft boats, as Chris-Craft will be the marque boat this year.

The day will wrap up with an awards dinner at Chase House at The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls.  Tony Mollica, author of Building Chris-Craft: Inside the Factories, will be the special guest and will give a talk on the history of Chris Smith and his Chris Craft boats.  Mr. Mollica will also be at the boat show during the day to autograph copies of his several books.

There is still space available if you would like your classic boat to be part of the festivities!  For more information, visit the Boat Society’s website here.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of The New England Chapter of Antique & Classic Boat Society

The 33^rd Annual Loon Festival takes place on Saturday, July 17^th from 10:00am to 2:00pm.  There will be something for everyone in the family, from crafts and children’s activities, to wildlife exhibits and slide presentations by loon biologists. Mr. Phil, Balloonologist Extraordinaire, will entertain everyone with his fun creations and banter, and Mrs. Phil will bring her creative face painting skills.  Play “Pin the Chick on the Loon” game or take the “Loon Facts” quiz and win a chance to “Dunk the Biologist” in the dunk tank!

The Loon Center will provide refreshments and live bluegrass music for a real party atmosphere, rain or shine!  Also on hand will be Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, who will feature their own Discovery Table.  Admission to the Loon Festival is free, so gather up some friends and head over to Moultonborough for a great cause!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: pmarkham at Flickr.com

Kidz Camp is a complimentary childcare service offered by the Inns every Monday and Thursday evening from 6 – 8pm in July and August.  This activity program is organized and staffed by Go Nanny, a professional child sitting service that brings expert merriment to the kids.  The planned themed nights include Circus, Circus, with face painting and carnival-type games, BINGO Night, with lots of prizes and giveaways, and a Hawaiian Luau, with fun beach games and flower leis!

Children and teens from 2 – 17 years old are welcome at Kids Camp.  Even the teenagers have a blast!  As one parent wrote in a testimonial to Go Nanny, “I would like to thank you for supervising our two teenage boys while we attended the wedding at Mills Falls.  Originally, they were not very excited about the idea as they are 13 & 14, but they had a great time going to the arcades and swimming in the pool.  Emily was A+++.”

With Kidz Camp at Mill Falls, finding balance in your family vacation is easy—it’s a win-win for parents and children alike!  For more information, visit the Inns’ Activity page or call 800-622-6455.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit:  Lauri Väin at Flickr.com