Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival

Join us to celebrate Blueberry Season

3rd Annual Blueberry Festival
Date: July 27 - August 5, 2012

It’s that wonderful time in the summer when we celebrate the marvelous little fruit gem called the Blueberry! Join the Festival and experience plentiful berries, live music, food, vintage cars, and tarp displays. If it’s blue, it’s probably happening in the towns of Wilmington, Jacksonville / Whitingham, Readsboro, and Dover.

Blue Door Contest Sweeps through the Valley
The 2012 Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival was a tremendous success.  Many businesses noted the increase in tourism and traffic throughout the valley, many visitors entering local businesses toting the now famous “Passport to Blue Adventures”

Over the 10 day period of the ever- popular Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, area businesses took part in a “blue door contest”.  The contest is open to all businesses in the valley. The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s contest:

Blue Rubberneck Award:  Wilmington Home Center
Best Blue Door: Clothespins Consignment
Best Blue Themed Business: Wilmington Candle Company
Best in Show: Dover Forge Restaurant

It was great to see so many valley businesses join in the growing festival, a big thank you for your continued participation. We look forward to next year’s contest. It’s never too early to start thinking blue.

Schedule

FRIDAY, JULY 27

• Blueberry Festival Customer Appreciation Day
10:00 am – 3:00 pm at The People’s Bank
“Welcome to the Festival” information table where visitors can pick up copies of the Blue 
Adventures Passport. Stop by to also receive giveaways celebrating the color blue. 29 East Main Street, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-3321)

• Opening Ceremony for the 5th Annual Blueberry Festival, 5:30 pm at
The Deerfield Valley Elementary School
Pack a picnic and bring the family to play in 200 gallons of Blueberry Jell-O. Event sponsored by North Star Bowl & Pizza, Wilmington Fire Department, and Kraft Foods. Non-perishable food donations for the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry are requested. Rt 100, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-8092)

SATURDAY, JULY 28

• Blueberry Pancake Breakfast
7:00 am – 10:00 am at Jacksonville Community Church
What  could  be  better  than  pancakes  with  fresh  blueberries?  More pancakes with blueberries, of course! Start your day with this hearty breakfast treat. Rt 112, Jacksonville. (tel: 802-368-7626)

•Blue Eye Contest, 10:30 am
Sponsored by Shearer Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast, www.shearerhillfarm.com. Bring your baby blues (no blue contacts allowed) to the Honora Winery Tasting Room on Rt 112, Jacksonville. (tel: 802- 464-3253)

• “Blue Trap Day” at the Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club, Inc., Starting  at 10:00 am, family 
membership just $40.00 a year.  Shoot Trap and find the “Blue” clay and win a prize. 641 Fowler Road, Whitingham. (tel: 802-368-2908 or 802-368-7525)

• A Big Blueberry Sale Saturday, July 28 & Sunday, July 29 10:00 am – 6:00 pm at The Vermont Bowl Company
It’s your Second Chance! If you missed our 4th of July sale, now is your
chance for great deals!! Come in and enjoy great prices and a blueberry treat!! 111 West Main 
Street, Wilmington. www.vermontbowl.com (tel: 802-464-5296)

• Blue is Beautiful Story Hour 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at Whitingham Free Public Library
Come and hear all the beautiful stories around the color blue! 2948 Rt 100,
Jacksonville. www.readwithus.org (tel: 802-368-7506)

• Steamed Blueberry Lemon Bread Pudding and more recipes for the Stone Soldier Pottery ‘Yunnan Steamers’Blueberry crisp baked in our pie plates and quiche dishes or ice cream and      blueberries in our dessert bowls. Find these and other pieces at The Stone Soldier Pottery. 64 Gates Pond Road, Jacksonville. (tel: 802-368-7077)                    

• Feel the Blues at Jim McGrath Studio 3:00 - 9:00 pm                                          
10% off all paintings except for miniatures.  
22 West Main Street, Wilmington. (tel: 802-380-6821)

• 5th Annual Blueberry Festival Block Party & Village Stroll
4:30 pm – 8:00 pm at South Main Street
Wilmington at night takes on a smooth blue glow! We’ll block off South Main where you can dance in the streets to the sounds of the Jacksonville Blues Band. Check out all the welcoming blue entryways, and look for establishments with the Blueberry Festival Participant 
Poster in their windows and they will have special deals for you! Be a part of “Wilmington, where amazing happens!” Bring your bubbles, hula hoops, and street art chalk talent. For more information, contact the Mount Snow Valley   Chamber   of   Commerce   at   802-464-8092,   or   online   at  www.visitvermont.com  or www.vermontblueberry.com.  Like  Us  on
Facebook – The Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival.

• The Wilmington Baptist Church
Water, blueberry related baked goods and coffee during the Village Stroll and Block Party. South Main Street, Wilmington. (tel: 802-368-2205)

• “Blue Print” making under the tent at Gallery Wright
Renowned Psychological Blabologist Paloma McNary will be at Gallery Wright. Stop by and create a "Blue print" (using at least one real blueberry) and let the blabologist have her say. Gallery Wright, 7 N Main St., Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-9922)

• Bash the Trash Entertainment & Musical Instrument Workshop
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Pettee Library
A library program for all ages. Bash the Trash is out of NYC and here to entertain us! 16 South 
Main Street, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-8557)

• Where’s Waldo comes to the Blueberry Festival 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where's Waldo? He's hiding behind the blueberry bushes outside Bartleby's Books. Come on by and get your picture taken! Prizes for the best Waldo costume during the Block Party & Village Stroll. 17 West Main Street, Wilmington. www.myvermontbookstore.com (tel: 802-464-5425)

• Blueberry Pie Eating Contest
5:30 pm at the Block Party on the sidewalk in the front of the Cady and Dugan Building.  Ages 4-12, limited to 30 children. Sponsored by C&S Wholesale Grocers and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber Commerce. (tel: 802-464-8092)

SUNDAY, JULY 29

• Haystack Club Super Quest 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Haystack Club is welcoming adventurers to explore the resort in search of clues and treasures. The scavenger hunt will start at the Haystack Club Membership Center and take you though trails, woods and across streams, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and a digital camera is a must to complete tasks. This fun family outing, last approximately 1 ½ hours.  The Hermitage will be open for lunch for hungry questers. (tel: 802-464-7734) or info@haystackclub.com

• farm.o.l.o.g.y. Workshops 2013- Learn how to plant Blueberry bushes at Boyd Family Farm 11:00 am to 12:00 pm  Learn how to plant your own patch! The Pick Your Own fields are open. 125 East Dover Rd., Wilmington, (802)464-5618, boydfarm@sover.net. Follow us on Facebook year round!

MONDAY, JULY 30

• A Blueberry Story Hour 10:30 am – 11:30 am at Pettee Library Join us for story hour and a 
blueberry surprise! 16 South Main Street, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-8557)

•  Very Berry Stories and Blueberry Crafts 10:30 am at Whitingham Municipal Center
Sponsored by the Whitingham Free Public Library. Come on over to hear some berry-themed stories and check out the blueberry-inspired crafts. 2964 Rt 100, Jacksonville. www.readwithus.org (tel: 802-368-7506)

TUESDAY, JULY 31

• Blueberry Pajama Party & story time at Boyd Family Farm - 7:00 pm Blueberry Pajama Party and story time in the berry field. Wear your PJ’s. The pick-your-own fields will be open until dark. 125 East Dover Road, Wilmington. (tel: 802- 464-5618)

• Blue Hawaiian Youth Rock n’ Bowl at North Star Bowl
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm for Grades 5 - 8 • 10:00 pm – 12:00 am for Grades 9 – 12
A night of disco bowling designed just for kids and teens. Earn prizes that will be given out every 20 minutes! Entry $5.00 per person.  Get ready to rock at 179 Rt 100 North, 
Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-5148)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

• Blueberry Customer Appreciation Day 8:00 am – 4:30 pm at The Richards Group
Come in for blueberry yummies and meet our team. 27 East Main Street, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-5353)

• Blueberry High School Dance Party / Volleyball / Swimming at the
Sitzmark 7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Sponsored by the Sitzmark and DVCP.  Free Admission. Food/Drink will be for sale. East Dover Road, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-3384)

• Blueberry Bingo Night 6:00 pm starts at the Masonic Hall
This fun mason hosted fundraiser helps raise money for scholarships and other local causes. Masonic Temple on Rt 9 East, Wilmington (3rd building on the right side of the street from the main intersection). (tel: 802-464-8092)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2

• “Blueberry” Appreciation Day at Merchants Bank, all day
There will be goodies and balloons. Stop in and see our new branch at 97
East Main Street (Shaw's Plaza), Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-8688)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

• Blueberry Ball at Mount Snow, 7:00 pm
Join us for a night of Hors d’oeuvres and dancing! Proceeds benefit
“Jessica’s Closet” a  nonprofit created in memory of Jessica Bolognani. Tickets are $50.00 each and are available at the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. (tel: 802- 464-8092) or visit www.vermontblueberry.com for other places to buy tickets.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

• 4th Annual Blueberry Festival Parade in Dover 11:00 am
Parade highlights all things blue and agricultural and marching bands from far and wide. Join us for this blueberry inspired extravaganza. (tel: 802- 464-8092)

• 2nd Annual Blueberry Festival Craft Fair in Dover 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
A blend of craftspeople sure to beat the blues, on the green at the Dover Forge/One More Time establishment, Rt 100, West Dover.

• 5th Annual Deja Blue Car Show at Mount Snow Market Place 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Celebrate the Blueberry Festival at the Deja Blue Car Show. Unusual, classic, unique & vintage 
cars, trucks and motorcycles. Rt 100, West Dover. To join us call (tel: 802-464-8710) or email 
redscirocco@hotmail.com.

• Blueberry Bash Barbeque at the Dover Forge Restaurant and One More Time Tavern
Blueberry inspired B-B-Q Bash!!! Start partying with us where the parade ends! The fun never ends. 183 Rt 100 N, West Dover. (tel: 802-464-5320)
.
• Blueberry Days at Dots of Dover 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
A two day Blueberry inspired culinary event of “Blue Plate Specials!” Blueberry sauce on french toast, blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, blueberry BBQ. 1 Mountain Park Plaza, West Dover. (tel: 802-464-6476)

• Blueberry iced tea and muffins, & tours of selected properties at North Real Estate 10:30 am to 1:00 pm 125 Route 100, West Dover. (tel: 802-464-2196) www.NorthRealEstate.com.

• Haystack Townhouse Tour 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at The Haystack Club Stop in for a tour of spacious 3 story, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, trail side ski on, ski off town homes built with uncompromising quality. 18 Coldbrook Road, Wilmington (follow signs from Rt 100 N). (tel: 802-464-3550)

• Blues on the Blue Brook at the Matterhorn Inn
A Blueberry menu and drinks that include Blueberry wine, beer, vodka or juice. Sit back on our 
patio and listen to some Blues music. Rt 100, West Dover. (tel: 802-464-4676) 

• Special “Blueberry Jam” 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at The Sitzmark
Join us as The Preiser & O’Brien Band jams out live with their classic rock sounds. Come in and 
enjoy some blueberry inspired drinks & dessert specials, then dance it off! Get your jam on at 54 East Dover Road, Wilmington. (tel: 802-464-3384)

• Summit Blueberry Festival Event on top of Mount Snow
$35/Adults and $20/Kids (12 and under) Includes chairlift ride, live music and country BBQ. Event runs 4:00-7:00 pm. Cash bar available. See mountsnow.com for more details.

• Grace Cottage Hospital Fair Day 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
A day full of fun on the Townshend Common, Routes 30 & 35 in Townshend, Vermont. Free admission and fun for all ages. www.gracecottage.org or (tel: 802-365-9109)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

• Rotary Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Featuring VT maple syrup and breakfast meats. Fee charged. Proceeds help the Rotary Club with its fundraising efforts. Deerfield Valley Elementary School. 360 Route 100 N, Wilmington. (tel: 802- 464-8092)

• Open house at 253 Rt 100 N, Wilmington.
Renovated property, priced to sell, perfect for year round residence with home office, retirement or weekend run away. Boyd Real Estate (tel: 802-464-5957) www.boydrealestatevt.com.

Vermont Blueberry Festival receives grant funding for parade

DOVER – Organizers of the 2nd Annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival have received grant funding from the Town of Dover Economic Development Fund for the creation of a Blue Parade to be held in Dover on Saturday August 8th 2009. The parade, which takes place on the closing weekend of the 10 day festival, will feature blue themed floats, music and entertainment.

The festival is the brainchild of Boyd Farm proprietor Janet Boyd and is managed in partnership with the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. Featuring 10 days of blueberry and blue themed activities in dozens of locations, 2008’s well attended event earned it a spot on the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Top 10 Vermont Summer Events.

Individual venue events for the festival are already being compiled, but volunteers are needed for developing parade float criteria, routes, entertainment and logistics. A parade planning meeting is planned for 9 am on Wednesday April 1st at the Chamber offices in Wilmington. All are welcome! For more information on getting involved contact Laura or Megan at the chamber offices 464-8092.


No. R-448. House concurrent resolution designating the Deerfield Valley
as the Blueberry Capital of Vermont.
(H.C.R.332)
Offered by: Representatives Manwaring of Wilmington and Moran of Wardsboro
Offered by: Senators Hartwell, Sears, Shumlin and White


Whereas, farm communities across America have been looking for new agritourism ventures with substance and long-range benefits, and Whereas, blueberries have long been touted as one of the highest antioxidant fruits available, and Whereas, blueberry picking has long provided a healthy family activity that is fun for all ages and promotes good eating habits, and Whereas, the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival was the brainchild of Janet Boyd and the Boyd Family Farm in Wilmington who promoted the festival to businesses, schools, and town governments, encouraging their participation with the slogan “It’s fun, it’s silly, and something everyone can take part in,” which she repeated to group after group, and Whereas, beginning in 2008, the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival over nine days from late July to early August, primarily in the towns of Wilmington, Whitingham, and Dover, in order to promote the cultivation of blueberries in the Deerfield Valley through participation in blueberry-inspired activities, and Whereas, for two years in a row, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has recognized the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival as one of the top 10 events in the state, symbolizing the successful efforts of Deerfield Valley residents to show that one festival can make a difference and improve the local economy, and Whereas, the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival promotes the purchase and eating of locally grown healthy foods that are free of pesticides, and Whereas, the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival also encourages local participation in the state’s farm-to-school program, which is the most effective tool to reduce Vermonters’ consumption of trans fats, empty calories, and packaged foods, and to win the war on childhood obesity, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly designates the Deerfield Valley as the Blueberry Capital of Vermont and extends best wishes for the success of the 2010 Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, and be it further Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this
resolution to the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce in Wilmington.