VERMONT CELEBRATES CHAMPLAIN
The Lake, The Land, The People
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of French explorer and cartographer Samuel de Champlain’s travels by sail, oar and paddle to the lake that now bears his name. All year long, special opportunities are planned for young and old alike to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of this historic occasion, the spectacular natural resources of the region, and the many peoples who have worked, battled and made their homes in the Lake Champlain Valley.
Let the Celebration Begin!
December 31, 2008 – First Night Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
Ring in 2009 with the official opening of the 2009 Vermont Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration! Be on hand at 6 p.m. for a parade down Church Street, complete with Abenaki dancers and large-scale salmon and opsprey puppets, and the official kick-off event in front of Burlington City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Throughout the afternoon and evening enjoy a variety of music and dance performances featuring the cultural traditions and history of the region. Special Quebec guest artists are the award-winning muscians Vent du Nord! For more information and to purchase your admission button for performances and workshops, visit www.firstnightburlington.com.
And plan to attend the world premiere of Queen City Radio Hour! Live comedy, music, and radio drama with musical guests Quebec Juno Award Winners Le Vent du Nord and The Beaudoin Family Legacy. Special guest Actor Gary Farmer (Dead Man, Smoke Signals, Pow Wow Highway, Disappearances). Created, directed and produced by Jay Craven. Two shows – 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, 60 Lake Street (Corner of Lake and College Streets), Burlington, VT Free admission with First Night Badge. Tickets are $10. Call 802-264-0766 or e-mail
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And mark your calendar for these Signature Events
June 19-20, 2009 – St. Albans Franco-American Heritage Festival Signature Event
St. Albans, Vermont
Celebrate the long, rich cultural heritage of Franco-Americans as well as the natural history of the Lake Champlain region. Musical performances, historical exhibits, recreation, art displays, geneology, and much, much more.
Waterfront Park and Environs, Burlington, Vermont
Vermont's resplendent lake-side city will host an unforgettable eleven-day extravaganza featuring music, comedy, film, theater, writers, dancers, new technology, lake ecology, and special events. There will be youth workshops and performances; the staging and broadcast of an original radio variety show; and world-class performance events--featuring artists from Vermont, New York, Quebec, and France. Look forward to multi-faceted Native American and Franco-American showcases, dynamic history forums, invigorating lake walks and waterfront activities, poetry readings, headline music concerts, and fireworks extravaganzas. On Saturday, July 11th, with each of Vermont's towns and the entire Champlain Valley converging on the city, Burlington will host a mammoth parade and day-long celebration culminating in a stunning pageant and international fireworks spectacular. Don't miss this essential and extraordinary eleven-day spectacle! Find out the latest plans from Burlington Quad Producer Jay Craven.
Summer 2009 – Events for Every Size and Stripe
From Isle La Motte to Benson Landing, Vermont
Guided hikes and trips by canoe, bike and kayak. Culinary events galore. Festivals, symposia, classes and lectures. Living history events. Art, history, photography and natural history exhibits. Fiddles and concertinas, as well as the oboe and voice too. Circus arts and fine arts. From the northernmost regions to the south and east, Vermont will teem with events for every palate.
September 18-20, 2009 – Festival of Nations / Fete des Nations
Chimney Point, Vermont, Crown Point, New York, and the Lake Champlain Bridge
Join an intercultural, international and many-nations celebration taking place on both sides of the lake in Vermont and New York. The Champlain Bridge itself, a literal and figurative connection between regions, will host activities including performances, living history demonstrations, a boat parade, and the Northeast Atlatl Competition. |
