Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced today the highly anticipated 2015-2016 Top Ten Winter 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. Tori Ossola, Vice President of Tourism noted, “Vermont is known for being a top destination for recreation, scrumptious food, hand-crafted beer, wine and spirits and experiential travel. This year's Vermont Chamber Top Ten Winter Events feature happenings from all regions of the state to appeal to the many interests of our visitors and locals alike.”
The Vermont Chamber Top Ten Winter Events take place from November 2015 through March 2016.
The winners in chronological order include:
37th Annual Putney Craft Tour
Putney, Saxtons River, Westminster West, Bellows Falls, November 27-29, 10–5 pm
Glassblowers, potters, jewelers, stained glass artists, fine art painters, woodworkers and weavers—even artisan cheesemakers and winemakers—welcome visitors into their studios to look around, ask questions and discover one-of-a-kind handcrafted objects. Part of the fun is meandering the back roads, following the map to find and view the works of 26 prominent craftspeople. www.putneycrafts.com, 802-387-4032.
Festival of Tree & Light + Members’ Art Show
Stowe, December 4 – Opening Reception, 5-8 pm; exhibit runs to January 3.
The Members’ Art Show and Festival of Trees & Lights brings together the community to share and celebrate the season through decorated evergreens, a Hanukkah display and 100 members’ artwork. www.helenday.com, 802-253-8358.
VT International Festival
Essex Junction, December 4-6, Fri. 5-8 pm, Sat. 10-6 pm, Sun. 10-5 pm
A unique, unforgettable celebration of the cultures that make up our community. At the exposition, one will find crafts from all over the world, ethnic and gourmet foods, and traditional international music, dance and stories. Local cultural and ethnic organizations provide information about their programs with exhibits, demonstrations and workshops. www.vermontinternationalfestival.com, 802-863-6713.
Country Christmas Open House & Holiday Paint-In
Waitsfield, December 5-6, 10–5 pm
Local businesses collaborate to create a festive setting that would make Norman Rockwell feel at home. Merchants offer shopping incentives while artists paint the holiday scene. Shoppers find bargains and perhaps purchase artwork while families enjoy refreshments next to a bonfire. www.madrivervalley.com, 802-496-3409.
Woodstock Wassail Weekend
Woodstock, December 11-13
Twinkling lights, costumes and carolers, the jingle of sleigh bells and over four hundred luminaries lighting the Green. These are the sights and sounds of Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend. Visit Billings Farm and Museum, take a sleigh ride, go on a house tour, visit a holiday craft market–all within the beautiful village of Woodstock. www.woodstockvt.com, 888-496-6378.
Sleigh Ride Week
Woodstock, February 13-21, 10–5 pm
Climb aboard the Billings Farm sleigh for a ride through the frosty farm fields. Sled with jack jumpers and in commemoration of President’s Day, sample favorite cookies of Presidents. Hands-on activities on the weekends include making presidential silhouettes and presidential trivia. In the barns, discover Vermont dairying, past and present. Up-close programs with livestock will offered including “An Introduction to Milking” and “Milking the Herd” at 3:15 pm each day. www.billingsfarm.org, 802-457-2355.
Magic Hat Mardi Gras Parade
Burlington, March 5, 12-6 pm; parade at 3 pm
Music, mayhem and more! Kick up your feet Friday night, then Saturday at noon downtown Burlington heats up with musical performances, a costume contest, family-friendly activities lining Church Street and culminates with a parade featuring dozens of floats. www.magichat.net, 802-658-BREW.
VT Open Snowboard + Music Festival
Stratton Mountain, March 11-13, 9 am–Midnight
Celebrating the history and progression of a sport born and raised right here in Vermont, the VT Open at Stratton draws snowboarders ages 9 – 59 from throughout New England and beyond to compete in signature contests, with national TV coverage, including Big Air, Retro Halfpipe, Snurfer challenge and the Washed Up Cup where Olympic medalists join pioneers in the sport to run gates. www.stratton.com, 800-787-2886.
Jay Peak & Ski the East’s Extreme Competition Championships
Jay, March 21-22
The Jay Peak Extreme Competition, in coordination with the Ski the East, has grown from a small grassroots competition to a large scale on-snow event in just the last four years. Athletes of all ages and abilities from all corners of New England come together during each Extreme Competition to test their skills on technical terrain featured at Jay Peak and to celebrate the unified love of skiing/riding in the state of Vermont. www.jaypeakresort.com, 802-988-2611.
Green Mountain Film Festival
Montpelier, March 18-27
The 2016 19th annual Green Mountain Film Festival is the longest running arts event in Montpelier. The festival is presented by the Focus on Film and sponsored by many area businesses. GMFF showcases the best of the best in narrative, documentary and short film; as well as hosts discussions, Q+A sessions and memorable guests over a full 10 day schedule. In short, GMFF brings the world to you! www.gmffestival.org, 802-262-3423.
The largest statewide business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents every industry sector with a mission to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.