14 Vermont Winter Vacation Guide 2018

TOP 10 WINTER EVENTSCHRONOLOGICALLY LISTED

1 39TH PUTNEY CRAFT TOUR Putney, November 24-26, 10-5 pm www.putneycrafts.com 802-387-4032The oldest continuing craft studio tour in North America. 24 artisans open their stu-dios to the public. Putney Craft Tour, Next Stage Arts Project and Sandglass Theatre have joined forces again to present this special Thanksgiving Weekend of Arts. The theaters put on special productions, and area restaurants get involved by creating specials. The tour also raises funds for the Putney Food Shelf. Take photos—you could win a chance for a $50 gift certificate and a night at the Four Columns Inn! During November, the Gleanery will host a pre-view exhibition of all 24 artists on the tour.

2 THANKSGIVING WEEKEND AT BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM Woodstock, November 24-26, 10-4 pm www.billingsfarm.org•802-457-2355The weekend features traditional cooking demonstrations in the farmhouse, horse-drawn wagon rides, farm tours, programs and hands-on food preparation and pres-ervation activities. You’ll be welcomed to Frederick Billings’ farmhouse, where farm manager George Aiken and family lived from 1890 to 1910. Visit with costumed interpreters as they demonstrate prepar-ing traditional Thanksgiving fare in the kitchen. History of Thanksgiving programs and activities for all ages include “making the perfect piecrust” and peeling apples.

3 25TH ANNUAL VERMONT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Essex Junction, December 1-3 www.vermontinternationalfestival.com 802-863-6713The Festival marks the 25th anniversary of its unique celebration of cultures that reflect Vermont’s communities. Visitors will find crafts from all over the world, ethnic foods,

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and international music, dance and stories. Cultural and ethnic organizations provide information about their programs with exhibits and demonstrations. Children’s Day provides an opportunity for school children to have their “passport” stamped at each booth they visit.

4 COOLIDGE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Plymouth Notch, December 2, 10-4 pm www.historicsites.vermont.gov/coolidge 802-672-3773Kick off the holiday season in one of Vermont’s most scenic villages! Visit the President Coolidge Birthplace, decorat-ed as it would have been in 1872 when Calvin was born. Find winter exhibits at the Museum & Education Center, Aldrich House, Plymouth Cheese Factory, and 1924 Summer White House office. Enjoy sleigh rides, old-time music, children’s holiday activities, craft demonstrations, chocolate making and sampling with The Chocolatorium, lunch at the Wilder House Restaurant, and special cancellation at the historic Plymouth post office.

5 COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Waitsfield and Warren, December 8-9 www.valleyartsvt.com•802-496-6682The Mad River Valley kicks off the holiday season with a weekend of activities for all ages and shopping specials galore. Events include an Artists Paint-In and Art Sale, the International Bazaar, a Crafts Fair, a Farmers Market, a visit from Santa Claus, oxen rides and a s’mores cookout. Area businesses offer discounts, specials and giveaways. New festivities every year!

6 HOTEL VERMONT ICE BAR Burlington, February 2-3, 5:30-9:30 pm www.hotelvt.com•802-651-0080One of Burlington’s biggest outdoor events, the Ice Bar features ice sculpture displays, local food, ice luges, live music and Vermont artisanal beverages to taste. The ice sculp-tures and bars feature craft cocktails and frosty brews. Outdoor grill, heavy hors d’oeuvres, hot soups, non-alcoholic bever-ages and more provided by Juniper and Bleu Northeast Seafood. Tickets are $55 and include two drink tokens. In conjunction with Burlington’s Winter Weekend, a por-tion of the proceeds are donated to Special Olympics and the Flyin’ Ryan Foundation. This is a 21+ event. Tickets are available through flynntix.org.

7 PRESIDENTS’ WEEK WINTERFEST West Dover, February 16-25 www.mountsnow.com•802-464-SNOWFun for the whole family on and off the slopes. Free live music in the base area, s’mores, Family Camp tubing parties and scavenger hunts are some of the options. A beer pairing dinner is a great option for parents’ night out. With the kids, don’t miss favorite events like the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, which you can watch from the base area or the Grommet Jam Finals.

8THE VERMONT OPEN Stratton, March 9-11 www.stratton.com•800-STRATTONA community celebration of snowboarding and the sport’s history and progression. The Vermont Open snowboard and music festi-

val offers a platform for riders of all ages to compete against past and current pros at the place where it all began. An open event, spectators are welcome as snowboarders vie for a piece of the $20,000 prize in a variety of events, including Slopestyle, Rail Jam, Banked Slalom and more.

9SOUTHERN VT WINGS AND WINTER HOMEBREW FESTIVAL Bennington, March 24, 12-4 pm www.bennington.com•802-447-3311The finest chicken wings and homebrew in the area; the Festival is all about celebrating this craft. With over 20 home brews, includ-ing beer, wine, mead and braggot, this is about bringing out the expert and novice alike. Vote for the best brew and best wings in the region. Grab a friend and make sure to head to the Shires of Vermont region to be part of this fun and eclectic event!

buSMUGGLERS’ NOTCH MAPLEFEST Jeffersonville, March 17-April 1 www.smuggs.com/maple 877-260-6187MapleFest immerses visitors in the tradi-tions of Vermont’s maple sugaring season. Visit local sugarhouses for tours that give insight into the time–honored process of maple syrup making. Fill each day with maple themed activities: sugar-on-snow tasting, snowshoe and walking treks, spe-cialty food and beverage sampling, dining at area restaurants and more. You’ll find that MapleFest delivers your sweetest vaca-tion memories ever! Resort lodging specials available.

PRESIDENTS' WEEK WINTERFESTTHE VERMONT OPENMOUNT SNOWHUBERT SCHRIEBL