BRATTLEBORO — Organizers of Strolling of the Heifers are looking for parade units to participate in the 11th annual Strolling of the Heifers Parade on June 2. The organization is also seeking volunteers and vendors for its Live Green Expo, and venues for the Farm/Food/Fiber tour.
To register for any of these opportunities, go to www.strollingoftheheifers.com, select the Event Registration tab, and choose the appropriate registration category.
Parade director Richard Chapin said there's still room in the parade for local bands, farm animals, floats, walking units- and of course, heifers from area farms.
Chapin encourages entertainers, farms, clubs, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to participate with parade units that celebrate of the importance of local foods, family farms, and sustainable agriculture. The parade is not open to motorized vehicles (except farm tractors).
The registration deadline is May 1, but space is limited, and early registration will mean earlier consideration and acceptance. Contact Rick Chapin, parade director, at rchapin.members1st@yahoo.com, or call 802-257-9300.
The Stroll is also looking for 100 heifer calves to lead the parade as always, and invites participation from farms and 4-H clubs. There is a stipend paid for each participating heifer. Tasteful accessorizing (hats and flower garlands) of heifers is encouraged. Contact Peter Stickney, heifer manager, at pstickney@putneyschool.org or call 802-387-4730.
Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the Stroll - if you can help out, please fill out the Volunteer Registration form on the site, or call one of the Stroll people listed in this story.
Following the parade, the 11-acre Live Green Expo takes place at the Brattleboro Common and Brattleboro Retreat Grounds on June 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is still limited space available for vendors of food and merchandise, or exhibitors. Applicable fees are detailed on the registration page. For Live Green Expo questions or information, contact Martin Langeveld, langeveldvt@comcast.net or 802-380-0226.
Entertainers are sought for various parts of Stroll Weekend: during the Friday evening Gallery Walk Street Festival (June 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.); for pre-parade entertainment on Saturday; and throughout the Live Green Expo. Those interested are encouraged to apply early for early consideration.
Vendors (especially ice cream and other food vendors) are invited to participate in the Friday evening Gallery Walk Street Festival on Main Street on June 1. Table-sized and parking-spot sized spaces are available; applicable fees are detailed on the registration page. Contact Martin Langeveld at langeveldvt@comcast.net or 802-380-0226.
The Farm, Food & Fiber Tour is a self-guided tour to farms and food enterprises that are open to the public. The Tour is promoted during Stroll Weekend and on the Stroll website from June through October. Participating farms and food enterprises are invited to update their registrations; new participants are always welcome.
See applicable restrictions, rules and pricing (for vendor registrations only) listed on each of the registration pages. Vendor fees may be paid online via PayPal, which accepts credit card payments as well as PayPal account payments.