Friday
Feb. 10

5:00 PM

Great Ice in Grand Isle: 5th Annual Celebration

North Hero

Christmas Tree Bonfire on the ice – piped in by bagpipes; Cookout on the ice with cash bar on the pier at North Hero House; Chili cook-off contest by Islands Chamber, (802) 372-8400 to enter; Official launch of Great Ice Out Device – Sponsored by DC Energy Innovations, guess when the ice melts and win big!

Schedule is weather dependent.  For updates call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce at (802) 372-8400 or Hero’s Welcome General Store at (802) 372-4161. www.champlainislands.com; www.heroswelcome.com www.northherohouse.com Free parking in North Hero Village

Saturday
Feb. 11

All Day

Great Ice in Grand Isle: 5th Annual Celebration

North Hero

All day FREE skating and snowshoeing
1:30 – 4:30PM Ingrid Bower’s Dog Sled demo, rides for a fee
1:00 – 2:00PM Kids pickup hockey – BYO equipment, skate rental available, $5
2:00 - 3:00PM Adult pickup hockey – BYO equipment, skate rental available, $5
7:00PM Sweet Heart Boogie at North Hero Community Hall – benefit for North Hero Historical Society - fee

Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Derby $25 to register Info (802) 372-5600, (802) 868-4459, (802) 524-2222

Schedule is weather dependent.  For updates call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce at (802) 372-8400 or Hero’s Welcome General Store at (802) 372-4161. www.champlainislands.com; www.heroswelcome.com www.northherohouse.com Free parking in North Hero Village

Sunday
Feb. 12

All Day

Great Ice in Grand Isle: 5th Annual Celebration

North Hero

11:00 – 2:00 PM Nordic Skating with Jamie Hess – free www.nordicskating.com (Free demo and use of skates)
2:00 - 4:00PM Wild skating conditions permitting
9:00 AM – 1:00PM Ice Golf Tournament sponsored by Stewart Construction. Bring clubs for 9 holes of wild golf on the ice. $10 registration fee includes golf balls. Prizes and trophies awarded.
4:00 PM Iron Will - Disney film, NH Community Hall – By Donation

Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Derby $25 to register Info (802) 372-5600, (802) 868-4459, (802) 524-2222

Schedule is weather dependent.  For updates call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce at (802) 372-8400 or Hero’s Welcome General Store at (802) 372-4161. www.champlainislands.com; www.heroswelcome.com www.northherohouse.com Free parking in North Hero Village

Saturday
Feb. 18

All Day

Great Ice in Grand Isle: 5th Annual Celebration

North Hero

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby, kids 14 and under, free. Prizes, trophies, food
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM F-f-frozen Chozen Regatta – sponsored by Earl’s Cyclery and Hero’s Welcome – human powered bicycles on the ice - $10 registration fee, Application at www.heroswelcome.com. Teams welcome.

Schedule is weather dependent.  For updates call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce at (802) 372-8400 or Hero’s Welcome General Store at (802) 372-4161. www.champlainislands.com; www.heroswelcome.com www.northherohouse.com Free parking in North Hero Village

Sunday
Feb. 19

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Great Ice in Grand Isle: 5th Annual Celebration

North Hero

8:30 – 10:00 AM Flapjack Breakfast at North Hero House, $7 per person
11:00 - 4:00 PM Over and Back Trek to Knight Island,sponsored by VT Department of Forests and Parks, by donation
5:00 PM Family Night Skating Party – food and beverages for sale

Schedule is weather dependent.  For updates call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce at (802) 372-8400 or Hero’s Welcome General Store at (802) 372-4161. www.champlainislands.com; www.heroswelcome.com www.northherohouse.com Free parking in North Hero Village

Saturday
May 26

2:00 PM

Chainsaw Carving: Mark LeClair

Lake Carmi

Mark has years of experience using a chainsaw, but in recent years discovered how to create beautiful carvings with his powerful tool. Come watch as he transforms a regular log of wood into carved animals (available for purchase too).

Saturday
June 2

2:00 PM

Historic
Re-enactment: Don Thompson

Grand Isle

Don will present a first person interpretation of Samuel de Champlain, done in period costume with authentic artifacts. If there are little ones in the audience, he has fun activities to involve them too – an educational program for all ages!

Saturday-Sunday
June 9-10

All weekend

Vermont Days!

All State Parks and Historic Sites

FREE entry into all state parks, state owned historic sites, and the vermont history museum; FREE fishing on Saturday, June 9 (no license required); and there will be much more fun and free activities and events to come, so check back!

Saturday
June 23

2:00 PM

Chainsaw Carving: Mark LeClair

Lake St. Catherine

Mark has years of experience using a chainsaw, but in recent years discovered how to create beautiful carvings with his powerful tool. Come watch as he transforms a regular log of wood into carved animals (available for purchase too).

Saturday
July 7

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Plant ID and Walk: The Weedman, Steven Schlussel

Lake St. Catherine

Steven Schlussel, a.k.a."The Weedman", will lead a plant identification walk where participants will learn the names and uses of local flora and tips on how to identify plants in the wild. Comfortable shoes and water are a must. Meet at the Nature Center.

Saturday
July 14

2:00 PM

Music: Harry Beall

Jamaica

Harry plays several genres including, folk, rock, pop, country, easy listening, and alternative. Some of the artists he covers are, Jackson Browne, Kathy Mattea, Dan Fogelberg, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Cat Stevens, Vertical Horizon, Train, and REM in addition to many original tunes. Bring the family or a friend and enjoy the show!

Saturday
July 14

2:00 PM

Chainsaw Carving: Mark LeClair

Waterbury Center

Mark has years of experience using a chainsaw, but in recent years discovered how to create beautiful carvings with his powerful tool. Come watch as he transforms a regular log of wood into carved animals (available for purchase too).

Saturday
July 14

11:00 AM & 5:00 PM

Plants & Amphibians & Reptiles: Xaxakwetet Little Tree

Groton Nature Center

In the morning, Lupit/knej/wa will use a PowerPoint presentation to discuss Wild Beneficial vs. Invasive Plants (medicine or food). Then, weather permitting, he will lead a plant identification walk on a nearby, easy-to-do path.
In the evening, Lupit/knej/wa will present on New England amphibians and reptiles. Fascinating material for all ages!

Saturday
July 21

2:00 PM

Historic
Re-enactment: Don Thompson

Button Bay

Don will present a first person interpretation of Samuel de Champlain, done in period costume with authentic artifacts. If there are little ones in the audience, he has fun activities to involve them too – an educational program for all ages!

Saturday
July 21

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Plant ID and Walk: The Weedman, Steven Schlussel

Camp Plymouth

Steven Schlussel, a.k.a."The Weedman", will lead a plant identification walk where participants will learn the names and uses of local flora and tips on how to identify plants in the wild. Comfortable shoes and water are a must.

Sunday
July 22

2:00 PM

Chainsaw Carving: Mark LeClair

Camp Plymouth

Mark has years of experience using a chainsaw, but in recent years discovered how to create beautiful carvings with his powerful tool. Come watch as he transforms a regular log of wood into carved animals (available for purchase too).

Saturday
August 4

2:00 PM

Historic
Re-enactment: Don Thompson

Branbury

Don will present a first person interpretation of Samuel de Champlain, done in period costume with authentic artifacts. If there are little ones in the audience, he has fun activities to involve them too – an educational program for all ages!

Saturday
August 11

2:00 PM

Chainsaw Carving: Mark LeClair

Sand Bar

Mark has years of experience using a chainsaw, but in recent years discovered how to create beautiful carvings with his powerful tool. Come watch as he transforms a regular log of wood into carved animals (available for purchase too).

Saturday
August 11

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Plant ID and Walk: The Weedman, Steven Schlussel

Lake St. Catherine

Steven Schlussel, a.k.a."The Weedman", will lead a plant identification walk where participants will learn the names and uses of local flora and tips on how to identify plants in the wild. Comfortable shoes and water are a must. Meet at the Nature Center.

Saturday
August 18

7:00 PM

Music: Bread and Bones

Grand Isle

The sound of Bread and Bones is characterized by imaginative two and three part harmonies over solid guitar and bass work. Richard Ruane's warm baritone voice blends seamlessly with Beth Duquette’s expressive alto. Ruane plays guitar and also ukulele, mandolin, and banjo. Mitch Barron adds his wonderful presence on fretless, fretted, and upright bass and vocals.

Saturday
August 25

2:00 PM

Chainsaw Carving: Mark LeClair

Branbury

Mark has years of experience using a chainsaw, but in recent years discovered how to create beautiful carvings with his powerful tool. Come watch as he transforms a regular log of wood into carved animals (available for purchase too).

Saturday
Sept. 1

5:00 PM

Amphibians & Reptiles: Xaxakwetet Little Tree

Coolidge

Lupit/knej/wa will present on New England amphibians and reptiles. Fascinating material for all ages! Meet at the Nature Center.

Sunday
Sept. 2

11:00 AM

Plant Talk & Walk: Xaxakwetet Little Tree

Coolidge

Lupit/knej/wa will use a PowerPoint presentation to discuss Wild Beneficial vs. Invasive Plants (medicine or food). Then, weather permitting, he will lead a plant identification walk on a nearby, easy-to-do path. Meet at the Nature Center.

Saturday
Sept. 29

White Water Release

Jamaica

Every spring and fall, there is a water release on the West River from Ball Mountain Dam. This is a semi-annual event creates great condition for many kayakers and canoeists from all over New England.

In 2011, visitors had a blast doing and seeing fun events in the parks this year.
Thank you to all the performers and program leaders for all you did!

See a few photos from 2011's performers and programs by clicking here.

Are you a performer or enjoy teaching others about something cool?
If so, contact Sarah Hoffmeier for more information at sarah.hoffmeier@state.vt.us.