Vermont Summer Festival to Feature Weekly Exhibitor Parties

The 2016 Vermont Summer Festival begins Tuesday, July 5, and will continue the ever-popular tradition of offering family-oriented exhibitor parties at various area locations each Wednesday throughout the six-week circuit. The Vermont Summer Festival is hosted at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT, and runs through August 9, offering more than $750,000 in prize money.

Held each Wednesday evening, Vermont Summer Festival exhibitor parties offer local fare and fun for the whole family at venues throughout southern Vermont. Whether it's to unwind after a full day of horse showing or to experience Manchester's many area attractions, the Vermont Summer Festival's exhibitor parties provide the perfect way to commence each competition week.

“The Vermont Summer Festival's weekly exhibitor parties have become a highlight among show visitors, young and old,” said Ruth Lacey, Marketing Director for the Vermont Summer Festival. “The parties offer the perfect opportunities for exhibitors to not only relax after the show, but also experience what southern Vermont has to offer in the form restaurants, hotels, family activities, and more.”

Over the years, Chantecleer Restaurant has become a favorite dining spot for Vermont Summer Festival exhibitors and will kick off the circuit as host of the first Exhibitor party of the season on July 6. Chef-owned and a short drive from Harold Beebe Farm, Chantecleer will serve as the perfect introduction to the local dining scene. For more information on Chantecleer Restaurant, visit www.chantecleerrestaurant.com.

A popular spot for exhibitors and their families, the Mountain Adventure Park at Bromley Mountain Resort will treat equestrians to two evenings of child and adult-friendly entertainment on July 13 and 27, including rides on the iconic Alpine Slide and live music, sponsored by Vineyard Vines. Bromley Mountain is also home to an Aerial Adventure Park, Sun Mountain Flyer zipline rides and more. For more information on the Mountain Adventure Park at Bromley Mountain Resort, visit www.bromley.com.

Exhibitors can celebrate the mid-way point of the Vermont Summer Festival at The Copper Grouse on July 20. The on-site restaurant at Manchester's brand-new hotel, Taconic, The Copper Grouse features farm-to-table American cuisine. For more information on The Copper Grouse, or Taconic, visit www.taconichotel.com/manchester-vt-restaurants.

“This is our first summer season at Taconic, and we are very excited to welcome the equestrian community to our new hotel,” said Jami Poe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Taconic. “We understand how active this audience is, and our unique programming of bikes for guests, as well as yoga mats and walking sticks in all accommodations, should be a perfect fit. We at Taconic are also proud to be a pet-friendly property with dog-walking and dog-sitting services available for our guests.

“We are also proud to unveil something new on the local culinary scene,” continued Poe. “The Copper Grouse Restaurant and Bar features regionally-inspired cuisine and a robust bar menu including local beers and craft cocktails.”

The quintessential Vermont country inn, The Barrows House, will host a relaxed and refined evening for exhibitors on August 3. The Barrows House, along with Dorset Inn, are two sister inns and both lodging partners of the Vermont Summer Festival in the postcard-worthy village of Dorset. For more information on The Barrows House, visit www.barrowshouse.com.

The final party at the Equinox Resort will also serve as a 'thank you’ from the Vermont Summer Festival to all the loyal exhibitors. A long-time sponsor of the Vermont Summer Festival, Equinox Resort is a gem of the Manchester area, featuring a spa, golf course, multiple restaurants and acres of trails.

This year, the Equinox Resort party on August 10 will feature an interactive experience with their prized falconry exhibit. Sponsored by Dr. Gregory Dowd of Arlington Equine, a horse wellness and veterinary practice based in Shaftsbury, VT, party goers will have the opportunity to interact with the stars of the Green Mountain Falconry School, which calls Equinox Resort its home. For more information on the Equinox Resort and the Green Mountain Falconry School, visit at www.equinoxresort.com and www.greenmountainfalconryschool.com.

For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition experience in an ideal summer setting. The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall Of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). Please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.