ESSEX JUNCTION, VT:
It is fresh lemonade, buttery corn-on-the cob and Italian sausage with the works. It is wild roller coasters, giant sand castles, clucking chickens, excited 4-H kids, neon-colored prizes, first kisses and death-defying aerial acts.
It's the Champlain Valley Fair, presented by Progressive -- and it all comes together at the end of summer on Aug. 25-Sept. 3 for a "Go Big" experience that earned it a prestigious spot on the 2007 American Bus Association's Top 100 Events in America list.
Vermont's biggest annual agricultural and entertainment tradition brings together people from across Vermont, New England, Quebec and beyond for 10 days of fun. It is a chance to see old and new friends, enjoy great local food, and compete for blue ribbons and bragging rights for the best strawberry jam, handmade quilt or biggest pumpkin in the state.
"Go Big" describes Champlain Valley Fair's Coca-Cola Grandstand concerts, sponsored by the Budweiser True Music series. Big stars like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price on Sept. 2, presented by 98.9 WOKO, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat, presented by 106.7 WIZN on Sept. 1 are just part of the big Labor Day weekend concerts. On Friday, Aug. 31 American Country Music's Male Vocalist of the Year, Brad Paisley and special guests Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler bring the Bonfires and Amplifiers Tour, presented by 98.9 WOKO, to the Fair.
The Fair's concert series opens with Country superstars Trace Adkins and special guest Terri Clark on Aug. 25, presented by 98.9 WOKO. Then the Bad Boys of Rock Tour rolls into town for a Sunday, Aug. 26 show with Hinder, Buckcherry, Papa Roach and Revelations Theory. On Monday, Aug. 27, three of the hottest young performers on tour (Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and Jordan Pruitt) will step on stage for a Kids' Day concert, presented by Comcast.
Advance tickets for all concerts are available at the Flynn Regional Box Office in Burlington, Copy Ship Fax in Essex Junction, online at www.flynntix.org or by phone, 802-86-FLYNN. Advance concert tickets include admission to the Fair the day of the show, a $10 value.
The organizers haven't forgotten the thrill-seeking motor sports fans, bringing back the Land Air Freestyle MX Extreme Motorcycle show, presented by Fox 44 and ABC 22 on Tuesday night, followed Wednesday by the Championship Double Figure 8 Racing which also includes a rollover contest for extra excitement.
Thursday night the sound of crunching fenders and spinning wheels will take over for one of the region's biggest Demolition Derby, presented by Earth Waste Systems. Labor Day action concludes with an afternoon of National Tractor Puller's Association Truck and Tractor Pulling competition, sponsored by G. Stone Commercial Division. Tickets for all motor sports will be available at www.flynntix.org or by phone, 802-86FLYNN. Admission to the Fair is not included with motor sports advance tickets.
The Fair runs Aug. 25 through Sept. 3 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. Organizers expect close to 300,000 people will stop for 10 days of fun. "We've worked extra hard this year to make the Fair more affordable for families, whether it's a day visiting the exhibits and animals or an evening at one of our big concerts or motor sports events in the Coca-Cola Grandstand," explained David Grimm, general manager of Champlain Valley Exposition, home of the Fair.
"We've simplified the admission specials this year by offering advance discount admission tickets for $7 for adults and $4 for children," he added. "By planning ahead, families can come any day during the 10 days of the Fair and save significantly on admission and ride tickets."
"The Reithoffer Midway, which will feature $3 million in new rides this year, including a Wild Mouse roller coaster, is offering more pay-one-price (POP), ride-all rides specials this year," Grimm added. Eight out of the 10 days of the Fair have a POP ride special, and new this year is that POP specials purchased in advance may be used any day of the Fair, including Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. A $19 special advance POP ride voucher can be used any day of the Fair from 11am to 8 p.m. (including Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend).
Koffee Kup Bakery will also offer $4 savings coupons on its bread and roll products later this summer to save on the regular $22 Pay-One-Price ride specials purchased at the Fair on Saturday, Aug. 25 through Friday, Sept. 1 and on Labor Day,. Sept. 3.
Advance discount admission and ride tickets will be available at 17 participating Price Chopper grocery stores in Vermont, New Hampshire and upstate New York from late July through Aug. 24. The $18 Fun Pass offers three days of admission and Ultimate Fun Pass offers admission every day of the Fair for $35, saving $65 off the regular adult admission.
Regular admission at the gate is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 are always free. Convenient on-site parking is $4 per vehicle.
Other Champlain Valley Fair admission specials include:
Monday. Aug. 27, Kids' Day admission, kids age 5-12 get in for $4. Read and Win participants get in free with their ribbon from area libraries. Sponsored in part by IBM.
Tuesday, Aug. 28, Essex Day, save $3 off all regular-price admissions with a coupon available at the Lincoln Inn in Essex Junction.
Wednesday, Aug. 29, McDonald's Carload Special Day, $15 per carload (legal load limit) and an $18 Pay-One-Price ride special from 11 am to 11pm.
Thursday, Aug. 30, Senior Citizen Day, persons age 55 and older save $4 off regular adult admission with a coupon from Kinney Drugs and sponsored by Vermont Maturity.
Friday, Aug. 31, School Field Trip Day, admission is free to school children and chaperones on pre-registered field trips from 10am to 2 pm, sponsored by a grant from the KeyBank Foundation.
Champlain Valley Fair was named the top agricultural fair in America by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions in 2006. The time-honored traditions of the country fairs across New England and the country are thriving at Vermont's largest annual event as farmers bring their traditional livestock for judging. Visitors also have numerous opportunities to learn how Vermont's agricultural economy is adapting to new markets and needs from people raising emus, llamas, rabbits, specialty poultry breeds and sheep.
The schedule of competitions will be available online at www.cvexpo.org. The 2007 Fair Exhibitor's Handbook, with details on how to enter the competitions will be available by mid-July at area garden and home stores and online at www.cvexpo.org.
Educational aspects are stressed during best of breed judging competitions and 4-H contests. You can try your hand at milking a cow; see pulling horses and oxen in action in the ring; learn which came first - the chicken or the egg at Old MacDonald's Farm; and see firsthand how genetics is used in growing giant pumpkins, vegetables and unusual flowers. Heritage Village near the agricultural barns highlights traditional craftspeople making rope, handmade brooms and using blacksmith tools. Displays for 4-H clubs from the region will be in the State Building, along with a new stage for performances by local musicians and organizations.
Free entertainment is one of the biggest values associated with a visit to the Fair. "Every day, dozens of shows are on stage or strolling through the grounds and exhibits for the enjoyment of our visitors," Grimm said.
Back by popular demand this year is Spiderman, who wowed crowds in 2005 during the Fair. New this year is the 40-member U.S. Marine Band which will perform daily Aug. 30 through Labor Day. The Elastic Gymnastics aerial bungee show will have folks craning their necks skyward, while returning favorites like hypnotist Steve Bayner, Oscar the Robot, Lucky Bob the Juggler, a giant sand sculpture, strolling Dixieland musicians and McKenzie's racing pigs will surprise and delight.
Shopping is another form of entertainment for many people, and this year there will be more than 200 exhibitors offering deals on everything from hot tubs to tractors to t-shirts. It's one of the most diverse marketplaces in Vermont and it's only here for 10 days.
On-site camping for RVs and tents is available at the Exposition during the Fair. For info, call Michael Penchina at 862-0686 or email him at [email protected]. The Exposition also offer Wi-Fi internet connection service throughout the grounds and buildings.
"Two of the 2007 Fair's educational programs received financial support from two local businesses," Grimm noted. Read and Win, the summer reading program sponsored by IBM, offers free admission to the Fair for elementary school-age students who read at least three books during the summer. The popular School Field Trip program is now able to offer free admission for students and teachers thanks to a grant from KeyBank Foundation. The program, held on Friday, Sept. 1, offers free admission to organized school groups and home school children for tours of the Fair's agricultural exhibits and special attractions. As of mid-summer, close to 1,000 students are signed up to attend. For more information on Read and Win or the school program, call 802-878-5545.
Inclusion in the Top 100 ABA events list and the IAFE honor demonstrates the overall commitment to excellence, educational value and entertainment fostered by the non-profit organization's staff, volunteers and Board of Directors.
"We are honored to be included on the same Top 100 list as such well-known events as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, New Orleans Mardi Gras, Philadelphia Flower Show, Calgary Stampede and the Montreal International Jazz Festival," said Grimm. "We are expecting to see a lot of new faces from across the country and around the world coming to visit our Fair this year because of the attention we have received."
For a complete daily schedule, get information on concerts and free entertainment, visit Champlain Valley Fair's website at www.cvexpo.org