Riverfire in Berlin on Oct. 22, 2011

Just as the nights are getting colder in New England, the City of Berlin will be warming things up with one of the best fall festivals around—RiverFire! On Saturday, October 22^th, come to “the city that trees built” to catch a full day of fun, ending with some dramatic fires on the river.

Voted “Best of NH 2007” by New Hampshire Magazine, RiverFire burns bigger and brighter every year, and this year there are some fun new activities for everyone. Starting at 1:00pm, the gates of the Northern Forest Heritage Park, 961 Main Street, Berlin, NH will open to activities and vendors for visitors of ALL ages. Admission to the park is FREE.

This year there will be hot air balloon rides, and a children’s bouncy village with inflatable houses. Admission to the bouncy houses, as well as many other children’s activities and a classic hayride will have a fee. For adventurous folks 13 and up, a 2-acre haunted village called “Horrorfest” will be presented by Theatre North. Enter if you dare for an admission price of $8!

At dusk, the Androscoggin River will be lit up with fires that appear to be floating on the water! The blazes will actually burn on the historic boompiers that dot the river. These piers were used during the height of the logging era, when they separated and guided the many trees that were sent down the river to the mills of Berlin. For RiverFire, these old piers will be stacked with skids, which when set aflame create a dynamic contrast of light over the dark waters. Take a walk along the bridge and admire the wonderful glowing carved pumpkins. It is a spectacle you won’t want to miss! FMI: 603-752-6060 or find RiverFire Berlin, NH on Facebook.

RiverFire promises to be the hottest event of the season!

Fall Foliage Photo Contest

The State of NH is hosting a Fall Foliage Photo Contest.  Please click the link to be taken to the contest website.http://fall.visitnh.com/

Concord, New Hampshire, September 21, 2011 – New Hampshire tourism officials announced

today the launch of a new “Picture Perfect” Foliage Photo Contest to encourage visitors and

residents to show off the beauty of fall in New Hampshire. Photo winners will be selected in each of

the seven tourist regions in the state: Great North Woods, White Mountains, Dartmouth/Lake

Sunapee, Lakes, Monadnock, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

“Photo contests are a great way to showcase and promote New Hampshire’s scenic beauty and the

wide array of fall activities to enjoy here,” said Lori Harnois, director of the Division of Travel and

Tourism Development (DTTD). “We want photos from each region of our state that demonstrate

the colorful and amazing views, as well as all the outdoor activities to enjoy, such as corn mazes and

harvest festivals, or visits to the pumpkin patch or a mountain or lakeside hike. Show us how much

there is to love in fall in New Hampshire!”

The contest will run from September 21st – October 31st. Participants can upload their photos to the

contest website at fall.visitnh.com. Visit the website for the official rules, to upload pictures, and

check out links to explore all the great fall activities in New Hampshire.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges based on creativity, quality, and originality of

submission. Winners will be selected and announced the first week of November, 2011.

“We encourage all of our industry partners around the state to promote the contest to their guests by

sharing information on their web sites or email newsletters, or through social media,” said Harnois.

“We also want everyone to know that our foliage tracker is now available online at

visitnh.gov/foliage and visitors can view peak leaf peeping days by region. So grab your camera, see

the sights, and celebrate the fall season in New Hampshire!”

Visit the contest website today at fall.visitnh.com for more details on how you can win one of seven

great prizes.

Wildflower Festival at the Rocks Estate

BETHLEHEM, N.H. —The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests invites wildflower enthusiasts to kick off the annual Fields of Lupine Festival June 5 at The Rocks Estate. The day will mark the start of the 31st Annual Wildflower Festival, with a full slate of fun activities planned at the turn-of-the-century Estate.

From photography and planting to floral identification and edible flowers, wildflowers and other plants will be celebrated on this early summer day. Several workshops and tours are planned to entertain and educate visitors from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Festival will include guided walks along the Mile Path, which meanders through the historic Rocks Estate property, where the Glessner family, original owners of the Estate, collected and planted a plethora of flowers.

“This trail is off-limits to guests apart from guided tours, as per the wishes of the donors of the property John Lee and Martha Batchelder,” said Clare Brown, Chair of the Bethlehem Heritage Society and a Forest Society staff member. “The guided walks offer a chance for visitors to see the trail, a hidden historic jewel, bringing together the natural world and the heritage of The Rocks Estate.”

Interpreters will highlight the rich history of the Glessner family, who summered here beginning in the late 1880s, while explaining the natural world they loved so much. The Mile Path walks are limited to 20 people per tour and fill quickly, so reservations are strongly advised.

George Mitchell of GM Photography will hold a short seminar on flower photography and accompany guests on the photography flower tour at 2 p.m. Wildflower expert Tanya Tellman will teach participants to identify flowers using a key, a skill which both beginners and experts will find helpful in the field.

In the “Floral Edibles” workshop, Rocks’ volunteer Janet Hill and staffers Clare Brown and Carlene Quinn will share a variety of ways to use a range of plants to spice up meals at home. The program includes identification of the plants used and where to find them.

“Learning what you can pick and prepare yourself is getting to be a lost art,” says Hill, a gardening and cooking enthusiast. “We want to reintroduce people to what they can find in the wild or grow naturally.”

There will be a second chance to participate in the program on June 12 and a special Father's Day program on June 19th which includes a fishing lesson.

Owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the landmark 1,400-acre Rocks Estate includes numerous buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm specializes in rural experiences and provides Agri- and Eco-tourism opportunities throughout the year.

The cost for the day-long Wildflower Festival is $15 and includes lunch and all programs. A $5 discount is given with each lupine festival book presented.

For more information and a schedule of events please visit http://www.therocks.org For reservations and other inquires e-mail info@therocks.org or call 603-444-6228.