The first weekend in May promises to be a spectacular Vermont weekend. Enjoy beer, farms, farmers’ markets, sheep, calves, and wild edibles. Oh yeah, the Kentucky Derby is happening on Saturday too! On your mark, get set, go!
If you enjoy great beer, great food, and great community, head to downtown Montpelier on May 3rd. The Capital City Farmers Market is hosting its first outdoor market of the summer season. Located at the corner of Elm St. and State St. from 9am-1pm, grab a bag and start your farmers market shopping. You’ll find prepared foods, produce, plants and flowers, meat, and much more. After you’ve checked out the market and enjoyed some downtown time head over to Three Penny Taproom’s 5th anniversary celebration Montbeerlier. From 3pm-9pm you’ll find food, music, fun, and of course beer!
If you already appreciate beer or are looking to appreciate it even more, check out the Beer Appreciation Class at Drop-In Brewing in Middlebury on May 3rd. This half-day class is aimed at those who would like to learn more about beer - how it’s made, its history, various beer styles, and how to serve. An appreciation class wouldn’t be complete without some sampling - beer and cheese please! After you’ve gained a new found appreciation for beer, head over to the Marble Works where the Middlebury Farmers Market is kicking off its summer season. You’ll find vendors selling local vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers, meat and dairy items, as well as Vermont crafts.
Perhaps a walk in the woods is more your style. This isn’t just any walk in the woods this is a walk with wildcrafters Nova Kim and Les Hook. Nova and Les are a featured part of the Vermont Wild Edibles Culinary Weekend at The Inn at Weathersfield on May 3. Check out this description from the press release:
“In this unique workshop and field trip, open to both inn guests and commuters, students learn to identify and enjoy wild foods for culinary purposes. They’ll learn about proper collection techniques and the tools needed, as well as the concept, ethics and environmental impact of responsible collection. And of course, they'll follow Nova Kim and Les Hook into the Inn's fields and woods on an exciting exploration to collect what nature is offering at the time (10 AM- 1 PM). That evening Executive Chef Jean-Luc Matécat prepares a special menu featuring wild spring edibles, collected by Nova and Les, to be enjoyed by participants in the private wine cellar with the presenters. The menu will also be available as the tasting menu in the restaurant Saturday and Sunday evenings, May 3 and 4.”
’Tis the season for farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares. In addition to the Capital City and Middlebury Farmers’ Market, the Bennington, Dorset, and Norwich Farmers’ Markets are also kicking off their summer seasons this first weekend in May. If you’re interested in learning more about CSAs, be a part of NOFA-VT’s CSA Open Farm Day. On Sunday May 4 from 1-4pm, farms across Vermont will open their greenhouses, barns, and fields to community members. This is a not to be missed opportunity for everyone to get to know a local farmer.
Tired yet? There are a few more exciting events happening this weekend that you don’t want to miss. You’ll find sheep shearing and herding with Border Collies at Billings Farm & Museum and Dairy Days at Shelburne Farms. On May 3-4 you’ll see spring shearing of the farm’s ewes and demonstrations of Border Colies herding sheep in the farm fields. At Shelburne Farms you’ll have the opportunity to meet the spring calves and their moms! This is a time to explore the barns and buildings at the dairy. And don’t miss the cow parade!!
