Newfound Lake Region Association celebrates third annual Lake Week

BRISTOL — From July 22-29 Newfound Lake Region Association is hosting a week of fun and adventure to celebrate Newfound’s great outdoors. Festivities start at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at Grey Rocks Conservation Area in Hebron and wrap up Saturday, July 29, at the famous Hebron Fair.

Outdoor activities for all ages are offered every day of Lake Week. Many, including discounted EcoTours, a guided paddle trip, and themed hikes have modest fees and limited space, and advance registration is required. See details and register at Newfoundlake.org/lake-week.

• Saturday, July 22 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring the family to Grey Rocks Conservation Area in Hebron for an Environmental Expo featuring NLRA, NH Lakes Association, NH Rivers Council, Newfound Audubon, the Hebron Conservation Commission, and Newfound Kayak Club. Explore Grey Rocks’ trails and test your skills in an environmental scavenger hunt. Model sailboat building, airboat demonstrations, and free mini-NLRA EcoTours on Newfound Lake provide plenty to do and see. The Bristol Rotary Club will be selling food and refreshments all day, and an Around-the-Lake sailing race is scheduled for the afternoon.

• Sunday, July 23, 4 to 8 p.m. NLRA and AMC will lead a moderate hike on Mt. Cardigan, followed by campfire cooking lessons at AMC's Mt. Cardigan Lodge in Alexandria. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Meet at Mt. Cardigan Lodge in Alexandria, and bring your favorite recipe to share.

• Monday, July 24: Discounted Eco-Tours on Newfound Lake at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the NLRA Madelaine. These two-hour trips give passengers a chance to measure some of the cleanest water in the country and learn about the Lake and its watershed. Tours start and end at Grey Rocks. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

• Tuesday, July 25, 3 to 6 p.m. Explore the Northern Newfound Water Trail on a paddle tour led by ecologist Rick Van de Pol. The tour starts and ends at Grey Rocks. Bring your own boat or rent one from Newfound Audubon Center in Hebron. Following the tour, learn more about Newfound's plants and animals at Rick's Red Barn presentation in Hebron, starting at 7 pm. Advance registration is required for the paddle tour and to reserve a boat, and tour space is limited. Rick's evening presentation at the Red Barn is free and open to the public.

• Wednesday July 26, 8 a.m. to noon. Yogi Camille Bharucha, and trip leaders Roger and Jennifer Larochelle and Parker Griffin will guide guests on an inspirational morning hike enriched with yoga. This excursion includes morning yoga warm-ups, a moderately strenuous hike to the summit of Mt. Oregon, and more yoga along the way to stay limber, relaxed, and reflective. Meets at 7:45 a.m., rain or shine. Space is limited and registration is required.

• Thursday, July 27: Discounted Eco-Tours on Newfound Lake at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the NLRA Madelaine. These two-hour trips give passengers a chance to measure some of the cleanest water in the country and learn about the Lake and its watershed. Tours start and end at Grey Rocks. Advance registration is required.

Visit NLRA at Bristol's Kelly Park for watershed displays and purchase some "swag" while enjoying live music. Tunes start at 7 p.m. (rain location Bristol Old Town Hall on Summer St.) - come early and bring your pals.

• Friday, July 28, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a morning walk at the Hebron Marsh Sanctuary on the gorgeous Beaver Trail while being serenaded by artists. An Audubon Naturalist will lead a guided walk at 10 a.m. and light refreshments will be provided. In the event of rain, artists will perform across the street inside Ash Cottage.

Discounted Eco-Tours on Newfound Lake at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the NLRA Madelaine. These two-hour trips give passengers a chance to measure some of the cleanest water in the country and learn about the Lake and its watershed. Tours start and end at Grey Rocks. Advance registration is required.

• Saturday, July 29: Lake Week finishes at the fabulous Hebron Fair, held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Hebron Common. Visit us at our traditional location at the east end of the common, and check out our 1955 Old Town canoe.

Eco-Tours give passengers a chance to measure some of the cleanest water in the country and learn about the lake and its watershed. (Courtesy photo)