The Barns & Bridges Festival is almost here. All are welcome to join Valley Arts and the Mad River Valley community September 14 through 16 for an array of activities celebrating the history and culture of the area.
A full event schedule and map of the barns and bridges tour on Sunday will be available at the Valley Arts office at 2 Village Square and at Three Mountain Cafe, the MRV Visitor Center on Bridge Street and other locations around The Valley starting September 6.
Here’s a preliminary peek at some of those activities. Some of the activities require prior registration. Visit vtbarnsandbridgesfestival.com for updated, detailed information and links to participating businesses.
Friday, September 14
• Barn tour at The Inn at Round Barn Farm (10 a.m. to noon).
• Eating and Growing Food for Health at VT Food & Farm Tours (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
• Free truffle if you mention the Barns and Bridges Festival at Nutty Steph’s, 961C US Route 2, Middlesex (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
• Photo Show, opening event at Big Red Barn at Lareau Farm (5 to 7 p.m.).
Saturday, September 15
• Waitsfield Farmers’ Market (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
• Barn tour at The Inn at Round Barn Farm (10 a.m. to noon).
• Chainsaw Woodcarving by Jonathan Draudt, outside on Bridge Street in Waitsfield (11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
• Lunch at Mint Restaurant (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).
• Photo Show at the Big Red Barn at Lareau Farm (noon to 9 p.m.).
• Open Studio at Moosewalk Studios & Gallery (noon to 5 p.m.).
• Chainsaw Woodcarving by Glenn Acker, outside on the Mad River Green in Waitsfield (1 to 3:30 p.m.).
• Create a beautiful mosaic of the Big Eddy Bridge to be displayed locally, at the Pocket Park on Bridge Street in Waitsfield (2 to 4 p.m.). Sign up at 802-496-6682.
• Folk Herbalism with Serena Fox at Mountain Rose Integrated Wellness Center (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.); an investigation of plant and herb wonders.
• Yoga, Meditation, and Workshops at Salt & Sand Studios (various times).
• Morefest, 940 Route 100B in Moretown (Car Show at 2 p.m., family activities at 4 p.m., fireworks at dusk).
• Deanna Chilian, opening reception with the artist at the Festival Gallery at Valley Arts (5 to 7 p.m.).
• Chicken Pie Supper at the Waitsfield United Church (5:30 p.m.).
Sunday, September 16
• Barns & Bridges Tour (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) featuring working barns, abandoned barns, repurposed barns, unusual barns ... and bridges ... and fabulous gardens too.
• Balance your Chakras through Yoga & Crystals at Mountain Rose Integrated Wellness Center (10 a.m. to noon).
• Solar Powered Bouncy House, courtesy of SunCommon, located at the Pestle Farmstead (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
• Lunch at Mint Restaurant (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).
• Bridge History Talk: How the Bridges Were Built, at the Mad River Valley Visitor Center on Bridge Street in Waitsfield (time TBA).
• There’s still time to offer an activity adding to the fun. Call the Valley Arts office at 802-496-6682 for information.
