SUMMER BLAST
Festivals, food, fireworks, fun — Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley has it all
In and around Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley, they like to say, “Gear up, wind down.” Whether you go for hiking boots or cycling shoes; fancy food or down-home cooking; beer or wine; slow days or wildly active ones, the region's trails, lakes, rivers, mountains, streams, roads and villages are an endless canvas on which to create your dream escape.
But the folks in Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley aren't ones to simply rest on their breathtaking scenery and endless outdoor activity options. When it comes to the summer and early fall, Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley is pretty much “event central.” From mud runs to wine festivals to fireworks and more, great things are happening all season long.
It all kicks off the weekend of June 24-25, when Tough Mudder New England takes place on the trails of Mount Snow. Dubbed the “toughest event on the planet,” it takes competitors over a 12-mile course of obstacles. The weekend is prime for competitors, but also a lot of fun for spectators, with food, music and, of course, chances to cheer along the route. Spectators also have a chance — for a fee — to be the person spraying fire hoses on the competitors at a bend in the course. There's a “mini-mudder” one-mile course for up-and-coming mudders ages 7-12. Learn more at mountsnow.com.
Next up is the Fourth of July — which in Southern Vermont isn't just a day, it's a multi-day-and-night experience. It includes all the small villages of the region within about a 15-mile range, and it's a snap to take in all this holiday week has to offer.
It kicks off July 2 (because who wants to wait!) with the Valley Fireworks at lovely
Hayford Field in Wilmington. Follow that up July 3 with another great fireworks display, this time at Mount Snow Resort. Then, on July 4, you can kick it old school with a classic, fun and festive Fourth of July Parade through Wardsboro — said to be the oldest parade (and post-parade celebration and street fair) in all of Vermont.
You'll want to head back to the region July 28-Aug. 6 to experience 10 days of the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival. This ninth annual fest features over 55 events, all themed around blueberries, with “signature event” days each weekend of the festival.
On July 28, do something you'll remember for a lifetime — run, jump and slide along the Blueberry Jell-O Slip & Slide. Talk about a family photo op. The following day you can watch the Blueberry Parade in Dover, and head up to the Blueberry Bash on
Mount Snow. At both spots and places in between, you’ll find so much blue — blue beer, blueberry pies and cakes, jam making lessons, cooking demonstrations and more. On July 30, take part in the Blueberry Splash at Lake Whitingham. There, you can listen to floating musical groups, decorate your blue boat and, at 2 p.m., meet at High Country Marina for the parade of boats lineup. Or view it from the shore — just as fun.
Events continue all week and then surge again the following weekend with a Blueberry Chalk Walk and Car Show on Aug. 4 in Jacksonville, then the big Blueberry Block Party on Aug. 5 in Wilmington. Learn more at vermontblueberry.com.
Then there’s the truly classic, as in the 100th annual Farmer’s Day Fair. This Aug. 10-13 event in Wilmington has a true “step into Mayberry country” feel. With a classic midway, horse pulls, demolition derby and more, you’ll meld right into oldtime mountain country fun.
There are more events on board, but the region is worth a visit anytime. With three freshwater lakes, an extensive trail system with hikes ranging from a stroll to a challenge, and with surrounding mountains, there’s so many ways to gear up, wind down or even do both.
Those three lakes are pristine. The region is careful about where development is allowed. On the largest, Lake Whitingham as the locals call it, officially Harriman Reservoir, you can boat and Jet Ski, swim and just relax. The other two lakes offer a quieter setting, great for fishing or soaking in the beauty.
Trails are plentiful, with many winding up in the hills of Green Mountain National Forest. One called the “Hoot, toot and whistle” follows a river for four flat, strollable miles. The Dover Trail system winds through all kinds of scenery as well. Trail maps can be found online, but a great tip is to stop in the Chamber of Commerce office in Wilmington at 21 W. Main St. (the visitors center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). There you’ll get not only maps, but insights from
folks who know where things are great at the moment — and what might be best avoided. Want to help save that forest? They can show you how to save the maps onto your smartphone.
Staying is a breeze, too. The region has lovely B&Bs, hotels and even a grand hotel on Mount Snow. What about a private club that lets you sample it all? Check out The Hermitage Club, the only private four-season resort in the Northeast. Private in this case does not mean off limits — it means three of the four sections of the club are open to the public, where you’ll find the same special touches of a private resort, including a quieter setting. Open to all are the club’s lodging, which includes six luxurious inns throughout Wilmington and Dover, such as The Hermitage Inn, an elegant four-star country inn with its own covered bridge and extensive wine cellar; two restaurants (The White House and The Hermitage Inn); and an 18- hole championship golf course that is open to the public during the week, and private on weekends and holidays. Learn more at hermitageclub.com.
And oh, the food. One “silver lining” of Hurricane Irene was seeing restaurants not only rebuilt, but reinspired. The region is now truly a “foodie” community, with restaurants challenging one another to bring the taste of the region with the highest quality to all.
There’s more, too — check out Nature Spa at Mount Snow for true relaxation and historic Memorial Hall for great acoustics and amazing shows.
But back to the happenings. The Best Dam Half Marathon and Walk on Aug. 26 takes you down an old rail trail and past one of the few remaining earthen dams in the country. Mount Snow’s 23rd annual Brewers Fest Sept. 2-3 shows you why this region is known for pretty much creating the craft beer world and festivals.
The Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival Sept. 22-24 features wine strolls, soup tastings and contests, the Vermont Wildlife Festival on Sept. 24 and a crazy Restaurant Relay Race with obstacles such as the “Food Fight.” This event is the ultimate “wine down,” not only for when it takes place — when the air is fresher and the trees are just beginning to turn — but for what it offers: a celebration of all that makes Vermont delicious, from locally sourced fare to wines that are unique to the state. You’ll taste them, compare them and celebrate them all as the season winds down.
With so much to experience at Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley, you’ll gear up or wind down all summer long. Learn more at visitvermont.com.