Summer 2010
This Season
Places to go and things to do
Creative Thinking
- From May 22 to Oct. 31, catch State of Craft, a new exhibit in Bennington that examines “the evolution of the contemporary studio craft movement in Vermont” from 1960 to today. See the works of 86 craftspeople and learn how they make a living, find inspiration and make connections with their communities. $9 adults, $8 seniors and students over 18, under 18 free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesdays until Sept. 1, then open daily. Bennington Museum, Bennington. (802) 447-1571.
- On May 29 and 30, our creative economy is on display in another way through the annual Open Studio Weekend. This is your chance to see hundreds of Vermont artists working in their creative space, which might be as formal as a modern studio or as rustic as a backyard barn. There’s every medium you can imagine, from blown glass to furniture to pottery. Ask questions, purchase art, find deals on seconds, get inspired. You can find a map and further information at www.vermontcrafts.com.
Summerlong
Vermont Agricultural Fairs
Just about every county in Vermont has its own agricultural fair, with events such as cow judging and pie eating mixed in among the midway games, carnival rides and candy apple snacks. The following is just a sample — for a full list, visit www.vermontagriculture.com.
- Connecticut Valley Fair, July 15-18, Bradford
- Washington County Fair & Field Days, Aug. 6-8, Waitsfield
- Addison County Fair & Field Days, Aug. 10-14, New Haven
- Caledonia County Fair, Aug. 25-29, Lyndonville
- Champlain Valley Fair, Aug. 28-Sept. 6, Essex Junction
- Vermont State Fair, Sept. 3-12, Rutland
- Tunbridge World’s Fair, Sept. 16-19, Tunbridge
June 4-13
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Burlington
If you’ve discovered our jazz festival, you know our little state can put on a big show. On tap this year are sax titan Sonny Rollins as well as Jim Hall, Mose Allison, Allen Toussaint, Arturo Sandoval and roots music legend Levon Helm. This eclectic festival keeps the small-town Vermont feel with chances to meet many musicians and hear some of our fantastic local talent, from high school hotshots to nightclub pros. Times and ticket prices vary; some events are free. Full schedule at www.discoverjazz.com. (802) 863-5966.
June 25 and additional dates
Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour, Various locations
The talented young performers of the Greensboro-based Circus Smirkus wow audiences with their first-rate shows. This year, the theme for the Big Top Tour is “Wilderness Wonders: Outdoor Adventures Under the Big Top.” Clowns, aerialists, juggling lumberjacks and dancers celebrate the “fun-tier” to live, original music. This is a crowd pleaser for children and adults. Greensboro, June 25 and Aug. 14-15; Essex, June 28-30; Manchester, July 8-9; Brattleboro, July 14-15; Montpelier, Aug. 11-12. Cost varies by location. Tickets and schedules at (877) 764-7587, www.smirkus.org.
June 27
Strawberry Festival, Cedar Circle Farm, East Thetford
The juiciest, ruby-red gems of summer are what this festival is all about. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride to and from organic strawberry fields where you can pick your own fruit, watch cooking demonstrations and take a guided farm tour. Sweeten your day with homemade strawberry shortcake and local organic ice cream. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5 parking (come by bike or foot and get in for free). (802) 785-4737.
July 3-4
Independence Day Celebrations
Nobody knows the spirit of independence like Vermonters. Come celebrate our nation’s 234th birthday.
July 3
- Montpelier’s Independence Day is a citywide, daylong extravaganza. An eccentric parade, one-mile road race, music, food, more. Free. Visit www.montpelieralive.org for details.
- Wardsboro celebrates with an art show, raffles and homage to the town’s native turnip variety, the Gilfeather. 9 a.m. Free. Main Street. (802) 896-3416.
- Burlington parties at 9:30 p.m. with fireworks over Burlington Harbor. Free. (802) 864-0123.
July 4
- Warren’s parade is never mellow — this community loves to take full advantage of our right to free speech. The 2010 theme is “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Healthiness.” Parade at 10 a.m. Festivities after, fireworks at dark. $1. Main Street. (800) 517-4247.
- Old Vermont 4th at Billings Farm & Museum features a reading of the Declaration of Independence, historic debates, ice cream-making and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $12 and less. Woodstock. (802) 457-2355.
July 16-17
Vermont Brewers Festival, Waterfront Park, Burlington
Some 36 craft brewers from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Québec will be on hand to talk up their delicious concoctions of barley, malt and yeast. You can ask questions, refine your palate and trade tales of the best beer you ever had. Meet the brewers, learn about pairing beer and chocolate, and beer and cheese. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. $25 per four-hour session. (802) 760-8535.
July 16-18
SolarFest, Forget Me Not Farm, Tinmouth
This long-running festival showcases “the power of positive energy,” offering green vibes and good times. Powered completely by renewable energy, the event features a sustainable-living marketplace, food, crafts, outdoor theater, more. Noon to 10 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; until 7 p.m. Sunday. $45 for weekend pass, other prices and options available. (802) 253-1513, www.solarfest.org.
July 17-18
Vermont Mountain Bike Festival, River Road, Waterbury
Get stoked and get muddy at the third annual Vermont Mountain Bike Festival. Group rides, vendors, women’s clinics, music, barbecue, beer specials and mountain bike movies. A great opportunity to learn about gear, find new places to ride and meet riding buddies. Schedule will be posted at www.vermontmountainbikefestival.com.
July 17-18
Rock River Artists Tour, Dover and South Newfane
More than a dozen professional artists open their homes and studios for the Rock River Artists Tour. Pottery, collage, sculpture, fiber, photography and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Old Schoolhouse in Dover and Augur Hole Road in South Newfane. (802) 348-7865.
July 31
Onion River Century Ride, Various routes from Montpelier to the Northeast Kingdom
Pick your pleasure: 24, 68 or 112 miles of touring our beautiful northern roads by bike. All rides begin and end in Montpelier: the short ride takes you to Adamant, the mid-length route to Hardwick and Lake Elmore, the long route to Hardwick, Barton, Albany, Morrisville, Lake Elmore. After the ride, feast on a barbecue with fellow riders and friends. $50 before July 20, $65 after and $30 if you collect $50 in pledges. Proceeds benefit Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Registration fee includes barbecue, $5 for nonriders. (802) 229-9409.
Aug. 7
Rutland Long Trail Festival, Vermont State Fairgrounds, Rutland
This festival promotes outdoor activities, using music and education to get the job done. Look for a variety of bands spread over several stages, forums for outdoor activities (last year included long-distance cycling, end-to-end Long Trail hiking, hiking as meditation and more) as well as food and other activities. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy calls this event “an awesome day of festivities, education activities and relaxation geared toward the whole family.”9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free, camping for $5. Schedule at www.longtrailfestivalvt.com, (802) 282-2237.
Aug. 7
Vermont Equine and Arts Festival, Lamoille County Field, Johnson
Designed as a family event, the festival brings together horses, riders and dancers to celebrate all things equine and showcases the many forms of horse-themed art. Art for sale, horse presentations, wagon rides, music, organic food, more. Plus the horse from the Disney film “Hidalgo” will be on hand. Festival proceeds benefit The Center for America’s First Horse, located in Johnson, which promotes the rare breed that was introduced to America by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $25 families, $10 adults, $5 under 13, free 5 and under. (802) 888-2312.
Aug. 8
Vermont Fresh Network Annual Forum, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Break bread with chefs, farmers and growers at this gathering of foodie powerhouses. Educational workshops and speakers are followed by a to-die-for walk-around dinner made by some of our best chefs, including the wizards who run the Kitchen Table Bistro and Hen of the Wood. 5 to 9 p.m. $70; $50 for Vermont Fresh members. (802) 434-2000.
May 22
Get your heart rate up at the Kingdom Dandelion Run on the hills of the Northeast Kingdom. Run the half-marathon by yourself or as part of a relay team, or walk a five-mile course. Entry fees support the Orleans County Victim Assistance Fund and Indoor Recreation of Orleans County’s Healthy Changes Initiative. 9 a.m. Derby Beach House, Derby. 334-8511.
29
Explore the works of more than 125 arts and crafts vendors at the Mayfest Juried Arts & Crafts Festival. Music, ethnic food and family entertainment. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street, Bennington. 442-5758.
29-30
Celebrate National Dairy Month with a weekend full of dairy-related family fun at Cows & Camembert Weekend. Events include butter- and ice cream-making and Jersey-judging. Sample a variety of Vermont cheeses from small artisan cheesemakers as well as larger dairies. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock. 457-2355. From Our Gardens To Yours is a plant and garden sale to benefit the town library in Wardsboro. Purchase annuals, perennials, heirloom vegetable seedlings, potted plants and shrubs. You can even buy the native Gilfeather turnip seeds and seedlings (the variety originated in Wardsboro). Starts at 9 a.m. both days. Town common, Wardsboro. 896-3416.
29-31
The Killington Stage Race, a grueling, climb-heavy bike race, is returning after a decade-long hiatus. Various routes in Killington. Details: www.killingtonstagerace.com.
June 4
A wealth of bluegrass stars including Alison Krauss and Union Station and Ralph Stanley are part of the “Shelburne Bluegrass Breakdown” at Shelburne Museum. Music starts at 3:30 p.m. (888) 512-7469 or www.highergroundmusic.com.
4-5
It’s bovine mania at the Strolling of the Heifers. Decked-out cows and their young leaders are escorted by farmers, tractors, bands, floats and clowns on Saturday. Food, music, demonstrations, farmers’ breakfast, and a Farm, Food and Fiber Tour also on Saturday. Friday features a gallery walk, bread-baking contest, jazz in the street and more. Brattleboro. 254-2407.
4-6
It’s been 200 years since a Glover miller and his friends dug a channel from Long Pond to increase its flow, but mistakenly caused all 2 billion gallons of water to run all the way to Lake Memphremagog in Newport. The flash flood left a path of destruction in its wake. The “Runaway Pond” Bicentennial will highlight how the event changed the area forever, in fact and lore. Fri. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Various locations in Glover. 525-4051.
The Lake Champlain Burlington Boat Show rings in summer with boat dealers selling vessels ranging from cruisers to kayaks. The in-water event at the Burlington Boathouse begins Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday. Free. More information at www.burlingtonboatshow.com or 355-1781.
5
Michael Franti & Spearhead bring conscious/alternative soul-rap to the Midway Lawn at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. 7:30 p.m. (888) 512-7469 or www.highergroundmusic.com.
12-13
The 24th annual Manchester & The Mountains Classic Car Show features an anticipated 800 vehicles, from street rods to antique motorcycles. This year’s show highlights Cadillac and Porsche. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., until 3 p.m. Sun. Dorr Field, Manchester Center. (800) 362-4144.
19
Pocock Rocks! Music Festival and Street Fair is named after the town of Bristol’s original moniker, Pocock, and features three music stages, arts, crafts, food, antiques, history exhibit and kids’ activities. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street, Bristol. 453-7378.
Sip and bid at a Wine Tasting & Silent Art Auction to benefit the nonprofit Otter Creek Child Center. Ring in the solstice as Lincoln Peak wines will be paired with gourmet foods. 6 to 8 p.m. Lincoln Peak Vineyard & Winery, New Haven. 388-9688.
19-20
The 5th annual Green Mountain Relay, a team event for runners, follows a 200-mile course along scenic Route 100 from Jeffersonville to Bennington. The race contains 36 legs; organizers say it is “designed for runners of all abilities.” Starts at the Cambridge Elementary School, Jeffersonville. www.greenmountainrelay.com.
24-July 11
Lost Nation Theater presents “Love Letters Made Easy,” a comedy by Vermont playwright Jeanne Beckwith about “the promises, perils and pitfalls of love in today’s electronic age.” Times vary. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier. 229-0492.
25
Modernist Architecture Comes of Age: Preservation Meets Sustainability is a presentation of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and the University of Vermont. Nationally renowned historic preservation experts discuss why and how to preserve modernist buildings while improving efficiency and sustainability. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. UVM, Burlington. Preregister, 656-5665.
26-27
The Vermont History Expo returns after a hiatus, and the theme is “back to the land.” If you love learning about Vermont, you’ll love this event. Exhibits, re-enactments, music, food and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge. 479-8505.
30
The Dorset Theatre Festival begins with “The Pavilion” by Craig Wright. Other plays on the summer schedule include “Fallen Angels” by Noel Coward, “Murder on the Nile” by Agatha Christie and “The Novelist” by Theresa Rebeck. Family programming also. Dorset Playhouse, Dorset. Visit www.dorsettheatrefestival.org. 867-5777.
July 1-Aug. 19 (Thursdays)
Grab a sandwich, soak up the rays and make your lunch break count with the Brown Bag Concert Series in the Capital City, featuring bands such as Green Mountain Swing. Noon. Christ Church Pocket Park, Montpelier. 223-9604.
3
The Burklyn Arts Council Summer Craft Fair includes the work of more than 50 juried Vermont artists and craftspeople, as well as homemade lunches, fresh strawberry shortcake and live entertainment. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bandstand Park, Lyndonville. 626-5836.
10-11
Tour 30 small farms and arts and crafts studios at the Champlain Island Open Farm and Studio Tour. Pick up a map at any local business or Vermont visitor center, and set off on a self-guided tour. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grand Isle County. 372-8400. 16-Oct. 15 (Fridays) Learn about seasonal, heirloom produce and historic recipes at Foodways Fridays. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock. 457-2355.
16-18
The town of Halifax celebrates its 260th birthday with kids’ games, tractor pulls, chain saw carving, a historic homes tour, food, parade and more. Halifax Old Home Days festivities begin at 7 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m. Sat. and 9 a.m. Sun. in West Halifax Village. 368-7733.
20, 27; Aug. 3, 10 and 17
Summer Music From Greensboro presents a variety of classical music, Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. at the United Church of Christ, Greensboro. Full concert listings: www.summermusicfromgreensboro.org. 525-3291.
21-Aug. 7
The Stowe Theatre Guild presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a Tony-award-winning musical comedy. 8 p.m. Wed. through Sat. Town Hall Theatre, Stowe. 253-3961. For more Stowe Theatre presentations visit www.stowetheatre.com.
22
Folk singer Jonathon Edwards performs as part of the Open Air Summer Family Concert Series. 6 p.m. Upper Valley Arts Center, Norwich. 526-2055.
25
Circus-palooza pays tribute to all things circus. Circus artists, food, games and activities. Complementing the Circus Day in America exhibit. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shelburne Museum, Shelburne. 985-3346.
30-Aug. 1
The 6th annual Taste of Stowe Arts Festival brings art and food to the Stowe Events Field, Stowe. www.craftproducers.com or 425-3399.
30-Aug. 7
Got the blues? So does the entire Mount Snow Valley, during the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival. Blue vintage cars, blue beer, pick your own berries, music, food and more. Various locations, Wilmington. 464-8092.
August 7
The Valley Stage Music Festival includes They Might Be Gypsies, Garrin Benfield, Mike and Ruthy and Robbie Fulks. 12:30 to 9 p.m. Blackbird Swale, Huntington. 434-4563.
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the President Calvin Coolidge Museum and Education Center. The new facility at the Vermont-born president’s homestead will boast easier access to archives, better study space, a great room for programs and receptions, and a larger gift shop. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coolidge Historic Site, Plymouth Notch. 672-3773.
8
The Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival raises money for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a camp for kids with cancer. Festivities include 85 dragon boat teams from the Vermont community. New participants welcome. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Waterfront Park, Burlington. 999-5478.
13-15
Vermont blues-rockers Grace Potter and the Nocturnals play Aug. 14 at Burlington’s Waterfront Park as part of the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival, running Aug. 13-15. Gov’t Mule performs Aug. 13. Festival info: www.lcmfestival.com; concert info: www.highergroundmusic.com.
14
Rutland’s summer jewel is Art in the Park, where talented fine arts and craftspeople sell their wares. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street Park, Rutland. 775-8836. The Poultney Historical Society hosts East Poultney Day, the 75th anniversary of the event. Juried vendors, music, museum displays, demonstrations and a traditional Vermont church supper. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. East Poultney Green. 287-5252 or 287-9575.
15
Ride your fat tires at the Millstone Grind mountain bike race and marathon. Localvore dinner post-race. Millstone Hill, Websterville. Start time: 10 a.m. 371-9933.
- All area codes 802 unless otherwise noted. - Schedules subject to change; please call ahead to events. - Sometimes we find out about interesting events after the magazine has gone to press. As an added benefit to subscribing to our e-newsletter Vermont Life E-News, you’ll get an updated list of great Vermont events each month. To sign up, visit www.VermontLife.com/gm-news/newsletter.htm.
