DOVER, VT—Dover, Vermont, located in the heart of the Deerfield Valley in Southern Vermont’s Green Mountains, is celebrating its 200th Birthday with a plethora of spring, summer and fall events. There’s everything from motorcycle events to blueberry fests and blues fests, to wine & food festivals, historical parades, Timeline events, arts and crafts festivals and more. Dover is the perfect place to experience a real Vermont getaway. From gourmet wine and food tasting to hiking and biking to world-class live music, a Vermont vacation starts in Dover.

The quaint, yet lively, village of Dover is filled with natural beauty and is a great starting point for activities like golfing, kayaking, visiting farmers’ markets, or just strolling through the many art galleries, quaint shops and restaurants in the area.

Vermont comes alive in the summer and fall, and many of the village’s inns offer lodging packages for the discerning or the budget conscious. For more information about planning a vacation to the beautiful Deerfield Valley, visit www.doververmont.com, www.visitvermont.com or www.mountsnow.com. Information on lodging, dining, shopping, transportation, area attractions and much more can also be found there.

The following are major events and festivals happening this spring, summer and fall in the Deerfield Valley. Hope to see you in the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont this year. Celebrate 200 years with us!

Spring Events – May
3rd Annual Mothers For Daughters Motorcycle Weekend to Benefit Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research, Friday–Sunday, May 14-16

The event was founded in the fall of 2007 when Sharon Alves, a breast cancer survivor and Magnus Thorsson, innkeeper, The Gray Ghost Inn, discussed an event to bring caring motorcyclists together to raise funds for breast cancer and ovarian cancer research. The first annual event was held in West Dover in May 2008 at which the participating bikers raised $7,000 for breast and ovarian cancer research. In 2009, the proceeds doubled! With the help of motorcyclists, motorcycle groups and local businesses, the word is spreading and the 2010 event promises to be bigger and better than ever! The 2010 MFD Weekend event is sponsored by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Dover Businesses and the Dover Economic Development Committee. (For more information about Mother's for Daughters', please visit www.mothers-for-daughters.com.

Celebrate the Valley’s The Grand Race 4, Saturday, May 29
Competing for the Grand Prize of $1,000, teammates will travel by foot and by car in this fierce and exciting road rally. The race will take teams throughout the Town of Dover and areas north, south, east and west in Southern Vermont. As with the popular TV show, teams will compete in fun, thrilling but mentally and physically challenging events along the way. Entry fee is $100.00 per team ($80 if you sign up before April 1st) that must consist of 4 people. $100 fee includes BBQ for four at Finish Line BBQ. This race is limited to 50 teams. Friday Night, 5pm-9pm, registration and kick off party. Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. Matterhorn Inn (directions). Saturday, Mount Snow Base Area, 8:30am - Late registration, 9:30am - Line up, 10:00am - Race starts! Saturday Evening, The race will end at the Finish Line BBQ. The BBQ is open to the public! All are invited to watch the teams cross the finish line after a long and fun day. The Grand Prize of $1,000 as well as runner up prizes and raffle prizes will be given away! Sunday, 12pm, Make-a-wish Great Duck Race in downtown Wilmington. Information at www.celebratethevalley.com.

Summer Events – July - August
Named a Top Ten Summer Event for 2009 -- Vermont’s 3rd Annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, Friday, July 30th – Saturday, August 7

Berries, vintage cars, music, food and tarp displays— if it’s blue, it’s probably happening in the Mount Snow area towns of Wilmington, Whitingham and Dover in late July and early August. Visitors to the Valley will find children’s activities, jam making, blueberry themed specials in the local eateries, blue music events, a blue car auto show, blueberry bake sales, blue beer, special “Blues fees” at Mount Snow’s Golf Course as well as pick your own blueberry opportunities of the event. Visitors can pick up “Passport to Blue Adventures" at the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. More information at www.visitvermont.com.

93rd Annual Deerfield Valley Farmers’ Day Fair, August 19-22
The Deerfield Valley Farmers' Day Fair, supported by the Dover Economic Development Committee, is a long standing local tradition which inspires neighborly competition, education in agriculture, wholesome entertainment, exhibits of area residents, and most importantly good clean fun! Events for 2010 include a Children's Lawnmower Pull, Truck Pull, Ox Pull, Horse Draw/Horse Pull, Horse Show, Classic Car Show, Children's Games including a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Scavenger Hunt, Country Jam Session, Cattle Show, Children's Barnyard/Petting Farm, Farmer for A Day, Pee Wee Midway, Pie Eating Contest, Youth and Adult Exhibits, Agricultural Demonstrations, and so much more! More information at www.dvfair.com.

2nd Annual Mount Snow Blues Festival August, Mount Snow – Friday-Sunday, August 27- 29
The Green Mountains will turn blue this August when the 2nd Annual Vermont Blues Festival rolls into Mount Snow for three days of world-class blues and soul music. It's never too early to start thinking about the blues! This year features three days of music on two stages, and over 13 national acts representing the full spectrum of the blues. The festival kicks off Friday night with Harrison Kennedy and Julian Fauth followed by James Armstrong and then Alex P. Suter. The festival continues throughout the weekend with Andrew R. Boy Jones, Ryan Shaw, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty and Johnny Winter. Sunday acts include Big James Montgomery, Teeny Tucker, Joe Louis Walker, Marcia Ball and Kenny Neal.
This unique and exciting event will feature two stages – a Main Stage that utilizes a natural amphitheater for amazing acoustics, and an intimate venue at the base of the mountain under a huge 100-foot tent. Throughout the weekend many New England artisans and craft vendors will be on hand, along with BBQ's, beer and much more.

Located at Mount Snow in the beautiful and vibrant Green Mountains in Dover, the Vermont Blues Festival promises to be fun-filled weekend for the whole family with amazing panoramic views and plenty of aural pleasures. Advanced tickets are available now by calling the events hotline at 802-464-4191 or by visiting www.mountsnow.com/calendar.html. Special vacation packages are available from $70 per person and include lodging and event tickets. For more information, call a Mount Snow vacation specialist at 800-498-0479.

Fall Events – September - October
16th Annual Mount Snow Brewers Fest Labor Day Weekend, Saturday – Sunday, September 4–5
Mount Snow will pay a tribute to summer’s finest elixir during the 16th annual Mount Snow Brewers Festival. More than 20 breweries will be selling their finest brews, along with great music and good times. All paid (21 and over) entries will receive a souvenir glass, along with a free beer. Tokens may be purchased after that for $2. More than 60 beers will be for sale, including hefeweizens, porters and even ciders. Breweries in attendance have included: Magic Hat, Long Trail, Harpoon, Allagash, North Coast, Berkshire Brewing Company, Smuttynose, Rock Art, Trout River, Stone, Madison Brewing Company, McNeils, Pittsfield Brewing, Elm City, Red Hook, Anheuser-Busch, Sam Adams and many more. For more information, visit www.mountsnow.com/calendar.html.

Celebrate The Valley Inc.’s 5th Annual Taste of The Deerfield Valley, Saturday, September 11, 10am – 4pm – a benefit for the Junior Iron Chef program.

Taste the best of the best at the 5th annual Taste of the Deerfield Valley, hosted by Celebrate the Valley, Mount Snow and the Town of Dover and sponsored by the Dover Economic Development Committee. More than a dozen restaurants will gather at the base of Mount Snow for participants to “taste” specialty items from their menu. The event will be held on September 11 from 10am – 4pm at the Mount Snow Base Area in West Dover, Vermont. The public will vote on the 2010 Best Taste.

This year organizers are showcasing the Junior Iron Chef program based in the local school system and have invited celebrity chefs to partner with the Junior Iron Chefs for a series of cooking demonstrations. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Junior Iron Chef program.

Also this year, the Taste is teaming up with the Deerfield Valley Health Care Volunteers as they revive the popular “Art on the Mountain” with a 3-day art show at Mount Snow. Taste attendees will enjoy complimentary admission to the show. The Deerfield Valley Food Pantry will be on-hand accepting food donations.

The following day, Sunday, September 12, the Deerfield Valley Community Cares is organizing the “Best Dam Walk”—a great way to walk off any indulging at the Taste. There are several walks available. The one-way walk is the most appropriate for families and will begin at 10am. Each entering adult will be asked to have $50 worth of sponsors (five people at $10 each or any other combination) and each child under 12 will be asked to have $10 worth of sponsors. The walk will be held rain or shine.
Tickets for the Taste are $15 for adults, $5 for children age 7-12, and free for children 6 and under. Cooking demonstration tickets are additional. For more information on both events please go to: www.celebratethevalley.com.

Named a Top Ten Fall Event for 2010- 3rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival Friday–Sunday, September 24–26

From gourmet cheese and wine to specialty items crafted by local artisans, come celebrate the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers at the third annual Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival in the Mount Snow Valley.

The Festival, held during the last weekend of September (Sept. 24-26), showcases Vermont wineries & cheese makers, food vendors, local crafters & artists, and features a number of wine pairing events. It is one of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s picks as a Top 10 Fall Event for 2010.

The 2010 weekend long festival will feature additional authentic Vermont experiences including a historic downtown Wilmington welcome reception, Indigenous Vermonter breakfasts, a series of wine pairing dinners at the finest eateries in the area and a series of Vermont chef demonstrations. Set in the backdrop of the world renowned Vermont fall foliage; attendees will discover, savor and enjoy Vermont vintners, small specialty food producers, painters, publishers, cheese makers, potters, jewelers, chefs, photographers and farmers. For more information, please go to: www.theVermontFestival.com.

Celebrating 200 Years and Moving Forward! Dover Bicentennial, Friday–Sunday, October 1-3
This fall Dover in Southern Vermont is preparing for a major celebration from October 1 through 3, with its once in a lifetime Bicentennial Celebration – a 200-year birthday extravaganza. The town was originally a part of the South District of Wardsboro, per the Vermont Republic Grant of November 7, 1780. In 1788, Dover residents began petitioning the legislature to create a new town by the name of Palmyra, and in 1810 the General Assembly saw fit to grant their wish but under the name of Dover. 100 years ago, Dover’s Centennial came and went without any fan fare at all – and this time local citizens are determined to make sure that another century does not go by unnoticed.

A preliminary preview of the weekends’ festivities follows: Friday, October 1st will include a school play about the history of the town. This will be followed by music at Mount Snow and a fireworks display to commemorate the opening of the festivities. Saturday is Dover’s big event day. A large parade with the theme, “Our Heritage, Our County Today, is planned with a great deal of local participation in the form of fire companies, local floats, antique cars, re-enactors, and an extensive variety of bands. There will also be a street fair, concerts, food vendors, and artisans. The Matterhorn Inn, along with Celebrate the Valley will be hosting the Living History Association’s 24th Annual International Time Line Event – which is a walk through several centuries of history performed by re-enactors. On Saturday night folks will be able to attend a square dance at the Dover Town Hall. Sunday morning there will be a breakfast at the Dover Town Hall, followed by a church service. For more information go to www.visitvermont.com.

Mount Snow’s 13th Annual Oktoberfest & Harvest Art & Craft Show, Friday-Sunday, October 8–10
German music, beer, food and games will be celebrated Oct. 8-10 at Mount Snow’s 13h annual Oktoberfest. This fun family event features children’s activities like face painting, pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, a hay pile and the infamous "schnitzel toss." Adult games include the keg toss, horseshoe tournament, stein holding, the one-man saw and the apple sling shot. New England Breweries will be back with their fall line ups to accompany the German Style beers. All adult over age 21 with paid admission will receive a souvenir pint glass and a free drink on Mount Snow. For more information, visit www.mountsnow.com/calendar.html.

For more information about planning a summer or fall vacation to beautiful Dover, visit www.doververmont.com or www.visitvermont.com. Many area inns offer fall package discounts, which are available by visiting www.visitvermont.com, or by calling the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce at (877) 887-6884. Information on lodging, dining, shopping, transportation, area attractions and much more can also be found there.