The 3rd Annual Flying Yankee Gala presented by Southwest Airlines will be held at the Grappone Center Granite Ballroom in Concord, NH on Saturday evening, April 19, from 6 to 10 p.m.  The Flying Yankee Gala supports the Flying Yankee Restoration Group’s 3 ½ year, $3.5 million dollar Capital Campaign which was launched on April 1, 2006.

We are also very pleased to announce that FairPoint Communications is a new Platinum Sponsor of the Flying Yankee Gala and we are thrilled to have them onboard.  Bombardier returns as a Silver Sponsor.




The 3rd Annual Flying Yankee Gala will consist of a cocktail party, silent auction, delicious dinner & dessert and very special entertainment by New Hampshire’s own Shaw Brothers.  Following the performance, there will be a live auction featuring longtime NH Auctioneer George Foster from Epsom, NH manning the gavel.  This year’s live auction will not only offer original components from the Flying Yankee such as one of the train’s original eight pistons, but will include other historic and rare Flying Yankee artifacts as well as tickets to area attractions, resorts and sporting events. A wide variety of fabulous vacations, including two nights at any InnSeason Resort property, two nights at the fabulous Rivergreen Resort at the base of Loon Mountain’s South Peak, an overnight at the beautiful Mountain Edge Resort and Spa at Sunapee, an overnight at The Best Western Sunapee Lake Lodge with a dinner certificate and an overnight at the Marriott Courtyard in Concord.  Several dining establishments have also donated items including Tio Juan’s Restaurant in Concord and the Common Man Family of Restaurants.  Also, you can bid on several amazing train rides from the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH, the Conway Scenic Railroad in Conway, NH, the Berkshire Flyer, the Amtrak Downeaster and more.  They will also have packages donated from the folks at the very popular Café Lafayette Dinner Train. We have golf at Owl’s Nest Golf Course, An overnight in a Grand Room at the beautiful Woodstock Inn in N. Woodstock, NH, gift certificates to Outback Steakhouse, tickets to Story Land, a Passbook to all the White Mountain Attractions from the White Mountain Attractions Association, a sealed original LGB Jack Daniels Boxcar and autographed Athern Model books. More auction items are arriving daily and proceeds from this event will directly benefit the restoration of the Flying Yankee.

The Cocktail Reception (Cash Bar) at 6 p.m. will feature incredible Hors D'oeuvres including a Domestic and Imported Cheese display, Sea Scallops Wrapped in Bacon, Shrimp and Crab Tortilla Tartlets and Italian Style Meatballs.  Dinner starts with a Tomato with Basic Penne Pasta Topped with Bolognaise Sauce, Tossed Green Salad and your choice of two entrees, either Roast Prime Rib, Seasoned and Slow Roasted, topped with Au Jus or Chicken Saltimbocca, Sauteed Chicken Breasts topped with Sage, Shaved Prosciutto and Gruyere Cheese and topped with a Golden Sherry and Sweet Mustard Sauce.  For Dessert, it's Chocolate Trilogy, Chocolate Genoise, White, Milk and Dark Chocolate Mousse, Dark Chocolate Shavings and Powdered Sugar.

Rick and Ron Shaw, professionally known as The Shaw Brothers, have been performing together for more than 40 years. During that time, they were also members of such successful musical acts as The Brandywine Singers, The Hillside Singers (who recorded the smash hit, "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing"- also known as "the Coca-Cola  song"), and The Pozo-Seco Singers. As such, they have recorded more than a dozen albums for such labels as RCA Records, Columbia Records, Metromedia Records, Mainstream Records, Joy Records, Diplomat Records, and their own label, Brandywine Records. Their newest recordings may be found on Folk Era Records.

The late Governor of New Hampshire, Hugh J. Gallen, presented the brothers with an official proclamation in which he referred to them as "...New Hampshire's musical ambassadors to the world," and former Governor John H. Sununu honored them with a personal commendation for their many contributions to the arts and for maintaining "...the true spirit of New Hampshire throughout their impressive careers," and for being "...positive examples of the classic character and values which are New Hampshire."

Advanced reservations are required for the 3rd Annual Flying Yankee Gala with tickets available for $65 per person which includes dinner.  Ticket sales are limited, so early reservations are strongly encouraged.  Tables of eight can be reserved in advance and sponsorship opportunities are also available ranging from $500 to $5,000 for individuals, organizations and businesses.  Auction donations are also welcomed.

Current sponsors include: Southwest Airlines - Dallas, TX; the Common Man Family of Restaurants - Ashland, NH; InnSeason Resorts; The Marriott Courtyard in Concord; the Comfort Inn & Suites - Lincoln, NH; Rivergreen Resort – Lincoln, NH; White Mountain Attractions Association – Lincoln, NH; Story Land - Glen, NH; the Hobo and Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroads - Lincoln and Meredith, NH; the Conway Scenic Railroad - North Conway, the Boston Red Sox; the Manchester Monarchs; the Pawtuckett Red Sox; the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation - Jackson, NH; Zeb’s General Store - North Conway, NH; Glass Graphics – Conway, NH; Cranmore Mountain Resort - North Conway, NH; Bob Grant Photography – North Conway, NH; Lincoln Signs in Lincoln, NH; Amtrak - Portland, ME; The Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts; Mr. Ted Polinski - Enfield, CT; Mr. Robert Caron - Northborough, MA; Attitash Mountain Resort – Bartlett, NH, the Mount Washington Auto Road – Gorham, NH and the M/S Mount Washington Cruises in Weirs Beach, NH, Woodstock Inn – N. Woodstock, NH; Owl’s Nest Golf Club – Campton, NH; the New Hampshire Fisher Cats – Manchester, NH; Decades Restaurant - North Conway, NH and Outback Steakhouse.  Media sponsors for the 3rd Annual Flying Yankee Gala include: WPKQ (103.7fm) - North Conway, NH and WHOM (94.9fm) - Portland, ME.