Vermont - Fairs and Festivals

• For more fun activities, see Vermont Events page

Festival of Quilts
College of St. Joseph, 71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT

March 27-28, 2010

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Spectacular quilts Vermont quilters; invitational quilter Jane Masenas with her extrodinary crazy quilts; antique quilt exhibit; vendors. The Festival of Quilts is a Vermont Maple Open House Weekend partner. Time: Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: mlq2010show@yahoo.com

Middlebury Winter Carnival
Middlebury College, 139 South Main Street
Middlebury, VT
Phone: 802-443-5000

February 19 - 21, 2010

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Middlebury College hosts a carnival that offers fireworks, an ice show, ski competitions, and chili contest.

The Chester Winter Carnival

February 12-14, 2010

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Fun for all ages with broom hockey, snowshoe softball, sled races and more. The event takes place at various locations around town. Friday evening: bonfire at Cobleigh Field and skating party. Saturday: Sled Races at the Pinnacle at 10 a.m.; Snowshoe Softball at the Pinnacle Little League Field at 2 p.m.; dinner at the American Legion Post 67 at 7 p.m.; Valentine’s Dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Sunday: American Legion Women’s Auxiliary breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.; Broom Hockey Tournament at 10 a.m. at Cobleigh Field; Chester Snowmobile Club’s Poker Run registration at 9 a.m. at the Pinnacle. 802-875-2693

Magic Hat Mardi Gras Parade & Block Party
Church Street and other Burlington locations
Burlington, VT
Phone: 802-658-2739

February 26-28, 2010

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The clubs, cafes, bars and bistros of Burlington will throw open their doors and thaw all brands of cabin fever with a delectable gumbo of mojo-moving music, delectable Cajun and Creole eats and Big Easy drinks on tap. On the city’s downtown pedestrian mall, a pageant of entertaining sights and incredible sounds will warm the eyes and melt the ears. In the middle of it all, a grand pageant of over 30 festooned floats will parade through the streets tossing beads, treats and trinkets to the assembled throngs in one of New England’s most extraordinary winter traditions. Parade is February 27 on Church Street, beginning at 3 p.m. Information: www.magichat.net/mardigras

Vermont Maple Festival
City Buildings and Main Street
St. Albans, VT
Phone: 802-524-5800

April 30-May 2, 2010

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When sugaring is over, it’s time for maple fun! This festival has something for everyone, including sugarhouse tours, exhibits, maple buffet, entertainment, pancake breakfasts, crafts, antiques, talent and fiddlers shows, cooking contests, carnival, face painting, grand parade, and delightful downtown shops. Information: www.vermontmaplefestival.org

Vermont Quilt Festival
Location: Champlain Valley Expo, 105 Pearl Street / Route 15
Essex Junction, VT
Phone: 802-872-0034

June 25-27, 2010

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Enjoy over 500 beautiful new and antique quilts including the Gerald Roy antique quilt exhibit and the Nancy Halpern Retrospective. Great vendors, wonderful workshops and lectures with nationally renowned teachers, appraisals, free gallery talks and demos await all quilt enthusiasts. Come early for the always festive Champagne and Chocolate Preview, Thursday evening, June 24. Time: Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday,9 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: www.vqf.org

Brattleboro Winter Carnival
Brattleboro, VT
Phone: 802-254-7360

February 19-28, 2010

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Brattleboro Winter Carnival is a week-long festival with something for all ages. Highlights include junior Olympic events, a variety show, a country & western jamboree, roller skating and even a beach party. The Brattleboro Winter Carnival started as a one-day ski-jump competition, but has grown to include colorful activities such as a parade, a beauty queen contest, snow sculpting, competitive skiing and skating, square dancing, sugar on snow (hot maple syrup drizzled across a dish of clean snow and served with pickles and doughnuts) and an outdoor evening at Brattleboro's new park, complete with torchlit skiing and fireworks. Information: http://www.brattleborowintercarnival.com/

Whitingham Maple Festival
Whitingham, VT
Phone: 802-464-1154

March 20-21, 2010

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Exhibits for history buffs, sugarhouse tours, tree tapping demonstrations, contests, raffle, homemade meals. Events include pancake breakfast, tours of loca sugarhouses, craft fair and Kids Korner Whitingham School, Sugar on Snow Ham Dinner, horse-drawn sleigh rides. Information: www.whitingham-maplefest.us/index.html