Events in and around Charlotte

Event listings may be sent by email at least two weeks in advance.
Weather cancellations and COVID guidelines are available on individual websites.

Sun to cheese tour
Fridays, through July 29, 2-4 p.m.
Meet the crew that makes the cheese that came from the milk that came from the Brown Swiss cows that ate the grass that grew in the sun. Shelburne Farms gives participants a behind-the-scenes tour of the cheesemaking process, including a cheese tasting and a visit to the dairy barn. Adult program with registration required. Click for more info or register.

Chilean beats
Friday, June 17, 6-7:30 p.m.
Chilean singer-songwriter Pascuala Ilabaca and her band Fauna will perform at Lincoln Peak Vineyard on River Road in New Haven. Their music mixes Chilean folk traditions with jazz, Indian, African and Mexican influences. She plays a bright red accordion and is known as an exuberant vocalist. Doors open at 5 p.m. for picnicking; music starts at 6 p.m. Family event; bring a blanket. There will be food and wine for sale. Buy tickets in advance or at the door.

David Budbill poetry
Friday, June 17, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry by the late David Budbill is set to music, performed by various collaborators, musicians and friends of David, in a program called Sutras for a Suffering World. Performed at the First Congregational Church in Burlington. Click for details and tickets.

David Bromberg
Friday, June 17, 8-11 p.m.
Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter David Bromberg returns after several years to perform his blend of Americana, roots, blues and traditional music. With his bandmates, he plays at the T Rex Theater at the Double E Performance Center in Essex Junction, off Route 15. More info or tickets.

Hot air balloon festival
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
Quechee hosts its 42nd annual balloon, crafts and music festival. Gates open Friday at 3 p.m. Balloon rides may be booked in advance, weather dependent. No pets allowed. Tickets at the gate only. More info on festivities, as well as balloon ride reservations.

Bike for the lake
Saturday, June 18, 7 a.m.
This event for cyclists of all levels aims to raise awareness and funds for Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, a non-profit whose mission is to keep the lake water clean through education and projects that improve water quality. Bike loops begin at 7 a.m. at Knight Point State Park in North Hero; four distances (30-100 miles) to choose from through the islands and along the shores of Vermont and New York. Lunch served 11:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. More info and registration.

Beginning birders walk
Saturday, June 18, 9-11 a.m.
Join members of the Otter Creek Audubon Society and the Middlebury Area Land Trust on a walk along the trails at Wright’s Park in Middlebury ending up at Otter Creek. Bring binoculars if you have them; some are provided for use. Dress for outdoors. Perfect family activity geared toward beginners. Strollers discouraged because of rough terrain. Free, donations welcome. Call 802-989-7115 with questions.

Intro to Zen Buddhism
Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
The Vermont Zen Center on Thomas Road in Shelburne offers an in-person or online introductory workshop on Zen Buddhism. Schedule includes discussion, guided meditation, demonstrations and question periods. More info and registration. Vaccination guidelines explained on website for in-person participation. Open to ages 18 and over.

Wood carving class
Saturday, June 18, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
All levels of wood carvers are invited to participate in this class at the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington. Expect to carve and paint a male northern shoveler (a colorful duck) with instruction, wood and paint included in fee. David Tuttle of Green Mountain Woodcarvers leads the workshop. More info about what to bring and registration.

Vegetable growing
Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m.-noon
A family workshop for new and seasoned gardeners is taking place at New Village Farm on Harbor Road in Shelburne. Topics include maintenance, pest management, harvest and other aspects of growing vegetables. Bring gloves; all tools provided. Dress for outside. More info and registration or call 802-265-0555.

Music at the vineyard
Saturday, June 18, 7-9:15 p.m.
Soul singer-songwriter Myra Flynn performs her original tunes at Shelburne Vineyard. She has toured extensively and performed with numerous musical artists. Gates open at 6:15 and music at 7. The Waffle Wagon food truck will be serving. Tickets available in advance or at the door. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, if desired.

Abenaki heritage weekend
Saturday & Sunday, June 18 & 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Abenaki community of the Champlain Valley gathers at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes for a variety of presentations, workshops, drumming and singing. Participating Abenaki tribe members welcome visitors with activities for the entire family. Get a complete schedule for this free event.

CHARLOTTE
Juneteenth celebration
Sunday, June 19
The theme at the Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte for this celebration is Building Legacies that Matter. Activities include storytelling, traditional games, music, dance, food and a visual art co-creation workshop. Registration is free for limited openings from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 765-560-5445 to inquire about Sunday’s schedule and leave a message.

Rokeby Museum
Sunday, June 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Rokeby in Ferrisburgh welcomes visitors for no fee in celebration of Juneteenth. For more info, see rokeby.org.

CHARLOTTE
Father’s Day music
Sunday, June 19, 1 p.m.
Traditional bluegrass and Americana classics come to the Charlotte Senior Center in a free performance by the Mansfield Mountain Band, a four-piece acoustic group from Richmond. No registration required. All ages invited; seating is limited. For more info.

Solstice celebration
Tuesday, June 21, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Breakaway Farm in South Hero welcomes everyone to their Summer Solstice gathering. Event includes short trail rides, craft projects, wagon rides, Maypole dancing, food and drink, craft vendors and a bonfire. For more info and tickets, visit the website or call 802-372-8491.

Conservation for landowners
Tuesday, June 21, noon-1 p.m.
How does your land fit into the ecology of Vermont? Vermont Conservation Design can help you understand your woods, waters and wildlife. Learn how to access data and how to map your land in BioFinder in workshop led by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Free, but registration required. More info.

Try a dragon boat
Tuesdays, June 21 & 28, 6-7 p.m.
At the Community Sailing Center in Burlington, the Malia Dragon Boat racing team hosts Try-it-Tuesdays. Here’s a chance to try this challenging and competitive rowing sport with a group of mentors who lead and instruct. Dress for lake spray; bring water shoes and drinking water. Free event with limited space. For more info or to register, visit the website or call 802-864-2499.

Make Music Day
Tuesday, June 21, all day
Musicians and vocalists: Get your name on the festival map for this international event at bigheavyworld.com/makemusicvt and sign up for a day of making music for all. This is an inclusive festival – all music makers are invited to participate: on front porches, stoops, stages, lawns, balconies or sidewalks. Represent Vermont as communities around the world celebrate all kinds of music. Be a participant or get the map to catch the live performances. For more info, email or call 716-640-4639. There are opportunities to join others in Charlotte for this event.

Fairy house trail
Due date: Wednesday, June 22
For those with a creative penchant for miniature and magical places, consider entering a handmade fairy house for submission into the Fairy House Trail exhibition at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. Houses must be submitted by June 22 for public opening on Saturday, July 9. Artwork will be on display outside all summer, so needs to withstand the weather. The house must fit within a 2-foot-by-2-foot base. For more info, call 802-533-9075.

Farmers market
Fridays from June 24, 3-6:30 p.m.
Buy from local producers and artists and enjoy music at the Richmond Farmers Market on Volunteers Green. More info at 802-881-1249.

Night at the farm
Fridays from June 24, 5-8 p.m.
The Fisher Brothers Farm on Spear St. in Shelburne is hosting Friday Nights at the Farm. Featured are food trucks, local live music and treats from Sisters of Anarchy ice cream, which is made at the farm from farm ingredients. For more info, visit the website or call 802-495-5165.

Montpelier market
Saturdays, from June 25, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
The Capital City Farmers Market features a wide selection of local food, art, crafts, cheeses and musical performers. Saturdays at 133 State St., outdoors. More info.

Field sketching
Saturday, June 25, 1-4 p.m.
Sharpen your pencils and practice sketching skills at the University of Vermont Horticulture Farm, off Route 7 in South Burlington. Instructor and artist Jane Neroni leads participants in observation skills and techniques, first inside and then en plein air. Bring supplies, a folding stool or blanket, bug spray and water. Rain date is June 26. Register or visit the website.

Luigi Lucioni opening
Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
From 1932 until his death in 1988, Lucioni visited and painted in Vermont. He is celebrated for his realistic portraits, landscapes and still lifes. Modern Light, the Lucioni exhibition at the Shelburne Museum, opens on June 25. Curator Katie Wood Kirchhoff leads a tour of the exhibition 2-3 p.m. on June 25. Click for more info.

Benefit concert
Sunday, June 26, 6:45-9 p.m.
A concert featuring local jazz and blues guitarist Paul Asbell, joined by African multi- instrumentalist Mikahely, will benefit the local non-profit Helping and Nurturing Diverse Seniors, which provides food to Chittenden county seniors in need. The Shelburne Vineyard doors open at 6:45 p.m. and music begins soon after. Food truck on site from Mule Bar in Winooski. Some tables available; bring blankets or chairs if desired. For info and tickets, visit the website or call 802-985-3346.

Community band
Mondays from June 27, 7 p.m.
The Vergennes City Band plays marches and classic band arrangements at their concerts in the park in downtown Vergennes. Stop by for a little slice of the less hectic life. Pull up a chair or blanket and enjoy the brass on a summer evening.

En plein air pop-up
Tuesday, June 28, 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m.
Drop in to create your own artwork on the grounds of the Shelburne Museum, inspired by the historic buildings and lush gardens. Materials provided, free with admission, weather permitting. For more info.

Fly fishing
Thursday, June 30, 6-8 p.m.
Meet with members of Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and learn the basics of fishing: equipment, ecology, regulations and hands-on fishing at Vergennes Falls Park on the Otter Creek. All materials supplied. Free; register.