Events & Festivals

A new scenic point to point 26.2 mile course will connect the Shire towns of Bennington and Manchester. "New England's newest Marathon" is the only marathon held in southern Vermont -- don't miss this opportunity. Registration is now open. All finishers will receive a moisture wicking tee-shirt and a commemorative medallion.

Join noted authors as they discuss their works at local owned and operated Northshire Bookstore.

May 12 Madeleine Kunin The New Feminist Agenda: Defining the Next Revolution for Women, Work, and Family
May 18 Ricki Lewis The Forever Fix
May 19 Terry Tempest Williams When Women Were Birds
May 24 Inside SolarFest
May 25 Tim Weiner Enemies: A History of the FBI
May 26 John Fox The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game
May 29 Geraldine Brooks Caleb's Crossing

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Vermont Crafts Council. Most Vermont craftspeople work in studios located in or close to their residences. These are places of production and inspiration located in downtowns as well as at the ends of dirt roads. Wherever their locations, they are exciting places to visit because they reflect the dynamic yet organized process that is used to produce the finished work of art.

The studio itself is enormously informative because you can see at a glance how the artist works. You see the swatches that have not been chosen for the quilt or the work that is experimental or not serious enough for the gallery. Buying or ordering work during an Open Studio sale is a unique experience because you have the opportunity to speak to the artist directly.

The Open Studio Weekend was named one of the Top Ten Summer Events in a competition sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce in 1997.

Join Forest and Trails Steward Rick LaDue for a spring exploration of wildflower phenology on the Equinox Preserve. Our goal is to accumulate data regarding the first appearance of key spring wildflowers. We will hike the trails of the Preserve looking for and identifying wildflowers, particularly key species such as blue bead lily, jack in the pulpit and spring beauty. The results of our hikes will be entered on the Equinox Preservation Trust blog.
Beginners and experts are welcome! We will meet every Friday morning at 9 am at the Red Gate parking lot at the end of West Union St. This program run through the month of May. Contact the EPT office at 366-1400 in case the weather changes the start date.

STARTING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

Buy fresh veggies and fruits, free range eggs and meats, artisan cheeses and excellent wines! Discover unique Vermont artisans and their quality crafts. Special events and kids activities provided free of charge throughout the season.

The Manchester Farmers' Market is located at Adams Park every Thursday from 3 to 6pm. Opening day is May 31st!!!

The West River Farmers' Market is located on Routes 11 East & 100 North, at the blinking light in Londonderry, next to the Mill Tavern every Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

The Dorset Farmers' Market takes place on the green at H.N. Williams store, Rt. 30 in Dorset every Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Opening day is May 13th!!!

Our 7th Annual Shotgun Classic will be held on Thursday and Friday, June 7 & 8, 2012. This is a very unique opportunity; there is no other event like it across the country. With the unlimited shotgun shooting, lessons with guest instructors, 5 gourmet catered meals, cocktail party, scotch tasting, 2 cases of ammunition, and a chance to win a Caesar Guerini shotgun, this event is not to be missed!!! Remember--Novices are welcome and encouraged to attend.

With a sporting clays course that is consistently ranked among the very best in the nation, Orvis Fly Fishing and Wingshooting Schools, and a fully-catered lodge facility that includes ample meeting space, Orvis Sandanona is the benchmark for both corporate recreation and individual sporting pursuits. We are open 363 days a year.

Vermont Days on June 9th and 10th gives you a weekend of FREE entry into Vermont State parks, FREE fishing on Saturday only, FREE entry to all State-Owned Historic Sites, and FREE entry to Vermont's History Museums in Montpelier.

YOGA. MUSIC. NATURE.
Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world's best yoga teachers and best performers in rock & roll, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. We’re talking about fun in the sun and dancing under the stars. Getting’ your down dog on at the top of the mountain and sipping poolside cocktails with your crew. Early morning meditations and all-night chakra spinning musical performances. Summertime in Stratton – green and pristine Vermont in all of its picturesque glory. A place to root down and rise up, to get centered on your yoga mat and get funky on the dancefloor – lux rooms, fresh healthy food, and good people. Yoga, music, nature, and a whole lot more. This is Wanderlust Vermont.

Please see our website for more information -- stratton.wanderlustfestival.com.

Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park
9:30am: 5K Fun Run and Walk
11:00 - 6:00pm: Free Swimming at the Pool for Everyone!
5:15 - 8:45pm: Bands and Music
9:30pm: Fireworks!

Note: Schedule is subject to change

Stay tuned for further details.

Please call (802) 824 5288 for tickets and information or visit online.

The Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows are a chance for equestrians to spend July and August where the summer is its most beautiful: Vermont's Green Mountains. Quaint New England towns of the Manchester & the Mountains area, noted for their charm, first class accommodations, world-class dining and excellent show facilities, host the fourteenth annual Vermont Summer Festival.

The Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset is the perfect site for the six weeks of competition. Its lovely peaceful view of the Green Mountains, just off scenic Route 7 North, offers a well equipped hunter/jumper facility. The show grounds boast FIVE all weather rings, including one of the largest Grand Prix fields in New England, as well as several all weather schooling and riding areas, permanent wash racks, paddocks and extended trails for casual enjoyment.

2012 Junior Camps
First Session July 9th-12th
Second Session August 13th-16th
8:30-11:00 Daily
$120 Per Camper per Session -- Boys and Girls 7 to 15

Please call the Golf Shop to register 802.362.7870

Our Vision: A World without Breast Cancer. Join us for an inspiring walk or run in lovely Southern Vermont with all proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation. 5K walk/ run and kids run. For more information, please visit us online.

Michael Cristofer won both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for his renowned play The Shadow Box, which went on to become a film directed by Paul Newman and starring Joanne Woodward. He is an accomplished screenwriter, having written such successful films as Falling in Love with Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep, The Witches of Eastwick with Jack Nicholson, and Bonfire of the Vanities directed by Brian De Palma.

Call for tickets 867-5777 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m or visit online.

The oldest, continuously running country fairs in Vermont located at the fairgrounds, across from the Stratton Access road. Live entertainment, tractor pulls, crafts, kid's rides and much more. Opens Friday afternoon & goes to Sunday at 5:00 pm. For more information(802) 297 2927.

17th Annual Southern Vermont GARLIC & HERB FESTIVAL; 10am -5pm. Vermont Stinks!! Join garlic-lovers from throughout New England as they come to sample food and crafts from over a 100 different vendors all made from -you guessed it-garlic and herbs! Celebrate Garlic -- food, games, crafts plus much more. Live music all day.

Route 9 west from the center of Bennington at Camelot Village. Adults $5, Children under 12 $1 -- No Pets.

“What is the Peru Fair?”, people ask. Those who know stop, smile and explain, “one of the nicest country fairs you will ever know.”

The Peru Fair began over 30 years ago as the “end of the world tag sale.” but what had evolved is not what a tag saler would ever dream of. Each year approximately 100 exhibitors converge on the tiny village of Peru, Vermont located off Route 11 to display and sell their arts, but most of all to be discovered by craft seekers of all types.

Early in the morning of the fair, booths, displays, and crafts are set up, smells of food begin to stretch across and before too long, the parade of whimsical characters officially opens the Fair and music and entertainment fill the air.

Highlights of the Fair include a pig roast, art demonstrations, church exhibits of yesteryear, music, dancing, and foods of all tastes.

NEW LOCATION! Fall in Vermont is a stimulating time of year. As the green leaves mutate turning into brilliant red, yellow, orange, and gold, the days offer gentle daytime temperatures and the evenings are cool enough for a cheery fire in the fireplace. The long shadows cast by the October light in the late afternoon frames the resplendent leaves before dusk closes in.

Adding to the allure of Nature, the colossal Camelot tents set in the valley are a veritable cathedral of creativity. 200 jury selected artists and artisans display and sell their latest creations. This is the perfect season for thinking about the home. After all, winter is the season most of us spend prolonged periods indoors.

Previous attendees took the time to share their thoughts, and we listened! The new “Vermont Girls Getaway” will feature the most popular activities – such as yoga, pilates, zumba, meet the winemaker, be the winemaker and more! All will be staged in larger venues – without a maximum number of attendees.

From fresh sheep’s milk cheeses to free range chicken to local baby greens and hothouse tomatoes, Executive Chef Sean McKee is partnering with area farmers to create unique menus of the best Vermont has to offer.

Expanding on what is unique about the green mountain state, Saturday evening will feature a variety of local artists at the Vermont Artisans Fair. Don’t worry ladies, DJ Jake will be here and joined by Fly 92.3 morning personality Brian Cody. And the Manchester Designer Outlets are eagerly awaiting your return … where all clothing remains tax free!

Please call 877-854-7625 for reservations.