Vergennes Day kicks off its 39th year on Friday, Aug. 27, with a street dance in City Park featuring the music of “The Hitmen” from 7-10 p.m. The weekend’s activities, hosted and sponsored by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, City of Vergennes and area businesses, is a celebration of the city and community to be enjoyed by all ages.
Activities on Saturday, Aug. 28, take place between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and culminate at dusk with a lighting of the Otter Creek Falls. The day begins with a pancake breakfast at the Vergennes Fire Station from 7-10 a.m. The bandstand on the City Park will be occupied throughout the day by several musical groups: Vergennes City Band at 10 a.m., Mark LaVoie at 11:30 a.m., LC Jazz at 12:30 p.m., and the Ruane-Duquette Duo at 2 p.m.
The Little City 5K Walk and Little City 5K, 10K & 15K runs start and finish at the Vergennes Elementary School, 43 School Street. Pre-register online by Aug. 27 at bit.ly/36WfON or at 7:30 a.m. on race day. The 15K starts at 8:30 a.m. All other races begin at 9 a.m.
From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., City Park is also the site of more than 45 crafters’ and vendors’ booths offering fine handcrafts, locally made products, food and more. There will be free horse and wagon rides with pick up at the corner of School and Green streets. In the Food Court the Vergennes Lions Club will be selling their BBQ chicken, along with Mediterranean Mix, KC’s Red Hots and Rainbow Ice.
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. kids can enjoy games and the ever-popular bubble pit at the Vergennes Fire Department. From 10 a.m. until they’re gone KidsSafe Collaborative will be giving away bike helmets and doing free fittings at Bixby Library. At 1:45 p.m. Bixby Library will hold its “Booked for Bikes” drawing at the bandstand, which is sponsored by the library and Vergennes Rotary Club. Entries are accepted until Aug. 21. This year the Vergennes Rotary will present the beloved Rubber Duckie Race virtually, and tickets are available at the Rotary’s booth in City Green.
The Vergennes Opera House will be showing five 30-minute “movies” of the Broadway Direct Series and offering water and snacks free of charge. There will also be a raffle for two tickets to all Opera House produced shows in the 2021-2022 season.
Event-goers can also take time to visit Main Street and support local businesses. For more information call 802-388-7951 or email info@addisoncounty.com.