Top 10 Things To Do
The colors are now starting to change but that doesn't mean that foliage is the only thing to see around here. The Granite State is slammin' this weekend with the finest family-oriented events, fairs, film festivals, musical and comedy performances and more. We've taken a trip from Portsmouth to Plymouth in order to pick out the Top 10 Things to Do in New Hampshire this weekend!
Photo: New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mountain — all weekend!
The 2008 New Hampshire Highland Games takes place this weekend at Loon Mountain in Lincoln. This cultural festival is the largest Scottish festival of its kind in the northeast. This weekend-long event features Sheepdog Trials, Celtic World Music Concerts, the New England Regional Scottish Fiddle Championships, Highland Dance, Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, Solo Piping and Drumming and other instrument competitions, and much more. Don't miss the "Gathering of the Clans," which draws over 60 Clans from all over the United States and Canada. Weekend passes are $45 and will allow you access to the grounds every day of the festival. Day passes and fees for individual events vary.
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The 133rd Annual Rochester Fair is a wrap this weekend at the Rochester Fairgrounds. The fair is the largest and one of the oldest fairs in the state. This weekend features the popular demolition derby, the Miss Rochester Fair Pageant, a midway, 4H demonstrations, a lumberjack competition, a Motocross Quad Challenge, and live entertainment, including the high flying antics of Circus Hollywood. Bring the whole family and enjoy a weekend at the fairgrounds. For details, call (603) 332-6585.
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Movie lovers will not want to miss the 10th Annual Telluride by the Sea Film Festival, which brings films straight from their premieres in Colorado at the Telluride Film Festival to the Music Hall in Portsmouth. This year there are six films on tap, including Happy Go Lucky, O'Horton, an amazing film about the Naples Mafiosi titled Gormorrah, and three other films. Tickets are $12.50-85. Patron passes, which include a pre-party prior to the first film, can also be purchased for $200.
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Matt Savage, New Hampshire's beloved autistic-savant and talented musical pianist, will perform at the Silver Center for the Arts at Plymouth State University this weekend. Savage, who recorded his first album at the age of 7, is now a well-known jazz musician with several records to his credit, despite being diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Now 16, Matt is sure to bring down the house with his amazing skill behind the piano. Tickets are $15-30.
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A Weekend in Antrim
All weekend, 9am-5pm (Slalom Championships)
Saturday, 9am-8pm (Home and Harvest Festival)
You don't want to miss all the fun at the Antrim Home and Harvest Festival and Can/Am Slalom Championships this weekend. The festival will feature a soapbox derby race, a pumpkin regatta, an arts and crafts festival, live music, and activities for the kids. There will be over 75 skateboarder slalom racers from all over the U.S. and Canada competing in the Can/Am Slalom Championships, one of the largest events of its kind in the country. Come by and watch these boarders do the most amazing tricks you'll ever see! For more information, call 800-793-2075.
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The Wings of Freedom Tour will bring bombers to the New Hampshire Aviation Museum at the Manchester Airport. The event will feature four World War II Era aircraft on display, including three bombers and one fighter plane. Tours are available to the public on Friday. Rides can also be arranged for a fee. Call 603-669-4820 for details.
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The Emmy-Award winning comedian Louis C.K. will make his debut performance at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom this weekend. Louis is the star of HBO's "Lucky Louie" and is considered one of the hottest comedians in the country. He has made appearances on Letterman, Leno, and Comedy Central and he's written for the Chris Rock Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Bring your date, but leave the kids home for this hilarious show. Tickets are $25-39.
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Bring the whole family to Prescott Park in Portsmouth for a Tour of Fairy Houses, a one-of-a-kind garden tour for nature lovers and kids of all ages. The tour begins on Pierce Island and features hand-made "fairy houses" inspired by children's literature and fairy tales. All of the enchanting houses are made out of natural elements. Come see these whimsical houses built for fairies to visit. Dress up your little girl and make it a day worth remembering! Tickets are $4 for children, $10 for adults in advance and $5 for adults, $15 for adults the day of the tour. Call 603-436-2848 for more information.
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It's Shaker Wool Day at Canterbury Shaker Village on Saturday. This is the 22nd Annual event. Enjoy textile and sheep herding demonstrations, hands-on activities, and handcrafted items for sale. There will also be museum tours and a special "Textiles" Tour. Bring the whole family and watch how wool is made. Admission is $15 for adults, $7 for children aged 6-17 and free for kids under age 6. Call for details, 603-783-9511.
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Come to the Seacoast Science Center in Rye for a great scavenger hunt. Bioblitz! takes place this Saturday, but you'll have to get up early if you want to learn about the many species that exist at Odiorne State Park on New Hampshire's seacoast. Follow scientists, professors and field naturalists as they scour seven habitats and collect data. Families are welcome to come along. Bring boots, binoculars and butterfly nets and learn how everything is collected, identified and recorded. Learn about birding, animal tracking, mammals, various habits and how they are all interconnected. Please register for this event. Call 603-436-8043 to sign up.
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