August 31, 2011
Today is National Trail Mix Day
National Trail Mix Day features a high energy, tasty treat for the trail or snacks. You can buy packages of trail mix at a store. Or, you can make up your own, using the ingredients you like best.
When you head out to a campout, a hike or to go biking, take the Trail Mix along with you. It provides the extra energy boost to keep you from tiring along the way, and allows you to reach your destination full of pep. Don’t limit trail mix to the trail. It is also good at campouts. (Or if you are me, my desk at work.)
Here is a fun way that the Boy Scouts make Trail Mix:
Ask each hiker or camper to bring a box or bag of their favorite cereal, nuts, pretzels, raisins, dried fruit, M&Ms, etc. For younger hikers or new members of the group, it’s best to provide them with a list of the types of food that can go into trail mix. That way, the inexperienced hiker won’t bring something that can not be easily carried. At the campout or before the hike, bring the group together and mix all the food in a big, big bowl. Put the mix into sealable baggies and pass them out to each hiker.
Tips: When making your own trail mix, avoid messy items that leave your hands sticky, like mini chocolate pieces. If you MUST have chocolate, use M&M’s or something with a shell.) Also avoid too many salty items. For example, unsalted nuts are better than salted ones.
Happy trails to you!
If you love hiking, you might be interested in trying out Festiva’s own Rangeley Lake
Resort. Rangeley Lake Resort is a four-season vacation destination in Maine where each season offers a variety of opportunities for vacationers. Summer is ideal for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, fishing, golf, tennis, mountain biking, ATV excursions and trying out your trail mix recipe. If you’re in Portland, stop by Festiva Adventure Club and view a quick presentation on how much you can save on fun family vacations. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust. Festiva has resorts all up and down the east coast and more. Call 1(888)695-0200 today to set up a reservation!
August 30, 2011
2 Pianos 4 Hands
Love theater and music? Come down to the Portland Stage and see 2 Pianos 4 Hands. The production will kick off September 1st and run through September 30th. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. The production is back by popular demand. Last time it was on stage many of the performances were sold out. 2 Pianos 4 Hands follow two boys that comically grow into adulthood with big dreams of becoming musicians. Throughout the whole show they skillfully play grand pianos. So if you want to see a great show filled with music and comedy this one is for you! The Portland Stage is located at 25A Forest Ave in Portland. The Portland Stage Company has been showing great productions such as 2 Pianos 4 Hands since its opening in 1974. The Portland Stage Company originally held its productions in a variety of venues until finding a permanent home in 1976. Since the Portland Stage Company has been in business they have produced over 305 shows. If you want to really have a great experience The Portland Stage is the place to be!
Love getting out an trying new experiences? Why not swing by Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St. View a quick 120 minute presentation and learn how much Festiva can save you and your family on their next vacation. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
August 29, 2011
Blue Hill Fair
Looking for something fun and exciting to bring the kids to? Why not take them to The Blue Hill Fair? The fair will be kicking off Thursday September 1st and will run through Monday September 5th. Friday will be Senior Citizens Day so if the grandparents are around this would be the perfect day to bring them along. Like Blueberries? Saturday is the day you want to be there it is their Wild Blueberry Day. The Fair will have loads of fun for the whole family all weekend long. Like seeing animals? There will be tons of exhibits including a draft horse and oxen pull, Harness racing and the Sheep Dog Trials that The Blue Hill Fair is famous for. Are rides more your thing? You’re in luck there will be tons of rides open all weekend. Looking for some fun events you can only find at a fair? Again you are in luck, There will be fun events such as Antique Tractor Pulling, Fireworks, Hot Dog Pig Racing, The Great Maine Lumberjack Show and The Blue Hill Idol contest. Friday will have discounted admission all day depending on what time you show up. Senior admission on Friday will be capped off at a maximum price of 4$.
Love fun events? Why not swing by Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St in Portland. View a quick 120 minute presentation and learn how much Festiva can save you on vacations. Festiva has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
July 14, 2011
Relay for Life: Success
Survivors were cheered on as they did a lap across the track
The Relay is now over and it was a HUGE success!
Over $54,000 was raised towards the fight against cancer. Can’t get much better than that! A big thank you to everyone who participated this year.
Festiva was excited to be part of sucha wonderful event and is preparing for next year. Check out some of the photos of our Festiva Adventure Club in Portland employees at the Relay. To find out about next year’s Relay happenings, check Cancer.org for your local Relay For Life event to see what events will be happening near you!
Festiva's marketing staff and VO gear up for a long night
If you are in the area of Portland, ME sometime, stop by Festiva Adventure Club, check out our log cabin in the city, and hear about our great deals on our Members Only Vacation Packages. Ask one of our Festiva Hospitality Travel Agents how they can get your family to take vacations while still respecting your budget. More information can be found at www.festiva.travel.
Festiva Portland's VO Liz and daughter Riley take a quick H2O break and smile for us.
July 13, 2011
5 Ideas for Summer Family Fun
Summer is the best season because you can do fun things during the day or at night and it is always a great temperature. Here are some fun things you could do withyour family this summer.
1. Catch fireflies. Catch them in your hands (but don’t squish them!), or with a net and put them in a jar. Remember to poke airholes if you plan to keep them, but releasing them after catching abunch is the best part! Your kids will love watching the lights swirl out of the jar at once and disappear into the night. Remember, fireflies look like scary bugs up close, but they are not, they don’t bite and they are just so cool looking.
2. Stay up late and look at the stars. Grab a blanket and pillows and make it a whole family activity in the back yard! This could be a planned event, or just migrate to the blanket from an evening cookout. If you are an astronomy buff, try and find all the constellation you know. If you aren’t, see what shapes you can find in the stars. It’s like the cloud game, but with some connect the dots mixed in.
3. Play flashlight tag. This requires staying up late so the kids will think it’s extra fun. If you have little ones that you don’t want to run around alone, make teams instead. Flashlight tag has no concerte rules, make them up to suit your family and friends!
4. Make your own bubbles and have a bubble blowing contest. We recently posted an entry on how to make you own bubbles. You can use that or buy your own and have a bubble party in the driveway! Invite the neighbors and have a contest to blow the biggest bubble.
5. Learn how to fly a really good paper airplane. Get ideas for different styles online and try them out! Here is a good website with video tutorials. It’s an oragami lesson and aerodynamics lesson all in one, disguised as summer fun. Make it exciting for the artist in your family and get different colored paper to use. Let the kids decorate the planes, but only with colored pencil! Too much wax or ink from crayons and markers will weigh down your plane, which is the lesson I learned when I did this last week.
Wish you could spend more quality time with your kids? Want to go on more vacations with them, but don’t have enough money for it? At Festiva Resorts in Portland, Maine we have a lot of offer to help you out with your vacationing. We are a members-only Adventure Club where you can learn how to vacation cheaper and more often. Festiva’s Portland office on Riverside Street has 120 minute presentations 5 days a week where you can walk away with plenty of gifts for just attending one of our presentations. You can get gas cards, Jimmy The Greeks Gift certificates, and Cruise tickets for you and your family. Our family-friendly Festiva Resorts employees are very informative and can supply you with some fun new ideas that can bring you and your family closer together and make some lasting memories. You can learn more about us at www.festiva.travel.
July 8, 2011
Captain Ahab, watch out. We’re on our way!
What could be more “Maine” than a whale watch with the family?
Aside from a big plate of lobster followed by some moose watching, I have no idea. Whale watching off the coast of Portland, Maine, is more than just keeping an eye out for sea animals. It is about the pleasure of being in the middle of the ocean on a beautiful summer or fall morning and enjoying the coastline of Maine. It’s about spending time with your family, enjoying nature in it’s purest form.
And whales are not the only thing that you could see while you’re out on the Atlantic! As well as seeing Humpbacks, Finbacks, and Minkes, there are North Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins, Basking Sharks, Ocean Su
nfish, and Sea Turtles! Aye, that’s right, there be sea turtles!
Lunch, Snacks, and a full bar are available while you travel twenty miles off shore to get up close and personal with the whales and other majestic mammals of the sea!
Feel free to use to following information to contact the Whale Watching Site for more information:
2011 Whale Watch Pricing:
(Whale Watches are 4 Hours)
Adults $48.00
Children (12 and under) $38.00
Infants (2 and under) $9.00
Click here for the schedule
For more info or to book a reservation, call at (207) 775- 0727, or E-Mail info@odysseywhalewatch.com
Want to do more events like this with your family, but do’t have the money? It’s 
possible! While you’re in Portland for the Old Port Festival, why not stop by Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St. View a 120 minute presentation and see how much fun Festiva can provide you with. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and has the experience to provide you and your family with the best vacation for less! Call 1(888)695-0200 today to set up a reservation!
July 7, 2011
Make Your Own Bubbles
I’ve been reminded these past few days (since I bought my niece and her friend lots of bubble mixture and a big array of bubble wands) how blowing bubbles is a never-ending and simple pleasure for kids.
I remember last summer, stopping for an hour or so at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, where we made gigantic bubbles with hula hoop-sized wands, and they had a recipe posted for the bubble mixture. The key, I remember, was glycerin. So I did a little searching, and found that the general make-your-own bubble recipe looks like this:
For a gallon of bubbles (using a recycled, clean milk jug):
- 2½ cups of concentrated dish detergent (I’ve read that Joy and Dawn are the best for bubbles)
- ½ cup glycerin (found at the pharmacy*)
- 12½ cups of water (note: soft water or distilled water is better than hard water)
Stir gently to mix ingredients, and if you can, make the bubbles a day ahead of time – apparently letting the solution sit for a day makes for better bubbles.
*Can be expensive, but is roundly recommended for making the best bubbles
Wish you could spend more quality time with your kids? Want to go on more vacations with them, but don’t have enough money for it? At Festiva Resorts in Portland, Maine we have a lot of offer to help you out with your vacationing. We are a members-only Adventure Club where you can learn how to vacation cheaper and more often. Festiva’s Portland office on Riverside Street has 120 minute presentations 5 days a week where you can walk away with plenty of gifts for just attending one of our presentations. You can get gas cards, Jimmy The Greeks Gift certificates, and Cruise tickets for you and your family. Our family-friendly Festiva Resorts employees are very informative and can supply you with some fun new ideas that can bring you and your family closer together and make some lasting memories. You can learn more about us at www.festiva.travel.
July 4, 2011
The Ossipee Valley Fair
Love going to fairs? Make sure you don’t miss the Ossipee Valley Fair. The fair will run from Thursday July 7th to Sunday July 10th. The Ossipee Valley Fair has been called “The Friendliest of Fairs”. The Ossipee Valley Fair has been in action since 1980. The festival will include a singing contest for a 500$ grand prize. Are you a Suzy Bogguss fan? Make sure you are there for her performance on July 10th at 3:30. Some kid friendly activities include arts and crafts, midway rides and games, and even a grand parade! More adult activities include horse and oxen pulling, a car and truck show and even horseshoe pitching. Tickets to the Ossipee Valley Fair are only 6$ per day except Sunday when they will be 8$ per person. Parking is only 2$ per day and a 5$ four day parking pass is available. Children 12 and under are always free and on Thursday senior citizen admission will be only 3$. The fair is located at 291 South Hiram Rd in South Hiram, Maine.
Love getting out and enjoying life? Why not stop by Festiva Adventure Club in Portland. View a quick 120 minute presentation and learn how much you and your family can save on your next vacation with Festiva. Festiva has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust. Call 1(888)695-0200 today to set up a reservation.
July 3, 2011
Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi
Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi is bursting with flavor and combines both sweet and sour taste sensations to tickle your tastebuds.
For those not in the loop, Mahi Mahi, which in Hawaiian means “very strong” is a surface-dwelling ray fish that is oh so delicious. The 30 minute prep time includes 20 minutes to marinate, so that’s really only 10 minutes of doing anything. This recipe is a snap and so delicious. You’ll love it! Oh did we mention? It’s HEALTHY FOR YOU. But shhhh don’t tell the kids or they won’t eat it.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
- 1 clove garlic, crushed or to taste
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 (6 ounce) mahi mahi fillets
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions
- In a shallow glass dish, stir together the honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, ginger, garlic and olive oil. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper, and place them into thedish. If the fillets have skin on them, place them skin side down. Cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes to marinate.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove fish from the dish, and reserve marinade. Fry fish for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, turning only once, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fillets to a serving platter and keep warm.
- Pour reserved marinade into the skillet, and heat over medium heat until the mixture reduces to a glaze consistently. Spoon glaze over fish, and serve immediately.
No one gets enough family time these days, but you can enjoy family time like enjoying this 
meal with your family, more often! Imagine being able to enjoy Mahi Mahi while on a cruise in Hawaii or New York style pizza, in NYC!. Just stop by Festiva Resorts at 190 Riverside Street right here in Portland. View a 120 minute presentation on Festiva’s exciting vacation opportunities and learn how you can spend quality time with your family, all the time, for next to nothing. As a thank you for stopping in, you can receive travel certificates, dinner certificates, Irving gas cards and more. Give Festiva Resorts a call at 888-695-0200 to set up a tour today! It’s up to you to take the leap.
June 25, 2011
Relay for Life kicks off…TODAY!
Festiva in Portland has been collecting donations to give to Relay For Life by having Hawaiian Day and 2 Dress Down Days. Each employee paid 1 dollar for the right to dress in a Hawaiian themed outfit back in April. This past May and June, we had a dress down day, where the employees paid 3 dollars for the right to wear jeans, flip flops and anything comfortable they wanted.
And today? The relay is upon us.
What is Relay For Life?
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in 
communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back.
What can I do? Isn’t it too late?
No way! It’s never too late. You can CLICK THIS LINK to donate to Festiva Portland’s Relay Team! Also, the event in Windham, ME will have donation raising events on site aside from the walking. There will be race car photo opportunities, glow in the dark bracelets and other handmade jewelry for sale, slices of pizza, hot dogs and cupcakes to purchase, hair extensions and nail painting and more! All proceeds go to the same cause, ending cancer. even if you cannot donate financially, you could donate your time by helping set up or clean up, or just cheer the walkers on. After 10 hours on the track, they will need some encouragement. Check Cancer.org for your local Relay For Life event to see what events will be happening near you!
