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This is a selected list of some of the top events in the area, all of them within an hour's drive from our inn and most of them much less than that. More often than not there will be many other activities but this will give you an idea of a few things to do while you are here. If you have a particular interest and want to know if there is anything like that here, just let us know and we'll research it for you. For the latest event news, updates, and more details, see our blog at Vermont Travel Notes
Stowe Winter Carnival, January 2008
www.stowecarnival.com
Professional ice carvers create elegant and masterful sculptures throughout the village in the 7th Annual NICA sanctioned Ice Carving Competition. Refresh your spirit and sense of humor by experiencing the return of an Olympic moch-Hollywood Squares where quasi movie stars , politicians and famous athletes answer questions in a hilarious game show setting. Watch or participate in zany events such as International Snow Golf Calcutta and Tournament, SnowVolleyball Tournament, Stowe Super G Ski Race, Snowshoe Races, Kids Carnival, and the long-standing, ever popular Village Night Celebration Block party on Main St.
Shelburne Farms, all summer and fall: Shelburne VT,
Shelburne Farms Calendar of Events
Great variety of music, educational, family events, campfires, etc.
ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington lake front, year around, www.echovermont.org
Aquarium and science center with 60 species of fish, a hundred hands-on exhibits, theater, summer raptor exhibit "Hunters of the Sky" with hawks, eagles, owls, osprey.
Open Craft Studio Weekend, Memorial Day weekend: www.vermontcrafts.com/links/open.html
The Open Studio Weekend is a statewide event held during Memorial Day weekend, during which about 200 Vermont craftspeople and artists open their studios to the public for the sale and demonstration of their work. If you like fine art and high quality crafts, you will enjoy this event a great deal. It's an unusual opportunity to see some studios that are not normally open.
Shelburne Museum
One of the most amazing places to visit in all the United States. Vermont is greatly fortunate to have such a gem. Add a day to your Vermont travel plans and spend it here. Not just an art museum but a huge facility with homes, barns, gardens, Lake Champlain ship, carriage collection, authentic old general store, pioneer village, antique carousel, small gauge train, much more. Takes at least two days to cover completely. You will be impressed.
Mary Cassatt exhibit June 21 - October 26; Vermont's own Warren Kimble May 18 - October 26; "Quilts In Bloom" May 18 - 26.
Vermont Vintage Vehicle Show, June23 and 24, 2008
Vermont Vintage Automobile Show
Formerly the Shelburne Vintage Vechicle Show, it has moved to the town of St Albans
and is now called the Vermont Vintage Vehicle Show. From 9am to 4pm. There is a downloadable brochure at the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts web link above.
“Chew Chew” Food Festival June 27 - 29, 2008
One of the most popular events in Vermont. Great variety of food, continuous entertainment, including live music for the whole family, at a beautiful lake front park in Burlington. Each restaurant and Vermont food producer will be serving three food items at their booths with no duplications. Each booth must serve one new food item each year so that the menu will continuously change from year to year and yet still retain many of the festival favorites. It’s near the Burlington train station, that’s why the name “Chew Chew.”
Vermont History Expo June 21and 22, 2008
Vermont History Expo
Held at the "famous" Tunbridge VT World's Fair Grounds. In Vermont's 251 towns and cities, local history is kept alive by a mighty band of organized volunteers - the membership of Vermont's 150 local historical societies. Once a year, their collective efforts are showcased at this statewide exposition. This is rated a Top 10 summer event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Music in the Meadow, June - Sept Stowe Arts
Presented by Stowe Performing Arts at the Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow. Picnics two hours before the concert. United States Air Force Band Sunday July1; Vermont Symphony Orchestra Sunday July 8; Terrance Simien zydeco Sunday July 15; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Sunday Sept 2.
Waitsfield Farmers' Market, May - Oct
Vermont farmers markets, farm stands, pick your own
One of our favorite things to do. Held every Saturday, mid-May to mid-Oct, 9:00 - 1:00. Lots of fresh produce, flowers, crafts, great entertainment, horse-drawn wagon ride, people watching. Very relaxing and enjoyable way to start the day. It's a good place to meet and chat with some Vermont locals. The link above has a list of farmers markets and farm stands throughout the state.
Vermont
Quilt Festival,
June 26 - 29, 2008, Champlain Exposition Center and St. Michael's College, Essex Junction VT, www.vqf.org
Exhibits, workshops, lectures, appraisals, merchants mall, kids programs. One of the largest quilt shows in the northeast. More than 400 quilts in two buildings: antique quilt section, works by the festival teachers, and special exhibits. Leading the way is a judged show with some 180 quilts entered in the annual contest. From the youngest beginner to the most practiced expert, contestants provide something for every taste, from the most traditional to the avant-garde. Also, there are daily gallery talks about some of the principal exhibits. The curators or other knowledgeable Festival staff will offer informal 30 to 45 minutes talks once or twice each day and answer questions about the quilts.
Lake
Champlain Maritime Museum, May - October, Vergennes VT: www.lcmm.org
(these are 2007 dates - the new calendar was not up as of Feb 23 2008 - but the new schedule will have similar events and dates)
* Kids’ Pirate Festival – June 16–17 (Father’s Day fun for the whole family!)
* Bon Voyage Party for Schooner Lois McClure – June 17
* Messing About With Boats – July 14 & 15 (Small Boat Exhibitors; Kids’ Duct Tape Regatta Saturday, Challenge Race for non-motorized boats Sunday; food and music)
* Lake Champlain’s First Navigators Native American Encampment with Eastern Woodlands Confederacy and El-Nu Abenaki; Ceremonial launching of Birchbark Canoe, Aug. 4-5
* Rabble in Arms Living History Weekend – August 24 & 25, includes re-launch of 1776 replica gunboat Philadelphia II at Vergennes Day on Saturday
* Welcome Home Party for schooner Lois McClure – Sept. 24
* James Wakefield Rescue Row, regional youth rowing competition, at Burlington Bay, Oct. 13
Exhibits include:
* Building Boats, Changing Lives: Champlain Longboats in Pictures
* Boats Around the World: Spring Juried Photo Show: – June 2–29
* The Vanished World of Canal Boat Living
* From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of America’s Coast Survey
* Steamboats Large and Small
* Lake Champlain Through the Lens: Juried Photo Show – Sept. 1– Oct. 14
Special Activities
* Shipwrecks! On-water excursion program, visit shipwrecks without getting wet!
* Shipwrights from North Atlantic Shipbuilding and Repair preparing replica 1776 gunboat Philadelphia II for re-launching!
* Lake Champlain’s First Navigators: Birch bark Canoe Building Demonstration: July 9 – August 5
* On-Water Ecology Excursions for everyone!
* Distinguished Speakers Lecture Series, first Thursday evening each month, June – Oct.
* Community Rowing, Thursday evenings, June through September
Vermont Brewers Festival, July 18 and 19, 2008, Waterfront Park, Burlington: www.vermontbrewers.com
Rated as one of Vermont's Top 10 Events and Featured as one of ten Great Beer Festivals by USA Today. The Vermont Brewers Festival is the longest running outdoor brewers festival in the East, and it's no wonder since Vermont is home to more breweries per capita than any other state. Brewers participating in this event do so by invitation only, based on brewery capacity, distinctiveness, and product quality. Enjoy a wide range of offerings, including traditional lagers, ales, and unique products such as fruit beers, barleywines, and Belgian-style white beers. You'll also enjoy gourmet foods, demonstrations, and top quality entertainment. A lot of fun in a beautiful location overlooking the lake. Great sunsets there too.
Stowe Taste of Stowe Arts Festival, July 25 - 27, 2008
Now in its fourth year and getting better every year.
Vermont Mozart Festival, July - August
The largest of many musical events throughout the state. Held at various venues, many of them in beautiful outdoor settings. Always gets good reviews from our guests.
Vermont Festival of the Arts, August 1- 31, 2008
Painting, sculpture, photography, crafts, printmaking, woodcarving, glassblowing, poetry, flower arranging, chamber music, chorale, concerts, dance, culinary workshops, cheesemaking workshops, theatrical performances, Art in the Garden Tour, street fairs, film festivals, historic barn tours, farmer's markets, and, believe it or not, much more.
Stowe Antique and Classic Car Show, August 10 - 12, 2008
Stowe VT Antique and Classic Car Show
Over
800 antique cars, trucks, military vehicles, and fire engines on display.
Antique car auction, parade, fashion contest, Car Corral, antique car
related Flea Market, food. One of the top car shows in the eastern USA.
British Invasion, September 18 - 21, 2008
North America's largest all British classic and sports car show plus British cultural activities, shops, crafts, Auto Jumble, car corral. Jaguar and Morgan are the featured marques this year.
Moretown Quilt Show, late September
Some 50 quilts will be displayed in the Moretown United Methodist Church. An antique appraiser will be available in the parsonage across the street from the church. You may have up to 5 items appraised at $5 per item. Sandwiches and Beverages will be available. Old fashion chicken barbeque dinner one night.
Mad River Valley Craft Fair, August 30 and 31, 2008
For more than 30 years, the Mad River Valley Craft Fair has been held in the Valley. About 100 good quality artists and artisans display their paintings, pottery, handmade clothing, carvings, jewelry, basketry, weavings, furniture. Live entertainment and food that is far better than you find at most events.
Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival, Sept 6 and 7, 2008
www.vermontsheep.org/festival.html
See a large part of rural Vermont life. Sheep, llamas, alpacas, angora goats, rabbits. Shearing demonstrations, dog herding, llama obstacle course, spinning, knitting, rug hooking. More than 60 vendors. Workshops and classes.
Stowe Oktoberfest, Sept 28 - 30, 2008 www.stoweoktoberfest.com
A Stowe Rotary event for the entire family. Grand parade, oompah bands, continuous singing and dancing, authentic German food and desserts, Vermont micro-brewed beer, children's tent with puppet theatre, pumpkin painting. Huge silent auction. Raffle prizes.
Champlain Valley Antiques Festival, October 4 and 5, 2008
From the 2005 news release: dealers from eleven states, including each New England state, and New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. This CVAF will be the biggest indoor antiques show ever in Vermont, including 200 dealers, with 40 of these in room-setting booths.
Stowe Foliage Art and Craft show, October 10 - 12, 2008
190 juried artisans, music, shopping, great food in the beautiful village of Stowe. Wide variety of crafts from jewelry to wood products, from dry flower arrangements to homemade fudge, surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.
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