Deerfield Valley’s “Best Seat” Public Arts event unveiling Memorial Day Weekend

Deerfield Valley’s “Best Seat” Public Arts event unveiling Memorial Day Weekend

Where exactly is the Best Seat in Vermont?

On Saturday May 29th, the Best Seat in Vermont will be at the Sitzmark in Wilmington from 3-7 pm for art, entertainment and food, and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce’s kick off of its third public arts event, “The Best Seat in Vermont”.

Wooden Adirondack loveseats have been sponsored by patrons of the arts, the Chamber, local businesses, organizations and families. These benches will be on display in Wilmington, Jacksonville, and Dover along routes 9 and 100 and in Bennington and at the Guilford Welcome Center throughout the coming summer and foliage seasons, culminating in an October 9th Auction Event at The Grand Summit Resort and Conference Center at Mount Snow. Proceeds from that event will benefit Deerfield Valley Community Cares, The Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, “Make-a-Wish” of Vermont and the Guy Hawkins Fund, local school arts programs, and future valley wide events and marketing.

Saturday May 29^th of Memorial Day Weekend, the first 10 of the twenty five total sponsored loveseats and 4 children’s adirondacks will be unveiled. A family style BBQ at the Sitzmark will include children’s activities and performances by Colby Dix. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children and includes dinner.

In the week following the unveiling, all twenty five full size and four children’s size pieces will be placed at locations throughout the Valley. Participating artists include: Dale Doucette, Ann Coleman, Jesse Morgan, Patrice Schneider, DeAnna Asborno, Sieglinda Joyce, Judy Lafiura, Pam Williams, Janet Picard, Ron Karpius, Denise Piccolo, Sarah Shippee, Sue Spangler, Kim Grall, Jim McGrath, Melinda Coombs, Mark Lowe, Deb Bernstein, Diane Cieminewski, Veronica Demio and Joan Lovell.

A school program consisting of nearly 30 plus miniature adirondack chairs, called “Buddy Chairs” is also ongoing. A downtown Wilmington Village Stroll May 21st will showcase over a dozen local schools student artists work.

See the Best Seat website for more information: www.VermontSeat.com or contact the Mount Snow Valley Chamber at 464-8092.

Mount Snow teams up with State of Vermont for $17 Lift Tickets, Green Eggs & Beer

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Vinnie Lewis
802-464-4013
vlewis@mountsnow.com

WEST DOVER (March 22, 2010) - Mount Snow celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a little differently this year than with a lift ticket promotion and a huge party on Cuzzin’s Deck.

Senior management all week discussed how many people would show up for the $17 lift ticket promotion but they all guessed short as over 8,000 guests showed up to enjoy the great spring skiing conditions, the green eggs and beer at 8am, live radio remotes, and “The Joshua Tree” a U2 tribute band on Cuzzin’s Deck.

Kelly Pawlak, Mount Snow General Manager said, “We did a similar promotion in 2005 with $1 lift tickets on Friday, April 1 and about 6000 people showed up. Given this was a Wednesday I was expecting around 4000 people. I was astounded with the amount of guests who came out. Many who hadn’t been to Mount Snow in a long time or even first timers. Our entire staff had a blast with this promotion.”

Mount Snow’s marketing department teamed up with the State of Vermont’s Department of Tourism in a grassroots marketing campaign that included posting over 2000 posters at 32 different universities, local radio buys, and electronic billboards along Connecticut’s I-91 & I-95 interstates.

Greg Fisher, Mount Snow Marketing & Event Director, stated, “We are usually winding down our marketing in March but with the help from the State of Vermont, we were able to add another month to our outdoor buy and continue some of our radio buys. The turnout for St. Pats was amazing and I don’t think anyone walked away unhappy.”

At 9am it was apparent that the marketing campaign was successful as phone calls from the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and other Wilmington businesses came in to Mount Snow to let the staff know that traffic was backed up for miles at the center of town. Wilmington Police had to be called in to direct traffic.

By 10am it was like President’s weekend all over again, except with temps in the 50s, green beer, and smiles from ear to ear.

Mount Snow continues spring events with the Bud Light ReggaeFest March 26 – 28, 2010 and The Gladiator & Winter Brewers Festival, April 3, 2010.

Dover, Vermont—200 Years and Moving Forward

DOVER, VEMONT

Contact: Lynn Barrett, prime@svcable.net, 802-258-3992

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dover, Vermont—200 Years and Moving Forward

DOVER, VT—Dover, Vermont, located in the heart of the Deerfield Valley in Southern Vermont’s Green Mountains, is celebrating its 200^th 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

3^rd 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) which 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 3^rd Annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, Friday, July 30^th – 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.

93^rd 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.

2^nd Annual Mount Snow Blues Festival August, Mount Snow – Friday-Sunday, August 27- 29

The Green Mountains will turn blue this August when the 2^nd 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

16^th 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 16^th 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 5^th Annual Taste of The Deerfield Valley, Saturday, September 11

Southern Vermont’s Deerfield Valley is home to many fine eating establishments, ranging from gourmet cuisine to local flavors and beyond. For the fifth year in a row, more than a dozen of the area’s finest restaurants will come together for the “Taste of Deerfield Valley.” This year organizers are focusing on children’s education from both a culinary perspective and an industry one. Plans are underway to work with the Junior Iron Chef program, as well as name chefs. More than a dozen delicious restaurants will gather at the base of Mount Snow to allow participants to “taste” certain items from their menu. Organizers say the restaurants always put their best foot forward at this event and participants are sure to have their taste buds tingling.

Included this year will be restaurants serving barbecued country ribs, Polish fare, New England Clam Chowder, smoked seafood, soups, crab cakes, Vermont wines and much more. Along with tasting the food, the afternoon will include live music, local artisans and some events to keep the children busy, like a bouncy house and face painting.

Proceeds from this event will benefit The Deerfield Valley Food Pantry. The Pantry will also be on-hand accepting food donations. Organizers say to show up early because tickets go fast and are only available at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children age 7-12, and free for children 6 and under. For more information, visit www.celebratethevalley.com.

Named a Top Ten Fall Event for 2010- 3^rd 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 1^st 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 24^th 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 13^th 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 13^h 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.

Mount Snow, Dew Tour Raises $3500 for Local School

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Vinnie Lewis

802-464-4013

vlewis@mountsnow.com

Mount Snow, Dew Tour Raises $3500 for Local School

While the Winter Dew Tour at Mount Snow is now over, its effect on the community is more longstanding than one weekend. This year the two entities joined forces to help raise money for the Dover School Playground Project that aims to replace the old playground with a modern one that all the children in the community can enjoy.

The primary source of donations came from concerts held at the Snow Barn on Friday and Saturday night of the Dew Tour, $5 from every door admission was donated to the cause. As well, Dover School teachers and students helped sell raffle tickets to win two athlete autographed snowboards and an autographed bib. In addition, the raffle was held throughout the weekend at the Dew Tour and raised $895.

In total $3,502.31 was raised for the Dover Elementary School, almost half of the overall goal. According to Bill Anton, Dover School Principal, “Not only was the Dew Tour a great event for our kids to see but we are thrilled to have this donation to jumpstart our playground.”

For more information please contact Vinnie Lewis at (802) 464-4013 or vlewis@mountsnow.com.

Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce announces partnership with Pixel Networx, LLC to bring digital signage network to area businesses.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wilmington, Vermont and Simsbury, Connecticut (February 1, 2010). The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Pixel Networx, LLC are pleased to announce their Affinity Partnership Program, designed to bring affordable digital signage to area businesses. Mark Chapman, Consultant for Pixel Networx, remarks, “As a company, we have observed the tremendous impact digital signage brings to the business community and are thrilled to partner with the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. Locations that have already installed our systems use a mix of various media content including, menu boards, promotions, community messaging, news feeds, entertainment and other on screen information. This keeps the signage fresh, relevant, informative and most importantly, memorable for the consumer.”

Participating Chamber businesses will now be in a unique position to increase revenue from 3 new sources.

• Sales Lift - The benefit of a high definition digital display screen placed in a business; educating, promoting, entertaining and selling directly to customers. Your content will be fully customized for each location and result in impulse buying that increases the average sale 2 - 5%.
• ScreenShare Advertising Revenue – Your business will earn additional revenue from your display screen by Pixel Networx selling a percentage of screen time to vendors, manufacturers and companies from non-competing industries.
• Mobile Marketing – Short Message Service (text messaging) marketing gets a 95% read rate. Area businesses will now be able to launch a mobile marketing campaign to offer rewards, electronic coupons, exclusive invitations, inventory arrival and customer satisfaction surveys. This technology can be measured, personalized and will reduce print and distribution costs.

Laura Sibilia, Executive Director of the Mount Snow Valley Chamber notes, “The benefits of a digital signage network, projected to grow nationally by 25% in 2010, will now be available to area chamber members. The Affinity Program will assist us by increasing revenue, providing value in advertising to members and attracting new members interested in participating in the network. We invite members to visit our office or Deerfield Valley Real Estate to see the Mount Snow Valley network display for themselves.”

As a direct contact marketing firm, Pixel Networx is dedicated to helping businesses attract and connect with customers by leveraging technology. Chapman adds “Our strategy is simple, consumers want to receive information differently than they did 10 years ago. We believe in creating a digital media experience that combines consumer insight, technology and creativity. Utilizing these strategies, businesses can maximize their impact on customers while driving measurable increases in revenue.”

Pixel Networx specializes in providing Emmy Award winning content design, production, systems management digital hardware, software, ongoing support and training.

For more information contact,

Mark Chapman @

mark@pixelnetworx.net

Mobile 1-802-681-3443

Fax 1-866-681-8120