MOTORCYCLISTS - RALLY IN THE VALLEY Motorcycle travelers, mark June 14-22, 2008 on the calendar for eight days of exclusive offers and events in Mt Washington Valley. The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Mt Washington Valley HOG Chapter encourage all motorcycle owners to experience Mountain Motorcycle Adventure, a special itinerary just for bikers, June 14-22, 2008. The eight-day event will feature different guided or self-guided rides each day including a Ride to the Sky up the Mount Washington Auto Road, where the road is "owned" exclusively by motorcycles. Additional themed rides include a covered bridge ride, Moose Hunt and Ladies ride. The schedule is packed with fashion shows, fireworks and live entertainment, along with plenty of opportunity for brotherhood amidst the scenic beauty of the 660,000 acre White Mountain National Forest and Mt Washington Valley.

Plenty of lodging properties have come on board to offer lodging packages exclusively for Rally in the Valley participants. Wristbands offering discounts throughout the Valley will also be available through lodging packages. Packages start at under $50 per person per night. Many packages include plenty of extras like Jacuzzi suites, breakfast and dinner, special gifts and more. For a complete list of packages and a full schedule of activities, visit MWVCC and click on the Rally in the Valley logo.

PLANTS, PLANTS, GET YOUR PLANTS HERE Gardeners, plan on making a trip to the Valley for the Mountain Garden Club's Annual Spring Plant Sale on June 7 at 9:30 am at the North Conway Community Center adjacent to Schouler Park. This is the event avid gardeners look forward to each year as wonderful flowers, plants and foliage come direct from the gardens of the Mountain Garden Club's "Green Thumb" members. The club will be offering annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and much more and a sizeable assortment of Dahlia bulbs for sale. A selection of garden organizers and aprons crafted by Mountain Garden Club members will also be on sale along with beautiful full color posters. The "Shabby Chic Corner," will feature gently used garden related items including books. This fundraiser benefits the Mountain Garden Club's Alice T. Madden Scholarship Fund and the numerous beautification projects undertaken each year to make Mt Washington Valley so inviting. Please visit Mountain Garden Club for complete details.

SWAP YOUR BIKES AND ATHLETIC GEAR Why not combine a trip to Mt Washington Valley with the ultimate bike and athletic gear swap? Here's your chance to clean out the garage and swap gently used equipment for the growing kids. On June 14, you can reduce, recycle and reuse all for a good cause at the Community Bike & Athletic Gear Swap. The Mt. Washington Valley Velo Club, the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) White Mountains chapter, and North Conway Public Library are co-sponsoring this bike and athletic gear swap with proceeds supporting youth cycling in the Mount Washington Valley. The event will be held at the Moat Mountain Smoke House and Brewing Co. on route 16 in North Conway on Saturday, June 14, 2008 (rain date of June 15th) from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm. You can participate in a number of ways:
· BUY! Come browse the inventory of outdoor gear. A huge selection of bicycles, bicycle accessories, and other outdoor gear will be available.
· SELL!! Rent a table for $10, clean out your garage, and sell your things yourself. You can certainly share a table with somebody to cut down on costs.
· DONATE!!! The clubs will accept bikes (in good shape) to sell or refurbish for those in need. The clubs will also have a "donation" table for equipment, accessories and other gear. Tax forms for donations will be available. This is the ultimate Reduce Recycle, Reuse event, with a big dose of smiles thrown in too.

CAMP CRANMORE FOR FAMILIES ON VACATION Camp Cranmore offers kids ages 5-12 specialized camps including climbing, tennis, swimming, gymnastics and more. Camp Cranmore offers a place where kids can try out many different activities or select specific areas of interest. Camp staff includes climbing instructors from North Conway's International Mountain Climbing School, Red-Cross certified swim instructors and other experts in their respective fields. Camps take place July 7-August 15, from 8:30am-4pm at Cranmore Mountain Resort, and are available for week-long and daily sessions. Daily sessions are a great rainy-day activity for visitors to the Valley, as activities can take place indoors in Cranmore's large air-conditioned facilities if weather turns inclement. Rates are $279/week, $65/day for climbing camp and $219/week, $55/day all other camps. For more information, visit Cranmore or call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI.

VIEW THE SUN RISE FROM ATOP THE NORTHEAST'S HIGHEST PEAK Be the first to see the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean from atop the tallest peak in the Northeast. The Mt. Washington Auto Road will open early on three Sundays in 2008, including June 29, August 3 and August 31, allowing guests to drive themselves to the summit of Mt. Washington to view the sunrise, a spectacular sight. On June 29, the Auto Road will open at 3:30 AM, on August 3 at 4:00 am and at 4:30 AM on August 31, which will allow guests to arrive early enough to watch the sun come up over the Atlantic Ocean. Regular Drive Yourself rates and vehicle restrictions apply. Important note: Be ready to get up at "O-Dark-Hundred" and don't wait until the last minute to arrive at the Toll House; it may take thirty minutes to get through if everyone arrives at once. For more information, call (603) 466-3988 or visit Auto Road

THE CIRCUS IS COMING! THE CIRCUS IS COMING! For the first time ever, the renowned Royal Hanneford Circus is bringing five family-favorite acts to Story Land under a big-top tent at Story Land three times daily through Labor Day. The five European-style feature acts scheduled to appear at Story Land include: astounding quick-change artists who change their wardrobe in the blink of an eye; a master of multiple hula hoops; the daring and high-flying Wheel of Destiny; a slapstick trampoline act; and a single animal act, lovable and well-loved performing house cats. The 2008 season opens with special early-season admission rates during the annual Guest Appreciation Days celebration, which runs weekends only from Memorial Day Weekend through Father's Day. Story Land is open daily for its 55th season in 2008 from June 13 through Labor Day, and then is open weekends only through Columbus Day. The admission rate to Story Land, which includes the circus performances, is just $24 per person for ages three and above; ages one and two enter for free. For information, call 603-383-4186, or visit Storyland.

NEW FAMILY SHOWS AT SANTA'S VILLAGE Santa will be taking photos this year on the Yule Log Flume to capture the rapture of the dive on this ride. Additionally, live entertainment reigns this summer as four new live shows are added to the line up of fun at Santa's Village. They include: The Spirit Of Christmas, shown three times daily: Toy Production at the North Pole is in full swing and the final preparations for Christmas are underway! With the help of some of the North Pole's finest Elves, and of course the very famous Stumpy, the magical Christmas Tree, everyone's holiday spirit will be put to the ultimate test! Toy Time Fun, shown two times daily: Mrs. Claus has left the planning of this year's Christmas party in the hands of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy! Join them at Dasher's Delights Gazebo as they figure out exactly what they need to do to make this years party an absolute success!
Reading Reindeer, shown at noon and 3pm at Santa's Home: One of Santa's Reindeer pranced over from the Reindeer Rendezvous. He's ready to tell you how the reindeer got their job as Santa's special Helpers. Yule certainly be surprised to learn of their other talents too. Jingle Bell Rock, shown twice daily at the Jingle Bell Theater: Rudolph and three of Santa's favorite elves have been rehearsing all winter long for the annual, and highly anticipated, "North Pole Live Talent Show!" They have their costumes, dance moves and holiday voices!

All shows are included in the price of admission to Santa's Village. 2008 admission prices are $23 per person for people four years old and up; Seniors are $21 and children three and under are admitted free. Nice tip: If you arrive less than 3 hours before closing you will be issued a return pass to come back at any other time in the season. For more information, call 603-586-4445 or visit Santa's Village.

ARF MEANS ANIMAL RELATED FUN FOR KIDS Come join the Conway Area Humane Society for a free open house celebration on Saturday, June 14,11am to 3pm to thank the community for its spectacular support during the recent campaign to raise $100,000 for the Conway shelter in just ten days. The shelter exceeded its goal, raising over $100,000 to date. There will be Animal-Related Fun (ARF) for children from 11:00 a.m. to 1 pm, including arts and crafts, games, and a mystery box. Children may bring their favorite stuffed animals, and have a resident stuffed-animal veterinarian give them a check-up. Kids will also get the chance to read aloud to a certified therapy dog. A Fun Run will be held at 11:15 am, and a puppet show will follow at 11:45 am. Shelter tours will be provided and refreshments will be served. At 1:00 pm there will be a special presentation to the community with guest speakers followed by a champagne (non-alcoholic) toast. There will also be a sale at the shelter's resale shop, the Harrison House, from 10 am to 3 pm. All books will be $1.00 a bag and all other merchandise will be 30 percent off. The Conway Area Humane Society is located at 223 East Main Street in Conway, NH. For more information, call (603) 447-5955, or visit CAHS.

FATHER'S DAY IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY The first father's day celebration was held on June 19, 1920 but it wasn't until 1924 that President Calvin Coolidge provided the support for a national Father's Day. Another 42 years passed before President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as the special day. And, six years later, President Richard Nixon provided the necessary signature signing Father's Day into law. This year, treat Dad to a special weekend in Mt Washington Valley. The Mount Washington Resort has plenty of activities planned throughout Father's Day Weekend (June 13-15) to acknowledge and celebrate Dads. Additionally, Dad rides free in Coach on the Conway Scenic Railroad when accompanied by one or more of his children and in First Class, when accompanied by another paying adult.

More than 30 lodging properties throughout Mt Washington Valley have signed on to offer fabulous Rally in the Valley packages, with plenty of extras. To view a list of all Rally in the Valley Packages, go to MWVCC. Here's a great example of one. Red Apple Inn Rally in the Valley June 14-22, 2008 join your friends for a motorcycle excursion offering special events for free or reduced rates. Stay two nights in a standard double room at Red Apple Inn, and you'll be treated to a deluxe continental breakfast each morning, dinner one night of your stay, two Rally wristbands for discounts all over the Valley, and motorcycle extras just for you! All this for $119 per person, double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday and $179 per person on weekends, double occupancy, excluding tax and gratuity, (approximately $16). Other room styles available: add $15 deluxe and Queen/double, or $50 for the family suite. Be sure to visit the Rally in the Valley Package Page for more great offers.