In the shadow of the Majestic Mount Chocorua, Tamworth, New Hampshire is a small town with a lot to offer. Being located between New Hampshire's mountain region and lakes region gives Tamworth ample panoramic vistas and plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and the wildlife within. Many beautiful parks dot the landscape and give you the chance to experience the wilderness up close and personal. During the winter months, the region is buzzing with fun activities like festivals, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ice skating, sledding and snowshoeing. The area is also steeped in a rich history that you’ll find on display in locations such as Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, Barnstormers Theater, Tamworth Lyceum, and the Cook Memorial Library. If you’re looking to warm up during the winter months, check out the various local restaurants and live entertainment. Perhaps the most enjoyable things to experience in the area are the festivals and events like the Ice Harvest and Winter Carnival.
For the last 13 years, the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm has been holding the popular, fun and educational Ice Harvest and Winter Carnival. This event is a window into the past, where people needed to harvest ice to keep their perishables cold in the era before refrigeration. You’ll get a hands-on experience on how the blocks were harvested and stored. In addition to the ice harvest, you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy sleigh rides, cooking demonstrations, historical exhibits, games, live music, and so much more! Bundle up and bring the entire family and you’ll find out why the Huffington Post named this one of the top attractions in the region. ResortsandLodges.com got the opportuntiy to interview Dawne Gilpatrick, the Marketing Coordinatior for the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, to talk about this fun and unique event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
DG: This will be the 13th year of the Ice Harvest and Winter Carnival. Typically, we attract several hundred people to the event. Although we welcome everyone to join us for the festivities, demographically we primarily see families. It's a great event for all ages and backgrounds to participate in.
RAL: What makes the Ice Harvest and Winter Carnival unique?
DG: The carnival takes place at our historic and beautiful village farmstead, measuring just over 100 acres. Visitors of all ages are able to witness and participate in this historic New Hampshire tradition, the ice harvest. All are welcome to try their hand at marking, cutting, and picking ice blocks from the farm pond. Then, see the ice blocks transported by steer team to the ice house where they are stored until summer.
RAL: Take me through the activities, guest appearances and food people will find at the carnival.
DG: Aside from the ice harvesting, there are many other wintertime activities to experience including: sleigh/wagon rides, outdoor and wood stove cooking demonstrations with food sampling, historic demonstrations and exhibits, a working ice sculptor, a tree ID walk, outdoor winter games, and live music. On display will be an antique snow roller and a Model T snowmobile, the first of which was made in a neighboring town. The farmstead and museum are open for self-guided tours of the buildings, barns, and grounds. Meet and greet all of the farm animals in their winter coats.
We will have various guest appearances featured at the carnival such as: Ice Carver Brian Stockman, Yankee Teamsters 4-H Working Steer Club, Alaskan trapper Dave Evans, and the UNH Cooperative Extension. We’ll also have the first patented ski boot on display during the event.
The Farmhouse Kitchen offers a hot lunch for sale, or visitors may opt to purchase hot dogs or S’more kits to cook themselves at an outdoor fire pit.
RAL: What will travelers find for unique local lodging?
DG: There are many different types of accommodations that would fit that description in the area, but standard hotels are also available. A few local options include the Highland House, Four Seasons Lodge, Purity Spring Resort and Riverbend Inn Bed & Breakfast. In addition you can find lodging options through The Greater Ossipee Area Chamber of Commerce, The Meredith Chamber of Commerce, Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.
RAL: What does the event mean to the community?
DG: We are located in a very rural village center. It is a historic, point-of-pride destination for locals. We are a non-profit which "preserves the past to educate the future." Funds raised go to support our mission which includes providing history-based learning for all ages at a "back-in-time" price.
RAL: Why should people come to the event?
DG: The down-home quality of the event on a beautiful, historic site. It’s a feel-good destination and event. This year we celebrate our 20th year as a museum. Our most oft-heard comment is: "It’s so much more than I imagined." While located on 100 acres, the entire farm is accessible to visitors. There may be many people here for the event, but you never have a sense of being in a crowd. Our Museum & Farm Educators are highly approachable and eager to share their knowledge, answer questions, and be helpful.
For more information please visit the event website.