After a year off, the Champlain Valley Fair returns for the 99th time
Vermont Business Magazine The ten best days of summer is just around the corner as the 2021 Champlain Valley Fair, presented by Progressive, prepares to open its gates on Friday, August 27th at 3:00 PM. With one-hundred plus exhibits, food concessions, concerts, shows, and agricultural exhibits, the Fair remains Vermont’s largest annual gathering attracting over 120,000 people from Vermont, neighboring states and Canada.
The time-honored traditions of the county fairs across New England and the country are thriving at Vermont’s largest annual event. Visitors to the fair 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.
“We’re thrilled to open the 99th Annual Champlain Valley Fair,” stated Jeff Bartley, Marketing Director at the Champlain Valley Exposition. “A staple of Vermont summer traditions and the state’s largest annual event couldn’t have been made possible without the hard work of dozens of volunteers. This year we will feature enticing food options including bacon bombs, maple bacon milkshakes, wood fire pizza, and we welcome Mark BBQ. For free entertainment we are pleased to present The Flying Cortez, the Butterfly Encounter and Kuriosity – An Indoor Planetarium.”
Bartley continued “We are also proud of the Coca-Cola Vermont Music Showcase. Daily, we will feature two local artists or groups on the Floor Coverings International Stage or the Music Gazebo. These talented musicians will play three times daily,”
Bartley concluded, “We also encourage our fairgoers to download the Champlain Valley Fair app featuring our daily schedule, food vendors, a map of the grounds, ability to purchase Grandstand tickets, and other interactive features. The app is free to download and is available in both the Google Play and Apple Stores.”
The full line-up of the Vermont Music Showcase can be found here: https://champlainvalleyfair.org/vermont-music-showcase/
Our “Fun Guide” can be seen online here: https://champlainvalleyfair.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CVF21_FunGuide_final.pdf
The Champlain Valley Fair will open at 3:00 PM on Friday, August 27th after a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Red Gate (by the Miller Buildings.) Statewide leaders, local officials, and board members have been invited to attend.
The full daily schedule is as follows:
Hours:
Opening Day 3:00 PM – Midnight
Daily: 10:00 AM – Midnight; Fair Buildings/Vendors/Displays: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (except opening day); Midway: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Daily Specials and Themed Days
The Fair continues to promote a many specials and themed days to entice of people of all ages to the Champlain Valley Fair. To continue to provide value, the following specials are planned:
· Through August 26th – Price Chopper Advance Sales
At all Price Chopper and Market 32 stores in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York stores admission tickets may be purchased at a discounted price. Adults: $9, Kids: $4, and Rice Bracelet: $25.
· Friday, August 27th – Opening Day (Gates open at 3:00 PM)
Adults – $6; Kids – $3; Ride Bracelets -$17
· Daily Lunch Special – Monday through Friday (Noon to 2:00 PM)
Pay admission and receive a token. Return the token by 2:00 PM and receive admission back.
· Monday, August 30th – Kid’s Day sponsored by Opportunities Credit Union
Kids (age 5-12) $4 all-day
· Tuesday, August 31st – Senior Day sponsored by Williston Place and Mansfield Place
Adults age 50 or older save $3.00 off their admission ticket with I.D. at the gate – Valid only on Senior Day
· Tuesday, August 31st – Making Strides Day sponsored by JL Davis Realty, Northfield Savings Bank, and Star 92.9
Save $1 on admission if you’re wearing pink.
· Wednesday, August 1st – Maplefields Carload
$70 gets everyone who arrives in your vehicle admission, parking and a ride bracelet (legal load limit) with Maplefields coupon. All guests must enter the fairgrounds together.
· Thursday, August 2nd – College Night
College students gain FREE admission with valid College I.D. A special concert has been planned for college students! This year’s band is Swimmer, a local jam band based out of Burlington.
· Thursday, August 2nd – Vermont Foodbank Day sponsored by the Vermont State Employees Association and Vermont Federal Credit Union
Bring two non-perishable food items before 2:00pm and get in free. Bring two more and save $10 off a ride bracelet.
· Friday, August 3rd – Military Appreciation Day
Military members, past and present receive one free admission with military I.D. Valid only on Military Appreciation Day.
NorthCountry Federal Credit Union Grandstand
Due to the pandemic, we waited until April to decide whether the Fair could happen. Therefore, it was too late to book large-scale concerts in the grandstand. Instead, we have booked six nights of tribute acts. The Bud Light Seltzer Concert Series is FREE with paid admission to the Fair. We will also host four motorsport shows this year. The full schedule can be found below.
· Friday August 27: Tributes to Michael Jackson and ABBA
· Saturday, August 28: Dialed Action Sports: Freestyle Motocross
· Sunday, August 29: Night of Fire and Destruction (Monster Truck Show)
· Monday, August 30: Trevor Contois Presents the Music of Elton John
· Tuesday, August 31: The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
· Wednesday, September 1: Figure-8 Auto Racing
· Thursday, September 2: Demolition Derby
· Friday, September 3: 40th Army Band: “Iron Sights”
· Saturday, September 4: “Titans of 80’s Rock” Tributes to Poison, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi
· Sunday, September 5: “Country Music Festival” with tributes to Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney
Sponsors
The Champlain Valley Fair is presented by Progressive and would not be possible without the support from dozens of sponsors who contribute monetarily, with marketing support, hotel rooms, and/or equipment. A full list of the businesses supporting the event can be viewed at https://champlainvalleyfair.org/2021-sponsors/
COVID-19 Protocols
Thanks to an overwhelming number of Vermonters who have been vaccinated, we will open the 2021 Champlain Valley Fair with no-restrictions. We continue to strongly encourage those who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated.
The following COVID-19 Guidelines are in place. Please note, due to the nature of the pandemic, these guidelines could change.
- The safety of our fairgoers, volunteers, and staff remains paramount to our decision making. All state, federal, and CDC guidelines will continue to be followed.
- If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccine status, we ask that you do not attend the Fair until you have a negative test.
- The Champlain Valley Fair will not institute any limits on attendance at a given time.
- Face coverings will not be required for fair guests but are strongly encouraged for those not fully vaccinated.
- It is recommended that all individuals ages 2 and up and able to medically tolerate a face covering wear one inside buildings regardless of vaccination status.
- Proof of vaccination will not be required for fairgoers, volunteers, staff, or vendors. However, we strongly encourage all those who are eligible to be fully vaccinated.
- Cleaning and sanitization measures will adhere to federal and state guidelines. Hand sanitizer will be provided at locations throughout the fairgrounds.
About the Champlain Valley Exposition
The Champlain Valley Exposition is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization with a mission of serving the people of Vermont and the region by promoting agriculture, education, arts and culture, commerce and entertainment activities. You can learn more about the Champlain Valley Exposition and the dozens of events hosted on the grounds at www.CVExpo.org.
Source: Essex Jct., VT – 2021 Champlain Valley Fair