Photo caption (left to right):
Karmen Gifford, President of Lakes Region Chamber, Kim Lesnewski (in the Pumpkin Costume),Teller Supervisor, Eric Petell, Assistant Vice President, Branch and Business Development Manager, Sam Laverack, President and CEO of New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp, Paul Provost, President of MillRiver Wealth Management, Philip Emma, President of Merrimack County Savings Bank and Rick Wyman, President of Meredith Village Savings Bank at the MVSB Office on 379 South Main Street (Route 106) in Laconia.
The three subsidiaries of New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp are together supporting the 2016 New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival to be held in Laconia on Saturday, October 22nd. Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB), Merrimack County Savings Bank (the Merrimack) and MillRiver Wealth Management will be this year’s pumpkin tower sponsors.
Sponsor Executives, Philip Emma, President of Merrimack County Savings Bank, Paul Provost, President of MillRiver Wealth Management, Rick Wyman, President of Meredith Village Savings Bank and Sam Laverack, President and CEO of NH Mutual Bancorp recently met with Karmen Gifford, President of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, to discuss plans for the upcoming event.
“The Pumpkin Festival, which moved to Laconia last year, is community-based event that attracts visitors from all over New England. We’re thrilled to have such community-centered organizations involved,” said Gifford. “The organization that founded the NH Pumpkin Festival confidently turned the event over to the team in the Lakes Region this year. We’re excited to have the opportunity to further develop the family offerings and better advertise the event.”
Emma, Provost, Wyman and Laverack noted that they were excited to step in to sponsor the tower – a sponsorship that was previously held by national companies. “MVSB, the Merrimack and MillRiver are steeped in nearly 150 years of supporting the local community,” said Laverack. “Families and businesses throughout the region will be attending the event. It’s wonderful knowing our support will contribute to the enjoyment of so many,” said Laverack.
The Chamber expects upwards of 40,000 attendees. “Visitors will see 20,000 jack-o-lanterns, and get to select from more than 80 food and craft vendors. This year will also include amusement rides, a grand parade, haunted attractions, scenic train rides, games, live entertainment and a 5K and 10K road race.
The Pumpkin Festival is a New England tradition,” added Gifford. “We’re grateful to MVSB, the Merrimack and MillRiver. Their support helps us give even more to our visitors.” The NH Pumpkin Festival was previously held in Keene from 1991 through 2014, before the Lakes Region Chamber volunteered to host the 2015 event in Laconia.
The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce advances and promotes the commercial, industrial, service, professional, tourism and retail interests of the Lakes Region in Central New Hampshire. The mission of the Chamber is to provide services to its members and to promote the area. The Lakes Region Chamber consists of businesses representing the towns of Alton, Andover, Barnstead, Belmont, Bristol, Center Harbor, Franklin, Gilford, Gilmanton, Hill, Holderness, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Northfield, Salisbury, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Tamworth, Tilton, Tuftonboro, Weirs Beach and Wolfeboro.