Cold Weather Companions - A Glimpse into the world of Vermont’s Snow Sculptors

Every February, the Burlington Winter Festival hosts Vermont’s State Snow Sculpting competition, and over the past decade, two men have made quite the name for themselves among the Snow Sculpting circuit. Michael Nedell and Adrian Tans first joined the competition in 1998 after seeing a “Call to Artists,” in a local paper, and have returned to compete almost every year since. The other members of their team have come and gone over the years, and their 2010 line-up also includes their friend, Brooke Monte. I met with Mike and Adrian at Mike’s home in Burlington, as the two packed up for the National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
I sit down to meet with the two in Mike’s kitchen, and my eyes are immediately drawn to a clay scene on the table- a scale model of the team’s latest plan. A robot and a monkey are mid-duel, the tall, boxy robot firing a ray gun at the chimp half its size, who is firing a laser from the peeled banana in his fist. “It’s based off of a James Kolchaka song, ‘Monkey versus Robot,’” Mike tells me. For those unfamiliar with the reference, James Kolchaka is a Burlington-based comic book artist and musician, of whom the sculptors are quite fond.
“We always like to include some sort of twisted message in our sculptures,” Adrian tells me. “This concept, for instance... We’re all monkeys versus robots, in essence, monkeys battling technology.” In 2004, their sculpture featured a different conflict with technology- a scowling boy sitting cross legged in front of a television set, out of which protruded a giant hand, pointing a remote control at the boy’s face. Another sculpture, for the Nationals in Lake Geneva, was a giant microscope with the American flag under its lens.
I ask them what the typical creative process involves. “We sit around, sketch, talk about stupid stuff, sketch stupid stuff,” Adrian tells me. “We’ve got a great notebook!” Michael adds with a laugh. “We’ve had some weird ideas.” After coming up with a few concepts, they’ll start looking at pictures online for reference, and begin sculpting scale models out of clay, like the one in front of me. When the Winter Festival roles around, the men have three days with which to carve their creation out of a six foot by six foot block of snow.
Did they have any idea what they were doing the first time? “Not really,” Michael admits. In any case, their debut sculpture, a woman on a tortoise, won first place, and their team was sent to the Nationals in Lake Geneva for the first time. Since that first win, the team has gone to Nationals eight times, and have twice made it to the internationals in Breckenridge, Colorado. Michael has attended and sculpted at several exhibitions in New Hampshire and Maine.
“[Parks and Recreation] brings in the snow for us on Thursday, and we sculpt until Saturday,” Michael says, adding “It’s a slow process, we take a few beer breaks, talk to people passing by.” The Nationals in Lake Geneva require more time, and more equipment - specifically, 150 pounds of equipment. “When you’re working on the sculpture, there’s scaffolding, ladders, and a good chance something might fall on you.” Michael says, “It’s a dangerous past time.” Tools of the trade are innovative - anything from floor scrapers and ice cream scoops to home made tools. Adrian and Michael reminisce over a man they met at Nationals who makes his own tools at home, using his own forge.
Dangerous, but unifying. The men agree that snow sculpting may not seem like the ideal way to spend one’s time, but it brings them together. As Adrian puts it, “some guys like hunting, some guys like to go to Las Vegas... We like going outside in freezing temperatures and climbing around carving enormous snow statues.” And for these artists, friendship isn’t the only appeal to the art.
“Here’s our chance to make something, essentially for free.” Michael points out. “You don’t get that chance working with marble, or even with paintings. I think snow’s a great medium!”
“It literally falls from the sky.” Adrian adds with a laugh. “Marble is much more prohibitive.”
Another benefit of working with snow is that it leaves no clutter behind, and the statue remains for a matter of days - there is no lingering question concerning where it must move next, and how it should be moved. “No selling involved, no extra junk, it just goes away!” Michael grins.
What’s clear of this snow sculpting team is that Michael, Adrian and Brooke like to have fun. Although their first entry in the Vermont Snow Sculpting Competition began on a whim, it has evolved into a yearly tradition and serves as a means to stay connected with old friends, as well as making new connections. For these unlikely sculptors, a blizzard presents a unique opportunity for outdoor recreation, creative expression, and yes, robots battling monkeys.



Grace Spain

Banish Your Winter Blues at the Burlington Winter Festival

It’s no secret that winters seem to last a lot longer in Burlington, Vermont. With early snowfalls in October, and occasional storms in April, there’s just no telling when residents will be able to cast off their bulky coats and have some fun in the sun. And although locals know that there’s no shortage of skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the area, these winter pastimes are not the ideal option for everybody. That’s why this February, Burlington Parks and Recreation will put on the annual Winter Festival, a great way for the community to say “Goodbye!” to cabin fever.
For 18 years, the Winter Festival has been involving the community in a day of fun, family-friendly winter events. A popular and long running event is the Snow Sculpting Competition and Ice Walk. This year’s festival marks the 15th year since the competition became officially sanctioned by the Association International de Sculpture sur Neige et Glace. The winner of the competition will go on represent Vermont in the National Snow Sculpting competition in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The Ice Walk, separate from the Snow Sculpting Competition, consists of local artists carving ice sculptures in front of the businesses on Burlington’s Church St. Marketplace.
The ice and snow will be provided by Creed Ice and the local Public Works Department, and brought in the morning of the event. Ice sculptors will create their works of art in front of onlookers, and when the carvings are complete, they will be lit with floodlights. Maria Tomry, a UVM intern working on the Ice Walk, adds, “We’ve hired security through Saturday night,” pointing out that vandalism can be an issue on Church Street, particularly late at night when the bar crowd roams free.
This year, the expected turn out is 4,000 to 6,000 people, about the typical turnout for the combined Winter Festival events. Because the snow and ice sculptures are displayed on Church Street, those unaware of the festivities are pleasantly surprised by the often larger-than-life works of art. “Chris Fish, a pretty prominent local ice sculpture, usually gets the biggest showcase,” Maria said, adding, “Other artists do logos, and smaller pieces.”
Planning the Winter Festival starts as early as September of the year before, when UVM’S Community Development and Applied Economics Department assembles its event planning class, compromised of about 20 - 25 students. A two week class over winter break allows the CDAED Class to get better prepared. “We get into teams, focus on different aspects of the planning, and then about five or six students work really closely on the project,” says Maria of her event planning class. They work closely with Nancy Bove, from Burlington Parks and Recreation, and Ron Redmond, of the Church Street Marketplace. The Burlington Winter Festival is a community effort.
The [ECHO Center and Vermont Special Olympics also get involved, and hold a Family Expo at the ECHO Center, and a Penguin Plunge down at the waterfront. Local radio stations will be present at both locations, and speakers will be set up along Church St. to play music for attendees. This year, Kool 105 and 99.9 The Buzz will lend their support to the Ice Walk. “We very much support the Church Street Marketplace,” says Promotions director Wendy Mays. Local businesses on Church Street like to get involved, and increased traffic in the marketplace gives a nice customer boost to businesses who don’t see as much winter patronage.
The driving force behind the Winter Festival is UVM’s event planning class, guided by the CDAED. Students work hands on to organize sponsors, radio support, and encourage local businesses to participate. This year, the UVM TopCats will perform at the top of Church Street, which is also the location of the ice sculpting competition. “With this season’s weather, we didn’t have the snow required for snow sculptures,” event organizer Jessica Hymen says. “But we were approved [by the Association International de Sculpture sur Neige et Glace] to subsitute ice.” The traditional format still applies, with the sculptors given Thursday, Friday and Saturday to work on their piece, and judging and Peoples Choice will take place during the Winter Festival on Saturday afternoon.
The Winter Festival is not only a chance for UVM and local businesses to come together as a community effort, but it’s also a great opportunity for Burlington citizens to get out and about during the gray winter months. From snow and ice sculpting demonstrations, to local artwork, local music, and brave locals jumping into Lake Champlain, there’s cold weather fun to be found at the Burlington Winter Festival.
Grace Spain

A Winter Success Story - The Burlington Ice Walk

One week into February- the sky is a brilliant blue, the sun is shining, and the wind is not as remorseless as I’ve come to expect from winters on Lake Champlain. All in all, it’s the perfect weather on February 6th, the day of Burlington’s annual Winter Festival and Ice Walk. The Winter Festival, traditionally put on by Parks and Recreation and the Echo Center, a long with a bundle of sponsors, serves to alleviate winter tension, and gives the community something to celebrate. From the Penguin Plunge at the waterfront, to the Ice Walk on Church Street, bundled up Burlingtonites are enjoying their day.
The Winter Festival has been held every year since 1992, when it was a relatively small event. Over the years, more people have gotten involved and more events have been added, so that it now consists of a five hour day, three separate locations, and a multitude of demonstrations, workshops, competitions, and eye-catching art. In 1995, the Association International de Sculpture sur Neige et Glace officially sanctioned Burlington to hold a state-wide snow sculpting competition, a Winter Festival tradition that is still popular today.
This year, the traditional snow sculpting competition had to be altered, in light of the warmer weather and insufficient snowfall. The top of Church Street is sectioned off, and four teams are set to work on ice sculptures, rather than snow. They begin working on Thursday night, and are still hard at work on Saturday, when I arrive at the festival.
“It is a change [for the artists,]” event organizer Jessica Hyman tells me, “but they’re all very skilled in what they do. Of course, it’s a very different medium.” Sculptors are using power tools and various scrapers, each team of three hard at work. As I watch, competitors Frank Barsalow, Sean Rodgers, and Katya Andrievskaya are carving adorable penguins out of their ice blocks. A young girl with blonde hair approaches the ice penguins, looking delighted. Yet another group of onlookers is watching a woman diligently putting detail into the ice block in front of her. “It’s cool to see how they do it,” a boy near me tells his father, and the two step to the other side of the ice sculpture to gain a new perspective.
In 2007, the Winter Festival was almost done away with all together. Budget cuts for the city, specifically the Parks and Recreation department, threatened the event. However, UVM’s Community Development and Applied Economics department stepped in to help. Headed by Lynn Gregory and a group of her students, the CDAE took over most of the planning, and kept the tradition alive. In the years since, The Winter Event Planning class works closely with Nancy Bove (of Parks and Recreation) and Ron Redmond of Church Street Marketplace in order to host this well-loved community event.
How ever, the ice sculptures are not just relegated to the top of the block. Walking down Church Street, there are ice figures in front of select businesses which have chosen to participate, including The Three Tomatoes, Leunigs, The Optical Center, and Von Bargen’s Fine Diamonds and Jewelry. These businesses help support the Winter Festival, and in turn, a beautiful ice sculpture is created in front of their establishment.
“Chris Fish is a great ice sculptor, and he usually creates Ice Logos for the businesses that get involved,” says Maria Tomry, a student in the CDAE event planning class. “And he traditionally does a bigger showcase at the top of Church Street.” This year, the showcase is also a sculpting demonstration, which is taking place while I’m there. Four sculptors (including Fish,) are working on blocks of ice, creating beautiful patterns of what is a yet indiscernible structure. It doesn’t take long, however, to figure out what the final piece will be- an elaborate throne, fit for an Ice King.
The effort put in by the students of the CDAE has clearly paid off. The Ice Walk / Competition brings 4,000 to 6,000 visitors to Church Street, where they enjoy viewing the art work, as well as demonstrations and workshops located at Contois Auditorium. Radio stations Kool 105 and 99.9 The Buzz are on hand, in addition to promoting the event over the airwaves.
“We got involved when Amanda [Neubelt, a UVM student] contacted us, and asked if we’d like to support the Ice Walk.” Wendy Mays, promotions director for 99.9 The Buzz, tells me. “We have a longstanding relationship with the Church St. Marketplace, and are happy to get involved with any of the events that they hold.” She adds that the students are responsible for the bulk of the organization.
After the holidays, Church Street marketplace experiences its slowest time of the year, and the Winter Festival and Ice Walk bring a much needed energy boost, not only to Burlington citizens, but to proprietors of Church Street. The festival serves to liven up the downtown area, and always attracts a large crowd. It’s clear as ice that this event is important not only to businesses, but to the community as a whole.
Grace Spain

B4BC: Boarding for Breast Cancer

The story begins with a 26-year-old snowboarder named Monica Steward. Thirteen years ago, after discovering a small lump in one of her breasts, she went to the several doctors to get checked out. Doctor after doctor told her that, due to her young age, the lump must be harmless. By the time the cancer was caught, it had progressed to Stage 4 and spread throughout her organs.
Through her frustrating experience, Steward came to realize the lack of awareness among young women regarding breast cancer and began to speak out. Her friends, including pro snowboarders Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn, heard her loud and clear and helped her form B4BC, or Boarding For Breast Cancer.
B4BC is a non-profit organization focused on educating and spreading awareness among youth, as well as promoting an active lifestyle. They work to raise money for cancer research, donating to organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Breast Cancer Fund, and to “increase awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the value of an active lifestyle.” Steward saw the need to educate youth specifically because, although breast cancer is more likely to manifest itself in women at a later age, it is still possible to contract young. There are few breast cancer awareness programs that target to a younger age. Steward saw an outlet through her passion for snowboarding to reach the demographic that breast cancer groups often overlook.
The first official B4BC event was held at Lake Tahoe in 1996 with the goal of spreading awareness and raising research money. Pro snowboarders came to compete, the Beastie Boys put on a free show, and the first annual Boarding for Breast Cancer Snowboard and Music Festival proved to be a success. Although Steward passed away at just 28-years-old, two months before the event was held, her dream was finally realized.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars raised later, Steward’s B4BC vision is stronger than ever, thanks in no small part to the countless volunteers that devote their time and effort to the cause. Caila Burke, a 21-year-old marketing major at Champlain College, got involved with the organization last year as a Student Brand Ambassador.
“I got involved with B4BC last year when I reached out to them for a semester long assignment for a non-profit marketing class,” she explained. “Jackie Cooper [a fellow Champlain student] and I worked all semester to help B4BC develop and implement a student ambassador program.”
Originating in the West Coast, the B4BC name is not quite as household here in the East. Working with B4BC Outreach Director, Blair Young, Burke set out to change that by focusing on getting B4BC involved with local colleges and snowboarding events. So far, she has teamed up with UVM and Champlain’s Ski and Ride Clubs to spread the B4BC word through meetings, rail jams, and video premieres.
“I have family members and close family friends who have suffered from breast cancer. I have seen what it is like to not realize the effects of the disease until it is too late.” Burke’s personal reasons for getting involved with B4BC mirror the same reasons many others volunteer. “I am also a 21-year-old female, which makes me the prime target for being educated and aware of the disease myself. I take the steps now to be healthier and more active to help prevent the risk of breast cancer.”
The Winter Dew Tour stop in Mt. Snow this past weekend served as a perfect venue to get the B4BC word out. The televised pro snowboard and ski competition drew over 30,000 people to the slopes. Young, Burke, and several other volunteers set up a B4BC educational booth in the tent village, a showcase of the event’s sponsors and snow and ski related companies. Always one of the most popular aspects of snow events, the B4BC booth saw steady traffic all day as the public meandered through the village.
The booth showcases what the B4BC is all about. It includes pamphlets explaining how to perform self exams and the benefits to living a healthy lifestyle, summarized by the slogan, “Early Detection + Active Lifestyle = Best Prevention.” Visitors can donate a dollar or more and receive a pink wristband displaying this slogan and the B4BC logo. One of the more popular attractions of the booth are the three jelly breast molds. Visitors are encouraged to feel the difference between each breast; the first represents a normal, healthy breast, the second represents a breast with fiber-cystic tissue, which is quite common and harmless, and the third contains a potentially dangerous lump. Volunteers instruct both males and females how to examine a breast for lumps, while stressing to the males in particular that 30% of cancerous lumps in women are found by their partners.
Another popular draw to the booth is the product giveaway featuring B4BC collaborations with some of the biggest boarding companies; tee-shirts, hats, jackets, boots from companies like Etnies, Vans, Volcom, and Burton, for example, all sporting the B4BC logo. On the official B4BC website, visitors can buy these products with all proceeds heading towards a cure.
Other companies collaborate with B4BC to organize events. Alex Rice, co-founder of Battle for Burlington, a start-up events series created especially to showcase Burlington’s local college riders, got involved with B4BC through Burke about a year ago. He too felt that existing breast cancer awareness organizations were not reaching the youth demographic.
“I admire B4BC's mission to raise breast cancer awareness to young people by using actions sports as a common denominator,” Rice elaborated. “I think that their message gets through to some kids that traditional channels miss.”
Rice first took on B4BC as a non-profit partner at last year’s Battle for Burlington event at Jay Peak and continued to work with them this year, including at the recent Stowe Battle for Burlington.
“We look forward to continue the ways in which The Battle can help promote B4BC in legit and unique ways,” he continued.
Through their work, B4BC has kept the stories alive of thousands of people affected by breast cancer, including Steward’s. Over the years, the same youth that Steward set out to educate has picked up the reins and volunteered their time to inspire others.
Supporters can look forward to the B4BC’s involvement in upcoming events like the U.S. Open at Stratton Mountain, March 18-21 and the Battle for Burlington at Jay Peak on March 27.
Check out their official website at b4bc.org for more information and volunteer opportunities.
Jackie Stickley

Group Fitness Makes ‘Losers’ out of Burlingtonites

Burlington was voted the ‘Healthiest City in America’ by the CDC last year, due to the enormous amount of recreational activities available here. Not only is the Queen City home to over a half-dozen yoga studios and gyms, but boasts of a 13.1 mile long bike path which features scenic views of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. However, Burlington is also home to Bite Me Pizza, Mr. Mike’s Pizza, Junior’s Pizzeria, Leonardo’s Pizza, Domino’s Pizza, and more than a dozen local restaurants and eateries. Magic Hat Brewing and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream both hail from Vermont, as well. With all these high-fat, high-calorie options to tempt and tantalize the palate, it’s no wonder why Burlington is also home to 38-yes, THIRTY-EIGHT- Weight Watcher’s meetings. Most kids get a camera or computer for Christmas; after gaining the horrid freshman THIRTY, my mother decided to give me 3 months of Weight Watchers for Christmas.
Studies suggest that dieters who attend meeting lose 78% more weight that those who brave the trenches alone. With the recent additions of the Weight Watchers at Work program here at Champlain College, as well as the Biggest Loser-esque, Champlain Loses It! Program, it seems everyone is hoping on the group weight loss train. This year has seen many fitness and health improvements in this little Vermont campus- the addition of a college running team, more healthy options in the infamous cafeteria, and the two programs stated above. The Assistant Director of the Student Life Center, Lina Balcom, is a supporter of the Weight Watchers program. After losing 60 lbs. and keeping it off through the program, Balcom became a Weight Watchers leader and started the program at Champlain. So far, the Weight Watchers at Work program at Champlain has seen enormous success. The group meets every Thursday at 12pm to weigh-in and discuss the trials and errors of the precious week. “It really builds a bond, that lasts longer than the 30 minute meeting time,” Lina says. “Weighing yourself in front of another person is so personal. Sharing that with 20 other people is really a wakeup call; I need to do this for myself.” Personally, I seek out Lina for advice whenever I am having a rough week on the program, and she is always filled with words of wisdom.
“If you gain weight this week, what’s the worst that can happen?” This question was posed to me after a particularly rough week of eating. “I’ll tell you what- you keep with the plan, stick it out, and do your best this week. That’s all you can do!” Lina’s inspiring words helped me see for myself why group fitness may be the key to developing a bikini-ready body. Chelsy Pillsbury, a sophomore student from Brattleboro, Vermont, agrees that group fitness helps keep team morale up. “If I know that one of my teammates is going to the gym that motivates me to get my butt in gear. Also, I love how there is Champlain Loses It approved food in the cafeteria now; it really helps to see the little logo when I’m making my meal choices.” While Pillsbury joined the program to gain 10 lbs. of muscle, her team enjoyed the sweet success of losing 12lbs. at the last team weigh-in. “We really didn’t expect it, but it definitely helped motivate us to keep working hard this week!”
I attended my own weigh-in last night at a Weight Watchers location in Williston, VT. I attend these meetings because the Weight Watchers at Work program at Champlain interferes with my class schedule. Last night, a woman in my group called Lara experienced a 5lb. gain. “I was so upset about my gain- I worked hard all week, I sweated for the first time in years, and I ate everything I was supposed to eat. I was ready to throw in the towel, until I talked to my fellow group members. Being a part of Weight Watchers is like being a part of a team- giving up on yourself is the same as giving up on your team. Now, I have a new, motivated attitude for next week, and I know that if I keep my chin up, I will see the results I want to see.” Lara, a smiling blond woman with dimples, says that another reason she enjoys group fitness is the camaraderie feels with her fellow ‘losers’. “When one of us loses, we all win. And that’s really the best feeling. It feels great to hear a team member say she’s lost 3lbs. that week- it makes me want to be that girl next week!”
The Champlain College Running club is another group responsible for getting people moving in the Queen City. Bret Dewhurst is the staff advisor for the running club and helps lead the team every day, Monday through Friday, at 5:15 through the city streets of Burlington. “It’s a great feeling, sometimes called the runner’s high. Champlain doesn’t have sports, and a lot of new students really miss that bond that comes from being part of a team. That was something I definitely thought about when becoming a part of the club, and that togetherness is something I feel we’re creating each and every time we run.” The running club is not limited to students, either. Any member of the Champlain community, staff, faculty, alumni, undergrads, or the like, can be a part of this team. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or a marathon runner; the running club embraces all types. “You really just have to have a love for the sport and a desire to be a part of a team,” Bret says. The running club participates in races and daily runs around the Burlington area. So far, the team has 22 members and counting, and all members of the team post their daily runs online at www.dailymile.com.
Group Fitness is sweeping not only the Vermont community, but the nation as well. Programs like the Zone diet, L.A Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, and Weight Watchers all claim that participating in meetings weekly can propel weight loss. Champlain Loses Its top two teams have lost 14lbs. and 12lbs. respectively since the program began. The Champlain College Running Club is growing at a rapid pace, with only Father Winter slowing them down. Many of the members of the team have begun training for 5ks and marathons, while others are just happy to get their stride established. Weight Watchers at Work, Champlain’s own chapter, is experiencing the camaraderie that comes with weekly meetings, and its members are already feeling the burn- of weight loss, that is, with a total group weight loss of 34 lbs. As for me, I’ve lost 7lbs. on my 8 weeks of Weight Watchers, and my mom has lost 29.6lbs. My mom is proud of me for losing weight, and says she will get me that camera for my birthday.


Amanda Mahony

Burlington Takes the Plunge to Support the Special Olympics VT

Grab your swimsuits and get ready for the cold! During the 15th annual Burlington Penguin Plunge, approximately 1000 brave souls will jump into the icy waters of Lake Champlain on Saturday morning, February 6th, at the Burlington Waterfront in order to raise money for the Special Olympics VT (SOVT). The plungers—a combination of SOVT athletes and their supporters—have been working hard to raise enough money to meet their individual fundraising goals. Participants are able to register online and create a fundraising page on the SOVT website where they can get the word out to possible donors through word of mouth, email, and Facebook. Each participant must pay a $25 registration fee and raise $150 minimum. Participants and donors also have the option of joining a fundraising team. The top fundraising teams include the Burlington Rugby Team and Browns River Middle School, having raised over $8000 and over $6000 respectively. Prize incentives, such as Penguin Plunge vests, hats, and jackets, are awarded to fundraisers as they hit certain benchmarks. The mission of SOVT, displayed on their home page, is to "provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other SOVT athletes and the community." The non-profit organization also holds Penguin Plunges in Bennington and Newport, VT. The money raised will go towards training and putting on various sports events for the SOVT athletes to participate in. Since holding its first Burlington Penguin Plunge in 1996, participation has grown ever year. "This year, we are expecting to break our record for number of individuals taking the Plunge. Last year on January 31st we had 557 people registered online to take the Plunge," Kimberly Bookless, SOVT's Fundraising Events Manager explained. "On the same date this year, we had over 790 registered to plunge! This does not include a number of paper registrations we've received or online registrations since. We hope to reach 1,100 plungers!" SOVT also displayed their dedication to helping the environment by cutting down on waste when planning the 2010 Plunge. "This year, we've switched to an online incentive system to reduce our waste; only those incentives which are needed will be ordered," Bookless added. Several local restaurants are getting involved by holding Penguin Plunge Days. Diners can bring in a coupon, found on the SOVT website, to Texas Roadhouse, in Williston, VT, on February 8th from 4:00 to 10:00pm and 10% of their bill will be donated to the SOVT. Similarly, between 11:00am and 10:00pm on February 3rd, 10% of all sales made at Mexicala Grill and Cantina, also in Williston, donated to the cause. In addition, Texas Roadhouse and downtown Burlington's Bueno y Sano are rewarding the first 1000 people to check-in on Saturday with gift certificates. The New England Culinary Institute (NECI) is also getting involved this year by hosting the "Chili Throwdown 2010" at the Waterfront the day of the Plunge. The culinary school, based out of Montpelier, VT, is returning to the SOVT event for the first time in years. "We had done this years ago and we decided to revive it. It's an exciting opportunity for the students," Jennifer Livingston, the NECI Student Programs Coordinator shared during a phone interview from her office on the NECI campus. "I have always had friends who have done the plunge and I'm doing it this year. I just think it's a great opportunity to help fundraise for the Special Olympics." The NECI students that submitted the top six recipes will compete in the Throwdown from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the Penguin Plunge on Saturday. Four judges, including Judy Simpson, news anchor and producer of WACX Channel 3 News Daybreak, will taste and critique the chili based on aroma, consistency, color, taste, and aftertaste. Members of the public and participants looking to warm up have the option of paying one dollar to sample the chili. All of the proceeds go to SOVT. "We are just really excited to be able to meet people and have more people become aware of what NECI does, and to have a nice, fun day," Livingston continued. According to Bookless, the North Bennington Penguin Plunge, which took place last Saturday, January 30th, saw a 30 person increase in participants and raised over double what they raised in 2009 for a total of $14,861. "We are hoping for the same success with the Burlington Plunge!” Jackie Stickley

Mardi Gras Magic (Hat), Mayhem, and Madness

February is in full swing, and that means Mardi Gras is only a few weeks away. Cities across the nation are in preparation for Fat Tuesday, from the heart of it all in New Orleans to Miami to Chicago. And on the East Coast, tiny Burlington looks to Magic Hat, Vermont’s flagship brewery, to make the Mardi Gras festivities greater than ever. But while most other cities will celebrate the flashy holiday on February 24, Burlington and Magic Hat have devoted an entire weekend to revelry in the streets.
On Saturday, February 27th, the Magic Hat Parade will shut down such traffic-heavy roads as King Street, South Winooski Avenue, and, of course, Church Street, so that more than thirty floats can roll through Burlington, bringing beer, beads, and bliss to the masses. “This’ll be our 15th year, and it’s going to be bigger than ever,” said Dani Gleason, manager of the Magic Hat Artifactory (the name Magic Hat has given its brewery) in South Burlington. “We’re getting down to the wire, but we’re all really pumped to get this thing going.”
The idea of the parade originated 15 years ago, when a former marketing manager decided that some kind of entertainment needed to be provided in the Burlington community during the brutally cold month of February. “People get bored in the dead of winter, they want something to do…the parade is a perfect way to get people out of their houses,” said Gleason. A parade celebrating Vermont’s most famous beer, mixed with some Mardi Gras melee, is just the thing to leave behind the Snuggies and let the people brave the biting February frost.
The Artifactory itself, located on Route 7, is fully decked with Mardi Gras décor, indicating that the time is drawing near for the parade. Posters, tee-shirts, beaded necklaces, and masks stud the place on a kaleidoscopic level, with colors of every shade beaming throughout the brewery. “We get real excited for it,” said Gleason of the employees’ opinions on the parade. “We dress up for it, and we go down to it (the parade) if we get the chance.” Parade-goers also get dressed up for the event, donning their craziest, most creative costumes to become an even greater part of the celebration. Posters in the Artifactory display some of the get-ups people have given themselves in the past; from full body cat-suits to jesters and harlequins running around Church Street, the parade is a veritable circus for all those who attend, whether they are masquerading or not.
Magic Hat has even extended its reach beyond Burlington, holding a similar event in Syracuse, New York. Kretzer said “it’s the smallest Mardi Gras parade in the world.” Small or not, the mere notion that Magic Hat is so highly recognized in a distant city ensures that its reputation is well supported and that fans are trotting all across the country. However, the epicenter of all winter Magic Hat activity remains grounded in the land of its birth.
Magic Hat has an entire section of its website devoted to the annual February bash. Directions, weekend activities in and out of Burlington, accommodations, and a history of Magic Hat’s downtown throw-down are easily accessible and highly interactive on the website. “It’s just the most convenient way of letting people know what’s going and what they can do that weekend,” said Gleason. With people coming from far and wide to celebrate, posters and letters are obsolete—the website is everyone’s primary source for Mardi Gras mayhem.
They’ve also sparked a contest which will allow four people to win a trip to Burlington the weekend of the parade to partake in the festivities. Winnings include transportation to Burlington, accommodations, a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, a concert at Higher Ground, and spots on the Magic Hat float the day of the parade (there’s also a recovery brunch the next day for anyone who has a little too much fun at the parade).
Festivities kick off on Friday night, with the retro-funk band Deep Banana Blackout playing at Higher Ground. “We had (the band) moe. play on Church Street one year, and that was just too much,” said Gleason. The greater populous of Burlington heads to Church Street to watch the parade roll through; add a band of international renown to the mix, and one nightmare of an overcrowding problem is bound to rise up. “We decided it might be better to team up with another Burlington organization to facilitate the fun,” said Erin Kretzer, an Artifactory employee.
Saturday, of course, is the parade. In a video about the history of the parade, Alan Newman, owner and co-founder of Magic Hat, said that they’ve been able to bring about 25,000 people to the downtown area during the event, far more than the street is used to accommodating even on a beautiful summer weekend. It would make sense, it seems, to feature a popular band somewhere other than on Church Street.
Besides the parade, there are numerous activities for onlookers to participate in. The company has developed its own unique game called the Magnificent Crapparatus, which Gleason described as a game similar to Plinko. There will also be an exhibit from artist Jim Pollock, who designed the Mardi Gras Parade poster, and there will be several smaller bands playing on Church Street before the parade gets underway. And what costume-themed parade would be complete without a costume contest? There will be a King and Queen Costume Contest in front of City Hall at 1:30, before the parade begins. The couple with the nuttiest, most interesting, and eye-catching costumes will be awarded the distinction of King and Queen, immortalizing their names in the annals of Magic Hat history.
The Mardi Gras Parade not only promotes the name and image of Magic Hat. It is also a stupendous way to increase the commerce of the downtown area. “People are already downtown, so they might as well visit the bars while they’re there,” commented Kretzer. Shops lining Church Street, the various restaurants, and the bars are all targets for tourists and visitors to take advantage of. With people coming from near and far, traveling across states to watch the parade, business is sure to be booming on the 27th of February.
While this is a parade celebrating Magic Hat, splashed with Mardi Gras glory, it is a family friendly event. “We have the Little Jambalays area, which is specifically designed for kids to have fun,” said Gleason. “No one wants to see a little kid get trampled while everyone’s dashing around trying to grab beads…” Partying is obviously a focus of the event, but safety and fun for all come into the minds of the facilitators at Magic Hat.
In addition to the safety of little ones, Magic Hat has also offered transportation from the Artifactory to the parade. Customers are able to purchase Magic Hat merchandise and sample their beers on tap at the Artifactory. “We take pride in sharing our product with people, but we want it to be done in a safe manner,” said Kretzer. Transportation from the Artifactory has the added benefit of alleviating most traffic issues people would encounter on the day of the parade. “They (customers) can go downtown without having to worry about parking, which makes everything more convenient,” added Kretzer.
The entire event may be in the name of celebration, but there is a greater purpose behind it. That is for the benefit of the Women’s Rape Crisis Center (WRCC). Magic Hat has its own line of Mardi Gras bead necklaces and masks to help raise funds for WRCC, and the necklaces are sold at various locations throughout the city. “All the profits of the beads and masks we sell go to WRCC,” said Kretzer. “This is all in good fun, but it’s great to be able to give back to the community.” The Mardi Gras parade is the WRCC’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and there has been no shortage of support from both the volunteers at the Center and from Magic Hat itself. A link from the Magic Hat website directs viewers to the WRCC’s webpage, telling people what they can do to help support the Center, and every Mardi Gras poster has an icon indicating that they are all for the promotion of the WRCC. Last year, the parade and Magic Hat’s association with WRCC were able to raise almost $27,000 for the center. Profits are only expected to increase this year.
While February 27th may seem more than a month away, all the buzz evoked over the Magic Hat Mardi Gras Parade will make that time dissipate in a flash. The Mardi Gras Parade is a perfect way to get people onto the streets, energized for life to return to the bleak winter-bound Burlington once more. Costumes, jewelry, and more the most crazies this side of a psych-ward flood Church Street, all in the name of Fat Tuesday. Be sure not to miss it. For more information about the parade, go to the Magic Hat website, at http://www.magichat.net/, or visit the folks at the Artifactory.
Anthony Carace