Kara and Kyle Cantalupo met at Stonehill College in the later months of 2017. Kara was a dancer on the Stonehill College Dance Team and they hosted a talent show. Kyle saw the opportunity to make $100 by entering the competition and singing a country song on stage. Spoiler Alert: He did not win the talent show, but he won the heart of a beautiful dancer named Kara. They’ve been together ever since!
Carolyn & Christopher wed at the farm this past August, and the day truly couldn’t have been any more spectacular. The tone of the day was set with absolutely perfect weather and stunning mountain views.
Highlights of the day included:
-Refreshing cocktails and mocktails served from a traveling bar. (HIGHLY recommend!)
-Thoughtful party favors including coasters with Bailey, the doggo, printed on them
- A “Brew Canoe” - so that’s basically a canoe filled with cold brews!
-Outdoor dining complete with rustic farm decor
- Plenty of time and space to dance the night away and CELEBRATE
We’ve included some of the gallery from this wedding below and you can really feel the love in these photos. THANK YOU to Carolyn, Christopher, and all of the vendors involved in making this wedding at Cold Spring Farm one to remember.
Vendor List
Venue: Cold Spring Farm
Photographer: Meredith Abbott Photography
Florist: Fern Floral
Hair/Makeup: Bella Winni Salon
Band: The Broken Heels
Bakery: From Scratch Baking Company
Bartender: Maeve’s Mobile Cocktail Hour
Caterer: The Old Salt Restaurant
Brendan & Mikaela met at church. They had known of each other, but then mutual friends set them up, so they started hanging out more, became the best of friends, and eventually started dating. Eventually, they drove down to Rhode Island to see the Christmas lights at Blithewold Mansion. They stopped at a beach that Mikaela’s family had been going to her whole life; a place filled with happy cherished memories. The went for a walk and as Mikaela was looking out towards the sea through binoculars, Brendan turned to “get something out of his bag.” When he turned around, he was on one knee with the ring!
Flash forward to April of 2023 to this farmhouse elegant wedding day, and you can literally FEEL the love in these images.
“My favorite moment was the ceremony, hearing my father and grandfather speak about marriage, and especially exchanging the rings. ”
Vendor List
Venue: Cold Spring Farm
Photographer: Destinee LeBlanc
Videographer: Micah Paull
Hair: Katie Tjietan
Makeup: Taylor Jones
Bakery: Specially Made Cakes
Bartender: Mariah Paiseczny
Caterer: MLC Catering
We can’t help but feel incredibly honored anytime we are asked to help make someone’s wedding day an incredible moment they will never forget. In that sense, this wedding was no different, but we were overjoyed to accommodate Noelle & Daniele for our very first Winter wedding here at Cold Spring Farm.
A wedding day is filled with dreams of sunshine, blue skies, and perfect weather. However, sometimes Mother Nature has different plans, and rain showers unexpectedly grace your special day. But fear not! Rainy wedding days can be just as enchanting and memorable, offering unique opportunities for stunning photographs and unforgettable moments. At Cold Spring Farm in Alton Bay, New Hampshire, we believe in embracing the beauty of nature, rain included. Let's explore how you can make the most of a rainy wedding day and turn it into a magical celebration.
@melissanealphotography
Photo Opportunities with Fun Umbrellas: Rainy days provide the perfect excuse to incorporate fun umbrellas into your wedding photos. Choose a variety of colorful and vibrant umbrellas that match your wedding theme or opt for clear umbrellas for a more classic look. These playful accessories not only keep you dry but also add a touch of whimsy to your pictures. Imagine a sea of umbrellas surrounding the couple as they share a romantic moment or capture a candid shot of the wedding party twirling their umbrellas in unison. These photos will be cherished for years to come and will bring a smile to your face whenever you look back on your special day.
@melissanealphotography
Enhanced Photo Quality: Contrary to popular belief, rain can actually enhance the quality of your wedding photos. The water droplets, reflections, and soft lighting can add a touch of ethereal charm to your pictures. The misty atmosphere creates a dreamy ambiance, making for breathtaking shots. Skilled photographers know how to make the most of these natural elements, capturing the romance and intimacy in ways that a sunny day may not provide. The soft light and the sheen of rain on flowers, leaves, and even your attire create a truly magical backdrop.
@melissanealphotography
Embrace Romantic Indoor Spaces: At Cold Spring Farm, we offer picturesque indoor spaces (think: our stunning post and beam barn and adorable cottage for getting ready…) that are perfect for rainy wedding days. Our space exudes rustic charm, providing a warm and intimate setting for your celebration. Embrace the opportunity to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere with soft lighting, warm colors, and delicate decorations. The rain outside will only add to the intimate ambiance, creating a sense of togetherness and closeness among your guests.
Settle in to our cottage while you and your wedding party get ready. It’s cozy and dry!
As a bride here are the farm, you will have the option of moving inside should rain occur. We typically turn the dance floor into the ceremony space, and we can seat about 90 inside (wedding party, officiant, couple, etc. will be standing.) We have a beautiful dark-stained cedar arbor that can be used inside as well!
Please note: this process does require our team to move the chairs from dinner to the ceremony space, and to set up the arbor - so we require a decision about moving inside about 1hr before guests begin to arrive.
Pro Tip: You also have the option to book a 'rain plan tent.' - Some rental companies will allow you to put down a deposit to reserve a tent and allow you to make a last-minute call about it. If you don't end up needing it you don't pay the balance. (Be sure to let them know it is for a ceremony and not dinner - this is a vast difference in size needs.)
The last option would be to ride out the outdoor ceremony and hope for the best. We can be flexible and wait to see if the rain slows down at any point. (This would affect your timeline some - but we can roll with that if you need us to!) We do have 24+ clear umbrellas that your family and wedding party can borrow if needed. If you plan to go through with an outdoor ceremony despite some rain - we suggest contacting your photographer and DJ to ensure they are okay with doing this and what if they might require a tent to execute it. If you have a method of contacting all of your guests we also suggest letting them know to dress accordingly or purchasing ponchos/extra umbrellas. (If they don't get used you can always return them!)
Rainy Day Décor: You may consider incorporating rain-inspired elements into your wedding décor to celebrate the weather and create a cohesive theme. Hang strings of twinkling lights and drapes throughout your venue to mimic the look of raindrops. Add touches of silver or blue hues to your table settings, centerpieces, and floral arrangements to capture the essence of a rainy day. A thoughtful and well-executed rain-inspired theme can turn the rain from an inconvenience into a unique and memorable part of your wedding day.
Create Memorable Moments: Remember, rain on your wedding day is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories. Dance in the rain with your beloved, hand in hand, or share an umbrella as you take a romantic stroll to visit the horses. Let the rain be a backdrop for heartfelt moments and spontaneous gestures. These genuine expressions of joy, love, and excitement will be treasured forever and will undoubtedly add a special touch to your wedding story.
While rain on your wedding day may not be what you initially envisioned, embracing it can lead to truly magical moments. Cold Spring Farm in Alton Bay, New Hampshire, provides the perfect setting to turn a rainy day into a beautiful and memorable celebration. Embrace the weather, stay positive, and let the rain add a touch of enchantment to your special day. After all, a little rain can't dampen the love and joy that surrounds you on this momentous occasion.
There is a lot to consider when thinking about the timeline for your big day. We know how overwhelming it can be trying to accommodate for every little thing in the schedule. Below you will find some good ideas about what to consider and how to include them. Once you decide what is most important to you, you can plan the rest of your day around those events.
Building out a detailed timeline will be one of the most important things you do to keep your wedding day stress free. Whether you have an extensive team of vendors, or you are relying on family/friends to help manage the day - your detailed timeline will enable every one of your vendors/helpers to show up exactly how and when you need them to.
This will vary from event to event - so you’ll have to consider how your unique event/crew fits in to these time blocks and adjust accordingly.
**Remember that this is your day and ultimately you make the rules. You do not have to go in a traditional order, you can add in ‘non-traditional’ things, and you can skip events all together that don’t feel right to you.**
Getting Ready - 2-4+ hours. This varies a lot depending on the size of your wedding party. Your Hair and make-up artists can be a great resource on what to expect. Build in a 10-15m buffer per person. (If hair and make-up takes 1hr per person, account for at least 1hr 10m on your schedule. Consider things like - needing a bathroom/snack break, etc. It’s better to overestimate than under.
Solo portraits - 30m Consult your photography team about your specific vision for this and how long they believe it will take to achieve it.
First Look - 15- 30m Consult with your photographer about your specific vision for this, and how long they believe it will take. Make sure to leave some buffer time for getting to and from the first-look spot. You don’t want to feel rushed in this moment.
If you are doing a first look - you may also be able to get some of your wedding party portraits out of the way before the ceremony (rather than doing them during cocktail hour,) so you may want to bake in a little extra time here for that as well.
Wedding party and family portraits - 45m - This may vary depending on the size of your family, wedding party, and your specific vision for what photos you’d like to capture. Typically this happens during cocktail hour - although if you want to do a first look you can capture some before the ceremony.
In order to stay on task - we suggest creating a list of pictures you want to capture at this time and keeping your photographer/coordinator informed of this list. It can also be very helpful to designate a friend or family member to be the “wrangler.” Your wedding professionals do not know everyone by face. It can be incredibly helpful to have someone who does be on point to go find Grandma, or Uncle Jim when they are needed for photos so that your vendors can focus on their specific duties.
Travel time - This may not apply to you if you are getting ready at the same place as you are getting married/partying.
Map out (at the same day/time of day to account for traffic patterns,) the travel time between your getting ready place & venue, (or ceremony place & reception place.) Add at least 20min to account for any hold ups, slow moving traffic, etc. Remember - The mapped distance will not account for the time it takes to load/unload people and items on to the shuttle, someone having to pee before you leave, or forgetting items and having to go back etc.
Guests arrive - 30 min before the start-time of the ceremony to allow some buffer for guests to park and find their seats.
Ceremony - 30min. This is an average and varies depending on the couple. Secular ceremonies may be a short as 15m, while some more religious ceremonies may take closer to 1hr. Your officiant will have more detailed insight on this, but we suggest leaving at least 30min. If it is less than that - it will just leave a little more time for your cocktail hour/photos afterwards.
Cocktail Hour - 1hr. Cocktail hour can be a little shorter or longer depending on your scheduling needs. You may want to extend it to 1.5hours if you have a large family/wedding party to get photos of during this time. You may want to shorten it slightly if the sun goes down earlier on your day and you’re wanting to account for sunset photos.
Remember that an extended cocktail hour means more drinking before real food is served - so be mindful of that when extending.
Grand Entrance - 5-10m. Depending on how many people will enter with you during your grand entrance. It typically takes the time of about one song to introduce your crew. (Think about your song choices too!)
First dance - 5m. Many couples choose to go right into the first dance from their grand entrance. This will take as long as the song you choose, but even if it’s short I would always put 5m on the schedule as it takes a little time to introduce you and get you up there.
Everyone joins you- Couples often like to invite everyone to the dance floor for a few songs together after the first dance. Arrange this with your DJ if you wish. If this happens before dinner, it will be likely be a quick 15-20m before the DJ announces that everyone should find their seats for dinner. (Leave about 10m for everyone to find their seats)
Welcome speech/toast/blessing- 5-15m Parents will often like to speak as dinner begins, thanking everyone for coming and in some cases reciting a blessing. Speeches should not be more than about 5min each - but this can vary depending on religious practices and how many parents will be speaking.
Dinner- 1hr. This will vary depending on how many people you are serving and whether it is plated/buffet. On average, it takes about 45m to get 100 people through a buffet.
Wedding party speeches - 10-15m It is common to start wedding party speeches as dinner is wrapping up. This is likely the last time all guests will be seated together, making it the perfect opportunity. You and your wedding party will be the first to eat- so you will be done (and ready for speeches) while some are still wrapping up dinner. (We suggest ~40 min after dinner service began, depending on guest count) The time it takes will depend on how many speakers you have. Speeches should ideally be ~3m each, plan for 5 on your schedule.
Parent dances - 5m each. These will take roughly as long as the songs you choose, plus the time it takes to get mom and dad to the floor.
Sunset Photos - ~20m. Be mindful of what time the sun sets if these shots are important to you. Bake into your schedule the ability to sneak away from the crowd for about 20m (10m before and 10m after the sun sets.)
Cake Cutting - 10m. This doesn’t take long, but bake in extra time to make sure you get the photos you want! You may choose to serve dessert after this, or later in the evening.
Dance Party - 2-3hrs. Typically you have a few hours left for partying once all the formalities are done. This will depend on what you want to do, and how long you have the venue for.
Send off - 10-15m. Talk to your DJ and coordinator about any last dances or special send offs you’d like to do. Your DJ will want to let everyone know what to do when the time comes (ie. Head outside, grab a sparkler, and line up,) and have a song ready for the moment if you wish. Photos and goodbyes will take about 15 min. Something to be mindful of if you have a strict cut-off time from your venue.
Check out some sample timelines below for an idea of how this might look all together -
Timeline Ex. 1 - All events on-site at your venue
Friday: Decorate & Rehearsal
1:00 p.m. Decorate venue
5:00 p.m. Rehearsal begins
6:00 p.m. Rehearsal dinner begins
7:00/7:30 p.m. Rehearsal dinner ends
Saturday: Wedding
9:00 a.m Bride & Bridesmaids arrive
9:00 a.m Hair and makeup artists arrive
1:00 p.m. Photographer arrives on-site
1:30 p.m. DJ arrives & is shown where to set up
1:30 p.m. Videographer arrives on-site
1:30 p.m. Groom & Groomsmen arrive on-site
2:00 p.m. Couple first look and photos
2:15 p.m. Shuttles from hotels begin
2:20 p.m. Wedding party and some family portraits (~30m)
3:00 p.m. Guests begin to arrive (Wedding invitation start time) & Music begins to play
3:30 p.m. Ceremony begins
4:00 p.m. Ceremony ends & Cocktail hour begins. (Wedding party & family portraits)
5:00 p.m. Cocktail hour ends and guests are ushered into the reception
5:15 p.m. Grand Entrance
5:20 p.m. First Dance & Guests are asked to join after
5:45 p.m. Guests are asked to find their seats
6:00 p.m. Welcome toast/speech/blessing (typically from parent(s)
6:15 p.m. Dinner is served
7:00 p.m. Toasts from Maid of Honor & Best Man
7:15 p.m. Parent dances
7:25 p.m. Cake cutting
7:35 p.m. Dance party begins
9:30 p.m. First shuttle leaves for hotels
9:55 p.m. Last Dance & prepare for send-off (sparklers etc.)
10:00 p.m. Line up & send off photos
10:15 p.m. Second shuttle leaves for hotels
Timeline Ex. 2 - Off-site Ceremony & earlier wedding
Saturday: Wedding
6:30 a.m. Hair and make up artists arrive
8:30 a.m. Breakfast in the bridal suite
9:30 a.m. Depart for Church
10:00 a.m. Arrive at Church
10:30 a.m. Guests arrive at Church (per invitation) & Ceremony music begins
11:00 a.m. Ceremony begins
11:45 a.m. Ceremony ends (Family & Wedding Party photos)
12:30 p.m. Shuttles depart church
1:00 p.m. Shuttles arrive at reception venue
1:00 p.m. Cocktail hour (Family & wedding party photos)
2:30 p.m. Cocktail hour ends
2:45 p.m. Grand Entrance
2:55 p.m. First Dance & Guests are asked to join after
3:15 p.m Guests are asked to find their seats
3:30 p.m. Welcome toast/speech/blessing (typically From Parent(s)
3:45p.m. Dinner is served
4:30 p.m. Maid of Honor and Best Man Toasts/speeches
4:45 p.m. Parent Dances
5:00 p.m. Cake Cutting
5:10 p.m. Dance Party Begins
5:45 p.m. Sunset Photos
7:45 p.m. Last Dance & Prepare for send-off (hand out sparklers, confetti, bubbles, etc)
8:00 p.m. Line up & Send off Photos
8:15 p.m. Shuttle to hotel
“Surrounded by breathtaking views, a well-built home, and multiple generations of family, Diane Loudon has worked hard for all she has accomplished...”
ALTON — Surrounded by breathtaking views, a well-built home, and multiple generations of family, Diane Loudon has worked hard for all she has accomplished.
The large red barn situated on the 300-acre property and within sight of her house is the icing on the cake at Cold Spring Farm LLC. It holds special memories for Loudon, and was built over time by her husband, Alan Loudon. “We were living in Alton Bay while looking for permanent property,” Diane Loudon says while sitting at a table on the second floor of the barn event space. “Alan searched for the place he wanted, and eventually found it here, atop Alton Mountain.”
“The house has a 10-foot basement, and it is situated for winter sunsets, and it is passive solar,” Loudon explains.
The idea of the barn serving as a spot for events came about in 2019 when Loudon’s niece used it for her wedding. It was obvious the barn would be a good place for celebrations, and Loudon moved forward with a plan to hold weddings and events there. She showed a complete and detailed PowerPoint presentation to Alton town officials and was approved to use the barn for events. It was a bold move, and one that took courage and hard work, but Loudon shrugs it off, saying she wants to create something enduring for her children and for future generations.
“I think we have been successful because the property has a good combination of things: It is visually pleasing, with wonderful views, good amenities, and a patio. But it is more than that. There is a serenity and magic here,” Loudon says.
Running an event/wedding venue was not always in Loudon’s life plan. With an impressive background, she attended Central New England College and received an undergraduate degree in accounting and industrial engineering and a master’s degree from Syracuse University.
“I was recruited for a job right out of college; at the time there were few women in the engineering field. I later went back for a refresher course at Dartmouth,” Loudon explains. Although it takes a high degree of intelligence to hold the positions she had in her career, Loudon is modest when saying, “Engineering is fun.”
During her career, Loudon became plant manager of a big firm and eventually married and had a son and daughter. She later relocated to the Lakes Region for her job and that is how, after a search for the perfect property, Cold Spring Farm came to be.
While she currently sits on three small manufacturing company boards and travels for work now and then, Loudon’s heart and soul are on the mountaintop where she can watch the sun rise and set, delight in her American Indian ponies frolicking through the fields and enjoy the land. She is supported in her efforts by her daughter, Sarah, who is the director of events at Cold Spring Farm. Her son, Zachary, is supportive as well.
“I just can’t seem to leave this place alone, and I can’t explain it,” Loudon says when talking about future expansions for the farm. “I want people to see the farm for the serenity we have here.”
While Alan Loudon is not around to share in the success of the property, he is always in his wife’s mind and heart. She thinks he would be proud of the direction she has taken and the careful use of the land.
Loudon concludes, “If you look for it, a lot goes right in life. We now have four generations living on-site, and it works well. I truly love living here.”
On October 23rd, along with the Alton Business Association, we had the pleasure of hosting “Harvest Happenings” here at the farm, and the day was an absolute success! Featuring dozens of local vendors, live music, food trucks, and hay rides, it ended up being the perfect fall day. The weather was great, attendance was high, and there was tons of FUN to be had. We are already looking forward to next year.
ColdSpring Farm and Foundation Joy proudly present singer/songwriter Chelsea Berry for an evening of holiday classics and original music!
There will be a silent auction featuring handmade items by New England artisans, gift cards, and more. A split pot raffle with proceeds going to local nonprofit Foundation Joy will be held. BYOB; appetizers, cookies, coffee and tea will be provided! Parking is free. Doors at 6:00, show at 7 PM. Come celebrate and join in the holiday spirit with us!
If you’ve ever found yourself planning your child’s birthday party and you just don’t have another trip to Chuck E Cheese in you, we totally understand. We know it is not always easy to have those special birthday parties for your little ones, so why not make it easy AND fun with a trip to ColdSpring Farm?
Sunday afternoons are reserved for kids’ birthdays. With plenty of space to choose from, you can have the barn, upstairs or downstairs – you decide! Weather permitting, the outside areas are all great places for your guests to play and celebrate. You can cater, bring your own food, just do desserts and snacks.
We have tables, chairs, and ample parking for your convenience.
Curious to learn more? Contact us for availability and more details!
Summer is in full swing here at the farm. Can you believe it’s August already?
We have been VERY busy with weddings, baby showers, event planning, and even some new construction and planning projects.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out this fabulous upcoming concert; we are very excited about it! Foundation Joy is pleased to announce its first of many concert series featuring singer-songwriter, Chelsea Berry to be held at ColdSpring Farm in Alton Bay on the evenings of August 19 and August 20. Chelsea, a seasoned performer tours regularly with Livingston Taylor in the New England area. You can find out more about Chelsea at her web- site www.chelseaberry.com.
And of course, we are ALWAYS adding to our yoga schedule. So, if you’re looking to unwind and relax in a beautiful setting, be sure to check out the calendar of events.
Have a question? Looking to plan an event? We would love to hear from you!
It’s hard to believe, but we are already securing dates for 2023 and 2024 weddings! If you’re planning your special day, do you have a date secured yet? We update our calendar regularly, so you can see what dates we can still accommodate.
Some things to keep in mind when planning:
Pricing: Our pricing structure is based on the number of guests you intend on hosting. Keep in mind, our pricing does change from year to year, so if you have questions, just ask! We have abundant indoor and outdoor space to accommodate parties of all sizes.
Insurance: It’s no secret that weddings come with a high price tag, a million details to plan, and the potential for things to go wrong. In order to be covered against those risks, wedding venues will often require that you secure liability insurance to protect yourself and the venue during your big event. This liability insurance provides you with protection if someone is injured at your wedding or one of your guests causes property damage to the venue. Learn More
Vendors: A huge part of planning your special day is making sure all of your vendors are in place. We’ve put a list of some of our favorites together to help make this part of your planning go smoothly.
Lodging: Many guests travel to New Hampshire, so securing lodging is essential. Find some of our favorite nearby lodging properties here.
Transportation: Need to transport your guests to and from the venue? Learn about transportation options here.
Get Your Questions Answered: It’s a big property, with a lot of variables, so naturally, we get A LOT of questions. Visit our FAQS page to get answers to some of our most common inquiries.
We have some great upcoming yoga classes here at the farm, all offered by Powerful You Yoga.
Join us this Friday, July 22nd for a Kula Flow class. Come, celebrate all of you who choose to gather with the beautiful intention to move, breathe and be. This class is also offered on Friday, August 12th.
On Tuesday, August 30th, we will be offering a live music/yoga experience with the music of Girish. Experience the magic of live music while practicing yoga mountaintop at picturesque Cold Spring Farm, in Alton Bay. Move and flow through an inspired yoga class while listening to live, soul-soothing powerful Sanskrit chants set to modern melodies. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss! Purchase Tickets Here.
On Saturday, November 5th join us for a full-day retreat: “Return To You.” This is an inspired day retreat created with YOU in mind to rediscover movement, breath, voice and fun. Various offerings from 4 practitioners, farm fresh luncheon & bites, surprises all while being mountaintop at the most love filled Cold Spring Farm. Purchase Tickets Here.
Be sure to keep an eye on our events page, as we are frequently adding new classes to participate in.
Join us August 19th & 20th for a fundraiser dinner and concert to benefit drug addiction prevention and treatment.
Foundation Joy is pleased to announce its first of many concert series featuring singer-songwriter, Chelsea Berry to be held at ColdSpring Farm in Alton Bay on the evenings of August 19 and August 20. Chelsea, a seasoned performer tours regularly with Livingston Taylor in the New England area. You can find out more about Chelsea at her web- site www.chelseaberry.com. The venue, ColdSpring Farm sits upon 100 acres on Alton Mountain, and the barn venue is light and airy with beautiful mountain views.
The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres followed by a Mexican theme dinner buffet and a concert by Chelsea Berry, who will be performing her newest album, Peace, Love & Happiness is being composed for this concert kickoff event for Foundation Joy.
“There’s a magic that happens when you hear an artist’s conviction not only in their words but in their tone of voice— That believability is the trait that separates the greats from the wannabes— and Chelsea Berry has it in spades.” -Ellis Paul
Foundation Joy is organized as a New Hampshire nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping fight the war on drugs. Its mission is to bring communities together through music and financial aid to those organizations that provide long-term recovery services including medical, psychological, housing, employment, and ongoing outpatient services. Proceeds from the concerts will be donated to nonprofit organizations that provide these long-term recovery services for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.
You can purchase tickets for this event online or call directly at 603-875-3355.
With the snow finally gone, and Easter behind us, it’s safe to say that spring has finally sprung. The spring season at the farm is always an exciting one because it’s a time of tidying and preparation for a summer full of weddings and events. We’ve been busy up here on the mountain with some new construction, spring clean-up, and some fun new events for the community.
Girls hard at work with spring clean up.
On April 8th, we welcomed our very first yoga class in the barn with Stacey at Powerful You Yoga. The turnout was excellent, and we look forward to many more yoga-themed events in the future, including Connective Flow: Yoga & Community this Friday, April 22nd. Join us for an hour of connective flow yoga followed by community connection time afterward. You can even add a charcuterie board to share with a friend!
Our first yoga class in the barn was a success!
Then, on April 23rd, we will have our first Paint & Sip event, featuring a wine tasting paired with appetizers.
Join us for Paint & Sip! Get those creative juices flowing.
Be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar as we add more community events throughout the spring and summer seasons.
On Saturday, March 5th, we welcomed a full house for our first event of the season. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out this past weekend for this special evening of music and comedy. We had a blast and hope you did too. Be on the lookout for more fun events in the future.
The following is the recent article published in the Weirs Times on Thursday, March 17th, 2022.
Weirs Times’ editor and columnist Brendan Smith performs to a full house in the bard at ColdSpring Farm in Alton. - Sarah Lewis Photos
Weirs Times’ editor and columnist Brendan Smith brought his comedic storytelling presentation out of moth-balls after a long Covid hiatus of over two years and delighted the crowd with some of his classic “Flatlander” tales about adjusting to life in New Hampshire after having moved here unplanned in 1985 from Long Island, New York.
Brendan also brought along some new stories about another adjustment he has had to make only recently…getting older which are also in his newest book “I Really Only Did It For The Socks – Stories & Thoughts On Aging.” During the hour-long how Brendan humorously covered everything from learning how to rake the roof, to a day at the dump as well as his recovery from open-heart surgery in 2018 and more. Some creative illustrations designed by his artist wife Kimberly added to the fun.
Before and after the storytelling portion of the evening, the crowd was entertained by the talented music duo of popular local musicians Chris Bonoli and Roy D’Innocenzo. A definite highlight of the evening was when Cadence “Cady” Mae Adler, 7, wowed the crowd with her a cappella version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Cady is the granddaughter of ColdSpring Farm owner Diane Loudon, who along with her daughter Sarah Lewis and Sarah’s husband Bob Adler (Cady’s mom and dad) have been working to bring new avenues of entertainment to the 300-acre farm located on Alton Mountain.
The breathtaking views have already been experienced by many who have attended weddings at ColdSpring Farm over the years. The beautiful true post and beam two-story barn was built by Diane’s husband Alan in 2010 and was finished to accommodate events after his passing in 2018.
“It is a tribute to Alan’s craftsmanship and long-time desire to share the beauty and tranquility of the farm with as many people as possible,” said Diane.
The grounds and barn have proven to be a very special place for many of the couples who have had their nuptials there. (In fact, the first couple that was ever married at ColdSpring Farm still has a close connection with Diane and family and was even at the March 5th show.)
The idea to expand on the success of ColdSpring Farm and bring in more events besides weddings was what led to the March 5th event. Not sure how the reaction of the public would be, the turnout of a packed house for the event solidified the idea to work at bringing more live shows and events to ColdSpring Farm.
“We are very excited, and we have some great ideas already for shows like this as well as fund-raising events. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Diane Loudon. “We are also going to have Brendan back soon for those who missed this great show.”
Under Construction! We are building a sweet little cottage on the southwest hillside of the farm. It will feature an amazing sunset view, complete with a deck for viewing.
We are shooting for the cottage to be complete by the end of summer ‘22. While it will be small, the cottage will be complete with plumbing, electricity, a kitchen, and a loft.
During wedding season, this will be an ideal retreat for couples. In the winter, we imagine this as the perfect home base for skiers and snowmobilers.
We plan cozy and high-end interiors with all of what you would expect and dream of when choosing a little getaway in the woods. Stay tuned for more photos as the cottage progresses.
