July 3, 2010, 5th Annual Montpelier Mile
6 pm - Kick off to Montpelier's Independence Day Parade with this 1-mile race through historic downtown Montpelier. Run in front of thousands of spectators, then enjoy the parade and fireworks on the Statehouse lawn. Cash purse distributed among top 5 finishers in overall men's and women's fields, Cash prizes to first man and woman to break the men’s or women’s course records. All ages welcome. Pre-registration (before June 30): Adults - $15, Children - $5, Parents accompanying children $10. Day of race registration: Adults - $20, Parents accompanying children - $10, Children (12 and under) - $5. For more info contact Carrie or Caroline at 229-9409 or thefolks@onionriver.com. 

Jul. 9 - 11 Stowe, VT -  Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival
Watch as more than 25 hot-air balloons lift off in both the morning and evening. More than 25 hot-air balloons will soar through the sky during Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa’s 23rd Annual Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival. One of Vermont’s most popular summer celebrations, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa will once again host the spectacular three-day event. Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa 1746 Mountain Road Friday and Saturday 4-9 pm, 6 am launches are free 802-253-7355 800-253-2232 www.stoweflake.com/

July 9 -16  Mad River Valley - Vermont Festival of the Great Outdoors
Held July 9-18, 2010, in the towns of Fayston, Waitsfield, Warren and Moretown, or as they are more known, The Mad River Valley.  Step outside! The vast beauty of the Mad River Valley surrounded by the Green Mountains is the perfect setting for river exploration, bird watching opportunities, and many hikes offered during this festival. Visitors of all ages and skill levels will find an event or activity that will make their time at the festival the most fun they have had in the open air. Gardening or kite building class, gap to gap guided hike, bird watching, easy stroll, mountain biking, river kayaking, or star gazing… this festival is an event that will inspire. Step outside and breath in all the wonders that are the out-of-doors.  http://www.vtoutdoorsfest.com/

July 10, St. Albans Summer Carnival
St. Albans City Pool 99 Aldis Street St. Albans 524-6796, Saturday July 10th 12:00pm-5:00pm
Summer Carnival Events: On-Going Events: 12:00 barbecue Food concessions, 12:30 water balloon toss Slip and Slide, 1:00 water treasure hunt face painting, 1:30 water polo Fishing booth, 2:00 hot potato(leaky water balloon style) music, 2:30 noodle races lawn darts & more 3:00 dodge ball, 3:30 Free swim and swimming contests, 4:00 free swim and swimming contests, 4:30 pie eating contest

July 11th 9:00am, ORS Trail Duathlon Series
Come join us for the inaugural trail run-mountain bike ORS Duathlon Series at Morse Farm! Race course starts with a 3k trail run, followed by a 15k mountain bike, and finishes with a 3k trail run. Course takes you through the ski trails, singletrack, forest, and fields of beautiful Morse Farm. All participants have a chance to receive raffle prizes, and awards for top individual and team finishers given at each race. Race fees: $25 individuals, $40 teams (don't have a team, but want one, let us know, we'll try to match up interested parties). Register for all 3 races on June 19th and save - $60 for individuals for all 3 races, $100 for teams for all 3 races. Register online at www.onionriver.com , or register day-of at 8:00am.

July 11, 2010 - Horse Schooling Trials
Entry Fee $65, Entries close one week prior to each trials event. Dressage Start Time 8:00am.  Limited on site stabling available. Hamburgers, hotdogs, snacks and other refreshments will be available. Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Event Forms are available on www.mountaintopinn.com , by e-mailing activities@mountaintopinn.com  or by calling 802-483-6089.

July 11th, 2010 - 4th Annual Champ's Challenge for Cystic Fibrosis!
We are looking at another beautiful day to ride! The 7 and 40 mile rides will start and finish at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, VT
where there will also be a post-ride reception BBQ on beautiful Lake Champlain. Our goal this year is to have 200 cyclists and raise $10,000. So far we are just over $5,000. Please invite a friend and come ride to help the lives of people with CF! We will also have lots of great door prizes, and each rider gets TWO drawing tickets! http://www.cflf.org/champschallenge.php 

July 11, Huntington, VT. - Butterfly Walk
Join Vermont naturalists and entomologists to experience Vermont's butterflies and insects up close. Our hosts are members of the Vermont Entomological Society http://www.vermontinsects.org/.  Bring binoculars and an insect net if you have one. Pack a lunch if you would like to stick around after the walk. If it is raining on the day of the walk, please call the Museum (802 434-2167) to see if we have rescheduled.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm  Birds of Vermont Museum, 900 Sherman Hollow Road, Huntington, VT 05462   Appropriate for anyone with an interest in Vermont's six-legged creatures. Free   Erin at 802-434-2167, or contact Trish Hanson at VES, Hanson.Trish@state.vt.us   http://www.birdsofvermont.org/events.php

July 11 - 16, East Burke, VT - Ultimate Freeride Camp
iR has customized a one of a kind professional camp program. iR incorporates a balance of enthusiastic, highly skilled coaches, counselors, professional riders, photographers, videographers, bike mechanics and a personal chef. These are the features that help participants to take their riding, health and exposure to the next level and beyond. Push your riding to new heights at our new Ultimate Freeride Camp! The most comprehensive camp of our Freeride Series, the Ultimate features interaction with some of the world's best coaches and top pro riders. http://www.ideride.com/

July 13-23, 2010 - Forestry and Sustainable Cree Culture Canoe Trip to Quebec
Hulbert Outdoor Center’s 2010 Northern Issues Trip to the James Bay Region of Northern Quebec will look at current questions of sustainable Cree Culture and forestry practices in the North. This trip, scheduled for July 13-23, is designed to examine first hand, some of the pressing cultural, political and environmental issues surrounding Northern Quebec’s forestry practices. An important component of the trip will be dialogues with people on all sides of this important question. The trip will include meetings with forestry representatives, a tour of a large forestry operation and mill, and a final 6 day canoe trip with the Bosum Family in their traditional hunting-grounds. Time will be spent in two Cree villages, Waswanapi, former site of a Cree Model Forest and Ouje Bougoumou, a new village which strives to use the best of both their traditional culture and the modern world for sustainability. Ouje Bougoumou has been recognized as a model aboriginal community by the United Nations.
The trip will begin and end at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, Vermont. All group camping equipment, transportation as well as food will be provided during the program. Leaders for this trip will include Hans Carlson, who works with Hulbert’s Northern Issues Program, and has traveled for years in the James bay Region. For more information contact Deb Williams, at 802-333-3405 or visit our website at www.alohafoundation.org/hulbert

July 17, 2010, The Warman Road Race
Get ready for the ride of your life, The 6 Gap, as told by Bruce Saxton and as remembered by the late and great Chet "The Jet" Warman. I had the pleasure of accompanying Chet several times on this ride. It is a ride you will never forget and once you overcome the pain you'll want to do it again. Riders will be able to choose between riding 2, 4, or 6 gaps. Money raised from the ride will be dedicated to a memorial fund for aspiring racers who can't afford a bike. Nancy, Chet's sister, is in charge of the Chet Warman Memorial Fund. The Gaps are mountain passes located in Vermont's Green Mountains just north of the Killington/Pittsfield region and go as far north as the Sugarbush Ski Resort. The Gaps feature long steep climbs and twisting high speed descents. All 6 Gaps either start or end in close proximity along route 100. Contact: Chris Mitchell, chris@peak.com  or Andy Weinberg, andy@peak.com   http://www.peakraces.com/warman/

July 17, 2010, Goshen, Vermont - 32nd Annual Goshen Gallop!
Now in its 32nd year, the rugged 10K course takes the runner on the dirt and gravel roads of Goshen and onto a packed soil surface up to elevations between 1800 and 2100 feet above sea level following the Nordic Cross-Country ski trails set in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area of the Green Mountain National Forest. It’s an exciting and challenging event that welcomes runners of all abilities. 5K race offered for those not up to the challenge of the 10K. The 32nd annual race begins at 4:00 PM with a mass start on Saturday, July 17, 2010. Details: http://www.blueberryhillinn.com/gallop1.htm

July 17 - 18 - Waterbury, VT - Third Annual Vermont Mountain Bike Festival
Group rides, kids rides, women’s rides, skills clinics, action workouts. All riders and all abilities welcome. Vendors, bike demos, live music, mountain bike movies, BBQ, on-site camping, raffles and prizes. http://www.vermontmountainbikefestival.com/index.html

July 17-18, 2010 - Vermont 100 Endurance Race
The Vermont 100 Endurance Race is one of the original 100 mile runs in the USA and a part of the Grand Slam Series of Ultrarunning. Each year, 300 runners attempt to finish this hilly race over beautiful Vermont back roads and trails under the 30 hour cutoff point, and a well-trained few finish in under 24 hours. The current course record is 14:53:09. This year's race will be July 17-18, 2010 - our 22nd year. http://www.vermont100.com/

Jul. 17 - 18 Vergennes Small Boat Festival
Small boats offer recreation and vacation opportunities that are close to home, affordable, and good for the environment Celebrate clean, green, sustainable fun! Small boats offer recreation and vacation opportunities that are close to home, affordable, and good for the environment! Share the dedication of LCMM’s new Small Watercraft Exhibit Building -- come by water and try out our new docks! Visit exhibitors and demo their boats. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum 4472 Basin Harbor Road at Basin Harbor Club 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily 802-475-2022 www.lcmm.org  elosiseb@lcmm.org

July 18th, Onion River Sports presents the Bike to Brunch Series 2010
Cold Hollow Cider Mill - Montpelier to Waterbury, Enjoy this flat-to-rolling ride out Route 2 West into Waterbury and then along Stowe St. onto Route 100 to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Fill yourself up with cider and donuts, and then cruise back through the village of Waterbury. If it’s hot out, consider a second stop at the Ben & Jerry’s factory for an ice cream cone, too! Distance: 30 miles. *All rides begin at 10:00am in the Onion River Sports parking lot* For more info contact Carrie or Caroline at 229-9409 or thefolks@onionriver.com

July 22, 4th Annual Lake Champlain Islands Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament at Alburg Golf Links
The Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce will reprise its successful Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament at Alburg Golf Links on Thursday, July 22nd, starting at 12 noon. The day includes a full 18-hole course, a reception and an Awards Banquet at the Links on the Lake Restaurant. Partial proceeds of the tournament will benefit the Ira Trombley Scholarship Fund to help Islands high school graduates to further their education. This year the Hole-in-One prize is an 18’ Snug Harbor Electric Boat from Vermont Electric Boatworks. Go to www.vermontelectricboatworks.com  for a look. Call the Chamber for a brochure at (802)372-8400 or e-mail ruth@champlainislands.com . Teams of four can register by calling the Chamber or e-mailing sherri@champlainislands.com.  Information is on the web at www.champlainislands.com . Tickets are $400 per team of four, or $100 per person, and include greens fees, carts, goody bags and a fabulous banquet at Links on the Lake.

July 23-25, Kingdom Aquafest
Swimming & Festival at Lake Memphremagog. Formerly known as La Traversee Internationale. Kingdom Aquafest is an open water competitive and recreational charity swim for all skill levels, young and old alike, on Lake Memphremagog in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont – one of ten geotourism areas in the world specially designated by National Geographic. Kingdom Swim offers distances of 10 miles, 3 miles, 1 mile, 1/4 mile and 100 yards. When? July 23 - 25, 2010 Where? Prouty Beach, Newport, VT More Information? 802-323-1273  http://www.kingdomaquafest.com/

July 23 - 25, Waterbury, VT - Crossroads Motorcycle Rally Vermont
The 1st Annual Crossroads Motorcycle Rally of Vermont will be held at Farr's Field on VT Rte. 2 in Waterbury, VT on July 23 - 25, 2010. Farr's Field on VT Rte. 2 in Waterbury, VT Sponsor: Flying Hogs Motorcycle group Website: http://www.crossroadsmotorcyclerally.com/index.htm  info@crossroadsrally.com

July 24, The Second Annual Chill 3-on-3 Charity Classic presented by MVP Health Care
For the second year in a row, Chill is teaming up with Burlington Parks & Recreation, and the Boys & Girls Club to host the 2nd Annual Chill 3-on-3 Charity Classic Basketball Tournament. The tournament will played in double elimination or round robin style format – guaranteeing all teams a minimum two games and tournament t-shirts. Divisions will include: Men’s Adult, Men’s High School, Women’s Adult, and Women’s High School. Space is limited so register your team today before time runs out! All team entries must be received by Friday, July 16th. In addition to tournament play, there will be raffles, food, prize give aways, and 3-point contests! All proceeds raised from this event will go to benefit the Chill Foundation, the Burlington Youth Scholarship Fund, and the Burlington Boys & Girls Club. For information on how to register, check out www.enjoyburlington.com  or call 802-652-3574.

July 24 – 25, Mount Snow, VT. Mountain Bike Festival featuring Eastern States Cup #5 & Root 66 XC
The Mount Snow Mountain Bike Festival weekend features race #5 of the Eastern States Cup Downhill Series and the Root 66 Race Series. This weekend is packed with downhill and endurance racing action. Saturday: Take the majority of the day to practice our XC and DH courses for Sunday’s races. Super D action takes place at 3:00pm and for those who love beating on themselves the hill climb is at noon. Sunday: XC kicks off at 9:30am with the CAT3 riders, CAT1 & pros at 11am and CAT2 at 1:30pm. The final Mount Snow race of the Eastern States Cup cranks up at 11am. http://mountsnow.com/summer/?page_id=412

July 26, 2010, NorthWoods Stewardship Center, East Charleston -- Full Moon Paddle
Enjoy a guided moonlit canoe through the backwaters and wetlands of the Clyde River. Novice paddlers welcome. Meet at the NorthWoods Stewardship Center at 7 p.m. Cost is $10. Canoes, paddles, and PFD's provided. Contact NorthWoods at (802) 723-6551 x115 to pre-register. www.northwoodscenter.org

July 30–August 1, Highgate Falls Portage, Vermont - Join us on a Waterway Work Trip
Another perfect trip may be found on one of our 2010 Waterway Work Trips. Come out on the Trail for a weekend (or two) of soaking in the great intern energy, and contributing some sweat equity to accomplish projects that improve the Trail. Great food and fun paddling opportunities round out these weekends that many participants return for each year. No experience is necessary. Register today! Trips are $60 member/$75 non-member, and include food, tools, and guaranteed fun. Contact Trail Director Walter Opuszynski if you have any questions. www.NorthernForestCanoeTrail.org  info@NorthernForestCanoeTrail.org 

Jul. 31 Montpelier, VT -  7th Annual Onion River Century Ride
The Onion River Century Ride is a beautiful ride through the heart of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Join us this year for our 7th Annual Onion River Century Ride by riding in the 110k (68 miles) Metric Century, the full 111 mile Century Ride, or our 24 mile loop. All three courses are fully supported with food/beverage stops and a support vehicle throughout the day. All participants must wear a helmet and abide by the rules of the road. The OR Century Ride will be held Rain or Shine. All proceeds benefit the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier. Montpelier Recreation Field Poolside Dr, Rte 12 Saturday - 8:30am 802-229-9409 802-223-3338 www.onionriver.com   carrie@onionriver.com