May 17th, 2010
Dear Visitor to the Valley!

The North Conway Village Association is actively creating events for your visiting pleasure! Here is the latest from this dedicated and energetic group.

North Conway Village: Approval has been granted by the Conway Selectmen with regard to our proposed North Conway Balloon Festival over the weekend of June 11 - 13, 2010. "Lifting Spirits" is our theme ... and we are ready to soar!

We expect to have eight hot-air balloons participating in the event. Tethered balloon rides will take place in Schouler Park and will cost $10 for adults and $5 for children, while one-hour balloon rides will run $175 per person and launch from several sites depending upon wind and weather conditions. Interested flyers will meet in Schouler Park during the specified hours. Advance reservations for one-hour flights are highly recommended due to limited availability and can be made through the North Conway Village Association by contacting Howard Stanten online at howard@metcoffeehouse.com or at 603-356-2332.

The weekend schedule follows. Of course, the one variable for the weekend is the weather, and consequently, the balloon festival committee has been sending prayers aloft daily to ensure beautiful, sunny conditions with gentle breezes. Yet, you can never comprehend the fickleness of Mother Nature!

Friday, June 11
5:00 pm on "Lifting Spirits" Village Activities in and around Schouler Park with Retail & Dining Opportunities
6:00 - 9:00 pm Hot-Air Balloon Rides Tethered Balloon Rides at Schouler Park
8:00 - 10:00 pm "Love is in the Air" Couples Reception and Drawing at Rafferty's

Saturday, June 12
6:00 - 9:00 am Hot-Air Balloon Rides
8:30 - 11:00 am Tethered Balloon Rides at Schouler Park
10:00 am All Day in the Park "Lifting Spirits" Village Activities in and around Schouler Park
4:00 - 6:00 pm Meet the balloonists and social activities
5:30 - 8:30 pm Meet the balloonists and social activities
6:00 - 8:30 pm Meet the balloonists and social activities
8:00 - 10:00 pm Meet the balloonists and social activities
8:30 - 9:30 pm Meet the balloonists and social activities

Sunday, June 13
6:00 - 9:00 am All Morning in the Park

To complement the balloon rides on Saturday, we have scheduled a number of complimentary activities to round out the event. To get the younger generation in the spirit, helium balloons will be given to children all day Saturday in a location by the Train Station. The Mount Washington Observatory will be offering a special "balloon program" at the Weather Discovery Center at 10:30 am and again at 1:00 pm along with their usual programs. The KHS Mineral Springs Brass Ensemble will be adding some high energy musical entertainment to the celebration with performances at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. In addition, the M & D Theater Company will be performing skits from "A Streetcar Named Desire" at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
And, many of the retail businesses and restaurants in and around the Village will be featuring special values tied to the "Lifting Spirits" balloon theme. Of course, the highpoint of the weekend (other than the elevation while taking a ride) will be the "Balloon Glow" at dusk on Saturday, when all the balloonists will "fire up" their balloons while tethered.
To help attract visitors to the Valley, we have arranged for two drawings, one for couples themed "Love is in the Air" and one for families themed "Balloons over the Valley" Family Adventure.
The "Love is in the Air" promotion includes: Balloon ride for a couple with champagne Photographer to commemorate the event and optional Justice of the Peace Mt. Washington Valley "balloon basket" of goodies from Zeb's Tickets to the M & D theatre production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" Picnic lunch for two created by the Chef's Market Ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad in the Observation Car Dinner for two at "Wine Thyme" $100 of shopping certificates from Naked Bohemian, New England Charms, 5&10 Store, and Synergy
A drawing will be held on Friday night at 9:45 pm at Rafferty's for all interested couples visiting the Valley. The cost to join the party at Rafferty's is $25 per couple, which includes one drink per person and hors d'oeuvres. The party runs from 8:00 - 10:00 pm. Member lodging properties can purchase "party coupons" from the Chamber for $25 each and create their own "Love is in the Air" package for interested couples. Space for the event is limited to 75 couples with the "party coupon" serving as each couple's entry into the drawing. Entry is limited to couples staying a minimum of one night at any member lodging establishment. Our hope is that this promotion will create the perfect scenario for a wedding proposal or renewal of vows either on the ground before the balloon ride or while in the air.
The "Balloons over the Valley" Family Adventure drawing includes: A hot-air balloon ride for a family of four with beverages Photographer to commemorate the event Mt. Washington Valley "balloon basket" of goodies from Zeb's Tickets to Story Land
Tickets to the Red Jacket's Kahuna Laguna water park Train ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad Family luncheon at Horsefeather's
A drawing will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday in Schouler Park to select the winning family party. Once again, Chamber lodging members should alert families who are planning to visit the Valley about the balloon festival and that they can pick up an entry form at the property upon their arrival. Entry is limited to families staying a minimum of one night at any member-lodging establishment.
Lastly, we wish to thank all our sponsors for their participation with special kudos to Amerigas (Platinum Flight); OVP at Settler's Green, River Run Inc., and Story Land (Gold Flight); Varsity Beverage, Northway Bank, and Zeb's (Red Flight). The event would not be possible without the support of our business partners.
It should be a wonderful weekend of fun and frolic in the Mt. Washington Valley, so please help us get the word out! It's time for "Lifting Spirits." Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Howard Stanten online at howard@metcoffeehouse.com or at 603-356-2332.