Manchester Life Summer / Fall 2025 | Page 9

MANCHESTER RIVERWALK
BENNINGTON BATTLE DAY
AUTHORS BOOK FESTIVAL
ARLINGTON • JUNE 28, 10AM TO 4PM
Are you a writer, a reader, and a lover of books? This book festival showcases best-selling and award winning authors throughout the Northeast. With over 30 authors and a variety of genres for all ages, there’ s sure to be an author for every book lover. This year’ s event will include author talks and book signings with award-winning authors, as well as opportunities to chat with them. Speakers include Kat Fitzpatrick, Robert Knightly, Thomas Henry Pope, and more. Food and drink will be available. To stay updated on the author line-up, visit: arlingtoncommon. org

MANCHESTER RIVERWALK

MANCHESTER • JULY 2025
The new Manchester Riverwalk is scheduled to be unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July! The Riverwalk is an important way for all ages to experience the beautiful town of Manchester. Visitors can sit and relax, enjoy the gentle trills and burbles of the water, admire the waterfall, listen to birdsong, walk along the river in the shade of the overhanging trees, and wonder at the microclimates along the paths … all the while being right in the center of downtown Manchester! For more: manchesterriverwalk. org

GARLIC TOWN’ S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

BENNINGTON BATTLE DAY

250TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR AUGUST 16-17
BENNINGTON, VT AUGUST 30, 10AM TO 5PM
Eat, drink, and get stinky in Bennington for the annual festival of all things garlic! Garlic Town is celebrating 30 years of fun at Vermont’ s biggest family farmers market. Live music, kids’ activities, cooking demos, food vendors, and so much more await you at this year’ s special festivities. For three decades, the unmistakable aroma of garlic has signaled the arrival of one of New England’ s most beloved festivals. There will be 130 + curated vendors, including garlic growers, artisans, and specialty food makers, as well as live music and entertainment throughout the day. Folks can look forward to a vibrant downtown atmosphere, with local businesses offering garlic-inspired specials, interactive kids’ activities, family-friendly fun, and delicious food trucks serving garlicky dishes from New England and around the world. Garlic Town USA is also proud to continue working on its zero-waste initiative, ensuring sustainability with the commitment of organizers, vendors, guests, and volunteers. For all the details, visit: garlictownusa. com
COURTESY SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE OM FESTIVAL RETURNS
ARLINGTON • JULY 23- 27
Get ready, Yogis, the OM Festival returns to the West Mountain Inn July 23 through July 27, and Festival Passes are on sale now! Whether you’ re experienced in yoga or new to the practice, treat yourself
to a transformative experience highlighting yoga practices and other wellness activities. What’ s new for 2025: floating sound healing and mimosa / mocktail experiences, expanded car camping options, glamping, hot yoga and cold plunging experiences, tubing down the Battenkill River, and more! Arlington is a gorgeous backdrop for this memorable and restorative experience. theomfestival. com
The town has been celebrating the victory of the Battle of Bennington every year starting in 1778, the year after the battle. In 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes was part of the celebration, and in 1891, President Benjamin Harrison was on-hand for the dedication of the Bennington Battle Monument. At 306’ tall, it is the tallest man-made structure in Vermont to this day. Every Battle Day weekend, the Town of Bennington’ s Fire Department takes the lead in planning the celebrations and parade. This year’ s 250th anniversary commemoration of the Fort Ticonderoga capture took place on May 3 and May 4. Later this summer, the Battle of Bennington’ s anniversary will be celerated for two days with full-scale reenactments. The fun gets started at 10am on August 16 at the Bennington Battlefield, followed by a ceremony at the Bennington Battle Monument at 12pm. The fun continues on August 17 with a tactical battle at 9am and a parade at 12pm in downtown Bennington. For more information on additional Battle Day events in Bennington, please visit: benningtonvt. org
SHAKESPEARE IN THE WOODS
MANCHESTER • AUGUST 13- 31
Shakespeare in the Woods( SitW) will celebrate its fifth anniversary season of classical theatre in Southern Vermont! The young, unconventional company will present gripping and modern reimagined productions of Richard II and Love’ s Labour’ s Lost for its 2025 Season.
Shows are performed in repertory with evening performances occurring Wednesdays through Sundays. There are student & senior matinee opportunities, as well. SitW is thrilled to also announce its continued venue partnership with The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester! Performances will once again occur under the trees on the Equinox’ s idyllic Taconic Lawn, rain or shine. shakespeareinthewoods. org
COURTESY SitW
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