BURKE AREA NEWS
What's Going On In the Burke Area
Celebrating 35 Years of The Burke Fall Festival!
announced September 3, 2024
35 years ago on the last Saturday in September, the Burke Fall Festival made its debut in East Burke, VT with a parade through the village, local crafters selling their wares and a community BBQ on the green. The festival was started by the East Burke Congregational Church and it quickly became a popular annual tradition bringing folks from near and far together to celebrate the foliage season. A few years after it began, the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce took over organizing and hosting the event and it has since grown to become one of the most anticipated events of the year in East Burke Village. This year’s festival is set for Saturday, September 28th and it all starts with a parade at 10am with a theme of ‘The Great Outdoors’.
“It’s always a great day in the village at the Fall Festival,” said Burke Area Chamber of Commerce Administrator, Laura Malieswski. “There’s definitely something for every member of the family to enjoy including a huge craft fair with more than 75 vendors, wagon rides, live music, pony rides and a country barbeque.”
After the parade, the Burke Chamber will announce the 2024 Burke Citizen of the Year (always a surprise for the winner). The award is given to someone who lives and/or works in Burke and often goes under the radar as they quietly give back to the community in various ways without expecting any recognition.
There’s plenty for the kids to do all day including face painting, a farm animal petting area and a Raptors Up Close show from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science at 11am. Modern Times Theater will perform the ‘Punch and Judy Show’ at 12:15pm inside the Burke Mountain Club. Lyndon Rescue will host the Rubber Ducky Races at the Dishmill Brook at 1pm (cash prizes!).
From raffles to cow plop bingo, there are plenty of chances to win big! The Burke Chamber Festival Info Booth will have a raffle of items donated by Fall Festival Craft Fair vendors. Several other local groups have raffles and auctions at the event.
On the green, over 75 Artists and Crafters will be showcasing their wares including hand-turned wooden bowls, jewelry, hand-made soaps, fiber arts, pottery, specialty foods and much more. While perusing the craft fair offerings, festival-goers can enjoy live music from local favorites, Chickweed. For lunch, a country BBQ will offer burgers, hot dogs, sausages, veggie burgers and side dishes at very affordable prices.
If you have questions about the event or would like to volunteer or sponsor the festival, please email burkechamber@burkevermont.com. If you would like to participate in the parade, please contact Diane at lyndonlodge@charter.net. (Vendor spots in the craft fair are sold out). To learn more about the festival visit www.BurkeVermont.com or the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce facebook page.
