LUDLOW, Vt. – The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is again hosting the third annual Best of Vermont Summer Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27 in Ludlow, Vt. The event will take place at Okemo Field on Route 103.
This festival is another great opportunity for everyone, including locals, new residents, second homeowners, and visitors. Some of the program highlights include live music, craft beverage producers (beer, wine, distilleries), artisan products, specialty foods, fine art, antique tractors and vintage equipment, a Kids Zone, and more.
Activities:
Throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the following special family-friendly activities:
- New this year, Dan Moore of Barker Farm will be showcasing his antique tractors and vintage machines. Barker Farm is known for hosting their annual Autumn Roundup show in Ludlow in September. This is a showcase of Vermont-made engines and machinery, including working exhibits from the 1900s.
- Kids Zone, sponsored by Mary W. Davis Realtor and Associates, including Troy Wunderle of Big Top Adventures, offering clowning and circus fun and face painters.
- Food tent, sponsored by Diamond Realty, featuring Mount Holly Beer, Mr. Darcy’s wagyu burgers, Coleman Brook Tavern at Okemo, Crowley Cheese, and more.
- Wine Tasting, sponsored by Meiomi Wines and Constellation Brands.
- Yarn Spinning with Six Loose Ladies.
- Vendor raffle, with prizes generously donated by vendors.
Music schedule:
There will be live music both days, with the support of lead music sponsor Engel & Volkers. Each day will feature live music, including our headliners. The music schedule is:
Saturday, Aug. 26:
12-2 p.m. – Ida Mae Specker
2-4 p.m. – Eric King & the Rustie Bus Band
4-7 p.m. – Jenni Johnson & the Jazz Junketeers
Sunday, Aug. 27:
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Jeb Porter & Friends
1-4 p.m. – Christine Malcolm & the Sugarleaf Band
The participating vendors are:
802 Heat Hot Sauce, 802 Vintage Boutique, AJ’s Catering, Antiquities, Apsara, A&R Woodworks, Barred Owl Bags, Black Jungle Exotics, Black River Action Team, Botanical Tribe Apothecary, Bunky Glass, Calcutta’s/Fox Run Hospitality Group, Coleman Brook Tavern, Crowley Cheese, Curdeous Cow, Deegan & Brim Crystals & More, Diamond Realty, Eat More Pie, Engel & Volkers Real Estate – Okemo, Fireside Commodities, Form & Function Pottery, Frenchy & Balloo’s BBQ, Fresh Start (a craft company), Green Mountain Fireplace Specialties, Hangry Hogg, Ellen Howard Handmade, Hulett Farm, Jamaica Cottage Shop, Jeezum Crow Smoked Foods, Karlene’s Amazing Blingtastic, Kettle Fresh Fudge, La Chapina, The Lazy Cow, Leash Pet, Mach’s Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza, Magnabilities Jewelry, Mad River Distilleries, Maple Lane Collections, Mason House Pottery, Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates, M David Gallery, Meiomi Wine/Constellation Brands, Mettowee Valley Maple, MI-BOX of Vermont, Miracle Mary’s (Cooking Essentials), Miranda Kae Jewelry, Pat Moore Art & Photography, Mount Holly Beer, Natural Kore Laboratories, Northern Vermont Woodturnings, The Nutty Bavarian (roasted nuts), O’Donnell Design (featuring the 2023 Commemorative Festival Poster), Okemo Mountain/Vail Resorts, Palatial Farm & Confections, Papa John’s Sugar Shack, Phoenix Dragon, Pieces by Patricia, pscg studio gallery, Pure Romance, Robert Patterson Woodturning (bowls & cut boards), Rockledge Farm Woodworks, Rustic Effects, Salsa Sisters, Sawdust & Sapwood, Scrumph, Six Loose Ladies, Smokeshire Design, Smokin’ Bowls, Soijen (art), Stewart Maple & Marketplace, Stone Creek Workshops, Stonewall Field Farms, Stunad’s Italian Ice, Surell Accessories, Sylamore Tye Dye, Ted’s Wicked BBQ Sauce, Trades of Hope, Treeline Terrains, Trinkets From Trees, Vermont Bike & Brew, Vermont Red Barn Studio, Vermont Sensory Store, Vermont Vines, Whimsical Boutique/QuimBeads/Kimberly’s Travel, Wildebeary Crafts, Wild Hart Distillery, William Raveis Vermont Properties, and Wunderle’s Big Top Adventures.
Thank you!
Thank you to the Okemo Valley Chamber member sponsors, who have helped to make this event possible. The Presenting Sponsor is William Raveis Vermont Properties. Lead Sponsor are Okemo Mountain/Vail Resorts, Engel & Volkers Real Estate, Mary W. Davis Realtor & Associates, Diamond Realty, M&T Bank, and Meiomi Wine/Constellation Brands. Foundation Sponsors are LaValley’s Building Supply, Cape Air, The Vermont Country Store, Brewfest Beverage, and TPW Real Estate. Program Sponsors are Magris Talc and Aubuchon Hardware.
Thank you to all our media sponsors as well: One Credit Union, Ludlow Insurance, Vermont Journal, Rutland Herald, Mountain Times, Eagle Times, and www.vermont.com.
The Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce also extends its gratitude to the Best of Vermont Festival organizing committee, led by co-chairs Scott Duffy of Rockledge Farm Woodworks and Anna Tumber of Okemo Mountain Resort. Other members include Stephen Plunkard of Q4! Associates, Sarah Sheehan of William Raveis Vermont Properties, and Selina Meisenhelder of One Credit Union.
More festival information can be found at www.yourplaceinvermont.com/best-of-vermont-summer-festival or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Bestofvermontsummerfestival, or contact Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce director Carol Lighthall at clighthall@yourplaceinvermont.com.
A digital festival pamphlet and map can be viewed at www.simplebooklet.com/bestofvermontsummerfestival2023program#page=1.
This year, gate proceeds from the festival will support the Okemo Valley Disaster Relief Program, www.yourplaceinvermont.com/okemo-valley-disaster-resources.