NORTH CONWAY CELEBRATES A NEW LOOK After 14 months of jack hammering, paving, and parking diversions, North Conway Village is putting the final touches on a fabulous face lift. July 4th week, North Conway will not only celebrate the country' birthday, but also their own independence from construction! North Conway Village owners are celebrating with a week-long Village Festival July 3-8, 2007 inviting visitors to come view the new planters, lighting, widened sidewalks, visitor parking areas and celebrating with concerts, fireworks, artisan shows and sidewalk sales. Dedicated to its preservation, July 4th will be a time to celebrate with a homespun festival and celebration filled with concerts, fireworks, parades and more sponsored by The Mt Washington Valley Preservation Association, The MWVCC and Village Square.

The North Conway Village Festival will kick off on July 3 at 4:00 pm with a Ribbon Cutting and guided Village Walk. Then, bring the whole family and celebrate with a family fun festival in Schouler Park throughout the day, followed by a free concert and fireworks for all in the park on July 4. A good old fashioned sidewalk sale will take place throughout the village on July 5th, as new sidewalks are christened with special bargains for shoppers. On both July 5 and July 6, a Juried Artisan Fair will take place from 10am-8pm in the North Conway Community Center. View beautiful hand crafted works by local artists and crafters. This event will be followed by another Concert in the Park from 7-10pm, featuring Entrain and Ben Hammond on July 5. Throughout the week a full line up of entertainment is in store. July 6, 7 and 8th The Little Engine That Could^TM, I Think I Can^TM Rail Tour will take place at the Conway Scenic Railroad with departures on the hour. Throughout the weekend sample fare from the Valley Originals Restaurants along with Horsefeathers and more, plus a popular array of sporting events, Kid's Korner, Demonstration. The whole village of North Conway will roll out the red, white and blue carpet to usher in a new era. For more information, and a complete schedule of events, visit MWVCC

SUMMER ART SHOW North Conway Summer Arts Festival will take place at the Community Center on Main Street (Route 16) in North Conway, NH on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 from 10am to 5pm daily. Over 100 booths of artisans, gourmet food sampling and live music will be on hand. Call it Christmas in July - here's your chance to find one-of-a-kind treasures. The Fair is held rain or shine. Free admission. For more information, call 603-322-2616 or click for more info: Castle Berry Fairs.

LEARN BY SPENDING A NIGHT WITH YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS With its spectacular panoramic views at 6,288 feet, the summit of Mount Washington has attracted summer travelers, both near and far, for centuries. And from June through August, the Mount Washington Observatory's Summer EduTrip program provides outings to the summit like no other. Capturing everything from stargazing nights and dazzling sunrises, to exclusive tours of the mountaintop weather station; EduTrips are overnight experiences of the summit's sequences, apart from the tourist bustle.

Summer EduTrips are open to members of the Mount Washington Observatory, a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to advance understanding of the natural systems that create the Earth's weather and climate. Overnight EduTrips are held at the Observatory's summit weather research facility. By providing a behind-the-scenes look into the life of an Observer, participants also get an unforgettable peek into living and working on the summit of Mount Washington.

With the perfect blend of activity, education and leisure, the 2007 Summer EduTrip season also includes a new benefit. Six of the eleven EduTrips now incorporate a guided, off-summit hike within the White Mountain National Forest. Hiking excursions will feature such places as the Alpine Garden, Mount Clay, Lakes of the Clouds, and Lion Head.

Held throughout July and August, summer EduTrips include transportation, meals, overnight lodging on the summit, instruction, and materials for $169.00 per person. Close contact with guides and personal interest is assured, as EduTrip group sizes are kept intimate, limited to 6 people. From stargazing nights to exclusive weather station tours, EduTrip participants learn about summit life and the mountain's dynamic presence. For additional information on EduTrips, or to make a reservation, contact the Observatory at 603.356.2137 x203.

SEE THE SUNRISE ATOP MT WASHINGTON Who says you have to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to be the first to see the sunrise? Mt. Washington is so much closer! The Mt. Washington Auto Road will open at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 1 allowing motorists to drive themselves to the summit to view the sunrise. Sunday, July 1 will be the first of two Sunrise Openings offered by the Mt. Washington Auto Road this summer. The second will be on August 5. These openings mark the first time the Mt. Washington Auto Road has opened to the public for sunrise offering them the opportunity to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean from atop the highest peak in the Northeast. Regular Drive Yourself rates and vehicle restrictions apply for sunrise openings. The Mt. Washington Auto Road is open daily, weather permitting. For more information about sunrise openings, call 603-466-3988 or visit Auto Road.com.

CAMP CRANMORE STARTS JULY 9 Mom and Dad want to play golf, and the kids just want to play. Camp Cranmore to the rescue. At Camp Cranmore, children can learn how to climb, swim or participate in any number of other sports activities. Camps start July 9 and continue through August 17. "With so many visitors to Mount Washington Valley in the summer months, we wanted to give more kids the chance to try out Camp Cranmore without having to commit to an entire week," stated Sara Moore, camp manager. "It's a great option for days when parents want some time to themselves or when the kids want some high-energy activities or to try out new sports."

Also new for this year, is transportation available from many area hotels to Cranmore. Getting to camp is simple; Camp Cranmore and the White Mountain Transit Authority have partnered to offer complimentary round-trip transportation from area hotels for children attending week-long camp sessions. Anyone can ride the shuttle for only $2 each way. Cranmore's website, cranmore.com, features a map showing its route. Each camper enrolls in a core morning activity and has a choice of two afternoon activities. Core activities include climbing, gymnastics, tennis, karate, swimming and yoga. Optional activities include an array of crafts, sports, music and science activities of which children choose two each day. Camp Cranmore staff includes climbing instructors from International Mountain Equipment, Red Cross Certified swim instructors and other sports experts. Camp sessions run 8:30am-4pm Monday-Friday, beginning July 9 and ending August 17. Daily rate is $49 per child, or children can sign up for the entire week for one low rate of $195 per child. More details and applications are available at Cranmore Family Fitness Center, located on Skimobile Rd. in North Conway or visit Cranmoreand click on Summer Camps.

RICK CHARATTE AT DEERTREE'S THEATER Blending contemporary pop music with original lyrics, Rick Charette, America's most delightful and inspiring children's musician, will captures both heart and spirit with songs and imaginative fun-filled audience activities on Wednesday, July 11 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm at DeerTree's Theater. This is an enthralling performance for children ages three through ten and their parents who love to see their children entertained with wholesome musical entertainment.
Tickets are $5/$4 (children).

Additionally, on July 26, the Maine Hysterical Society Charter Society members, Randy Judkins, Barney Martin and Steve Underwood, present a comedy variety show of novelty songs, hilarious Maine characters, "wicked good" juggling, and hysterical sketches that are guaranteed to make you laugh, even on your way home. The show starts at 8:00pm, and tickets are $18/$10 (students). For more information on these shows or a full schedule of the wonderful line-up at Deertree's Theater, call 207 583 6747 or click here for more info: Deertrees Theatre.

FREE FUN & FITNESS DAY AT SETTLERS' GREEN Mark your calendars for July 14th and plan to join in the 11th annual Kids Fun & Fitness Day from 11 am to 3 pm at Settlers' Green Outlet Village Plus. Participating retailers like Adidas, Nike, Reebok and Factory Brand Shoes will be taking active roles in this year's event. Test your skills with a day of bungee basketball, a 40 ft. climbing wall, and the annual Kids Fun Run. Goodies bags and ice cream are free for all while supplies last. For more information, visit Settlers' Green and click on events.

SUMMER SKI SALES When the temps warm up, so do the sales at Mt. Washington Valley's ski shops. Now is the time to buy equipment for next year's ski season! From jackets and gloves to boards and skis, it's all on sale at shops like Joe Jones, Stan and Dan's, Ski Works, Olympia Sports, and many more. For more technical skiing and ice climbing equipment, International Mountain Equipment, Eastern Mountain Sports and Ragged Mountain Equipment have just what you need. Best of all, its tax free! For a complete list of sports retailers in Mt. Washington Valley, visit MWVCC, click on SHOPPING, then choose Sports Equipment.

GAS AND GO AT BARTLETT INN Come enjoy the White Mountains this summer without getting burned by a big gasoline fill up. Stay in any of the Bartlett Inn's rooms for a minimum of two consecutive nights between Sunday through Thursday and receive a $15 gasoline discount taken directly off of your bill. This offer is valid through September 6, 2007. The whole family can enjoy a summer Blueberry Break at the Bartlett Inn. Pick berries by day and eat them as a snack or bring them to breakfast and they'll be added to your pancakes. For more information, visit Bartlett Inn.