Vermont State Calendar of Events: September is Blissfully Busy 
September events start strong with Labor Day festivities around every bend and the month ends even more robustly, with Fall Foliage promising stunning vistas along the way. Vermont agricultural fairs are in their glory and Harvest Festivals are primed for peak enjoyment. September in Vermont marks the sixth annual Apples to iPods contest and is also Vermont Archaeology Month, where folks can truly dig into history! Here are 38 of the 330 events listed this month at VermontVacation.com:
Champlain Valley Exposition
Now-Sept.3
Essex Junction, Vt.
Vermont's biggest fair features amusement rides, contests, and exhibits with participation from people and businesses across the state. www.cvexpo.org
Killington Classic Motorcycle Rally
Now - Sept.3
This is the must attend New England motorcycle rally in a gorgeous location, offering a Vendor Village and many early autumn rides through Vermont's famous valleys and covered bridges. www.killingtonclassic.com
Vermont State Fair
Now - Sept. 9
Rutland, Vt.
An old-time country fair with rides, food, games, and agricultural contests and exhibits.
www.vermontstatefair.net
Folk & Blues Festival at President Coolidge Site
September 1-2
The not so “Silent Cal” State Historic Site will groove out Labor Day Weekend for the eighth annual Plymouth Folk & Blues Festival. Nationally known artists perform in the country setting of Plymouth Notch. A Vermont Chamber “Top 10 Fall Event. www.plymouthfolk.com.
Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival
September 1-2
Bennington, Vt.
Smell it, taste it, buy it, cook with it, braid it. Everything Garlic!!! Over 130 Vendors with garlic and herbal remedies, food, treats, garlic martinis at the beer tent, fresh garlic and products like garlic ice cream, plus special activities. Learn how to plant and grow garlic. Live bands all day both days. Children's hay maze, garlic recipes, and so much more! www.bennington.com
Mad River Valley Craft Fair
September 1-2
Waitsfield, Vt.
Picture yourself in the beautiful Green Mountains under a majestic tent full of one of a kind pieces - unique gifts, keepsakes for your home, or special touches to add to your wardrobe. That's what the Annual Mad River Valley Craft Fair offers. www.madrivercraftfair.com
New World Festival at Chandler
September 2
Randolph, Vt.
Celebrating Northern New England's Celtic and French Canadian heritage with traditional music and dance. www.newworldfestival.com
Killington Hay Festival
September 3 - Oct. 8
The Killington Hay Festival will be returning this fall as more than 30 giant hay sculptures wait to greet you throughout town! www.discoverkillington.com
LCI Evinrude Bass Open
September 1
Mallets Bay, Vt.
Fish in a lake that ranks among the best bass fishing locations in the nation: Join the 13th Annual LCI Lake Champlain Bass Open presented by Twisted Tea.www.mychamplain.net/events
South End Art Hop - 20th Annual
September 7-8
Burlington, Vt.
Check out Vermont's largest visual arts exhibition, featuring more than 500 artists exhibiting their work in over 100 Burlington businesses and studios. The mission of the event is to highlight the connection between culture and commerce: art is good for business and business is good for art. www.seaba.org
Brattleboro Dance Party: Swingin’ at the Garden
September 8
Shake your tail feathers in Vermont on Saturday, September 8 with the celebrated Keene Jazz Orchestra. Jazz players include Eugene Uman, artistic director of the Vermont Jazz Center. Practice your fancy footwork and learn more at www.brattleborochamber.org.
Jay Hathaway Memorial Maple Leaf Half Marathon & 5K
September 8
This stunning half-marathon of southwestern Vermont provides outstanding race organization, enthusiastic volunteers, and a fun and challenging romp through the gorgeous New England countryside. http://manchestervtmapleleaf.com/
20th Annual Glory Days Festival
September 8
White River Junction, Vt.
Carnival games, mini-train rides, live music and a parade. Admission is $6.00 for adults and free for children under 15, and includes the museum. Water and light snacks will be available for purchase in the museum shop. www.vtglorydaysfestival.com
Vermont Morgan Mile Trotting Races
September 8
Brookfield, Vt.
Morgan horses and their riders and drivers bring history alive as they gather to race down the tree-lined dirt-top road on which the race was originally run in 1796. www.morganmile.com
Woodstock Art Festival
September 8-9
Over 30 artists display their work on the Woodstock Green. Enjoy food and music too.
www.woodstockvt.com
Soldiers Atop the Mount
September 8-9
This annual living history weekend looks at the September 1777 American raid to take Mount Independence back from the British. At this 235th anniversary event, reenactors demonstrate military tactics, camp life, colonial crafts, cooking, and clothing. www.HistoricVermont.org
Cultural Shifts and Climatology: Lessons from the Past for the Future
September 12
Internationally recognized Archaeologist Dr. David G. Anderson offers a global perspective on how climate change has dramatically, and sometimes subtly changed cultures over the last 15,000 years. Following this presentation, a panel of climate experts will continue the discussion. Pavilion Auditorium, Montpelier, Vt. www.HistoricVermont.org
The Grand Opening of the Vermont Archaeology Heritage Center
September 13
Barre, Vt.
Celebrate the creative partnership that joins the state’s archaeological collections with the historic collections at the Vermont History Center in Barre, Vt. Tour the new space and the inaugural exhibit, “How Do You Know That? Unraveling the Past Through Archaeology.”
What Lies Beneath: 9,000 Years of History at Chimney Point
September 13
Addison, Vt.
Kate Kenney, historian and archaeologist from the University of Vermont Consulting Archeology program and guest curator for the special exhibit, shares the fascinating finds from the new Lake Champlain Bridge project and what they mean for the understanding of our history. www.HistoricVermont.org
Tunbridge World's Fair
September 13-16
The Tunbridge World’s Fair features working antique displays, horse, pony and oxen pulling, horse racing, exhibits, free shows, midway, food and more. www.tunbridgeworldsfair.com
British Invasion
September 14-16
Stowe, Vt.
New England's largest all British classic and sports car show plus British cultural activities, shops, crafts. The participants are primarily from the US and Canada with over 600 cars on field. Includes special driving tours and Tailgate Picnic competition. www.britishinvasion.com/
Bennington Quiltfest
September 15-16
Bennington, Vt.
New and vintage quilts, demonstrations, quilt raffle, door prizes, challenge quilts, vendors and featured quilter exhibit.www.benningtonquiltfest.com
Reading the Forested Landscape
September 16
Plymouth, Vt.
Distinguished ecologist Tom Wessels presents an illustrated talk and guided walk at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tom Wessels, faculty emeritus of Antioch University New England will explain how archaeologists and historians interpret Vermont’s past through the present landscape. Attendees will learn about the state’s cultural and ecological history while inspecting tree cuts, stone walls, and other landscape features “hidden” in plain sight. www.HistoricSites.Vermont.gov
Tour de Farms
September 16
Addison County, Vt.
Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery of Vermont's Champlain Valley while on a 10-, 24-, or 30-mile bicycle loop with stops at over a dozen family farms to sample delicious local foods, with an AppleFest with live music, locally-produced foods, and crafts to end the day. www.ruralvermont.org
Atlatl: Spear-Throwing IS a Family Activity
September 21-23
Chimney Point State Historic Site, Addison, Vt
Learn how to make an atlatl, use one, and watch the experts’ craftsmanship and 90mph dart-throwing skills. Workshops teach modern and traditional techniques of atlatl and dart construction. www.HistoricVermont.org
Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival
September 21-23
West Dover, Vt.
Mount Snow is an enviable scenic location at any given time of year. Pair its 3,556’ alpine advantage with a three day epicurean fête; queue up the vibrancy of fall foliage and it’s no wonder the Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival is a perennial favorite for oenophiles along the Eastern seaboard. www.thevermontfestival.com
Guilford Fair
September 21-23
An old-time country fair with rides, food, games, and agricultural contests and exhibits.
www.vermontstatefair.net/
Peru Fair
September 22
An old-time country fair with rides, food, games, and agricultural contests and exhibits. www.perufair.org
Northern Decadence Vermont during Vermont Pride Festival
September 22
Burlington, Vt
Vermont’s LGBT Food & Travel Expo - Sample some of what's best about Vermont - maple syrup, gourmet ice cream, award-winning cheeses, microbrews, wines, sauces and other specialty foods - and get ideas for what to do and where to visit. www.northerndecadence.com
Bristol Harvest Festival & Car Show
September 22
90 plus crafters and vendors, horse-drawn wagon rides, bandstand music, farmer's market, children's venue with pony rides, Taste of Bristol, apple pie contest, and "Better L8 Than Never Car Show"! www.bristolharvestfest.com
Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival
September 22
Celebrate the bounties of the harvest and the award-winning world of Vermont-made cheese! Sample cheeses and see how it's made. Enjoy wagon rides, historic farm & craft demonstrations, cheese recipe contest, BBQ, and family activities. www.HistoricSites.Vermont.gov
Burlington Book Festival - 7th Annual
September 28-30
This annual celebration of the written word offers readings, signings, panels, workshops, demos, musical performances, and special events featuring literary luminaries from around the world - and just around the corner. All events are free. www.burlingtonbookfestival.com/
Manchester Fall Art & Craft Festival - 19th Annual
September 28-30
200 juried artisans exhibit and sell a range of contemporary and traditional craft work as well as original art, photography, sculpture, and specialty food products. www.craftproducers.com
Stowe Rotary Oktoberfest
September 28-30
Enjoy a weekend-long celebration of the harvest and fall foliage. Events include a free, Friday night “Rocktoberfest” concert, a Saturday grand parade, and two days of oompah bands, authentic Bavarian food, Vermont beer, and lots of singing and dancing! Enjoy silent auctions, raffles, a “bouncy-haus” and other games for kids. www.stowerotary.com
50th Annual Milk Bowl at Thunder Road
September 29-30
Barre, Vt.
200 lap $100,000 late model stock car 3 segment race deemed “the toughest short track event in the nation.” A combined low point score decides the winner with the 30 car field inverted in segments 2 and 3. Qualifying is Saturday the 29 with two other race divisions in special added events on Sunday. www.ThunderRoadSpeedbowl.com
Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival
September 29-30
Tunbridge, Vt.
Sheep, goats, activities, workshops and lots of handcrafted fiber products, from yarn to sweaters, felting, spinning wheels, knitting and weaving. www.vtsheepandwoolfestival.org
Brandon's HarvestFest
September 29
Help make and decorate Brandon's Harvest People (aka scarecrows) with the experts. Hay Rides, Apple Pies, Pumpkins, BBQ, Brandon Town Band. www.brandon.org
Burke Fall Festival & Craft Show
September 29
Celebrate the turning of the season with a parade, rubber duck race, live music, kids activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animal petting zoo, "cow plop" bingo, craft show and more! www.burkevermont.com
More events across Vermont are listed in the Travel Planner of VermontVacation.com; please note event organizers can post events to this listing as well. If your publication prefers more advance notice of events or has specific requests, please email jen.butson@state.vt.us.