What's Make Music Day all About?
June 16, 2023
We interviewed Jolynda Burton, Music Education Director at the Monteverdi Music School about the first upcoming coordinated Make Music Day in Montpelier. What is Make Music Day and how did it get started: Make Music Day began back in 1982. The first World Music Day was organized by the French Minister of Culture as a celebration of the joy of music. The story goes that a cultural study showed that roughly half of French citizens played a musical instrument. This inspired Monsieur Lang to create an event where people would share their music with the world. Thus, Fêtes de la Musique (“Festival
Wrightsville Beach Offers More Than Just Swimming
June 08, 2023
From Kayaking to Disc Golf: Wrightsville Beach Offers More than Just Swimming Wrightsville Recreation District is known for its easy access and sandy beach, but it’s not just about swimming. Located in Middlesex just five miles from downtown Montpelier, the reservoir and recreation area offers a breadth of outdoor activities from kayaking to disc golf, bird watching, picnicking, or just lying on the beach. Last year, 17,000 people used the park during its main season. Wrightsville’s 88 acres includes the beach; picnic areas; 18-hole disc golf course (which draws disc golf tourists from the Northeast, other states, and Canada); a recreation field;
Montpelier Alive announces its Grant Awards for Downtown Events Program!
May 23, 2023
Montpelier Alive’s mission is to create a vibrant and livable Montpelier, including hosting downtown events, such as July’s Independence Day celebration and September’s Taste of Montpelier food festival. Other organizations also enhance our downtown in holding creative and diverse events. Montpelier Alive supports a number of them through its Downtown Events Grant Program. These funds come in part from the DID (Downtown Improvement District) and the City of Montpelier. This year’s grant program offered a total of $10,000, with a maximum award of $2,000 for any single event that promotes and enhances the vibrancy of downtown Montpelier. Montpelier
All Around Adventure
April 19, 2023
Montpelier is a hub for outdoor recreation, and is nestled in a valley where The North Branch and the Winooski rivers converge and public lands connect multiple networks of trails. Access to nature couldn’t be easier, from the Hubbard Park trails behind the Golden Dome to the mountain bike trails in North Branch Park. Montpelier is making its mark in the world of outdoor recreation and tourism, and we can’t wait to celebrate that!
Montpelier's Inspiring Women
March 17, 2023
March means Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women and the myriad contributions they make to society. Montpelier’s woman-owned small businesses run the gamut from Althea’s Attic Boutique to Zutano. There are also Montpelier mavens breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Show your support for all women by giving them your business this month—and every month.
Reuse, Recycle and Repair
March 13, 2023
When I first moved to Montpelier 30 years ago, I repaired my shoes at the Cobbler's Leather Shoppe, at 67 Main Street, where Splash is currently located. When the store closed a few years later, I remember the owner, Charlie Baril, telling me no one repairs shoes anymore. I was disheartened, but in researching this blog, I learned many downtown businesses still repair and refurbish. With only one landfill in Vermont, and all the benefits of keeping items in circulation as long as possible, Montpelier Alive wanted to feature these diverse shops in town, helping us to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
Sledding in Montpelier
January 19, 2023
The city of Montpelier was built in a valley surrounded by the Green Mountains. The various hills and slopes that make up the valley provide locals and visitors alike an opportunity to experience some of the best sledding in Vermont. From the trails of Hubbard Park to the newly opened slopes of the Elks Club, to the warm delicious food and beverage served downtown, Montpelier offers people of all ages a fun sledding experience.
Why Shop Local?
December 22, 2022
I especially enjoy our downtown during the holiday season - the beautifully decorated historic buildings, the diversity of our downtown stores, the unique products they offer, and the delicious foods at cafes, restaurants, and bakeries to stay warm and visit with friends. Additionally just outside downtown, shoppers can enjoy skiing, sledding, hiking… in our incredible parks and outdoor spaces. Topping off this season, parking is FREE, up to two hours, through Christmas eve!
Barre Street Eateries
December 15, 2022
Downtown Montpelier is renowned for its wide variety of dining options, but step just outside of the mainstreet area, and find plenty of other amazing eating places. One neighborhood, along Barre Street and Stonecutters Way, offers fare that highlights farm to table, senior focused fare, or meals to help those in need.
Montpelier: A Hub for Downhill Skiers
December 01, 2022
When people think of Vermont, they imagine maple syrup, colorful leaves, and skiing. Vermont’s ski mountains are some of the best in the Northeast with resorts such as Sugarbush, Mad River, and Bolton; all of which are under an hour's drive from Montpelier. While not having a mountain of its own, Montpelier’s central location offers residents and tourists a reasonable drive to most of Vermont’s alpine ski resorts. Montpelier's ski shops and opportunities are guaranteed to give anyone a great experience skiing in Vermont.
Halloween in Montpelier
October 27, 2022
The fall season in Montpelier is full of things to do and see. The turning of the leaves paired with the brisk Autumn weather brings in many new people. The month of October in Montpelier is a combination of Foliage festivities, later being outnumbered by Halloween-themed events. Halloween is a favorite holiday locally, but some events tend to fall under the radar. You may ask yourself, what kinds of Halloween celebrations happen in Montpelier that are so special?
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Top 10 Local Favorite Outdoor Adventures in Central Vermont
October 06, 2022
Montpelier, in the heart of Central Vermont, is surrounded by adventure. Right from downtown you can access hiking, mountain biking, gravel biking, nordic skiing, swimming, paddling, and amazing parks for walking. To add to that, Montpelier is just a short drive from dozens of outdoor recreation destinations in all seasons. From world class mountain biking to the northeast’s best ski resorts, Central Vermont is the perfect place to plan your next adventure. Here are some of the best local favorites from our region.
Learn from the experts: Chefs share their secrets!
September 08, 2022
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival is unlike any food festival you've been to before. Forget about those stuffy events with $100 tickets off in the middle of a hot field. Join us in the heart of Montpelier's downtown to get a true taste of what we're all about. Fun, approachable, delicious.
A Unique Flavor: Entertainment at The Taste of Montpelier
September 06, 2022
Montpelier Alive’s Taste of Montpelier, presented by Hunger Mountain Co-op is so much more than a food festival. Unlike any other food festival of its kind, featured entertainment includes fantastical shows of juggling, acrobatics, yo-yo tricks and vaudeville skits. Foodies and arts enthusiasts alike will find something to savor at the festival’s main event, The Great Taste on Saturday, September 10th from 1-4pm on State Street.
Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series
August 04, 2022
During lunch-hour on weekdays, Montpelier’s streets are bustling! Between lawmakers, lawyers, business owners, and tourists, everybody enjoys taking a break and frequenting the abundance of eateries downtown. As people wander and search for a place to sit and relax in the Vermont summer weather, they might hear melodies drifting from the Christ Church Courtyard, where live musicians take the stage every week in August and early September. The Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series, hosted by Montpelier Alive, features excellent music from across the region. These free and fun noon-time concerts brighten everyone's day, even if just passing by. Check out this year’s line-up, curated by Fred Wilber, past owner of Buch Spieler Records.
Vermont Mountaineers: Community Summer Baseball at its Finest
August 02, 2022
Montpelier is unique for so many reasons, including the endless recreation opportunities in and around the city. One of the many hidden gems in this town includes the historic grandstand and baseball field at the recreation area on Elm Street. The Mountaineers are proof that small towns can dream big!
Quench Your Thirst in Central Vermont
July 28, 2022
Vermont's craft beverage makers have become a major driver of visitors to the state and Central Vermont has been a hotbed of this trend. But it’s not just our world-famous beers that will quench your thirst.
High Summer: Upcoming Events in Montpelier
July 22, 2022
Summertime in Montpelier is always very eventful, and we are certainly in full swing! The next two weeks are especially packed with fun and unique events. Here is a summary of what lies ahead...
Do Good Fest: Doing Good For the Community and Beyond…
July 14, 2022
Do Good Fest has been one of the most successful music festival ventures in the state of Vermont. For eight years, the festival has been rocking Central Vermont with popular music for a good cause. We found out a little more from Beth Rusnock, President of the National Life Group Foundation, about this fabulous upcoming event.
July 3rd Festival Spectacular! Food Truck Festival and Parade Performer Highlights
June 30, 2022
Montpelier’s July 3rd Celebration is centered around community, food, and fun! Walking to the State House lawn alongside groups of other festival-goers is an experience unto itself. From a distance, you can see the food trucks lined up on State Street and you can hear musicians on the Main Stage. Excitement builds as spectators await the joyous parade at 6:15pm.
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An Inter-Galactic Independence Day in Montpelier!
June 16, 2022
Families and friends, kids of all ages - join us at the new FamilyFest at this year’s July 3rd Independence Day Celebration! Montpelier Alive hopes to reignite the flame for family fun by offering an eclectic variety of performances this year on the Main Stage on the State House Lawn from 2-5pm.
July 3rd Independence Day Celebration in Montpelier is Back!
June 09, 2022
The streets of Montpelier have been pretty quiet on Independence Day over the past couple of years. We know the community has been eager to come together to celebrate, and the parade and fireworks have been greatly missed. We’re happy to say that the Montpelier Alive team has been hard at work to bring back the Capital City’s largest festival of the year!
Discovering The Front Gallery and Art Walk
June 02, 2022
This Friday, June 3rd, is Art Walk in Montpelier! Montpelier Alive's Art Walk, supported by Northfield Savings Bank, showcases a wide array of community artists at venues throughout the city. On the first Friday of every other month, Montpelier celebrates the arts by partnering with artists and venues and creating a unique and entertaining event. This week, we take a look at the Front, an artist-run cooperative gallery on Barre Street and venue #7 in June's Art Walk.
Creative Aging Takes the Stage at June's Art Walk
May 25, 2022
“Creative aging is an important component of healthy aging, empowering older adults to reflect on life experiences through artistic skills and share their imaginations and ideas with friends, family, and the community" Central Vermont Council on Aging is hosting a celebration of creative aging on Friday, June 3rd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Beautiful Montpelier: A Conversation with Linn Syz about Downtown Flowers
May 19, 2022
We recently sat down with Linn Syz, former board member at Montpelier Alive, to discuss her efforts to keep Montpelier’s downtown streets beautiful and full of colorful flowers. Linn has volunteered for years to maintain and expand the plantings across Montpelier. Her efforts are key part of Montpelier Alive’s broader commitment to downtown beautification, including holiday decorations, the procurement of benches and trash cans, public art, and more. We asked Linn about the history and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into the downtown flowers.
Summer Events in Central Vermont
May 11, 2022
Some would say that summer is the best season in Vermont. Even though we can make the case for every season, it's hard to argue with gorgeous weather (escape the humidity and visit our magical land where the average high in July is just 83!), long summer evenings, front porch living, and dips in the swimming hole. But summer in Vermont also means fun, festive, and unique events throughout central Vermont!
Green Up Day: Making Montpelier Sparkle!
May 06, 2022
Each spring, after the last snowfall, when the smallest patch of snow melts from the shadiest corner of the lawn, we begin the process of cleaning up the yard. Somehow, everything from a toy truck, to gardening tools, and even a half filled can of beer, begin to appear randomly scattered across the brown patchy grass. We can’t quite recall how it got there, and why we forgot to pick them up last fall, but nevertheless, it isn’t pretty! By May, the work weekends begin and the grass turns greener. After Green Up Day, on May 7th, our lawn as well as everyone else’s in Vermont, begins to sparkle!
Celebrate Spring during Montpelier's Month-Long Mayfest!
April 28, 2022
The month of May is host to a full calendar of fun, family friendly events in the Capital City. While you’re Downtown, stop in to some of our amazing restaurants and independent shops & boutiques.
Enjoying Spring in Montpelier
April 14, 2022
This is spring here, tumultuous and dramatic, and full of wonder. It’s as if we forget every year, and are taken by surprise as the sun sets and the evening wood frogs chime in.
Together Again: Supporting Community through Downtown Event Grants
March 24, 2022
Montpelier Alive recognizes the importance of festivals and events, and how embedded they are in community life here. One way that we support these events is through our Downtown Event Grant Program.
New Horizons for Bailey Road
March 03, 2022
Montpelier Alive loves watching businesses build from the ground up. We remember when Bailey Road first opened, and it has been wonderful to see the business grow. We recently supported Bailey Road with a grant through our Welcome to Montpelier Program to support new and expanding Montpelier businesses. Here, Sarah DeFelice tells us a little more about Bailey Road’s journey, and the new vision she has for her expanding store.
A Place to Stay
March 03, 2022
Montpelier, nestled into the heart of Vermont amidst the Green Mountains and at the convergence of three rivers including the notable Winooski, is a quaint gem of a town. Montpelier is the smallest Capital in the Nation, with the vibrancy of a bustling city. Known for its abundance of restaurants and cafes, and weekend family-friendly community events, Montpelier radiates activity.
March for Meals: The 50th anniversary and celebration of the Meals on Wheels program, A lifeline for many Vermonters
March 03, 2022
According to the Vermont Foodbank, one in seven Vermonters are struggling with food insecurity. The rugged rural beauty that defines Vermont can make it a challenging place to live for older adults, who often struggle with transportation. The isolating nature of rural living can make it hard to even determine who is in need. Meals on Wheels is a lifeline for these home-bound seniors.
The Frozen Onion: A Fat Bike Revolution
February 10, 2022
From my house, situated on the river near the Mountain Bike trails, I see Fat Bikers pass by every day. As they move slowly down the frozen river, and cut up through the woods, I often wonder what the appeal is. As a Mountain Biker myself, I am tempted to give it a try, but I'm not sure I could give up a good ski day to get on my bike. I thought maybe Jen and Kip Roberts, co-owners of Onion River Outdoors, could shed some light on the Montpelier Fat Bike Revolution, and tell us a bit about the upcoming Frozen Onion event, where they will be offering Fat Bike demos.
Downtown Spotlight: Hugo's Bar and Grill
February 03, 2022
We are excited to welcome Hugo’s Bar and Grill to our Capital City! The new restaurant plans on opening on February 12, and we wish them a successful start.
Downtown Spotlight: The Social
May 07, 2021
Montpelier Alive had the chance to connect with Michael Drake, owner of the new restaurant The Social, now open at The Inn at Montpelier, 147 Main Street. We can't wait to check it out!
Downtown Spotlight: Oakes & Evelyn
February 11, 2021
Montpelier continues to draw exciting new businesses, in spite of the pandemic. Montpelier Alive had the chance to connect with Justin Dain, Chef and Owner at Oakes & Evelyn, which recently opened at 52 State Street in the former Kismet location in downtown Montpelier.