There's a week this summer that should not be missed. It's full of outdoor and community events throughout the Mad River Valley and has its own website: www.julyjubileevermont.com. It all starts with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Sugarbush on Friday night, June 29, and culminates with the Mad Marathon on Sunday, July 8. Here is a day-by-day schedule of events:
Friday, June 29: Gates open at Lincoln Peak at 5:30 p.m. with the VSO concert starting at 7:30 including picnicking and concluding with fireworks to the 1812 Overture.
Saturday, June 30: Summer Saturdays are all about people and dogs (on leashes) gathering at the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market to eat, shop, listen to local music and find out what is going on around town. The Farmers’ Market has more than 60 vendors and epitomizes "buy local" (vegetables, meat, baked goods, cheese, prepared food, crafts, flowers and more). Have lunch or grab food for a picnic, then head to the Stars and Stripes Charity Airshow on Saturday, June 30, at the Warren airport at 1 p.m. (gates open at 11 a.m.). Warren pilot Jim Parker started the airshow in 2011 and donated $25,000 to the National Guard Foundation.
Sunday, July 1: Eat some indigenous food (i.e., maple-glazed Very Small Donuts) at the Big Picture’s weekly Sunday brunch while listening to the jazz of Anthony Santor & Friends. Freestyle trampoline for kids and teens at Sugarbush is available July 1 and most days from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with golf and zipline options. Guided river trips and tubing down the Mad River are available at Clearwater Sports on a daily basis.
Wednesday, July 4: Don't miss the 63rd annual Warren Fourth of July parade and festivities starting at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Warren grows from its typical 1,800 to more than 6,000 to celebrate the day. This year’s parade theme, “We the People,” should foster lots of creativity. Grand marshals hail from the Mad River Long Term Recovery Team (the folks who directed volunteers and rebuilding after Irene). Pre-registration of floats is not needed, but contact the Chamber of Commerce at 496-3409 with questions.
For more news: www.Facebook.com/Warren4thOfJuly. Field games, family activities and a beer tent up at Warren Elementary School and dancing in the street in front of The Warren Store.
Celebrate the red, white and blue at Sugarbush! Events will begin at Lincoln Peak after the Warren parade. There will be an All American Barbeque, live music and entertainment for all ages. The fireworks are set to begin at 7:15 p.m.
Friday, July 6: The Bridges Resort hosts a reception starting at 6 p.m. celebrating the Vermont Outdoors Photo Exhibit. Later that evening The Merry Run-Arounds are hosted by the Purple Moon Pub starting at 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 7: The Mad Marathon Expo takes place at the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market where racers can pick up race packages. At Sugarbush there is a Fungi Fest to learn about the mysteries of wild mushrooms. There is a three-hour mushroom hike starting at 3 p.m. followed by a Fungi Feast at 6 p.m. at Timbers. At the Sugarbush Golf Course, there's a golf demo and a "Huck-a-Ball" contest and live acoustic music starting at 9 p.m. at Hogan's Pub.
Restaurants around town will be featuring dishes to help racers carb load, then head back to the Mad River Green in Waitsfield from 7 to 9 p.m. for ice cream and live music from Phineas Gage.
Sunday, July 8: “The world's most beautiful marathon!” takes place. Race start is 7 a.m. and the national anthem is at 6:45 a.m. Spectators can find a favorite spot along the route to cheer on friends (www.madmarathon.com to learn more).
{loadnavigation}
