WOW Fest ’13 – Saturday September 14th!
The 5th Annual WOW Fest will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Laconia Athletic & Swim Club, 827 North Main Street, Laconia, NH.
WOW Fest, a key fundraiser for the WOW Trail, is a fun-filled event for the whole family featuring two bicycle challenges, 5K and 10K road races, fun walk, BBQ lunch, live music & kids activities. You won’t want to miss it!
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Event day registration is available at Laconia Athletic & Swim Club.
Bicycle Events:
- Take the Lake Challenge (Lake Winnipesaukee, 67m, 7:00 am start, $60 pre-registration [$65 event day registration])
- Take the Bay Challenge (Paugus Bay, 15m, 10:00 am start, $55 pre-registration [$60 event day registration])
Running Events:
- Take Opechee 5K Road Race (9:00 am start, $30 pre-registration [$35 event day registration])
- Take Opechee 10K Road Race (9:00 am start, $35 pre-registration [$40 event day registration])
Walking Event:
- Take the Trail Fun Walk (3M) (10:30 am start, $25)
***All events include Event Tech Shirt*, BBQ Lunch & Festival***
All proceeds benefit the WOW Trail. Sign up now and bring the whole family for the BBQ lunch and a lot of fun.
*Register by September 1st to receive an event tech shirt.
Click on each event for additional details
Check out our Team Challenges:
- WOW What a Team! – Awarded to the team with the most pre-registered participants.
- WOW You Look Good! – Awarded to the “Best Dressed” team.
- WOW Green ($$$) Team! – Awarded to the team that brings in the most pledge money.
- WOW Cups! (5K & 10K) – Awarded to the teams with the 3 fastest (pace/min) Take Opechee 5K or 10K participants (minimum of three 5K or 10K finishers required).
Teams can include participants that are pre-registered for any of the five events (Take the Lake Challenge, Take the Bay Challenge, Take Opechee 5K, Take Opechee 10K & Take the Trail Fun Walk).
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about our Team Challenges.
Festival (11:00 – 2:00):
Not participating in one of our events?….Come enjoy an afternoon of family fun and great food!
- BBQ Lunch, Live Music, Kids Activities: $10 Teens & Adults; $5 Children 12 and under (donations and festival entrance fees payable at the door)
Questions?: Please contact Jennifer Beetle at jmlines@metrocast.net or (603) 630-4468.
WOW Fest event registration and festival entrance fees are not tax deductible contributions because of the goods and services that a participant will receive. However, because WOW Trail is a 501(c)(3) organization, pledges and donations are fully tax deductible.
About the Trail
The WOW Trail is a multi-use, non-motorized recreational pathway in the City of Laconia. The proposed pathway is just over 9 miles long, stretching the length of the City to the Meredith and Belmont town lines. The WOW Trail will be constructed adjacent to the railroad tracks used by the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. The trail will be 10 feet wide and paved.
The first 1.3 miles is complete! The Grand Opening was held on May 15th, 2010. Phase 1 begins adjacent to the Lake Opechee Inn & Spa in Lakeport and ends downtown at Main Street, adjacent to the Library. A portion of the first phase, located between Bisson Avenue and Lyford Street, is adjacent to Messer Street. In this area, the sidewalk was widened and bike lanes added to the roadway. Laconia DPW was extremely helpful in accommodating the trail design and construction on Messer Street.
Phase 2 of the WOW Trail will run from Downtown Laconia at North Main Street to the Belmont town line. A short section of bike trail already exists at the Belmont town line and Route 3. The NH DOT built this short section of trail in anticipation of connecting the Laconia WOW Trail and the Town of Belmont’s own BRATT trail.
Using the Railroad Right of Way
Snowmobilers will access and use the railroad tracks in the winter months as always. All others are to remain off of the tracks and on the trail. It is dangerous and trespassing to be on the tracks.
Design and Safety
A four foot high continuous fence will run between the trail and the active railroad tracks. The fence will be elevated six inches above the ground to accommodate the movement of small animals. The fence is CURRENTLY required by the NH DOT Bureau of Railroad, however, DOT has verbally agreed to allow split rail fencing in specific areas along Phase II. We will continue working on other alternatives.
Trails next to active railroads are increasingly common in the United States, with over 100 rail-with-trails in existence to date.
The Laconia Police Department conducts bike patrols of the WOW Trail.