THE MOOSE IS LOOSE (AND SO ARE THE BEARS) AS KILLINGTON KICKS OFF HAYFEST AND THE GRASS MENAGERIE
Posted on September 02, 2020
KILLINGTON, VT-Time to cuddle up to a 25-foot teddy, hug a 2,000-pound pink pig and pop a photo of a giant pelican! 35 of the biggest, most colorful animals you'll ever see are roaming the roads in Killington.
The 2010 Killington Hay Festival and Grass Menagerie, Vermont's most colorful autumn event, opened officially today with Vermont Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Bruce Hyde unveiling one of the town's 35 massive hay sculptures. The festival, which runs Labor Day Weekend through Columbus Day, includes a month of family activities and events. Killington is partnering with the National Audubon Society to raise funds and awareness for the society's bird and habitat restoration in the Gulf of Mexico.
Today's event was held in front of a huge hay sculpture of a pelican in tribute to the Hay Festival partnership with the Audubon Society. Marvin Elliot, Co-President of the Rutland County Chapter of the National Audubon Society, thanked the town for its efforts on behalf of the society's Gulf efforts.
"Many of the birds that breed in Vermont's forests, fields and wetlands will migrate through the Gulf on the way to their winter grounds," Audubon Vermont Conservation and Policy Director Jim Shallow noted recently. "Audubon has a long-term vision to restore the health of the Gulf wetlands that the birds and people of the Gulf depend on."
In addition to the Grass Menagerie hay sculptures, the month-long Hay Festival includes a hay maze and scavenger hunt for kids and a variety of diverse events and activities for the entire family, including:
· Killington Classic Motorcycle Touring Rally Sept. 9-12
· World Famous Dock Dogs at Killington Sept 17-19
· IDIC Benefit 15k & 5k walk and run Sept 19
· Pico Septemberfest Sept 25
· Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social & Political Soapbox Rally Sept 26
· Killington Brewfest Oct 2
· Killington Ski Club swap October 9-11
· Apple Fest October 9
· Bonfire & Ullr-Fest October 9
"We're really excited about the quantity and quality of activities and events we're presenting as part of this year's Hay Festival," said Seth Webb, Killington director or Tourism and Economic Development. "And working with the Audubon Society has enabled us to expand greatly the reach of our messaging about Fall in Killington and all we have to offer."
The official Hay Festival Headquarters is located at the Grist Mill on the Killington Road. Additional information on the Hay Festival and details on all events are available online at www.discoverkillington.com
