By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
SANDWICH – There are lots of fun and colorful events and festivals going on across the Granite State during the peak of fall foliage season and one that is particularly interesting in its celebration of local creativity is MOO.
Museum of the Outdoors.
The Fourth Annual MOO is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Camp Hale, on the shores of Big Squam Lake.
MOO is free.
Over 25 local and regional “creators” will install their work that morning, open it to the public from noon to 3 p.m. and break it down by 5 p.m.
It’s a one-afternoon, leave-no-trace, cultural, community event which is both free to the creators and free to the admirers.
“In a world where everyone is selling and fundraising, MOO is simply about celebrating creativity, community and the outdoors,” according to its press release.
There’s even free cider and donuts!
This is MOO’s fourth year at Camp Hale.
Victoria West of Sandwich has been one of the event’s organizers and a publicist since its inception. She notes her title is a “MOOver” and said the event is unique among various great events in the region, which include the Sandwich Fair, Oct. 11-13.
“MOO is an afternoon where folks can simply enjoy each other’s company, the installations of 40 different creators, and the beautiful scenery of Squam Lake,” said West. “Thanks to the generosity of Camp Hale, there are no entrance fees. It’s incredibly low key and fun.”
MOO creators include regional artists, young and old people, musicians, actors, and others.
Some installations showcase people’s work hanging from trees while some creations are one-offs. There will be at least two musical groups and some troubadours, she said.
“It’s an outdoor, pop-up, leave-no-trace event,” she said.
Whimsical, interactive, and thought-provoking, MOO installations will include sculpture, fine art and conceptual pieces, West said.
Camp Hale is a 100-year-old summer camp that serves Boston’s youth. West said the camp provides a beautiful setting with open spaces and woods along the shores of Squam Lake.
The terrain is steep and rugged in places so come prepared for that.
Camp Hale is located at 92 Millbridge Road, Sandwich, NH. Due to the rugged terrain, MOO is not handicap accessible. The rain date is October 5.
For more information, go to museumoftheoutdoors.net, or call West at 978-729-9390.