This review is for the Maple Fest of 2013…read more Maple fest was just amazing this year! I have gone the past 3 years and I think this years takes the cake for me. The weather was awesome and the prices where not to bad for food and craft items alike. Maple fest really shows a part of Vermont that is sometimes forgotten. The parade was also a lot of fun. This year is was on Sunday afternoon around 1pm. Bring a chair if you are going to go! Its worth it. The parade lasted for about an hour and a half. The maple food was also amazing. Creeme's, maple candies and even some cotton candy! Come hungry its well worth trying food out. Prices are also pretty fair for what you get. All of the staff seemed friendly and ready to help! So there you have it. If your in VT and never been to the fest your missing out! Its worth the trip.

Came here for the first time to attend an outside concert (mumford & sons/noah kahan). So I cant…read morespeak for actual inside of the expo or any non-concert events here. It's very clear that this is used as county fair area, as I could smell manure before we had even gotten up close from parking the car. From the entrance we went it, there was no noticeable vendors and we only saw 1 regular beer tent and 1 VIP beer tent. It wasn't until we left to another gate that we saw other options that were not noticed, signed, or advertised from the inside. Thank goodness we didnt get VIP tickets, because they we the FARTHEST away from the stage?? Basically on a small set of metal football bleachers on a patch of grass. Was excited to see water being charged for only $2. Get all the way up to buy one snd it was like warm Dasani. NONE of the staff knew directions in this venue. Asked 3 employees for assistance in pointing me to the direction of the gate I parked at - none of them knew where it was. One employee even grabbed my phone out of my hand when I pulled up the map on the website, then he spent 5 minutes staring at the nap and pointing out all the obviously places around us directly. Had to ask him for my phone back 3 times. Infront of the stage was dirt and tarps and the tarps kept shifting around/wrinkling. There were no parking lot attendants of the way in or out, unless you parked in the upclose parking (extra charge). We all got bottle necked several times trying to leave from the very BACK of the lot. The show itself was good. Great performance. Stage was fine. Cute lights from stage to audience seats up above.

As their slogan goes, these are the best 10 days of summer!…read more I've been coming from Montreal for the past 2 years and absolutely love everything about this fair. It's well organized, there are all kinds of exhibits and activities for everyone. My bf and I are in our mid twenties, with no kids, and we find tons to do. I just wish they published the daily schedule weeks ahead of time instead of just a day before- makes it harder to organize a trip if you're waiting on particular events. The area itself is quite wide, I've been on weekends and never had an issue feeling like it was overcrowded. I think it helps that the cost of rides is also not included in the cost of admission, so you don't have to worry about never ending lineups everywhere. Unlike many other fairs, Champlain Valley has an indoor, air conditionned area with clean bathrooms and seating to take a break if you're just too hot or tired. The traditional giant pumpkin and gardening expo is always fun to watch and truly impressive. There are lots of deformed or giant vegetables and plants, kind of like visiting a museum of oddities. My two favorite things about the fair though are the food and animals! Lots of farm animals and shows, where it be shearing demonstrations on sheep or flying and dancing pigs and dogs, it's always unique and you know you won't see it any other day of the year. There are also some circus acts, hypnosis, and concerts of course. The fair food is also something I would never find back home, my favorite is the one pound burrito and moose nutz (check my pictures to see the cheesy delicious mess!) You also have to try the maple cotton candy and ice cream inside the maple lodge, both are cheaper than the typical stuff you'll find at kiosks. Make sure you bring lots of cash- although you can pay for admission with credit or debit cards, most of the food options are cash only. Last tips may seem obvious but make all the difference: dress appropriately, wear crocs or easily washable shoes because you will be walking in muddy soil or grass at times, bring a hat, sunscreen and take a pamphlet of the schedule to know when the different shows are happening so you won't be roaming around aimlessly. NOTE: there is some free wifi near the South Expo building - elsewhere the signal is too weak or you'll have to pay to connect.

Fun local arts and crafts faire. I'm the sole ethnic attraction here. Me and 1,000 Pilgrims!read more

I decided to visit Vermont with my girlfriend and it just happened to be the weekend that this Beer…read moreFestival was taking place. Naturally, since I love beer festivals, I had to buy tickets and attend this. We drove 5+ hours from Hudson County NJ, to see many places Vermont has to offer, which included all of there awesome beers and breweries, so this was perfect this festival was happening. We went to the Friday night session. We took and uber from our place to the event, so we can both drink the whole time. Tickets were $44, and included 15 tasting tickets as well as souvenir glass. Beers over 8% required 2 tickets. And you can purchase an additional 5 tickets inside the event for $10. Although it might not seem like alot, the 15 tickets last awhile, and you will be feeling nice from all the awesome beers you will have tried. So many good breweries were at the July 2019 event. I enjoyed getting to taste all of the best beers Vermont has to offer in one central location. This was such a fun event to attend. There are also plenty of food vendors, we bought some loaded tater tots and popcorn end of the night, as well as free water refills if you need it between beer sampling. I would recommend everyone attend this beer festival if your in the area. I would come back in 2020.

I love summer brew fest in Burlington! You buy your tickets and then can samples tons of beers from…read moretons of breweries during your session. You don't have to worry about not having enough tickets and you also get to keep your tasting glass! Great location down by Lake Champlain and makes for the perfect summer day. I met lots of people from out of town who come every year and rave about this fest! All the beer festivals (and other festivals in general) in Burlington are awesome. I recommend going, it's more than worth the ticket price!

This marked our fifth year visiting the fabulous Vermont Cheese Festival. This year it returned to…read moreShelburne Farms south of Burlington for the first time since 2019; the most recent festival was held in Greensboro in 2023, and there was no festival in 2024. So it was a big welcome back in 2025, and the event -- held inside the newly reconstructed, enormous breeding barn at Shelburne (please see the photos) -- was quite a big deal. There were perhaps 50 or so vendors, and the general public was limited to just 1,000 tickets, which made it, unexpectedly, something of an elite event. (Tickets were sold out months in advance.) The festival offers a wonderful opportunity to meet the these dedicated craft cheesemakers and, best of all, sample their work. And wow, did we ever sample their work!!! We won't go detailing each of those cheeses, but please know there were many and not a one disappointed us. Other vendors offered everything from ciders to jams, sauces, charcuterie and -- believe it or not -- peanut butter. At a cheese festival? The atmosphere is inviting and rewarding for the makers and the public, and assembling such a large and skilled group of crafters in one place makes for an extraordinary moment. We congratulate the executive director of the cheese council, Hale, who did a splendid job. A couple of small issues for us: while there were a few chairs outside the barn there was almost no seating at all inside, and there was space which could have been worked fine, we think. And after a hour of walking around, a sitting break could have felt good. Also, there were food trucks selling ice cream, Indian food, cookies from King Arthurs, but they were placed placed pretty far from the barn, requiring a bit of walking. We also enjoyed the band playing outside, but they too were a bit moved from everything else. And then, it was hot -- near 90, but that's just the way it was. And for attendees, it was clearly not the temps defined this dazzling event. We're ready for 2026!

My wife and I recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival as…read morevolunteers a couple of weekends ago. We had signed up to help and it turned out to be so much more than just service. Right off the bat, the food was extraordinary, what a spectacular showcase of Vermont's artisanal cheese scene! Samples ranged from classic cheddars to Gouda to pepper jack, all crafted by passionate local cheesemakers. We also discovered delightful pairings, cheese and jam was a Hit; I wasn't expecting it, but "jam is my jam," as one participant aptly put it. lol As for service, the volunteer coordination was seamless. Helping vendors set up before the crowds arrived gave us a chance to chat with cheesemakers, learn about each cheese's story, and feel truly connected to their craft. The staff were friendly, organized, and the energy was warm and welcoming. The ambiance was downright charming. Set at historic Shelburne Farms' Breeding Barn, the festival unfolded on a perfect summer day - sunny, scenic, and relaxed. It felt like celebrating cheese right in the heart of verdant Vermont, complete with the buzz of fellow cheese lovers, artisan vendors, and farm surroundings. A bit of history: This year marked the 13th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, hosted by the Vermont Cheese Council at Shelburne Farms. The festival is rooted in Vermont's rich artisanal cheese tradition, highlighting how the state leads the nation in cheesemakers per capita. It originally began as a celebration of the state's cheesemaking success a sort of "cheese carnival" introducing the public to local producers and their craft. Notably, this year's event was completely sold out tickets were snapped up well in advance, and none were available at the door. Even the general admission waitlist was full, and volunteer slots had closed early too. This level of demand speaks volumes about how beloved and highly anticipated, the festival has become. Volunteering at the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival was a fantastic decision. The combination of exceptional cheese, purposeful and friendly service, and a picturesque setting made for a memorable afternoon. It's clear why this sold-out event has become a beloved summer tradition. We'll definitely be back, with or without volunteer duties to savor more of what Vermont's incredible cheesemakers have to offer!

Me & my fiance attended the Winter Carnival a few weekends ago and really enjoyed the ice castle…read more That was spectacular and it's amazing what the volunteers are able to build. The carnival was supposed to be the highlight of our weekend so we were a bit disappointed when we showed up around 3 and all the activities were all done and there wasn't much to do other than the castle. Nearly every business in town was either closed or operating with a very limited menu so we were pretty disappointed because we didn't have anything to do other than walk around the ice castle for the short time we did. We did stay for the fireworks but they started nearly a half hour late so we decided to leave because we were bored and tired at that point and sure enough as soon as we started heading home the fireworks started. That was disappointing. They had started setting up the fireworks when we arrived at the castle around 5 so I'm not sure what delayed the start of them. Overall, the castle was incredible and very impressive but the carnival itself was underwhelming at night. I can't say the same for the day time as we missed that portion.

Come experience this very special tradition held since 1897 and make memories that will last a…read morelifetime. The highlight of the 10-day Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is the unforgettable Ice Palace harvested from Lake Flower to culminate in an unbelievable structure made of ice and decorated with dazzling lights and creative carvings. All ages will enjoy this world-famous celebration with many fun, family-friendly events including three fireworks displays, parades, traditional winter sports, as well as quirky events that can only be found in Saranac Lake. The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is recognized by National Geographic, Fodor's Travel, Travel Channel and many more, as a must-see destination. Visit www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com for more information.

What a wonderful event hosted by Vermont Wine merchants and sponsored by so many Vermont (and some…read moreQuebec) businesses. Some of these places I have yet to try, so this was an excellent introduction. (I also had six-course dinner event to attend later in the evening, so I didn't overdo it in order to save real room for dinner). So many amazing food options from as far as Quebec City (#LaPlanque), #NewEnglandFudge, #Fortuna'sSausage to local fare (#TheBeardedFrog, #LaPanciata, #MorseBlockDeli, #SimplePebble, #Butch&Babes, #HaymakerBunCompany, #Henofthewood, #HoneyRoad, #BleuNortheastSeafood, #Junction/TheTavernatEssex,#OurHouseBistro, #PascoloRistorante, #PizzeriaVerita, #Lu.luIceCream, #LuluPoufs, #SistersofAnarchyIceCream, #SweetBabu, #E.B.Strong, #VermontCheeseCouncil, #Hatchet, #StewartsBakery). There was also amazing cheeses from #Cabot, #VermontCheeseCouncil, #SpringbrookFarm and #BridportCreamery as well as breads from #LaPanciata, #Klinger'sBreadCompany and #Stewart'sBakery. I did not try one item that I disliked. That said, these were some of the ones that really stood out for me. I loved the vegan BLT sliders with house smoked eggplant bacon, microgreens, heirloom tomato and basil aioli on a locally baked bun from The Bearded Frog. It was the best local vegan eggplant "bacon" I have tasted (not too tough and the right flavor). Pascolo's Ristorante homemade gnocchi was amazing. Light, airy pillow of decadent potato pasta with Italian Sausage, smoked mushrooms, and a delightful sauce of tomato and basil sauce with parmigiano cheese. Drool-worthy. The cheesecake dipped strawberries from Morse Block Deli and Taps was innovative and delicious. Their other offerings, such as Schwarma bites, rare beef and smoke turkey deli meat were tasty, too. E.B. Strong's medium rare tenderloin bites with crostini were equally delicious. Pizzeria Veritá's traditional brick oven Margherita Pizza was spot on, oozing with fresh mozzarella and a perfect tomato sauce. Blue North Seafood's Starbird Salmon Tartare on an Everything Bagel Crostini with Cured Egg Yolk and Mottra Caviar was phenomenal. I loved the myriad of savory flavors on the palate. Hatchet's Twelve-Hour Smoked Boyden Farm Brisket with Pickleback Slaw was also very good. Our House's Famous Award-winning Clam Chowder topped with deep fried clam belly was delicious. Honey Road's Sweet Harissa Chicken Wings were to die for. La Planque had an inventive Gravlox with caviar, seaweed yogurt. It's a place I'd definitely eat at in QC. Sisters of Anarchy's ice creams were inventive flavors. I tried the Dirty Anne (yellow Anne raspberries with a light chocolate base) and Chocolate Anarchy (dark chocolate). Both were pretty good, but not as rich as I would have expected in terms of flavors. It may have been because the portion was just a taster spoon size, so I would like to give them a try at their actual establishment. In terms of ice cream richness, I really enjoyed the scoops from Lulu's: Dark Horse (chocolate ice cream spiked with Chambord liqueur and cake chunks) and Midsummer Night's Dream (vanilla bean ice cream with bourbon soaked cherries and chocolate chunks). The wine and spirit offerings were varied as well. #VermontDistillers, #Foliofinewine, #ChristoperImports, #Onwardwines, #SILODistillery, #RunamokMaple, #DedalusWine, #AstralTequila, #EcoValleyImports, #CellarsatJasperHill, #Brick&MortarWines, #CarloHubertSelections, #BonhomiewineImports, #KyselaPèreetFils, #MontinoreEstate, #LoosenBros, #Bow&Arrow, #Birichino, #Alphabox&Dice, FolktaleWineGroup, #CaledoniaSpirits, #M.S.Walker, #MassnoisImports, #JustinVineyardsandWinery, #KivelstadtCellars, #OpiciWines, #OakRidgeWinery, #AppalachianGapDistillery, #SobonWine, #ThreeWineCompany, #SmugglersNotchDistillery, #TerroirWineGroup, and #Vine Connections I did not drink much, but I really enjoyed Ethica's Italian wines and Metcalfe's liqueurs were amazing. Raspberry tasted like the best berries off the bush, the blueberry was velvety rich. There was also a silent auction to raise money for #ChittendenEmergencyFoodShelf, cooking and wine demo sessions, wares from #kissthecook and knives from #HammerStahl. #SommerChiropratic was there to talk about their services, too. Live music all day and evening kept the place hopping. All of this took place right on Lake Champlain with a spectacular view of the water, including a special VIP lounge with white leather sofas and chairs. I highly recommend this annual event to anyone who enjoys good food and spirits. The price of admission is well worth the experience. I intend to partake in the future as well.

Amazing. My coworker and I signed up because we were new to town and felt like it was a great way…read moreto try some local food and have a fun afternoon. We figured there would be no way we'd need 4 hours to go through everything... Boy were we wrong. Next year we will be getting there promptly at the start time. We purchased tickets in advance through the Flynn Box Office- smart idea as it was cheaper! You arrive, they cross your name off the list, give you a wristband, and a little bag of goodies- a token good for one entree from a local restaurant's booth, a list of all the wines featured, an order form in case you want to purchase any of the wines, and your tasting glass. Once inside, we realized that there was no way we'd make it through all the wines. Unlimited tastes from 30 booths featuring between 5 and 7 wines each? Recipe for an excellent afternoon or a disaster. We quickly determined that our best plan of attack was to have a look at the full wine list and select the most expensive red and rose wines (neither of us love whites). This was an excellent decision. We tried probably 25 different wines we would never ordinarily be able to afford. After feeling pretty tipsy, we hit the table filled with local cheeses and breads (free and not included as foods you have to pay for with a token). The cheeses were incredible and gave us a list of places to try as we work our way through the Vermont food scene. We then went to the tent to taste one of the booths of food. We picked Bluebird for their phenomenal looking lobster roll- totally delicious and worth it, though maybe a little too much bread. If I could have done things differently, I would have bought tickets for the evening session, arrive promptly, and buy an extra token, so that I could start and end at the food booths and get two meals out of it. This is definitely an event I'll repeat next year!

Laval has been long overdue for some festival love and we recently got to enjoy our first Rib Fest…read more It was great! Location was very important and it happened across the street from Montmorency Metro station, this location is easily accessibly by metro and train. Many buses come here as well. The only outstanding issue is for people like me who came by car. Simply put, parking is practically non-existent unless you walked 10 minutes. In a way, that's a good thing. You'll need to waddle a few minutes after you leave this festival filled to the rafter with yummy grub. Rib Fest held many guests of honor that are local or from very far away. I visited this festival 3 times and it was GREAT! The food is amazing, music is solid and it is quite kid friendly as well. My only qualms were the parking as well as not enough seating during their busy time. Looking forward to their next one, hopefully in Laval!