Fairs and Festivals
The 2009 Fiddlehead Festival will be a day-long celebration of agriculture and the arts in Central Vermont on Saturday, May 2 at the Vermont Technical College campus in Randolph Center. Prior year highlights included a unique tractorcade, May Pole dance, seasonal blessing, tractor obstacle course, farmers lunch, live musical performances, storytelling, dancing, farmstead demonstrations, and educational presentations. VTC is located just off Route 66 east from Exit 4 of Route I89, less than a mile from the exit. The festival includes afternoon nature walks, an art exhibition at the Chandler Gallery, and an evening performance at the Chandler Music Hall on Main St. in Randolph.
Contact information includes the phone numbers of the festival superintendents, Regina Beidler (802) 728-5601 and Bob Eddy (802) 728-5402, the festival vendor contact, John Lutz (802) 728-6212, and
email info@fiddleheadfestival.com. The url is http://www.fiddleheadfestival.com/.
The Fourth of July Celebration in Randolph is a combination of events creating a multi-day festival atmosphere. The Randolph Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration, one of the best Independence Day parades in Vermont! It is always held on the 4th, with businesses, civic and youth groups, individuals and families making the Randolph parade a fun time for all. Floats, fire engines, bands, entertainers, antiques cars, tractors, horses, and more fill the parade line. After the parade attendees head to the municipal lot for a chicken BBQ, cotton candy and numerous other food choices, as well as games, crafts and entertainment and the opportunity to vote for their favorite chili in the annual Chamber Chili Challenge. Last year, folks were thrilled with music by the Panhandlers Steel Drum Band and the South Royalton Town Band. Post parade events included Tom Sabo, musician and storyteller, as well as the Step in Time Line Dancers and more. On an evening near the 4th, the Three Stallion Inn will host the Vermont Symphony Orchestra under the stars complete with a fireworks finale; contact the Inn at 802-728-5575. The Randolph Village Fire Department also has a popular fireworks display, typically on July 3rd. Watch the Calendar of Events for updates on activities on and near the 4th.
Contact information includes the phone number for the chamber at 802-728-9027 or email contact@randolph-chamber.com.
The Vermont History Expo is held each year (although will be taking a break in 2009) at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds on Route 110 in Tunbridge. In past years over 100 local historical societies from throughout Vermont presented the State's history with stories of their communities via their exhibits at the Vermont History Expo held in June. This two-day event has been presented by the Vermont Historical Society and served to commemorate and celebrate the depth of the State's rich heritage. We look forward to its return in 2010.
The Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival will be in residence at Chandler in Randolph, VT from August 10 through August 22, 2009. This year's festival will feature four performances on Saturday, August 15; Sunday, August 16; Friday, August 2; and Saturday, August 22, 2009. According to the Chandler website, the festival has been "a tradition since 1993, featuring a two-week series of concerts of standard and interesting repertoire for mixed ensembles performed by world-class artists at Chandler Music Hall each August…. The events include two Saturday evening concerts, a special Friday morning performance for children, and a free lunchtime concert of lighter fare at Randolph's Three Stallion Inn." http://www.chandler-arts.org/festivals.php.
Contact information includes the office phone number 802-728-9878, the phone number for tickets 802-728-6464 or email tickets@chandler-arts.org.
The Last Mile Ride, hosted by Gifford Medical Center on 44 South Main St. in Randolph is scheduled for August 15, 2009. In 2008, 159 motorcycle riders participated, with some coming from as far away as Colorado. The charity ride supports Gifford Medical Center's end-of-life care program and has grown markedly since its inception in 2006. In 2008 the ride raised approximately $23,000 to support the hospital's Garden Room hospice program. http://www.giffordmed.org/ Contact information includes Gifford Medical Center's main phone 802-728-7000 and email info@giffordmed.org.
The 17th Annual New World Festival is scheduled for September 6, 2009 from noon to midnight. According to the website it is "An all-day, all-weather festival of Celtic and French Canadian music and dance performed on five stages simultaneously in historic Chandler Music Hall and in other all-weather facilities. About 100 musicians and folk dancers from Northern New England, Canada, and the British Isles will perform." http://www.newworldfestival.com/. From Exit 4 of I89, head west on Route 66 until you bear left onto Route 12 south and cross the bridge. Take the detour to the right onto Prince Street where parking is available. The festival is located at and near the Chandler Music Hall at 71-73 Main St., Randolph, VT.
For more information contact The Chandler at (802) 728-9878 or email director@chandler-arts.org.
The 138th Tunbridge World's Fair, according to their website, http://www.tunbridgefair.com/ "celebrates the Garden Harvest, and the ever competitive exhibits in Dodge-Gilman with a wide variety of vegetables and fruits from local Vermont gardens. This is a display created entirely by enthusiastic gardeners. Livestock shows, Antique Hill, amusements and entertainment fill the four days of the fair, September 17-20, 2009." Rides and games-of-chance along the midway are popular as are the performances, the tractor pull, and the demolition derby. A great selection of food vendors, sulky races and an ongoing horse show complete the fair experience. The Fair is located at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds on Route 110 in Tunbridge.
Contact information includes the main office phone 802-889-5555 or toll free 800-889-5555 and email info@tunbridgefair.com.