In Claremont [1], catching a game at Mcgee’s Sports Bar & Grill (129 Broad St., Claremont, 603/542-0926) is considered second only to the real thing. The lively crowd packs the bar three bodies deep on big game nights, and still keeps the place jumping most other evenings, as well.
The Italian Renaissance Revival building belonging to the Claremont Opera House (130 Broad St., Claremont, 603/542-4443, www.claremontoperahouse.com [2]) actually shares space with the Claremont Town Hall. But there’s nothing municipal about the upstairs space used by the Opera: The frescoed ceiling and frieze-covered walls are perfect foil for performances ranging from The Nutcracker Suite and Peter Pan to comedy shows and classical concerts.
Claremont’s [1] annual Fall Festival (603/543-1296, www.claremontnhchamber.org [3], early Oct.) features a chili cook-off, apple-pie contest, and 5K road race.
Claremont Winterfest (603/542-7019, www.claremontnh.com [4], late Feb.–early Mar.) is a weeklong festival of skiing, tubing, fireworks, and other events to warm the spirit.
A few days before the festival, in nearby Unity, snowmobilers gather for the annual Crescent Lake Snowmobile Ride In (www.clrsr.com [5], Feb.), in which riders are clocked as they blast down a 1,000-foot-long icy chute on the lake to see who can go the fastest. Hot cider is provided to spectators.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/new-hampshire/lakes-region/western-lakes/claremont-area
[2] http://www.claremontoperahouse.com
[3] http://www.claremontnhchamber.org
[4] http://www.claremontnh.com
[5] http://www.clrsr.com