Middlebury residents have VT route 30 for quick access to the time-honored annual event highlights in western Rutland County. East Poultney Day, held entirely on a wonderful village green is 9am till 4pm on Sat., August 13.
Poultney Historical Society hosts the 81st annual East Poultney Day on the East Poultney green this Saturday. Over 40 local vendors will include area farmers, artisans, and organizations which will fill the green with unique products and collectibles, including antiques, handcrafted jewelry, artwork, woodcarvings, maple syrup, farm products and homemade foods. Poultney Valley Snowmobile Devils will provide tasty grilled burgers and hotdogs, and other fresh food vendors will have snacks and beverages to enjoy as well.
Re-experience the past on the green with exhibits and demonstrations of traditional skills throughout the day including woodworking on a replica shaving horse workbench (also available as a raffle prize), wool spinning, loading and firing of a Civil War era historic musket, and old-fashioned silhouette portrait–making by flashlight or candlelight. Daniel Lang will display his carpentry skills with his nearly completed tiny house temporarily re-located on the green for the day, and visitors can watch celebrated local artist Peter Huntoon paint one of his signature Vermont scenes.
All three of the Historical Society museums will be open during the entire event with exhibits or activities at each building.
The East Poultney Schoolhouse will feature the original 1791 Poultney Ballot Box where you can cast your vote on a 1916 “Yellow Ballot” for or against “immediate alcohol prohibition.” Make you decision based on the arguments published back in that year’s Poultney Journal, and take a look at reproductions of news items from historic votes in town.
In the Melodeon Factory, view historic photos with the new exhibit “The Lake: 1890-1910,” featuring prints of glass plate negatives with families enjoying Lake St. Catherine at the turn of the last century in elaborate summer clothing.
The 1791 Union Academy will be the center for children’s activities. At 9:30am there will be a morning story hour by Poultney Public Library director Rebecca Cook, and horse-drawn wagon rides for families around the green until mid-day by Addison County Teamster Nick Hammond. Dancer Maya Kraus will offer lessons to children in early American dance on the lawn. In the afternoon, kids can join the democratic process by getting involved in the “Greatest American Ice Cream” Vote (free tastings, of course) with the winning flavor announced during the 3-4pm raffle drawing.
Expect to hear lots of music in the main events tent in the center of the green featuring these groups:
• 10 am – Extra Stout: A traditional Irish band singing a variety of music from raucous drinking songs, ballads of home and country, rocking reels, jigs and polkas.
• 11 am and 3pm – Ben Grosscup: Using the power of song to amplify the ideas of social change, Ben, who is executive director of People’s Music Network, plays at rallies, conferences, coffee houses and house concerts.
• 1:45 pm – Spruce Knob Uprising: A local string band, led by singer/songwriter Laird Christensen, weaves local landmarks into its music. The band plays at concerts and events throughout the region and has pleased crowds at East Poultney Day for the last 9 years.
East Poultney Day ends with the annual Poultney Historical Society Raffle Drawing at 3pm, accompanied by Ben Grosscup’s music. Grand Prizes include an exquisitely made Hubbardton Forge floor lamp, a locally built reproduction shaving horse, paintings by Peter Huntoon and Dick Weis, and $100 cash. There will be many items in the raffle from local businesses, including gift cards useful throughout the year, so be sure to buy your raffle tickets by 3pm at the latest.
Plan to stay in East Poultney after the vendors pack up for a worship service in nearby St. John’s Episcopal Church at 4pm, which will feature music from the rare Nutting organ, played by James Cassarino. This antique church, built in 1832, has remained unchanged for almost 200 years! Worshippers, historians and the curious may sit in gated pews under globed kerosene lamps to hear a rare Vermont-made hand pumped organ, still rich in sound. The Rev. John Miller of Fair Haven will conduct the Episcopal service and James Cassarino, Professor of Music at Green Mountain College, will bring the organ to life.
The United Baptist Church of Poultney will offer its Church Supper from 5-7pm, restoring a tradition that locals remember and anticipate.
Joining the activities on the green, non-profit organizations such as BROC, the Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District, Slate Valley Museum, Poultney Valley Snowmobile Devils, The Silent Friend Slate Project, and the Slate Quarry Park Group will represent their programs as well.
Questions? info@poultneyhistoricalsociety.org or 802-287-5252
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