Events for the 4th of July

Here are some July 4 weekend celebration events for southern VT... enjoy!

Bennington -- July 4 - Old Time 4th Celebration and Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Celebrate the Fourth of July with old time fun on the lawn of the Bennington Monument with colonial music, games, and activities for children. In keeping with the annual tradition, the Reading of the Declaration of Independence with local actor Willy Jones will take place at 1:00 PM.
Fireworks: Willow Park (9pm?)  Bennington

Brattleboro -- July 3 & 4- Music & Fireworks under the stars at Grafton Ponds
Friday: Superb music performed by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, followed by dazzling fireworks under the stars at idyllic Grafton Ponds. Saturday: Various Independence Day events and festivities on Main Street and Living Memorial Park. 

Manchester Center -- July 4 -The Manchester 4th of July Celebration
Held at the Dana L. Thompson Recreation Center in Manchester Center. This event includes a 5K Fun Run, food, music, demonstrations, soccer game and fireworks. 

Wardsboro -- July 4 - Street Fair and 4th of July Parade
Southern Vermont's oldest Independence Day celebration happens again along Main Street followed by a vibrant street fair with 50 vendors!

Wilmington -- July 4 - The 32nd Annual 4th of July Mount Snow Area Fireworks
The Independence Day celebrations starts at 6:00 p.m. with a party, live entertainment and vendors at Baker Field, Twin Valley High School. The evening culminates with a spectacular Fireworks display at dusk - 9:00 p.m. 

Stratton -- Bluegrass Festival and Fourth of July Celebration at Stratton Mountain Resort 
Join us Fourth of July Weekend for our eighth annual Bluegrass Festival and Fourth of July Celebration. We'll celebrate our country's independence with fireworks and and live music from your favorite bluegrass performers. And sticking with the spirit of the holiday, admission is free.

Saxton's River 4th of July – Saxton's River, VT  (taken from http://www.vermonthi.com/events.html)
"For a true small town experience, celebrate your 4th in Saxton's River. This quaint town of just over 500 residents puts on quite a show for this big day. A long parade of floats, fire trucks, musicians and street performers is capped off with kids on their bicycles and proceeds down a Main Street lined with carnival games and street vendors. Saxton's River's 4th is also known for its chicken barbeque, volunteer fire fighter water polo, a community dance and, of course, fireworks. Not to be missed, especially for a family with young children - any kid with a bike is free to participate in the parade! http://www.sover.net/~falklorn/saxtons.html "
Sadelle's own note... For a real small town vermont experience, this is one of the best July 4th celebrations I've ever experienced, complete with and up close fireworks!  Wonderful small town FUN parade!  I think things begin around 9am...     best to call or email  (802) 463-4280  info@gfrcc.org 

Welcome back SUN!

After a very rainy week, it looks like we'll have some sun for this weekend (but still bring your raincoat, there may be some thunderstorms on Saturday). The wild strawberries have really benefitted from all the rain and so far the blackberries and raspberries are on track for a really good harvest.

The fishing was terrific last Sunday at Somerset Reservoir! Somerset is a wonderful, very large lake in the southern section of the Green Mountain National Forest. Very scenic! Great lake for paddling, and motor boats are allowed as well. Somerset Reservoir is located off Route 9 between Wilmington and Bennington.

Here's some happenings this weekend:

Bennington Pet Fest

When: Sat, June 27, 10am – 2pm

Where: The River Walk at Bennington Station Restaurant 

Description: Exhibitors and vendors. Second Chance Animal Center's Pet Fest will offer all sorts of fun ways to explore, celebrate and strenghten the bonds between people and their pets.

Progressive Dinner

When: Sat, June 27, 5:30pm – 9:30pm

Where: St James Church, Arlington 

DescriptionCelebrate Summer at a progressive dinner 5 pm Hors d'oeuvres under the tent at St James 6:30 pm Dinner in private homes. Different menu at each home 8:30 pm Dessert finale at St James $25 per person. Reservations required. Call St James Church 375-9952 or Joanna 375-9330. Or mail check made payable to St James Church to St James Church, PO Box 25, Arlington, VT 05250

June Arts Closing Party: Shirley Jackson Day Continued

WhenSat, June 27, 6pm – 8pm

WhereNorth Bennington Firehouse 

Description: Music by two of Shirley Jackson's talented children, Laurence and Barry Hyman, along with a group of their long-time musical friends. Dinner after may be arranged by Pangaea or Pangaea Lounge www.benningtonarts.com

Woodbinde Medieval Band

When: Sun, June 28, 2pm – 4pm

Where: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 108 School St, Bennington 

Description: Music for a Summer's Day performed on bowed psaltery, gemshorn, hurdy-gurdy, fortholt, medieval harp, rebec, recorders, viola da gamba and other instruments. www.benningtonarts.com

Ethan Allen Days

This weekend (June 20 and 21) is Ethan Allen Days Colonial Fair at Colgate Park in Bennington! Battle reenactments, kid activities, demonstrations, food, and beer tent. The battle reenactment is at 2 pm on Saturday, and 1 pm on Sunday. Great event for the whole family. I'll be there!

If you are in town Friday June 19... check out the concert also at Colgate Park, located on Route 9 west of Bennington downtown.

for more info visit their website!

Get outside! But take precautions...

It's been a rainy week, but the weather for this weekend looks like it will be very nice! This is a wonderful time of year to get outside in Vermont, and here's a few tips for you.

Trout Fishing is in full swing! We have lots of wonderful trout fishing spots to discover. I personally recommend the Walloomsac River in Bennington. Not only is the fishing very good, but the three covered bridges make for very scenic surroundings. There are good access points for fishing at both the Silk Road Covered Bridge and the Henry Bridge. The Papermill Bridge is less accessible. All three bridges are located off Route 67A between Bennington and North Bennington. I'd be remiss if I did not also mention the world famous Battenkill River in Manchester and Arlington. This is often more crowded than the Walloomsac, but often worth it. While you are up that way, you might want to visit ORVIS in Manchester and the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Both are located on route 7A south of Manchester Center.

Hiking is one of my favorite activities. While the leaves are fully out in the valleys, in the mountain tops you'll still see spring flowers and the leaves have that "new green" color that I love. One nice hike is to Harmon Hill. This hike starts with a very steep ascent, but then moderates to a more comfortable hike to an open hilltop with terrific views of Bennington and Mount Anthony. The trailhead is located east of Bennington on Route 9. Look for the Long Trail sign and follow the trail South. 

Wherever adventure takes you in Vermont... remember to bring plenty of bug repellent. The blackflies (small biting insects) can be very fierce this time of year. Deer ticks are another pest to watch out for. These ticks are smaller than the more common dog tick... the smallest not much bigger than a speck. These ticks may carry Lyme Disease, which is easily treatable in it's early stages but can become chronic if not caught in time. Using insect repellent will discourage ticks as well, but if you do find one on you don't panic. A tick has to have been attached to you for more than 24 hours for there to be any significant risk of transmittal of the disease. It's a ritual in our family to check nightly for ticks (you don't need to go hiking to pick them up... they are everywhere!) and pull off any we find. 

Bennington Moosefest is underway!

Tuesday night was the unveiling for the 50+ decorated moose and hundreds of people came to celebrate and see all the moose in one place. They look amazing! Make sure you plan a trip to Bennington this summer to see them. The Bennington Moosefest continues right through October.

On another note, this Saturday May 23 is Mayfest in Bennington. The Main Street in Downtown Bennington will be closed to traffic for this annual street festival event. Crafts, music, food, and entertainment - very family friendly. See you there!

First Moosefest Event!

In 2005, a herd of 57 painted moose came to Bennington...

This year they are back! And this time, they brought their families!

The event features over 50 painted bull, cow, and calf moose that will be on display throughout Bennington from May through October. 

The full moose herd unveiling is this coming Tuesday, May 19, at the Bennington Brush Building on North Street. For more information visit the Bennington Moosefest website!

Apple Blossoms & Mother's Day

Apple Blossoms

Happily we've gotten a few days of much needed rain, and natures is responding with an explosion of new green growth! In particular, the apple blossoms are now in full bloom and are filling the air with their sweet scents. If you are in the Bennington area, try taking a drive on Carpenter Hill Road (about 1 mile south of Bennington's four corners downtown on Route 7) to see the apple orchards in full bloom. The orchard owners had to install fencing to keep out the deer, so you can't wander about, but just the effect from the road is gorgeous. The lilacs are also in bloom, and you can see literally HUNDREDS of lilac bushes while following the John Dostal Lilac Trail in Bennington. Visit the Downtown Welcome Center in Bennington (located just south of four corners in Downtown Bennington) for more information.

Happy Mother's Day! 

How about taking mom out to Vermont for dinner? Many area restaurants are offering specials, and you might want to call ahead to see if reservations are needed. The Hawkins House craftsmarket in Bennington is having a sale 10-30% off storewide to celebrate Mother's Day (pick a jelly bean, the color of the bean wins you a discount of 10 to 30% off your purchase!)

The Rybrook Tavern is having their Grand Opening this weekend! They are located on Harwood Hill (the old "Hunter's Tavern") on Route 7A in Bennington. I hope to get up there to try it out myself. Good luck to them.