ROCKINGHAM, Vt. – The Southern Vermont Flannel Festival was a resounding success thanks to the incredible collaboration of our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and our wonderful festivalgoers, and the generosity of our gracious hosts at Rockingham Hill Farm.
We welcomed around 4,000 visitors for a weekend filled with live music, delicious food, and the cozy community spirit we all love. From bluegrass tunes to handmade crafts, local brews to slices of homemade pie, the whole weekend felt like one big Vermont hug.
Ninety-nine percent of exit survey respondents said they’d recommend the Southern Vermont Flannel Festival to a friend. Fifteen percent also said they’d like to volunteer at the festival next year, and 8% said they’d like to join the organizing committee. If you’re interested in joining the crew that creates the coziest festival in Vermont, please sign up at www.tinyurl.com/58bzbmj8.
We served more than 600 slices of pie this year. Congratulations to the talented winners of the bake-off, sponsored by King Arthur Baking Company. In the Youth Division, the winners were: first place, Lila, Fall Mountain Regional High School (FMRHS), sour cherry pie; second place, Keeghan, FMRHS, blueberry pie; and third place, River Valley Technical Center Culinary Arts Program Team.
In the Adult Division, the winners were: first place, Laura Rumsell, Muddy Moose Pie; second place, Patrick Zienberger, meat pie; and third place, Alyssa Hunt, chocolate pecan pie. Thank you to all who baked, donated, and tasted.
The winners of the People’s Choice Awards were: Best Craft Vendor, Locally Stoned; Best Food Vendor, 802 Soul Kitchen; and Best Activity Booth, GFRCC Bake-off.
The winner of the exit survey raffle was Kathy Fracalossi.
Congratulations to all, and thank you for supporting community programs through your participation. Together, we created a cozy, joy-filled weekend that celebrated all things local, from food and music, to crafts, connection, and community spirit.
A special thank-you to our sponsors for making it all possible: Verizon Wireless of Walpole, Bellows Falls Moose Lodge, Savings Bank of Walpole, Best Septic, Halladay’s Harvest Barn, Springfield Hospital, James Plumbing & Heating, 802 Credit Union, The Richards Group, Allen Brothers Farm Market, The Vermont Country Store, and WIAMAR Life Insurance.
Aimee Parnell, GFRCC executive director, said, “I am so grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and everyone who attended – it truly takes a village to make the Southern Vermont Flannel Festival a warm, memorable celebration. Your energy, creativity, and generosity made this weekend possible, and I can’t thank you enough.”