WILMINGTON — The summer's first Wilmington Village Strolls event will be held Saturday, July 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The theme of the stroll is “Eat Local,” and the stroll will feature many ways to sample and celebrate local food and beverages throughout the village. Jill Sachs will perform live in Riverbank Park, and shops will be open late.
Artists led by local painter Ann Coleman will be set up on the Crafts Inn lawn starting at 10 a.m. At 5 p.m., they will be joined by local farm and food purveyors selling and sampling their wares, including Boyd Family Farm, True North Granola, Shital's Vegetarian Indian Food, and Lyman's pickles.
Stop into Bartleby's Books to help them celebrate their 30th anniversary. Complimentary local snacks, including cheese by Spoonwood Cabin Creamery, will be available throughout the evening. Next door, the Vermont House Wine Bar will host JVille Brewery.
Local Jr. Iron Chef teams will be set up for a live competition on the lawn between the Village Roost and Incurable Romantic.
The Twin Valley Jr. Iron Chef program teaches kids about local food and nutrition by getting them in the kitchen. Kids entering grades 6 and up can sign up to join a team and will get some coaching before joining a group of seasoned Jr. Iron Cheffers. Pre-registration is required, as spots are limited. Contact Shelley Park at 802-681-6698.
Teams will create on-the-spot quesadilla combinations from a mystery ingredient bounty. The public is invited to watch the kids at work, sample the results, and vote for their favorites with dollar bills. Competition begins at 5 p.m., with samples available between 6 and 7 p.m.
Other shops also will feature snacks, specials, or tastings (including a wine tasting at the Red Fox Shop and a tasting of local beer or spirits at Ratu's Market).
Pettee Memorial Library is hosting an (edible) craft for kids session from 5-7 p.m., as well as face painting, on the lawn.
As the Stroll winds down, continue down South Main Street to Buzzy Towne Park and follow the signs for the new Beaver Brook Trail to the Old School Community Center where, from 6 to 8 p.m., you can make a bike-powered fresh smoothie, see the Center's renovations, and learn about all the things going on in the Center.
For more information, visit wilmingtonworksvt.com or the Wilmington Works Facebook page.