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A
Red Holstein at the Champlain Valley Exposition1 |
Boasting a strong agricultural
heritage, it is not surprising that the state of Vermont
hosts an extraordinary number of country fairs and festivals throughout
the year. For centuries agriculture has acted as Vermont's driving force,
leading the state into economic prosperity, despite its small size and population.
Although Vermont is one of the tiniest states in the United
States, encompassing only 9,615 square mi (2.5 million ha), it is
also one of the nation's largest producers of dairy products and is recognized
for its maple sugar, Christmas trees, fruits and vegetables. The annual
country fairs and festivals are a fun way for communities to celebrate the
vital role that farming plays in Vermont.
HISTORY
Archaeological evidence
shows that American Indians inhabited Vermont's fertile land 10,000 years
before the first European settlers arrived. However, once French explorer
Samuel de Champlain set foot in Vermont in 1609, interest
in the state's
verdant landscape was fostered.
For the majority of
the 17th century, Vermont acted primarily as an access road between French
and American Indian settlements to the north and English settlements to
the south. Nevertheless, in 1724 a permanent European settlement was established
in Fort Dummer, an area that is near the present-day city of Brattleboro.
Shortly afterward, the English colonies of Massachusetts,
Connecticut,
New Hampshire
and New York expanded
into Vermont, leading to the organization of an independent republic that
was admitted to the Union in 1791.
During the decade
following the establishment of Vermont as a state, the population continued
to grow and self-reliant communities, that took advantage of Vermont's
rich land, flourished. Direct shipping routes from Vermont to Canada
and other New England cities were increasingly used in the late 1700s,
and in the mid 19th century, Vermont was graced with a railroad connection,
furthering its economic position.
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What is
4-H?
The 4-H is a community of youths who have a desire to learn leadership,
citizenship and life skills. As the largest out-of-school youth
program in the United States, this organization offers a variety
of programs geared towards youths between the ages of eight and
18. Many of the educational programs and clubs center around agriculture,
yet other programs include lessons in public speaking, sewing, cooking,
babysitting and more. The 4-H plays an important role in Vermont's
state fairs, offering an opportunity for 4-H members to showcase
their exhibits or animals for judging. The fairs also give members
and visitors a chance to see how the youths have applied their newly
learned skills.
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AGRICULTURE IN VERMONT
Agriculture in Vermont
played a principal role in the economic development of the state. When
the area's first settlers arrived, the majority became farmers making
use of Vermont's fruitful land amongst the Green
Mountain range. Agricultural exports included beef cattle, potatoes,
livestock and grains until the railroad was expanded to include the American
West and Vermont lost its stronghold on the east coast markets. Consequently,
the state turned to dairy farming and maple sugar production as money-making
initiatives.
It is not surprising
that maple sugar production was successful in Vermont, as the state is
home to scores of maple trees, providing sap for the immensely popular
Vermont maple syrup. Both maple and spruce trees also fueled the burgeoning
lumber industry, another major export of Vermont.
Today, Vermont's dairy
industry continues to play a major role in the state's economy. Over 2,000
dairy farms grace this small state, providing nearly half of New England's
milk supply, making Vermont the most dairy dependent economy in the United
States. Although agricultural trends are endlessly changing, one thing
is certain – Vermont's rich agricultural history will not soon be forgotten.
Starting in the mid-1800s, the state's annual fairs and festivals help
commemorate the strong relationship that the people of Vermont had and
continue to have with their land.
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Downtown
Rutland2 |
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FAIRS OF THE GREEN
MOUNTAINS
Vermont's Green Mountain region is a recreational paradise, offering outdoor
activities such as hiking, mountain biking and downhill skiing at many world-renowned
ski resorts. The Green Mountain area has also played a major
role in the state's maple sugaring and dairy industries, therefore it is
not a coincidence that a number of annual agricultural fairs and festivals
are found in the area.
Vermont State Fair,
Rutland
Founded in 1846,
the Vermont
State Fair is an annual ten-day event in September that celebrates
Vermont's agricultural heritage. A farm museum relates the industry's
history in the state and the petting zoo allows attendees to interact
with a variety of animals. Visitors enjoy touring the maple sugarhouse
that is also located on the fairgrounds. The highlight of this fair is
live country music by the nation's top performers, but the pig and harness
races are tied for a close second. While in Rutland,
the New
England Maple Museum is a popular attraction that examines the
history of maple sugaring in Vermont.
Vermont Diary Festival,
Enosburg Falls
Occurring on
the first weekend of June in the small town of Enosburg
Falls, the Vermont
Dairy Festival is an annual four-day event that commemorates the
importance of dairy to the state's economy. As a result, a number of dairy-related
activities and attractions are held during the festival, including the
Children's Milking Contest, the Dairy Baking Contest and the Cow Plop
Contest. Amazingly, this small community fair boasts a two-hour parade,
a midway, arts and crafts displays, horse pulling events and live country
and western music. Enosburg Falls is conveniently located just 19 mi (31km)
northeast of St.
Albans.
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Maple
Tasting at the New England Maple Museum3 |
Lamoille County Field
Days, Johnson
Centrally located
in Vermont's Green Mountains, Johnson
hosts the Lamoille
County Field Days every July. This old-fashioned family fair celebrates
Vermont's farming lifestyle through a number of produce and agriculture
exhibits. A lumberjack roundup, 4-H displays, an open horse show and pony,
ox and horse-pulling are other events that please the crowd. Live musical
entertainment and a midway keep both children and adults alike entertained
throughout the festival. While in Johnson, visitors often take the opportunity
to visit a maple sugar house at Dodge's
Mansion House Maple Syrup, a family-run business that has produced
maple syrup and maple-based products since 1903.
Addison County
Fair & Field Days, New Haven
Some
may find it surprising that Vermont's largest agricultural fair takes
place in the small farming community of New
Haven. Founded in 1948 and occurring every August, Addison
County Fair & Field Days combines the old with the new, while
providing entertainment pleasing to all ages. Whether embarking on an
old-fashioned ride, watching the livestock shows, cheering at the demolition
derby, viewing a tractor pull, perusing the agricultural exhibits or listening
to the live musical entertainment, Addison County Fair & Field Days is
a five-day festival filled with excitement. New Haven is located roughly
halfway between Burlington
and Rutland.
FAIRS OF THE LAKE
CHAMPLAIN AREA
Featuring rolling
countryside and a strong farming history, the area surrounding Lake
Champlain is known for its charming towns and beautiful lakeside
location. Besides attending the region's country fairs, visitors also
enjoy skiing, fishing, hiking and golfing.
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Antique
Horse Pull at Champlain Valley Exposition4
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Vermont Maple Festival,
St. Albans
The spring maple
harvest is arguably one of the most important events of the year and the
Vermont Maple Festival
celebrates the occasion. This annual three-day event occurs at the
end of April in St. Albans and showcases the important role that maple production
has and continues to have on the people of Vermont. The festival features
a variety of maple-themed attractions, including the Maple Exhibit Hall,
the Vermont Maple Store and sugar house tours. The continuous live music
on the Main Street stage, a parade, a fiddlers' variety show, a pancake
breakfast and a specialty foods show keep visitors thoroughly entertained.
The town of St. Albans is located just 28 mi (45km) north of Burlington.
Champlain Valley
Exposition, Essex Junction
Every August,
the population of Essex
Junction swells during the ten-day Champlain
Valley Exposition. Considered one of the premier events in Vermont,
the exposition attracts nearly 300,000 locals and visitors each year.
World-renowned country music performers, agricultural displays, horse
pulling events, motor sports demonstrations, midway rides and lots of
animals entice the crowds throughout the exposition. The village of Essex
Junction is located just 7 mi (11 km) northeast of Burlington.
FAIRS OF EAST VERMONT
East
Vermont is home to Montpelier—Vermont's
state capital—as well as ample skiing, golfing and fishing opportunities.
East Vermont also boasts a number of renowned agricultural and country
fairs that attract thousands of visitors each year.
Windsor County
Agricultural Fair, Springfield
Showcasing
many aspects of New England country life, the Windsor
County Agricultural Fair is a popular July event that occurs in
North
Springfield, just a few miles outside of Springfield.
This two-day fair features horse shows, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment
and food vendors. Springfield is located 38 mi (63 km) north of Brattleboro.
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Midway
at Champlain Valley Exposition5
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Orleans County
Fair, Barton
Boasting an
old-fashioned fair ambiance, the Orleans
County Fair was founded in 1867 and continues to draw visitors
and locals to its agricultural exhibits, sheep and cow shows, milking
parlor demonstrations, antique tractor pulls, harness racing, petting
zoo, farm machinery displays and live entertainment. Occurring for eight
days in August, this historic county fair takes place in Barton,
a small town in northeastern Vermont that is located about 30 mi (48 km)
north of St.
Johnsbury.
Caledonia County
Fair, Lyndonville
The
Caledonia
County Fair takes place in Lyndonville,
a small town that is a mere 10 mi (16 km) north of St. Johnsbury, and
is better known as the home of Lyndon
State College. Established in 1855, this fair exhibits an old-fashioned
feel during a five-day period in late August. Agricultural exhibits, a
pig scramble, live entertainment, an antique tractor pull, cattle and
sheep shows and a midway attract crowds to this fair.
Tunbridge World's
Fair, Tunbridge
Every September
this town is abuzz during the Tunbridge
World's Fair, a four-day festival that was founded in 1867. Attendees
can witness the harness racing and pony, ox and horse pulling events that
occur throughout the festival. Other attractions include dairy, horse
and sheep shows, live entertainment and a large midway, offering visitors
a taste of rural Vermont in the 1800s. Interestingly enough, this fair
was once considered a sleazy event because of the many inebriated patrons—parent's
often forbade their children from attending the event. However, the fair
has since cleaned up and is becoming an increasingly popular family event.
The small town of Tunbridge
has limited lodging and dining opportunities, however a greater selection
can be found in Montpelier, located an hour's drive north.
PHOTO COURTESY
- Stephen Mease; c/o Champlain Valley Exposition; A Red Holstein at
Champlain Valley Exposition; Essex Junction, VT, USA
- Vermont Tourism Network; Downtown; Rutland, VT, USA
- ©2006 New England Maple Museum; Children Enjoying a Maple Tasting,
Rutland, VT, USA
- Stephen Mease; c/o Champlain Valley Exposition; Antique Horse Pull
at Champlain Valley Exposition; Essex Junction, VT, USA
- Stephen Mease; c/o Champlain Valley Exposition; Midway at the Champlain
Valley Exposition; Essex Junction, VT, USA
