Food festivals

Vermont Food & Wine

Food Festivals

Food festivals are a great way to experience new foods, gather new recipes and enjoy the flavors of new destinations. A culinary excursion to Southern Vermont dishes up wonderful folks and dedicated farmers, local and celebrity chefs, producers, food entrepreneurs, food coops, restaurants, CSAs, farmers’ markets and a host of food festivals. Here are our top picks:

Vermont Cheesemakers Festival
July 22, 11a-4p, Coach Barn of Shelburne Farms, Shelburne 212 576-2700, ext. 229, vtcheesefest.com. Vermont is the premium artisanal cheese state with the highest number of cheesemakers per capita: over 40 of them! Experience our passion for making fine cheeses, taste local and fresh foods and wines, and meet the artisans who make them. Spend a high summer day along the shores of Lake Champlain at the historic Shelburne Farms Coach Barn sampling, buying, learning, and networking. Limited availability on tasting seminars.

5th Annual Deerfield Valley
Blueberry Festival and Parade —
Top Ten Summer Event
July 27-August 5, various venues in the Mount Snow Valley vermontblueberry.com
Berries, vintage cars, music, food and tarp displays. Coordinated by Janet Boyd from Boyd Family Farm and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. Dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals create blueberry or blue themed events. Enjoy a Big Blue Parade, a Blue Street Fair, children’s activities, jam making, blueberry themed specials in the local eateries, blue music events, a blue car auto show, blueberry bake sales, blue beer, special “Blues fees” at Mount Snow’s Golf Course, as well as pick your own blueberry opportunities.

18th Annual Mount Snow
Brewer’s Fest
September 1-2, 12 Noon–6p, Mount Snow Resort at 39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover 800 245-SNOW, mountsnow.com Mount Snow’s annual tribute to summer and its finest elixir—beer—is back again this year. The Festival boasts great beer, great music, huge crowds, and good times. Over 35 different breweries will participate.

15th Annual Southern Vermont
Garlic and Herb Fest
September 1-2, 10a-5p, Camelot Village, Bennington,
802 447-3311, lovegarlic.com
Vermont Stinks! Join garlic-lovers from throughout New England as they come to sample food and crafts from over 100 different vendors all made from — you guessed it — garlic and herbs!
Every-thing from garlic ice cream to garlic jelly, pickled garlic, roasted garlic, garlic braids and, of course, plain garlic bulbs of every variety will be available for sampling and purchase. Demonstra-tions in-clude planting and braiding and cooking. For aspiring gardeners, garlic growers, garlic-lovers or those simply looking for a fun way to spend a Vermont end-of-summer day. Our vendors do sell out, so come early if you’re looking to buy seed for next year’s crop!

5th Annual Vermont Life
Wine & Harvest Festival
September 21-23, junction of Rt. 9 East and 100 South in Wilmington and various inns, farms and wineries in the Mount Snow valley, thevermontfestival.com
A weekend showcase for Vermont wines, Vermont specialty foods and artisans of all types. A celebration of the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers. Set in the backdrop of our world renowned Vermont fall foliage; attendees will discover, savor and enjoy Vermont vintners, small specialty food producers, chefs, painters, publishers, cheese makers, potters, jewelers, chefs, photographers and farmers. Chosen a Top 10 Fall event for 2011 by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.