Bring on Summer Events for Family Fun!
Bring on Summer Events for Family Fun!
By Sarah Wright
Summer is almost here, and many families are already planning their summer vacations. The Lakes Region is a wonderful place to make memories in the summertime, with swimming and boating on the lake, hiking, mini-golf, go-karts, and many other great activities. In addition to all of that fun, there are some exciting local events planned that the whole family can enjoy together. Here is a list of just some of the spectacular events happening in our area this summer. There really is something for everyone!
Family Day at the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro is scheduled this year for Sunday, July 14 from 11 am to 3 pm. Tour the World War II museum, ride around Wolfeboro in a World War II era vehicle, talk with re-enactors from many of America’s wars, and enjoy live music. Children will also love the face painting, caricatures, balloon artist, magic show, and live animal show. Food will be available to purchase. It’s the museum’s most popular event, so don’t miss it. The museum is located at 77 Center Street. For more information, call 603-569-1212 or visit www.wrightmuseum.org.
Climbing wall at Nickfest.
Photo courtesy Nicholas J. Pernokas Recreation Park (The Nick)
Active families won’t want to miss Nickfest on Saturday, July 13 (rain date: July 14) at Brewster Memorial Field on Main Street in Wolfeboro. From 11 am to 4 pm, families and friends can enjoy a selection of inflatable games including the Boot Camp Challenge, Moebius Combo, Vertical Rush, Jumbo Slide, Mini Ball Bounce, High Striker, and the Castle Bounce House. There are also four-way bungee trampolines, a climbing wall, pony rides, a photo booth, petting zoo, face painting, and live music by the Carolyn Ramsay Band. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Thanks to all the 2019 sponsors, 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to The Nick to fund the operation and maintenance of the park. Tickets are available at Nickfest or in advance at Black’s Paper Store in downtown Wolfeboro. For further information, call 603-569-1909 or visit www.thenick.org.
Plan to come back to Wolfeboro when The Nick hosts Circus Smirkus, presented by All Saints Episcopal Church, with performances on Sunday, August 11 at 2 pm and 7 pm; and on Monday, August 12 at 1 pm and 6 pm. Don’t miss the amazing acrobatics of these skilled circus performers! The Smirkus midway opens one hour before showtime and features splendid Smirkus novelties and food concessions like popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, ice cream, and bottled water, lemonade, and iced tea. Tickets are available online at www.thenick.org, or at Black’s Paper Store in Wolfeboro and the Innisfree Bookstore at the Mill Falls Marketplace in Meredith.
Circus Smurkus will perform at The Nick this summer.
Photo courtesy Nicholas J. Pernokas Recreation Park (The Nick)
On Saturday July 20, The Loon Center in Moultonborough will host its 42nd Annual Loon Festival. This free event starts at 10 am and features crafts, storytelling, face painting, and balloons for the kids, slide presentations by loon biologists for adults, and live music and the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Discovery Table with animal exhibits for everyone. Try your hand at the Pin the Chick on the Loon game or take a Loon Facts quiz and win three throws at the dunk tank! Food and beverages will be provided. For more than 40 years, the Loon Preservation Committee has worked to preserve the Common Loon and its habitat in New Hampshire through research, education, and management activities. This event will be held rain or shine. The Loon Center is located at 183 Lee’s Mill Road in Moultonborough. For details, call 603-476-5666 or visit www.loon.org.
Children will love the Truck, Tractor, Wagon Day at The New Hampshire Farm Museum on Saturday, August 3, from 10 am to 3 pm. Explore three centuries of travel and farm work, as it was done in the “olden” days. Part of the farm’s collection of tractors and wagons will be available for rides, and kids will be able to sit at the wheel of big trucks as well as fire and police vehicles, construction equipment, classic cars, and vintage military vehicles. It’s the most fun kids can have on a farm! While you’re there, be sure to tour the farm house and visit with the animals at this wonderful New Hampshire gem. The museum is located at 1305 White Mountain Highway in Milton. Visit www.nhfarmmuseum.org for more details, or call 603-652-7840.
Castle in the Clouds is a beautiful place to visit, and the walking trails, water fall, and fish feeding make this a great outing for kids. On Saturday, August 10, from 11 am to 2 pm, the Castle celebrates Family Fun Day. The Lakes Region Conservation Trust has partnered with the Moultonborough Recreation Department to provide a day of lively music, activities and games, and other fun. The whole family can enjoy this free event in the Meadows at Shannon Pond when entering from Ossipee Park Road. The event is also included in the price of admission to the Castle. Purchase food from a local food truck, ice cream and light snacks from Cones in the Clouds, or bring your own picnic lunch. Family Fun Day is held rain or shine. Castle in the Clouds is located at 455 Old Mountain Road in Moultonborough. For more information, call 603-476-5410 or visit www.castleintheclouds.org.
Castle in the Clouds. Courtesy photo
Explore nature at the 17th Annual Woods, Water, & Wildlife Festival at Branch Hill Farm on 307 Applebee Road in Milton Mills. This family-friendly celebration will take place on Saturday, August 10 from 10 am to 3 pm, and features fun and educational outdoor activities. Everyone can enjoy hayrides to the river, wild animals from Squam Lakes Science Center, fishing in the pond, kids’ crafts, a petting zoo, demonstrations of traditional rural skills, a kids’ discovery walk in the woods with obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, a permaculture garden, and more. Food and baked goods will be available for purchase, and this event is held rain or shine. Presented by Moose Mountains Regional Greenways and Branch Hill Farm, the festival is free for kids ages 12 and under.
Do you like county fairs? Kick off fair season in the Lakes Region with the Belknap County 4-H Fair on Saturday, August 10 from 9 am to 7 pm and on Sunday, August 11 from 9 am to 5 pm. Enjoy live music, lots of prize-winning farm animals, and yummy treats. Children under age 10 are free. The fairgrounds are located on Mile Hill Road in Belmont.
Last, but certainly not least, if you’re looking for something to do indoors, treat the family to an entertaining theatrical performance by The Interlakes Children’s Theatre in Meredith. The theatre is planning lots of great shows this summer for young audiences. On July 13 and 14 at 11 am both days, fall in love with Annie; on July 27 and 28, laugh along with Shrek the Musical at 11 am both days; and on August 10 and 11, enjoy a magical performance of The Wizard of Oz at 11 am both days. The theatre performances are at the Inter-Lakes High School auditorium located at 1 Laker Lane in Meredith. Call 603-707-6035 or visit www.interlakeschildrenstheatre.org for more information.