Spring is in the Air

Spring in Montpelier is like turning the knob on a jack- in-the-box. Anticipation builds as the snow begins
to melt, animals come out from their winter homes, and temperatures begin to rise. Then suddenly spring explodes and the beautiful colors and smells take us by surprise. A walk through downtown can feel like a visit to a botanical garden. Here are a some of our favorite things to do in spring:

• Taste sugar on snow at a local maple sugarhouse.
   
• Cabin Fever Weekend: March 14th - 16th, store discounts and deals all over town!
   
• Green Mountain Film Festival: March 13th - 16th, a non-competetive film festival showcasing narrative, documentary, and experimental features and shorts from all over the world.
   
• ArtWalk: Art walk provides a fun and casual way to experience art, meet local artists, and explore downtown shops, restaurants, and galleries. This bi-monthly, First Friday event is brought to you by The Center for Arts and Learning and supported by The Drawing Board! The April 2025 event coincides with Poem City!
   
• MudFest: April 25th - 27th. Includes the Muddy Onion Spring Classic Gravel Grinder, Gear Makers Festival, Mucker 5k Mud Run, and much more!
   
• MayFest: First weekend in May. Includes All Species Day, Green Up Day, Montbeerlier, and Montpelier Alive's 25th Birthday Celebration Fundraiser.
   
• The Capital City Farmer's Market kicks off its season, the first Saturday in May, at 133 State Street. Bringing farm fresh produce, prepared foods, and artisan crafts to the capital of Vermont.
   
• It Takes a Village Family Festival: May 10, 2025, 10am-1pm State House lawn. A free, family-friendly event celebrating families with babies and young children! Enjoy bouncy houses, arts & crafts, games, face painting, a free pile of kids’ gear, wellness resources, food, and more—plus over 20 local organizations offering support and info. 

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. But, as I step outside at dusk, I smell the smoke from a nearby grill, and hear the voices of children running around without jackets on (even though it’s only 52 degrees out), I remember the hope and serenity a peaceful spring evening can bring. - Enjoying Spring in Montpelier by Montpelier Alive Executive Director, Katie Trautz