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ONGOING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

SPECIAL EVENTS

MAY 24 - BOXZILLA! BRANDON, THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX - The theme for this year’s public art project is “Brandon, Thinking Outside the Box.” Large wooden boxes will soon be appearing on the streets of the village, with smaller versions available for sale inside the gallery. The physical dimensions of the boxes are just the starting point. As in earlier years, imagination and inventiveness will burst the confines of the enclosing space. "Boxzilla” comes to Brandon’s Central Park on May 24th from 12 - 3 pm. This will be a chance to decorate your own box and help assemble a gigantic combined structure that celebrates Brandon’s unique creativity. Once again, the excitement will come to a peak with the Big Box auction on October 11th. Contact the Brandon Artists Guild at 802-247-9546 for more info.

JUNE 7 - 8, 2008 - BRING BACK THE BATTERY CELEBRATION - The 2nd Battery Vermont Light Artillery is a small Vermont historical and educational not for profit organization, composed of Civil War reenactors. The weekend highlights include a living history encampment and a Sat. evening banquet with entertainment inside the fine Victorian dining facilities of the Brandon Inn. Besides the full encampment of soldiers and civilians of the Civil War era and the banquet, there will be weapons firing and tactical demonstrations, historical displays, music, lectures, and a fashion show. For more information, contact Jim Dassati at the 2nd Battery Vermont Light Artillery, Headquarters Unit Of The Living History Association, P.O. Box 1389, Wilmington, Vermont 05363; phone: (802) 368-7913, e: lha@sover.net

JUNE 7, 2008 - NATIONAL TRAILS DAY - 11 am - 5 pm - Sponsored by Moosalamoo Association and Blueberry Hill Inn. Come spend the day with us and learn about your local trails. Educational exhibits, instructional demos, guided hikes, food, fun, and more. No fee for activities. At the Blueberry Hill Ski Center in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. 1307 Goshen-Ripton Rd., Goshen. Call 747- 7900 or 247- 6735 for more info. Donational accepted on behalf of the Moosalamoo Association.

JUNE 22 - GENE CHILDERS & THE JUBILEE JAZZ BAND at 4 pm in Central Park - Back by popular demand -- Gene Childers and the Jubilee Jazz Band. This ever-popular band is always a favorite. They are an excellent six piece dixie-land band which keeps the tradition of early jazz alive. The musicians are from Vermont and New York and are among some of the finest in the Northeast. With years of experience playing far and wide, expect swinging ensemble playing, hot solos, and a fun, toe-tapping, good time for the whole family. Free Summer Concert. Bring a chair or a blanket. Rain location to be announced if needed.

JULY 5, 2008 - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION - "Largest Independence Day Parade in Vermont." The Year 2008 Brandon Independence Day Celebration includes Music, Activities, Parade, Fiddler's Contest and Fireworks at Dusk. The theme is "DOWN ON THE FARM FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY " with Parade Marshals Ken and Anne Young of Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program. For more information call 247-6401.

JULY 11, 12, & 13, 2008 - BASIN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - 14th Annual Pickin' By The Pond - 3 day festival celebrating all things Bluegrass!  For more info, call 802-247-3275 or email basinbluegrass@yahoo.com

JULY 22, 2008 - 20th ANNUAL GREAT BRANDON AUCTION - If you can only attend one auction this summer, make it this one! 20th anniversary Auction in 2008! Benefit auction offering quality goods and services. Attic treasures and barn bargains. New art, merchandise, gift certificates, antiques, furniture and lots of surprises. 4 pm in Central Park (2 pm preview); Terms: Cash or Good Check. Auctioneer: Barb Watters. Rain or shine. For more info call 247-6401. This is the Brandon Chamber's one and only annual fundraiser. Donate well and Bid Often!

JULY 25, 2008 - JON GAILMOR at 6:30 pm in Central Park - Music for humans prenatal through prehistoric, spanning the entire emotional spectrum. Humor and audience involvement are integral parts of any Jon Gailmor performance. Original, relevant, irreverent, children's American, internation, and totally absurd tunes. Jon is kicking off Brandon's Soar Summerfest weekend (see below) and you won't want to miss him.

JULY 25 - 27, 2008 – SOAR SUMMERFEST - What better way to spend a summer weekend than in Brandon, Vermont, immersed in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, food and much more!  The SOAR Summerfest is a unique hands-on festival where you will not only see student and juried artists’ works but try it yourself as areas practitioners share their knowledge and talents in workshops.  There are activities for all ages and interests.  Events occur throughout the weekend at venues in and around downtown Brandon.  For more information call 247-6422.

JULY 25 - 27, 2008 - DIMENSIONS OF MARBLE - Dimesions of Marble will be launching The Vermont Marble Trail this weekend with a statewide celebration throughout the weekend. The Trail is a driving tour highlighting notable uses of marble throughout the state, while telling the story of marble’s significant historical, political, economic and cultural impact on Vermont. People who follow The Vermont Marble Trail will find a wealth of historical, artistic and cultural experiences as they visit towns and villages where marble was quarried, manufactured and utilized. Celebrations will honor the history, the artistry and the people who came to this state to work in the marble industry.  The Trail begins in southern Vermont and ends in Brandon! Check their website for details.

AUGUST 2, 2008 - YARD SALE DAY - Day-long event Merchant's Fair and Town-Wide Yard Sales; Sales start at 9 am and last as long as there are still bargains available! Rain or Shine. Official yard sales make it on The Map, which will be available the morning of August 2 at the Brandon Information Center (corner of Routes 7 and 73 East). For more info call 247-6401

AUGUST 13, 2008 - THE AMAIZING BRANDON STREET FEST AND DANCE - There will be so much going on this afternoon in Brandon's Central Park, you won't want to miss it. First of all, we're going CORNY and we'll be celebrating all things corn. Vendors will be selling corn-related food samples. Want a roasted ear? Some chowda'? How 'bout some corn salsa? We'll have it all. Brandon's two most famous European chefs, Chef Robert and Chef Louis, will be showing you a thing or two that they can do with corn. There'll be a corn bread contest for the non-professionals so start digging out granny's recipe. We're working on corn dolls, hayrides and of course, a "guess how many corn kernels are in the jar" contest. After we have totally exhausted the corn, we're turning to mangoes -- that's MANGO JAM to be exact. We're hosting an ol' fashioned street dance featuring this popular Vermont band. It'll all be happening in the Park and the closed road in front of the Methodist Church. Activities beginning in the afternoon with the concert beginning at 6:30 pm. Free Summer Concert. Bring a chair or a blanket. Rain location to be announced if needed.

AUGUST 29, 2008 - TEN ROD ROAD at 6:30 pm in Brandon Green Park - Ten Rod Road closes the Summer Concert Series on Labor Day weekend with a diverse collection of musical styles. Come and dance to a variety of tunes — from ballads to rockers. Free Summer Concert. Bring a chair or a blanket. Rain location to be announced if needed. Concert sponsored by Casella Waste Management.

mid-SEPTEMBER 2008 - TANGO AND WINE AT THE BRANDON INN - Annual 'Moonlight in Vermont’ Tango Weekend at the Brandon Inn. Call Gerd at 802 775 5034. For more info visit www.tangovermont.com.

SEPTEMBER 2008 - 26th SUDBURY ROAD RACE AND FUN DAY
Participants register for either a 5 mile walk, 1.2 mile fun run and walk; or a 10K run (6.2 miles). First 200 registrants are awarded a free t-shirt, designed annually by a Sudbury artist. Free lunch is provided for all runners and there are prizes for winners in all age classes. Entry fee. For more info call 623-7771 or log onto www.sudbury.k12.vt.us

OCTOBER 4, 2008 - BRANDON HARVESTFEST - Come make Harvest People (aka stick figures, scarecrows, Leaf People...) with the experts. You can even take one home! Hay Rides, Concessions. Starting at 10:00 am in Central Park; for more info call 247-6401

These Leaf People (and many others) can be found throughout
town during Brandon's beautiful fall foliage.

OCTOBER 11, 2008 - HARVEST FAIR - The Brandon Farmer's Market ends their season with a craft fair, demonstrations and much more.

DECEMBER 2008 - BRANDON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY ~ HOLIDAY BENEFIT AUCTION - Join the Friends of the Brandon Free Public Library for their annual holiday auction. Over 50 local artists donate holiday wreaths, decor and artwork for the event. Entertainment, refreshments, and door prizes. Music and preview at 3 pm. Auction begins at 3:30 pm. $1.00 door donation requested.

DECEMBER 2008 - MEMORY TREE LIGHTING & MOONLIGHT MADNESS - Start the evening with a 4 pm Memory Tree Lighting and move into Brandon shops for fun, discounts, specials, prizes, and more as local merchants and shopkeepers stay open until 8 pm. Shop local. Support the independents.

DECEMBER 13, 2008 - BRANDON FARMER'S MARKET HOLIDAY BAZAAR - At the Brandon Inn from 10 - 4. Lots of vendors, crafts, great gift ideas and more.

DECEMBER 2008 - BRANDON FESTIVAL SINGERS - This annual tradition features the music of Gene Childers. Brandon Congregational Church at 3 pm. The season would not feel the same without this performance! Free will offering.

DECEMBER 2008 - DECORATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVENT - The Inside Scoop in Brandon will hold a Decorate A Gingerbread House event in December. Participants use selections from The Inside Scoop's extensive candy choices to create their own masterpieces to bring home! You won't want to miss the fun!

DECEMBER 2007 - MOONLIGHT MADNESS - Before the clock runs out, shop Brandon for fun, discounts, specials, prizes, and more as local merchants and shopkeepers stay open until 8 pm.

DECEMBER 2008 - JINGLE BELL JAUNT - 1K Family Fun Run/Race for Kids 3-12. Race Day Registration: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Brandon Inn. Jingle Bells ~ Prizes ~ Hot Cocoa ~ Cookies ~ Caroling ~ Awards. Pre-registration forms available at Brandon Town Offices and Neshobe School or by following the link. Benefits Brandon Area Food Shelf and Toy Drive. Info: 247-0228 or 247-5661. Free T-Shirts to the First 75 Kids to Pre-Register!

LAST WEEKEND IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY, and M ARCH 2009 - ART IN THE SNOW - Brandon's Annual Winter Weekends - Celebration of the Arts - Enjoy the opportunity to visit the studios and talk with more than 15 local artists while participating in workshops lectures and demonstrations. Eat world class food at any of our Inns and Bed and Breakfasts. www.artinthesnow.com