Photo of the Champlain Valley Fair taken in 2011 by Stephen Mease. The Champlain Valley Fair is just one of many events happening in Vermont over Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day is one of our beloved long weekends, and has
almost become synonymous with fairs in American culture.  Vermont
has a few great fairs and festivals scattered through out the state to help you
celebrate this weekend.

Northern Vermont:
The Champlain Valley Fair, located in Essex Junction (about
15 minutes outside of Burlington)
began on Saturday, August 25th, and will continue through Monday, September
3rd.  This fair is packed with concerts,
rides, animals, and of course, fair food!

Central Vermont:
The Vermont State Fair is located in Rutland,
Vermont.
The 167 year old family tradition will run from Friday, August 31st to
Sunday, September 9th.  There will be
demolition derbies, concerts, tractor pulls, a carnival, food vendors (ever
tried fried dough with maple syrup?), and much, much more!

Southern Vermont:
The 17th Annual Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival is
located in Bennington, Vermont.
This outdoor festival will be open on
Saturday, September 1st, and Sunday September 2nd, from 10am-5pm.  Join
fellow garlic lovers in visiting over 100 different vendors, joining workshops,
and listening to live music.  Kids will
be happy to tag along when they learn about the hay maze, face painting,
inflatable fun jumps, and the bean bag toss!

Another Southern Vermont event
happening Labor Day weekend (September 1st and 2nd) is the 18th annual Mount
Snow Brewers Festival.  Mount
Snow is located in West
Dover.  With 35 breweries,
there will be over 80 beers and ciders for sample and sale.  In addition to the beverages, there will be a
large music tent and food vendors. Scenic chairlift rides will be available,
allowing people the unique experience of seeing the Mount
Snow view during the summertime.

This Labor Day weekend, there is an event for everybody in Vermont.  What are your weekend plans? Tell us on our
Facebook page.

Heather Barrett is a Marketing Assistant at Vermont Woods Studios, an online furniture gallery which showcases Vermont’s finest wood furniture. Follow our blog to learn about Vermont fine furniture, Vermont happenings, our mission, and our team.

The post Vermont Events for Labor Day Weekend appeared first on Vermont Woods Studios.

Photo via Adam's Berry Farm's Facebook Page

While driving on Vermont country roads, it is common to see a sign stating "U-Pick," meaning you can pick your own seasonal produce at that location.  This time of year is perfect for blueberry picking.  Here at Vermont Woods Studios, we eat, breath, and live all things Vermont 365 days a year, and we want you to experience a Vermont tradition too! We've done our research, and have picked out four farms through out Vermont where you can visit and pick your own blueberries.

The Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop located in Bennington, Vermont.  This is the definition of a one-stop shop to experience Vermont agriculture.  Right now you can pick your own blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.  Additionally, they have a Complimentary Tour of their 300 acre Apple Orchard, giving you quintessential Vermont photo opportunities. After your tour, you can stop by their bakery, to try a maple creeme (or soft serve ice cream, if you will), one of their 40 homemade treats (including cider donuts) or to grab a cup of Vermont's Green Mountain Coffee.  This memory-making experience at The Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop will leave you yearning to come back in the fall to visit and pick your own apples. 

Boyd Family Farm in Wilmington, Vermont.  The Boyd family has been in the farming business for over 80 years, so you know they're doing it right! They focus on horticulture, and have become experts in wedding flower designs. Additionally, guests are welcome to the farm to pick your own blueberries!  The Boyd Family Farm is a sponsor of the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival (Friday, July 30- Sunday, August 8) this year, which is also located in Wilmington, Vermont.

Adam's Berry Farm at the Intervale in Burlington, Vermont. When you hear Burlington, Vermont, you think probably think of Lake Champlain and Church Street Marketplace; so you're probably thinking, "there's a farm in the city of Burlington?" Yes! The Intervale Center is a nonprofit organization that has a mission to "strengthen community food systems."  They have 350 acres along the Winooski River, and Adam's Berry Farm is on that land! They have been "cultivating berries in a unique urban agricultural environment" for 10 years.  Adam's Berry Farm invites you to pick your own berries from June to mid-October, the berries depending on the season.  Right now is the perfect time to pick your own blueberries right in the city of Burlington!  While you're there, you can also bike and hike along a variety of trails at the Intervale.

Cedar Circle Farm located in East Thetford, Vermont.  This is a certified organic vegetable and berry farm and education center close to Norwich, Vermont and Lebanon New Hampshire. In their education center their mission is "to raise public awareness about the importance of local organic agriculture, increase access to quality organic produce for low-income people, and establish models for farm-appropriate alternative energy strategies, and train next-generation farmers."  In addition to the education center, they also open their farm to the public for berry picking.  You can pick your own certified organic blueberries this month, and head back in October to pick your own pumpkins!

A list of farms, including theses ones, who offer "U-Pick" can be found on the Vermont Agriculture website.  Do you have a favorite place to pick berries? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Heather Barrett is a Marketing Assistant at Vermont Woods Studios, an online furniture gallery which showcases Vermont's finest wood furniture. Follow our blog to learn about Vermont fine furniture, Vermont happenings, our mission, and our team.

The post 4 Places To Pick Your Own Blueberries In Vermont appeared first on Vermont Woods Studios.