MONTPELIER, Vt., 2013-02-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Presidents’ Week ramps up with festivities in Vermont; enjoy a robust schedule of outdoor events, exhibit openings and nightlife. As the days warm up and sunshine lingers, March ushers in maple season with festivals and tastings all across the state. Here’s a sampler of the hundreds of events posted on VermontVacation.com:
Red Bull Frozen Rush
Mount Snow Resort, Feb. 15
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event with motorsports legend Ricky Johnson tearing up and down the Main Face of Mount Snow in his Pro4 off-road truck. www.mountsnow.com
Snowflake Festival
Lyndon & Burke, Feb. 16 – March 3
Two weeks of family wintertime excitement! Sleigh rides, ski races, torchlight parade, skating, snowmobile races, quilt show, chowder fest, spaghetti suppers, pancake breakfasts and more. www.lyndonvermont.com
Fire & Ice Week
Stratton, Feb. 16-24
Stratton Mountain Resort presents Fire & Ice Week, a festival celebrating winter at its peak with favorite winter activities, including snow tubing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, ice skating on the Mill Pond, dog-sled rides, snowmobile tours, yoga, exercise classes and more.
Exhibit: How People Make Things
Norwich, Feb. 16 – Spring
Learn the stories of how familiar objects are made in “How People Make Things” at the Montshire Museum of Science. Familiar childhood objects are linked to a process of manufacturing that combines people, ideas and technology. www.montshire.org
Torchlight Parade, Fireworks and Guided Snowshoe
Ludlow, Feb.17
Following a special kids’ torchlight parade, and a parade of Okemo Mountain Resort staff members skiing with lighted torches, a spectacular fireworks display will light up Okemo’s Clock Tower base area. A guided snowshoe tour provides participants with a rewarding perspective of the fireworks show. www.okemo.com
VINS Great Backyard Bird Count
Quechee, Feb. 17
Put your bird watching skills to work at VINS as we celebrate The Great Backyard Bird Count. Activities for all ages include bird counting, making bird feeders and bird crafts, interactive computer bird games. VINS Nature Center. www.vinsweb.org
Charly & Margaux
Johnson, Feb. 18
Charly & Margaux, Brooklyn-based, classically-trained string composers, bring a fresh perspective to contemporary music. They have developed a distinct sound combining elements of Baroque, East Asian folk, and blues. www.jsc.edu/events
Gallery Exhibit: Kathy Black
Johnson, Feb. 18 – March 9
Mythologies and Native American legends blend animals and humans into one – Hunters reborn as wild deer, Zeus a white bull. These stories call attention to the universe around us – and this is exactly what Kathy Black’s new work does, using newspaper clippings, weather patterns, maps, and views of the night sky. Artist talk: March 7. www.kathyblackstudio.com
Farmers’ Night: Founding of the Vermont Historical Society
Montpelier, Feb. 20
Join this evening of history, music, and poetry in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Vermont Historical Society. www.vermonthistory.org
Corey Harris
Burlington, Feb. 22
Corey Harris is a powerful African-American blues singer and guitarist who honed his art form on the streets of New Orleans and studied African Linguistics in Cameroon. UVM Recital Hall. www.uvm.edu/laneseries/2011/08/corey-harris-blues/
Talich Quartet
Randolph, Feb. 22
The Talich Quartet has been evolving as part of a prestigious line of musicians for nearly fifty years, representing Czech music worldwide. This is their first visit to central Vermont. www.chandler-arts.org
VINS Owl Festival
Quechee, Feb. 23
How can owls fly without making a sound? Give a hoot about owls and unravel their mysterious lives through hands-on activities and exciting games. Meet some of VINS’ owl ambassadors up close and discover what it’s like to care for an owl in our rehabilitation clinic. www.vinsweb.org
Made in America: Voices of American Labor
Randolph, Feb. 23
Susie Smolen presents a one-woman show highlighting labor songs written between 1897 and 1983. The voices of textile mill workers, coal miners, railroad men, union organizers, women and children, factory and mill owners, operators and union busters are brought to life in a powerful blend of storytelling and music. www.chandler-arts.org
Vermont Ice Wine Festival
Jay, Feb. 23
Taste world-class ice wines and ice ciders produced in Vermont, accompanied by Vermont artisan cheeses and specialty foods. Meet the winemakers and enjoy the view from Jay Peak’s spectacular new Hotel Jay and Conference Center while sampling, buying and learning. Stock up on your favorites of the hard-to-find, small batch Vermont products. www.vticewinefestival.com
Moonlight Ski & Snowshoe
East Burke, Feb. 23
Ski or snowshoe 1km to a fire and hot chocolate in a beautiful wooded clearing at Kingdom Trails Nordic Center. www.kingdomtrails.org
Montshire’s Annual Igloo Build
Norwich, Feb. 23
Learn to build a simple igloo from expert Dr. Bert Yankielun. After a demonstration of the structural secrets of building with snow, from making an initial snow angel to placing the final block on the dome, try your hand at building an igloo. www.montshire.org
The Abolitionists: Connecting to Local History
Ferrisburgh, Feb. 24
Vermont historians make local connections to Public Broadcasting’s The Abolitionists. Program includes excerpts from the American Experience series, panelists Jane Williamson, Rokeby Museum director, and Kevin Thornton, UVM professor, at the Rokeby Museum’s new Underground Railroad Education Center. www.rokeby.org
Downton Abbey Dinner and Etiquette Talk
Hyde Park, Feb. 27
Enjoy a fine dinner and instruction on table settings, etiquette history, and how to manage everything from unfolding a napkin to holding your coffee cup. Gain a new appreciation for the downstairs staff by decanting through Mr. Carson’s silver funnel or serving the sauce at the Governor’s House. www.OneHundredMain.com/calendar2.cfm
Art Exhibit: Source Guild
Stowe, March, Month-Long
See exquisite, creative fine furniture made by 20 Vermont craftspeople. Explore the journey from tree to final piece, produced by the Source Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers. www.helenday.com
Ben & Jerry’s Winter Festival
Waterbury, March 2
Free outdoor fun-Games, snow sculptures, music, ice cream, of course and factory tours! Local artisans and food producers’ offerings will be onsite for sale and to sample as well. www.benjerry.com
Hope on the Slopes
Smugglers’ Notch, March 2 and Bolton Valley Resort, March 9
These two Hope on the Slopes events provides avid skiers and snowboarders an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/skiride/winter-events.php; www.boltonvalley.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/hope-on-the-slopes-468
An Evening with Sol Leon and Paul Lightfoot – Nederlands Dance Theatre
St. Johnsbury, March 5
In “Shoot the Moon,” glimpse the love life of three couples. Revolving walls with striking black-and-white wallpaper create three separate rooms, each containing its own love story. Music by Philip Glass; Catamount Arts Center. www.catamountarts.org
Early Photographs of Native North Americans
St. Johnsbury, March 6
Richly illustrated with nineteenth- and early twentieth-century photos of Native peoples, this talk by UNH Vice Provost and Professor Lisa MacFarlene explores the stories behind the iconic images. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. www.stjathenaeum.org
Quilt Retreat Weekend at the Grafton Inn
Grafton, March 7 – 10
Enjoy the company of other quilters; stitch to your heart’s content. A dedicated room will be set-up as a workshop for round-the-clock stitching. The Inn will supply boards, tables, irons. Bring your own quilting tools. www.graftoninnvermont.com
Escher String Quartet
Middlebury, March 8
One of the BBC’s prestigious New Generation Artists, the Escher String Quartet, “Put simply … has all the qualities necessary to be the next Emerson or Juilliard Quartet: rare musical insight and a profound level of cohesion”—Denver Post. www.middlebury.edu/arts/news/2012-2013/mar2013
Patty Larkin at After Dark Music Series
Middlebury, March 8
Patty redefines the boundaries of folk-urbanpop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals. Acoustic Guitar hails her “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone praises her “evocative and subtle sonic shading.” Town Hall Theater. www.afterdarkmusicseries.com
Solas: Karan Casey & John Doyle
Woodstock, March 9
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with two legends of Irish music! Karan Casey and John Doyle are founding members of Irish band Solas. Now deep into their solo careers, the two – one of Irish music’s most glorious voices and one of its mightiest instrumentalists – have reunited. Woodstock Town Hall Theatre. www.pentanglearts.org
Helly Hansen Big Mountain Battle
Killington, March 9
Open to all levels, this competition encourages exploration of Killington as you’ve never done before. Each team of two must cover a series of checkpoints, lifts, runs and hikes around the mountain, all while racing against the clock. www.killington.com/winter/activities/calendar/1878872854
Berry Basket Workshop
Woodstock, March 9
Join Debby Sleeper, experienced basket weaver, for this fun and interactive workshop and learn how to make a berry basket. Students will be guided through basic twining technique, as well as shaping and handle construction. Artistree Community Arts Center. www.artistreevt.org
Trapps to Bolton Backcountry Race and Tour
Bolton, March 10
Race or tour this beautiful and physically challenging 17km course on one of the most popular and scenic sections of the Catamount Trail. Note, it’s 30 percent groomed and 70 percent ungroomed. www.catamounttrail.org/news/5th-annual-trapps-to-bolton-backcountry-race-and-tour/
4000 Miles
Burlington, March 13 – 31
This play depicts young Leo showing up from a cross-country bike trip, at his grandmother’s, exhausted and looking for a place to stay for the night. The night turns into days – then weeks – as they argue, laugh, and find comfort in each other’s company. Discovering that despite the generational gap, they are not so different after all. FlynnSpace. www.vtstage.org
FestEVOL Concert Series with Yukon Kornelius & O.A.R.
Ludlow, March 16
Rock supergroup Yukon Kornelius – with members of Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies, Guster & other musical special guests – will play the East Coast in a special one-night performance. The concert, which also includes O.A.R., is part of the third annual FestEVOL concert series. www.okemo.com
Solas: Karan Casey & John Doyle
Burlington, March 17
The Lane Series and Flynn present a world-class traditional Irish band on St. Patrick’s Day called Solas. Since its birth in 1996, Solas has been proclaimed as one of the most popular, influential, and exciting Celtic bands to emerge from the United States. www.uvm.edu/laneseries/press-room/press-releases
Capital City Concerts presents Debussy 1.5
Montpelier, March 17
In celebration of Debussy’s 150th birthday, this program features NYC Ballet concertmaster Arturo Delmoni (violin/viola) and Vermont musicians performing a variety of works by Debussy. Karen Kevra-flute, Rebecca Kaufmann-harp, John Dunlop-cello, Paul Orgel-piano. www.capitalcityconcerts.org
Donal Fox
Burlington, March 22
Donal Fox’s reinventions of classical melodies and themes are heard in his program “Mashups in Blue.” Critics like Gary Giddins say, “Donal Fox is a remarkable pianist who has positioned himself on the cutting edge of jazz by incorporating classical techniques and melodies.” UVM Recital Hall. www.uvm.edu/laneseries/2011/07/donal-fox-jazzclassical-piano
Nor’Beaster
Killington, March 22 – Apr. 7
This festival series of events includes concerts, big mountain, moguls, big air, halfpipe, rail jams, retail closeouts and a Taste of Killington. www.killington.com/winter/activities/calendar/1878872922
Vermont Maple Open House Weekend
March 23-24
Visit Vermont sugarhouses and restaurants across the state and watch as maple syrup is being made. Return home with sweet memories and maple treats! http://vermontmaple.org/ai1ec_event/1642/?instance_id=219
Lunenburg Annual Maple Festival
Lunenburg, March 23
Partake in this full day of family fun with tree tapping demonstrations, sugarhouse tours, a scavenger hunt, contests, door prizes, history exhibits, interactive displays and homemade treats. www.topofthecommon.org
Burlington Chamber Orchestra Concert
Colchester, March 23
Soovin and violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt will perform Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola, Strauss’s Sextet from Capriccio, two works by Grieg and a string orchestra arrangement of Sibelius’ Valse Triste that Soovin is creating just for this occasion. Saint Michael’s College. www.bcovt.org
Gala 54
Stowe, March 23
A glittering evening of disco glamour. Begin the evening with cocktails and a silent auction offering hundreds of unique items as well as work by local artists. Dinner, dancing and a special live auction will follow. Stowe Mountain Resort. http://bit.ly/Gala54
18th Annual Brewfest
Smugglers’ Notch, March 30
Sample the finest in local & regional beers and wines, with music, munchies, and prizes. Smugglers’ Notch Resort Meeting House. www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/skiride/winter-events.php
Billings Farm’s Baby Animal Day
Woodstock, March 30
Billings Farm and Museum hosts Baby Animal Day with farm’s calves, lambs, and chicks, plus ducklings and goslings; also horse-drawn wagon rides, heirloom garden and children’s activities. www.billingsfarm.org
Hundreds more events across Vermont are listed in the Travel Planner of www.VermontVacation.com; please note event organizers can post events to this listing as well. Images may be available. If your publication prefers more advance notice of events or has specific requests, please email jen.butson@state.vt.us.
Contact: Jen Butson, Vermont Dept. of Tourism and Marketing
www.vermontvacation.com
jen.butson@state.vt.us
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