The Vermont Chamber of Commerce announces the highly anticipated 2012 Top Ten Summer and Fall Events. Each year, a panel of independent judges chooses Vermont’s best activities, selected for their diversity, wide appeal, and consistency with Vermont's brand.
Vicky Tebbetts, Vermont Chamber Senior VP, noted, ‘Vermont is known for being a destination in which to relax, reconnect with friends and family, get outdoors, and get back to basics. This year's Vermont Chamber Top Ten Summer and Fall Events feature time-honored traditions as well as contemporary experiences from all regions of the state.’
The Vermont Chamber Top Ten Summer Events take place from April through August 2012, and the Fall Events take place September through October 2012.
The winners in chronological order include:
Top 10 Summer Events:
46th Annual Vermont Maple Festival
St. Albans, April 27 ‘ 29, 9 am ‘ 5 pm with some evening events.
As winter ends, it's time to celebrate Vermont's signature product: pure Vermont maple ‘ the sweetener with health benefits! The Official Vermont Maple Festival is three exciting days with something for everyone from preschoolers to seniors! Enjoy Main Street entertainment, maple exhibits and education, antiques, crafts, food, youth talent, and fiddlers' shows. Check out the cooking demonstrations, sugarhouse tours, face painting, maple buffet, pancake breakfasts, carnival, Sap Run, historical museum, delightful shops, maple treats, and of course, the Grand Parade. Free admission for most events. www.vtmaplefestival.org, 802-524-5800.
Strolling of the Heifers
Brattleboro, June 1-3, Fri. 5 ‘ 10 pm, Sat. 7:30 am ‘ 6 pm, Sun. 7 am ‘ 3 pm
The Strolling of the Heifers is a three-day family-friendly celebration of family farmers and local food built around a unique parade that features beautifully groomed heifer calves led by future farmers and followed by other farm animals, tractors, bands and floats. The Live Green Expo, follows the parade, and the weekend includes many other events ranging from a Friday evening street fair to Sunday cycling tours and farm visits. A great free event. www.strollingoftheheifers.com, 802-258-9177.
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Burlington, June 1-10
Celebrating its 29th year with the sounds of jazz, blues, funk and Latin music. For 10 days over 50,000 people enjoy a mix of concerts, street parties, Lake Champlain cruises, and workshops. Meet the artists and experience live recording sessions and fantastic music all around Burlington. Past headliners include Sonny Rollins, Diana Krall, and countless other artists. See website for schedule and fees. www.discoverjazz.com, 802-863-7992. Tickets: 802-86-FLYNN.
Vermont History Expo
Tunbridge, June 16 & 17, 10 am ‘ 5 pm
A two-day summer festival where Vermonters and visitors experience the state's living history. The Expo features distinctive exhibits from the collections of 150 local historical societies, museums and heritage attractions in a country fair setting. Now in its 11th iteration at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds, visitors will be immersed in Vermont history in the spirit of fun and discovery. History Expo 2012 will also focus on Vermont's role in the Civil War. Adults $8 for both days, students under 18 $4 for both days, children 5 and under free. Weekend family pass $20. www.vermonthistory.org/expo, 802-479-8500.
Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show
East Dorset, July 4 ‘ August 12, Wednesdays through Sundays, 8 am ‘ 4 pm
The Vermont Summer Festival attracts the best show jumping athletes, including Olympic medalists, from across the country and internationally. Show jumping is a spectator-friendly sport that is easy to understand and exciting to watch! Enjoy food and shopping concessions in the show grounds. Wed.’Fri. Adults $5, children $3; Sat. - Sun. Adults $7, children $5. www.vt-summerfestival.com, 802-496-9667.
Stoweflake Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival
Stowe, July 6 ‘ 8, Fri. 4 ‘ 9 pm, Sat. (launch only 6:30 am), 4 ‘ 9 pm, Sun.6:30 am launch only
The 26th Anniversary Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival is held at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa. This popular summer celebration includes a children's corner, live music, great food, a beer and wine garden, and of course, balloon launches and tethers! Twenty-eight of the country's most prominent balloon experts will launch Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 6:30 am. Adults $10, children under 12 free. www.stoweflake.com/balloon, 800-253-2232 or 802-253-7355.
Vermont Festival of the Arts
Mad River Valley: Waitsfield, Warren, Fayston, Moretown, Middlesex, Granville, and Rochester, August 1 ‘ Labor Day Weekend
A month-long celebration of the arts occurs at various locations throughout the Mad River Valley. The Festival is comprised of more than 125 different events; from exhibits and performances to lectures, tours, a full moon celebration, and culinary extravaganzas! The center of the state is the center for the arts in Vermont. August is Art in the Mad River Valley! Fees vary. www.vermontartfest.com, 802-496-6682.
Lake Champlain Maritime Festival
Burlington, August 9 ‘ 12, Thurs. 6 ‘ 10 pm, Fri. & Sat. 11 am ‘ 11 pm, Sun. 11 am ‘ 10 pm
Featuring hundreds of exhibits at various venues on the Burlington Waterfront and musical performances on three separate stages, this Festival is a four-day celebration of Lake Champlain! Activities include local and regional live music, ticketed national and international artists, free sailboat, canoe, and paddleboard rides, an Antique Boat Show, ALS Silent Auction, a Showcase of Vermont Wineries and Food, and craft and international food vendors. Check out the interactive children's activities and and the Eco-Zone with ecological/environmental exhibits and organizations. Admission for select events. www.lcmfestival.com, 802-482-3313.
Summer Art in the Park Festival
Rutland, August 11 & 12, 10 am ‘ 5 pm
Art in the Park is a fine art and craft festival featuring 100 juried artists and craftsmen. The festival includes demonstrations, food, children's activities and musical entertainment. Held rain or shine, Art in the Park draws artisans from all across the northeast and beyond who ply their craft in wood, stone, clay, fiber, metal, glass, with cameras, or on canvas. Art in the Park is Vermont's Oldest Continuing Arts Tradition. Free admission; donations appreciated. www.chaffeeartcenter.org, 802-775-0356.
Champlain Valley Fair
Essex Junction, August 25 ‘ September 3, 10 am ‘ midnight
The Champlain Valley Fair has delivered fun, food and entertainment to families for nearly 90 years. The Fair combines Vermont's agricultural roots with educational exhibits and some of the biggest names in entertainment. Topped off by more than 40 carnival rides, free shows and some of the best fair food in the northeast, Vermonters and visitors alike celebrate a summer of fun for ten days at the Champlain Valley Fair! Adults $10, children ages 5 -12 $5, kids 4 and under free. www.cvexpo.org, 802-878-5545.
Top 10 Fall Events:
Plymouth Folk & Blues Concerts
Plymouth Notch, September 1 & 2, 2 pm ‘ 5 pm
Musicians from across the country and throughout Vermont team up for a two-day festival of folk and blues music performed in the pure country air of beautiful Plymouth Notch, the historic birthplace of the 30th U.S. President. Free Admission; donations appreciated. www.plymouthfolk.com, 802-672-3773.
New World Festival at Chandler
Randolph, September 2, noon ‘ midnight
Chandler's New World Festival celebrates the vitality of a small Vermont town and the Celtic and French Canadian heritage of Northern New England through music and dance. At the center of the historic village are six continuous performance stages featuring music, storytelling, and dance. The festival includes children's activities, unique crafts and great food. Performances take place in all-weather tents, at the Bethany Church and at the Chandler Music Hall. Profits support youth programming at Chandler. Adults $37 ($32 in advance), students $11, children $5. www.newworldfestival.com, 802-728-6464.
17th Annual Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival
Bennington, September 2 & 3, 10 am ‘ 5 pm
The festival is held every Labor Day Weekend at Camelot Village in Bennington. Enjoy live music all weekend, chair massages, kids' activities and maybe even try to solve the popular hay maze! Over 100 vendors include garlic growers, food vendors and wonderful local restaurants featuring garlic ice cream, wood fired pizza, garlic pesto, herbal products, a signature garlic cocktail at the beer tent, organic honey, pickles and more. The Southern Vermont Garlic Festival has something for everyone. Adults $5. Free parking www.bennington.com, 802-447-3311.
20th Annual South End Art Hop
Burlington, September 7 & 8, Fri. 5 ‘ 10 pm, Sat. 10 am ‘ 10 pm
Check out Vermont's largest visual arts exhibition, featuring more than 500 artists exhibiting their work in over 100 Burlington businesses and studios. The mission of the event is to highlight the connection between culture and commerce: art is good for business and business is good for art. This is an inclusive, all-ages community event expressing the best of Burlington! Exhibits are free, Fashion Strut shows are $12 (see website). www.seaba.com, 802-859-9222.
Killington Hay Festival
Killington, Labor Day ‘ Columbus Day 2012
A five-week celebration of autumn in Vermont that shouldn't be missed, the Festival showcases a collection of 40 giant hay animals (the ‘Grass Menagerie’) on display at businesses throughout the town as well as a variety of daily and weekly events and activities. The event also includes an educational scavenger hunt around the 40 giant sculptures! Free admission. www.discoverkillington.com, 802-422-2146.
The World's Fair
Tunbridge, September 13 ‘ 16, Thurs. 8 am ‘ 9 pm, Fri. 7 am ‘ 9 pm, Sat. 7 am ‘ 10 pm, Sun. 8 am ‘ 6 pm.
Vermont family farms preserve tradition and educate the next generation. Tucked away in a charming valley, the Tunbridge World's Fair is a blend of active livestock shows, beautiful farm animals, competitive harvest and crafts exhibits, tractor pulling, free entertainment, an expanded midway and a superb Antique Museum with live re-enactors! Both the fairgrounds and the village of Tunbridge form a designated Historic District. Thurs. $8, Fri. $10, Sat. $12, Sun. $10, children under 12 free every day. www.tunbridgeworldsfair.com, 800-889-5555.
Stowe Rotary's Oktoberfest
Stowe, September 28 ‘ 30, Fri. 7 ‘ 11 pm, Sat. 10 am ‘ 8 pm, Sun. 11 am ‘ 5 pm
Don't miss this weekend celebration of the harvest and fall foliage. Events include a free, Friday night ‘Rocktoberfest’ kick-off concert, a Saturday morning grand parade, and two days of oompah bands, authentic Bavarian food, Vermont microbrew beer, and lots of singing and dancing! With silent auctions, raffles, a ‘bouncy-haus’ and other games for kids, there is something for everyone, young and old, to enjoy. www.stowerotary.com, 802-253-4788.
9th Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival
Woodstock, September 29 & 30, 10 am ‘ 5 pm
Add life to your home or office with the warmth of wood. Watch traditional woodworking demonstrations, purchase products, and see why Vermont woodworkers are some of the best. Entries from the Vermont Woodworking Design Competition will be on display at the festival. Don't forget to explore the forest at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park nearby. Local food, live music, kids' activities and more! Bring home your piece of Vermont! Adults $10. www.vermontwoodfestival.org, 802-747-7900.
Northern Decadence Vermont
Burlington, September (see website for details), Fri. cruise 9 pm ‘ midnight, Sat. Food Expo 11 am ‘ 5 pm, Dance 9 pm
A great celebration of Vermont's diversity and culinary tourism, the weekend includes a culinary cruise on Lake Champlain, a food, art & travel expo, and a dance party that shouldn't be missed! Produced by the Vermont Gay Tourism Association, Northern Decadence promotes Vermont's natural beauty, farm-to-table culture and welcoming attitude to LGBT travelers, groups and families from around the country. See website for admission fees. www.northerndecadence.com, 802-244-6828.
Dummerston Congregational Church Famous Apple Pie Festival
Dummerston, October 7,10 am until sold out
Come see Vermont at its best ‘ choose from 1,500 pies made in the historic Dummerston Congregational Church, homemade ice cream, fresh donuts, hot cider, Green Mountain Coffee, and Grafton cheese. Or maybe have some of each! Pies available whole or by the slice. Worship at 9 am surrounded by pies. Fire Department Breakfast, Grange Lunch. 802-257-0544.
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization represents nearly every sector of the state’s corporate/hospitality community. Our mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.
Vermont Chamber of Commerce names 2012 Top Ten summer and fall events
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on