GRANITEER outdoor lifestyle festival headed to Franconia, featuring concert from Joe Samba

The GRANITEER outdoor lifestyle festival is back for its second year, taking place in Franconia on Sept. 30. Hosted by Granite Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of businesses, nonprofits, and outdoor enthusiasts, the event aims to celebrate New Hampshire’s vibrant outdoor culture. Headlining the musical lineup is Joe Samba, a rising reggae rock artist from Salem. In addition, Kelly Davis, Research Director of the Outdoor Industry Association, will deliver the keynote speech at 6 p.m.

A recent survey from Stay Work Play New Hampshire found that the state's natural beauty and recreational opportunities are major attractions for young residents. Tyler Ray, Director of Granite Outdoor, sees this as evidence that the outdoors can be leveraged to attract talent not just in outdoor sectors but also in major industries like technology and healthcare. "GRANITEER is about cross-sector collaboration to promote New Hampshire’s outdoor economy,” Ray said.

The festival kicks off with a Women of Industry speaker series on Friday, followed by free outdoor activities such as group rides and climbing clinics on Saturday morning. The venue at Dow Park boasts eight acres of green space, river frontage, and direct trail access. Over 50 organizations ranging from ski resorts and conservation groups to breweries will participate, hosting product demos and career fairs.

Granite Outdoor's partnership with New Hampshire’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development aims to synergize public and private interests to sustain the outdoor industry. According to 2021 data, outdoor recreation contributes nearly $2.7 billion to the state’s economy, providing over 28,000 jobs.

For more information, visit www.graniteoutdoor.org or email sam@graniteoutdoor.org.