7th Annual Strolling of the Heifers
Parade & Festival
Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8, 2008
The festivities will kick off on Gallery Walk Night in downtown Brattleboro on Friday, June 6, 2008, with “Celebrating Women in Agriculture.” This multi-media event at the historic Latchis Theater will feature the Brattleboro Area Women’s Chorus raising their voices in tribute to local agricultural women.
On Saturday, June 7, the weekend’s signature event will begin at 10:00 a.m. as the stars of the Strolling of the Heifers Parade -- 100 flower-bedecked bovine beauties -- begin ambling up Main Street. They will be followed by nationally renowned entertainment, ranging from bag pipers and baton twirlers to floats and entertainers.
The theme of this year’s agricultural celebration is Live Green! To transform the public’s concern about global climate change into civic action, the weekend's festivities will focus on protecting the environment. Everything from floats in the parade to musical and theatrical performances at the Dairy Fest & Market Place will focus on how to Live Green! |
Schedule of Events
The theme of this year’s event is Live Green! All events occur in downtown Brattleboro and are free, unless otherwise noted.
Friday, June 6, 2008
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Test Drive The Future Party
The Brattleboro Common
Visit Toyota's Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience. Have fun, test drive a Toyota hybrid and help make a difference!
5:15 – 7:15 pm
Gallery Walk Night Kick-Off &
Reception for Agricultural Women
Robert H. Gibson River Garden
Hear Andy Davis' Intergenerational Chorus and children from Neighborhood Schoolhouse sing in tribute to our area's agricultural heritage at this celebration honoring local agricultural women. And enjoy a photography exhibit by Peter Miller of the women who appear in the Vermont Farm Women's Book.
5:15 – 7:15 pm
Dancin’ in the Streets Party
Main Street (closed between High and Elliott)
Join in on the fun on Main Street featuring all kinds of entertainment, including music by Scott Mullett, on sax and bass, as well as singing by Brattleboro Union High School’s a’ cappella group and the a’ cappella group Shoulder Narrows. Alan Greenleaf also will be playing on keyboard and guitar.
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Celebrating Women in Agriculture
Latchis Theater, Main Street
This multi-media event at the historic Latchis Theater will feature a performance by the Brattleboro Area Women’s Chorus that acknowledges the contributions of local agricultural women to their field and southern Vermont's special character. Other local arts organizations that will take part in the celebration include the Vermont Jazz Center, Brattleboro School of Dance and Brattleboro Music Center.
9:00 pm
Zabap -- Afro-Caribbean Avant-Garde Jazz
Robert H. Gibson River Garden, Main Street
Come hear melodies from Africa and the Antilles fused with the intensity of contemporary improvisation. Brattleboro-based Zabap features seven of New England's master improvisers: Eugene Uman, on keyboard; Derrik Jordan, on violin and guitar; Dan Rostov, on trumpet; Jamie MacDonald, on bass, Doug Raneri, on drums and Steve Ferraris and Julian Gertin, playing percussion. For more information go to: www.zabapmusic.com.
Saturday, June 7
9:00 am
Pre-Parade Entertainment
Main Street and the Brattleboro Common
Come early to save the best seats and be entertained by musicians and performers.
10:00 - 11:00 am
Strolling of the Heifers Parade
Main Street
Watch the parade’s starlets -- 100 flower-bedecked bovine beauties – amble up Main Street led by local farmers and 4H-Club members, followed by nationally renowned entertainment, ranging from baton twirlers and Clydesdale horses to unicyclists and Scottish bag pipers.
See floats and performers highlighting how to live in harmony with the earth.
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Green Expo, sponsored by Aubuchon Hardware
The Brattleboro Common
Visit Toyota's Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience. Have fun, drive a hybrid and experience the benefits of hybrid technology. Earn prizes as you learn about the future of alternative energy, and learn how you can make your home more energy efficient and other ways you can live green.
For more information, log onto: www.toyoto.com/highway
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dairy Fest & Market Place
Brattleboro Retreat grounds
Enjoy free entertainment, samples and activities. Performers from Nimble Arts will be performing throughout the day on Retreat grounds. These internationally acclaimed artists and acrobats will perform pieces on trapeze similar to those they have showcased for the world renowned circuses such as Cirque du Soleil.
Stop by the Children's Entertainment Tent, sponsored by C&S Wholesale Grocers; the Best Chefs Food Pavilion, hosted by the Vermont Fresh Network; and the Cheese Pavilion, underwritten by the Vermont Cheese Council.
Click here for the Children's Entertainment Tent schedule of events.
Click here for the Best Chefs Pavilion schedule of events.
Don't miss the Fiddlers Tent, featuring musicians Lisa Brande, Mark Trichka, Phil Block, Andy Davis, Miman (Cafe Americana) and Nate Paine, among others.
Click here for the Fiddlers Tent schedule of events.
Watch the "Mooing Contest", sponsored by Stacy Subaru and the "Celebrity Milking Contest", hosted by Organic Cow. And test your luck at Walgreen's Dunking Tank.
Brand New Dairy Fest Highlights
Click here for the Livestock Tent schedule of events.
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Brattleboro Area Farmers' Market
Route 9 in West Brattleboro, after Exit 2 and the Creamer Bridge
Meet the Windham Country area's farmers, purchase locally grown food and handmade products, and enjoy special events that pay tribute to local agriculture.
For more information, log on to: www.brattleborofarmersmarket.com.
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
15th Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale
Brooks Memorial Library, Main Street
Examine the wide selection of books, cassettes, CDs and videos on sale. For details, go to www.brooks.lib.vt.us.
3:30 pm
Vermont My Home: Vagabond Soul
Robert H. Gibson River Garden (in back, on patio)
International performance artist, and poet Tom Namaya, has performed in Europe, New Zealand, Ireland, Asia, and across the United States. He and his friends will bring to life his tales of wanderlust that always bring the artist back to his home in the Green Mountains. The stories he and his friends will perform are selected from Tom's new book "Vermont: My Home on Blue Heron Pond."
For more information go to www.vermontpoet.com.
4:00 pm
Vermont Wine & Cheese Tasting
Windham Wines, Main Street
Sample Vermont wines and cheeses. Hear Ellen Ogden, author of The Vermont Cheese Book, and Ken and Gail Albert, owners and winemakers at Shelburne Vineyards (Shelburne, Vermont) talk about them. ($25 fee plus tax.) Reservations required. Advance deposit necessary. Only 20 spots available.
Possible second seating (12 people maximum) later in the evening subject to demand. For more info go to www.windhamwines.com or www.shelburnevineyard.com.
6:30 - 9:30 pm
Community Contra Dance
The Church on the corner of Main and Gove Streets
Kick up your heels and celebrate Vermont's agricultural history. Andy Davis will be the caller. Laurie Indenbaum will play the fiddle and Keith Murphy will accompany her on piano. All ages and abilities are welcome and dances will be taught. Refreshments will be available.
Tickets: Adults: $6, Children: $3, Families: $15. Middle and high school students will be admitted free. For more information contact Robin or Andy Davis at 802-257-1819 or via email at village@dancingmasters.com.
Sunday, June 8
7:00 am – 12 noon
Royal Farmer’s Feast
Chelsea Royal Diner
Rte 9, W. Brattleboro, 1 mile east of Whetstone Valley Farm
Enjoy a delicious meal made with fresh local produce at this historic landmark diner and pick up a map for the self-guided farm tour.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Windham County Area Farm Tour
(Maps available at Chelsea Royal Diner)
Check out southern Vermont’s scenic countryside as you wend your way around on this self-guided expedition. Many farms will host special activities for the public’s enjoyment. |
