The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is please to announce the 2009 - 2010 Top Ten Winter Events Award recipients. The winners, in chronological order are:
CRAFT VERMONT - Fine Craft, Art, and Design - presented by Vermont Hand Crafters
South Burlington-Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, November 19-22, 2009, Thurs. & Fri. 12-8 pm, Sat. 10-6 pm, Sun. 10-5 pm. At the CRAFT VERMONT - Fine Craft, Art, and Design Show you ll meet the artists and hear their stories, their inspiration, and their dedication to their craft. Shop over 130 booths of original, high quality, works in glass, ceramics, wood, and decorative fiber along with paintings, jewelry, photography, sculpture and wearable art made by Vermont s finest artisans. This highly acclaimed annual event offers a wide range of contemporary and traditional items in all price ranges. Four-day Pass $7 valid for unlimited re-entry. www.vermonthandcrafters.com; 802-373-5429.
Thanksgiving Weekend at Billings Farm & Museum
Woodstock, November 27-29, 2009, 10-3 pm
View how Thanksgiving was celebrated over 100 years ago; the Thanksgiving meal is prepared in the 1890 Farm House wood burning stove. Traditional cooking demonstrations, horse drawn wagon rides, farm tours, and hands-on Thanksgiving activities and programs for every age. Adults $11, seniors $10, children ages 5-15 $6, ages 3-4 $3. www.billingsfarm.org; 802-457-2355.
The Lights of Christmas
South Royalton, November 27, 2009 - January 5, 2010
Be captivated by over 120,000 lights and heart-warming displays honoring the birth of Jesus Christ at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial Historic Site. Two-night lighting ceremonies. Enjoy The Lights of Christmas with live nativity, free refreshments, and continuous holiday music. NEW: Get in the spirit of Christmas with concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - America s Choir with renowned guest performers such as Angela Lansbury and Walter Cronkite on DVD in cozy 40 seat theater. It is one hour and is nondenominational. Free. 802-783-7742.
First Night Burlington
Burlington, December 31, 2009, Noon to midnight.
Vermont s largest single day arts festival, whose mission is to bring the community together with an accessible, substance-free New Year s Eve celebration of the arts. Over 20,000 people attend at 23 sites in downtown Burlington. $15 buttons ($20 day of event), $2 tickets. www.firstnightburlington.com; 802-863-6005.
Winter Dew Tour
Mount Snow (West Dover), February 4-7, 2010, 9-6 pm.
Over 20,000 spectators and another 1,000,000 television viewers witnessed hometown girl Kelly Clark s winning halfpipe run at the 2009 competition, while pros like Simon Dumont and Shaun White battled for the coveted Dew Cup. Festival Village features interactive displays, giveaways, athlete signings and live music. Party with the pros at the ALLI-After-Dark parties! Visit allisports.com or mountsnow.com for more information. Free. www.mountsnow.com; 800-245-SNOW.
Snowflake Festival 2010
Lyndon and East Burke area events, February 12-28, 2010
The Lyndon/Burke Snowflake Festival is two weeks of non-stop family fun in the Lyndon/Burke area celebrating the best of winter in the Northeast Kingdom. Many events take place at Lyndon Outing Club, the oldest volunteer-run ski area in Vermont. Burke Mountain is a spectacular setting for lots of family fun throughout the festival. Join us for pancake breakfasts, torchlight ski parades, free horse drawn wagon rides, cross-country and alpine skiing and much more! Most events are free. www.lyndonvermont.com; 802-626-9696.
Montshire Museum Igloo Build
Norwich, February 15, 2010, 10:30 am - 3 pm
Learn how to build an insulated, sturdy house, strong enough to support the weight of a polar bear. Join Dr. Bert Yankielun, author of How to Build an Igloo and Other Snow Structures and learn the secrets of building with snow - from making the initial snow angel, to placing the final block on the dome, to sawing yourself out. Then try building your own igloo! Activities and presentations throughout the day. Free with Museum admission ($10 adults, $8 children 2-17, free for Montshire members and children under 2) www.montshire.org; 802-649-2200.
Middlebury Winter Carnival & Chili Contest
Middlebury, February 27, 2010, 2-5 pm
The Better Middlebury Partnership proudly presents the Middlebury Winter Carnival & Pro/Am Chili Contest! The streets of Middlebury will be alive with free chili, free live music and free treats for all! Last year 29 local restaurants served over 50 different kinds of chili! Amateurs and professionals are encouraged to enter - the public votes! Other activities include public skating, snowshoe races, an open house at the Middlebury Fire Station, dog sled demos, and a bonfire! Free. www.middbiz.org; 802-388-4126.
Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships
Stratton Mountain, March 15-21, 2010
The U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships have showcased the world s most progressive riding longer than any other snowboarding competition. For the 26th consecutive year, the competition will take place at Stratton Mountain Resort. Snowboarding s elite athletes like Shaun White, Danny Kass, Kelly Clark, and Hannah Teter are U.S. Open staples and compete in quarterpipe, halfpipe, and slopestyle events. The Open, which draws more than 20,000 fans, big name sponsors, snowboarding legends and international media, is free of charge to spectators. www.stratton.com; 1-800-STRATTON.
13th Green Mountain Film Festival
Montpelier, March 19-28, 2010
Montpelier, in the heart of Vermont, provides the perfect setting for this intimate festival bringing together films and film makers from all over the world. Nearly 120 separate events over ten days, including interviews and discussions with film makers, writers, and other special guests from the world of film. Recent guests have included Oscar nominated screenwriter Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Memoirs of a Geisha), and NPR and LA Times film critic Kenneth Turan. $7-$8.50, some events free. Discounts available. www.greenmountainfilmfestival.org; 802-262-3423.
Each year, a panel of independent judges chooses Vermont s best activities, selected for their diversity and wide appeal. This year s winners display a wide-range of family-friendly activities and represent many different parts of the state.
In order to qualify as a Vermont Chamber of Commerce Top Ten Event, events must appeal to out-of-state visitors as well as Vermonters; appeal to a diverse audience, including children and families; and due to the additional attention a Top Ten garners, the event must be able to accommodate an influx of visitors up to twice the normal count.
Vermont Chamber names Top Ten winter events
Submitted by tim
on