Pittsfield Balloon Festival
Each year, hot air balloonist enthusiasts from New England and beyond come to Pittsfield to celebrate the magic of flight.
At dusk as dozens of pilots (each with three lucky passengers in their baskets) take to the skies from Drake Field, a whooshing sound and smell of propane filling the air.
Thousands of feet below, wide-eyed spectators point and marvel at the polyester giants while the wind takes the balloons and drops them wherever it pleases – usually in the back yard of a friendly resident.
It’s proper balloonist etiquette to bring a bottle of champagne as a gift for the owner of the property you land on. That’s because in the 1700s, it was common belief that when the devil came for you, he’d come down huffing and puffing from the sky. If an unlucky balloonist couldn’t prove to the property owner that he wasn’t the Grim Reaper, it often meant death by pitchfork. A glass of champagne helped take the landowner’s edge off.
These days, balloonists have it a little easier. The Pittsfield Balloon Festival features three days of fun, fireworks, music, food and of course, lots of balloons.
If you’re an early bird, it’s worth heading to Drake Field at dawn for a sunrise takeoff. After lifting off, balloonists touch their baskets down in the Suncook River – a tradition known as a “splash and dash” – before continuing on their journey.
Where: Drake Field, Pittsfield
When: Friday, Aug. 6, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Web: pittsfieldnhrotary.org.
New England Brewfest
Like beer? Then you won’t want to miss New England Brewfest.
This sudsy festival is in its sixth year and, according to its website, better than ever. In addition to beer made by 20 local microbrewers, the afternoon includes live music and food.
The choices of locally-crafted beer are endless: Tuckerman’s, Peak Organic and beers by the Woodstock, Portsmouth and Elm Street breweries. (There’s more on the website. The full roster is just too long to print here.)
A $25 general admission ticket gets you an official tasting glass and 10 samples. You can purchase additional samples for $1 each. Be sure to bring cash and your ID. Credit cards aren’t accepted at the festival, and no one will be allowed to sip samples without proof of age.
Not a drinker? Teetotalers (and anyone under 21) get in for just five bucks.
Where: Lincoln Village Shops, Lincoln
When: June 26, 4 to 10 p.m.
Web: nebrewfest.com
Canterbury Fair
If you’re looking for some small town fun with big time flavor, the 2010 Canterbury Fair is the place to be.
The fair’s roots go back to 1959, when the Canterbury Ladies Benevolent Society fired up its grills for a chicken barbeque. On top of a tradition still popular today, the women raised $2,000 – nothing to cluck at in those days.
Today, there’s more than chicken to munch on. The sausages, burgers, hot dogs, fruit, and bake sale items will delight your taste buds. And don’t forget to leave room for homemade ice cream.
If your stomach needs a break from all the goodies, there’s free entertainment and handmade jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and leather goods on display.
Since it’s summer, the kids probably deserve some fun, too. The fair will keep the little ones entertained with activities like face painting, games and farm animals. Not too baaaad.
Where: Canterbury town center
When: July 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Web: canterburyfair.com
New England Elvis Festival
Grab your wig, your white leisure suit and your blue suede shoes, and head over to the New England Elvis Presley Music Festival.
You and your little mama can spend Labor Day weekend enjoying performances by dozens of Elvis impersonators, although they prefer the term “tribute artists.”
It’s a serious day for many festival goers competing for slots in the national 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, but there’s plenty of fun for spectators too.
On Friday night, enjoy casual performances in the hotel bar. Don’t stay up too late: A “Rock ’Til You Drop” event on Saturday is promised by organizers to be a “wild night.” Elvis impersonator Dwight Icenhower will perform his tribute to the King’s later years and, new this year, is a Sunday morning Elvis gospel competition.
You’ll also be able to purchase plenty of Elvis collectables all weekend long.
Where: Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St., Manchester
When: Sept. 3 – 5, various showtimes
Web: newenglandelvisfest.com.
Keene Pumpkin Festival
If you’ve never witnessed the spectacle that is the Keene Pumpkin Festival, take our word for it: You don’t want to miss this year’s gourdy goodness.
The love affair between Keene and its pumpkins goes back to 1991, when pumpkin fest was known as the “harvest festival.” The celebration started off small, with just 600 jack-o-lanterns present. Over two decades, it’s grown considerably: Last year, the college town of about 22,000 was packed with 29,762 pumpkins, which volunteers packed tightly onto three towers and overflowing onto Main Street (which, if you didn’t know, is the widest in the country).
Thanks to a hearty bunch of diehard pumpkin fans, Keene holds eight Guinness Book of World Records titles for most pumpkins in one place. Its last record was in 2003 (with a tally of 28,952).
In 2004, Boston decided to get in on the p-fest fun, shattering Keene’s world record and the hearts of many in the Monadnock region. The fine people of Keene aren’t ready relinquish their title just yet, and have rallied each year since to get it back. No guts, no glory, as they say.
If pumpkins don’t excite you, it’s okay (just don’t tell the locals). The festival features plenty of other activities, like a costume parade, seed-spitting and pie-eating contests, three stages of live music, arts and crafts, and more food vendors than you can shake a stick at (Our advice? Seek out the pumpkin cheesecake – it’s to die for). At sundown, all of the jack-o-lanterns are lit simultaneously – an impressive sight, to say the least. To top it off, there’s a fireworks display at the end of the night.
Like we said, it’s worth making the trip.
Where: Main Street, Keene
When: Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Web: pumpkinfestival.org.
