Rain or Shine: Downtown Montpelier is Buzzing!
April 24, 2025
From Mudfest to Mayfest and our 25th Anniversary Celebration, downtown is buzzing with energy and events. Yes, it’s going to rain—but we’re Vermonters. That’s just part of the fun! Read our latest blog for the full scoop and come celebrate with us!
Montpelier Alive Celebrates 25th Anniversary with 'Bridge to a Bright Future' Fundraiser
April 07, 2025
Montpelier Alive is thrilled to celebrate 25 years of enhancing and supporting Montpelier’s vibrant downtown with a special fundraising event, Bridge to a Bright Future. This milestone celebration will take place on Saturday, May 3rd, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.
Montpelier Alive's Founding Members -Dan Groberg
March 28, 2025
As Montpelier Alive’s Executive Director from 2018–2022, Dan helped lead the organization through pivotal moments. Under his leadership, Montpelier Alive also spearheaded pandemic recovery efforts, expanded public art, and enhanced downtown marketing and communications. Now the Executive Director of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Dan remains deeply connected to Montpelier’s vibrant community.
Montpelier Alive's Founding Members -Linn Syz
March 28, 2025
For 15 years, Linn played a crucial role in shaping Montpelier Alive—volunteering, serving on the board, and stepping up during transitions. From organizing events to securing sustainable funding, Linn’s efforts helped Montpelier Alive become the vibrant force it is today.
Montpelier Alive's Founding Members -Suzanne Eikenberry
March 28, 2025
From 2006 to 2010, Suzanne served as Montpelier Alive’s first full-time Executive Director, leading transformative initiatives and overseeing the organization’s rebranding. Under her leadership, Montpelier Alive strengthened merchant collaboration, introduced downtown street recycling, and upgraded Montpelier’s holiday lights to energy-efficient LEDs. Suzanne remains a strong advocate for Montpelier.
Montpelier Alive's Founding Members -Sue Minter
March 28, 2025
In 1996, Sue Minter helped lay the foundation for Montpelier Alive, shaping it into the community-driven organization it is today. Inspired by the Main Street Program, she helped establish the first committees, launch branding efforts, and champion initiatives like the July 3rd celebration and downtown designation. Sue’s passion for urban planning and community collaboration set Montpelier Alive on a path to sustain and enhance the downtown’s vibrancy for decades.
Montpelier Alive's Founding Members -Phayvanh Luekhamhan
March 28, 2025
Phayvanh’s journey with Montpelier Alive started as a volunteer before she became Executive Director from 2011 to 2014. Under her leadership, Montpelier Alive piloted the Parklets Program, creating outdoor dining spaces that continue to benefit downtown today. A champion of the arts and community engagement, learn how Phayvanh’s vision for sustainable, community-driven programs helped shape Montpelier Alive’s lasting impact.
Montpelier Alive's Founding Members -Mary Hooper
March 28, 2025
As Montpelier Alive’s very first Executive Director, Mary played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s early success. In this interview, she reflects on the formation of the Montpelier Downtown Community Association, the predecessor to Montpelier Alive, and the community-driven efforts that helped Montpelier become one of Vermont’s first designated downtowns. Read more about her impact and why she believes a strong downtown organization is vital to Montpelier’s future.
A Bright Winter for Montpelier
May 20, 2024
Montpelier Alive is launching Phase 1 of its Bridge Illumination Project, lighting up four historic downtown bridges to connect neighborhoods and attract tourism. With successful crowdfunding and a matching grant, the project aims to expand in Phase 2, adding three more bridges along the Winooski corridor, enhancing both the city's landscape and access to the business district.
Montpelier Alive Announces its 2024 Downtown Event Grant Awards
May 14, 2024
Montpelier Alive awards announces its 2024 grant funding to 10 downtown Montpelier Community Events Montpelier Alive works to create a vibrant and livable Montpelier by celebrating its heart and soul: its downtown. One way it brings the community together is through events. Montpelier Alive’s annual Downtown Events Grant Program supports many of these events and is announcing its ten 2024 grant awardees. The 2024 recipients are: All Together Now, All Species Day; Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, It Takes a Village; the Monteverdi Music School, Make Music Day; Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools Race, Against Racism; Pride Center of Vermont, Montpelier Pride Fest;
Lighting Up Montpelier!
April 10, 2024
Montpelier Alive is illuminating up to seven historic bridges along the Winooski River to celebrate the city’s resilience and attract visitors downtown. With a fundraising goal of $13,350 to secure a matching grant, the project will enhance the downtown area’s winter ambiance and contribute to the economic recovery by drawing people to local shops, restaurants, and theaters.
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival Returns to the Capital City October 7th
September 27, 2023
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival, presented by Hunger Mountain Co-op, returns for its third year. This year it’s the main event of Montpelier’s Reopening Celebration! Taste features food trucks, vendors and artisans, chef demos, beer and cocktail gardens and street performers - this year’s Taste of Montpelier has it all! The main attraction, The Great Taste runs from 1-5pm on Saturday, October 7th on Langdon Street and State Street from Main to Elm. It features over 20 food trucks and artisan foods. The demo tent features four different presentations ranging from a high school student teaching how to make tamales,
Free and Local Outdoor Summer Music in Montpelier
June 22, 2023
Summer officially kicked off last week and we’re incredibly lucky to have a vibrant music scene throughout Central Vermont... and so much of it is free! This article focuses on music in Montpelier, but to learn what’s happening throughout Central Vermont, check out the free music series in surrounding towns over the summer in the text box.
All Around Adventure
April 19, 2023
Montpelier is a hub for outdoor recreation, and is nestled in a valley where The North Branch and the Winooski rivers converge and public lands connect multiple networks of trails. Access to nature couldn’t be easier, from the Hubbard Park trails behind the Golden Dome to the mountain bike trails in North Branch Park. Montpelier is making its mark in the world of outdoor recreation and tourism, and we can’t wait to celebrate that!
Reuse, Recycle and Repair
March 13, 2023
When I first moved to Montpelier 30 years ago, I repaired my shoes at the Cobbler's Leather Shoppe, at 67 Main Street, where Splash is currently located. When the store closed a few years later, I remember the owner, Charlie Baril, telling me no one repairs shoes anymore. I was disheartened, but in researching this blog, I learned many downtown businesses still repair and refurbish. With only one landfill in Vermont, and all the benefits of keeping items in circulation as long as possible, Montpelier Alive wanted to feature these diverse shops in town, helping us to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
Halloween in Montpelier
October 27, 2022
The fall season in Montpelier is full of things to do and see. The turning of the leaves paired with the brisk Autumn weather brings in many new people. The month of October in Montpelier is a combination of Foliage festivities, later being outnumbered by Halloween-themed events. Halloween is a favorite holiday locally, but some events tend to fall under the radar. You may ask yourself, what kinds of Halloween celebrations happen in Montpelier that are so special?
A Unique Flavor: Entertainment at The Taste of Montpelier
September 06, 2022
Montpelier Alive’s Taste of Montpelier, presented by Hunger Mountain Co-op is so much more than a food festival. Unlike any other food festival of its kind, featured entertainment includes fantastical shows of juggling, acrobatics, yo-yo tricks and vaudeville skits. Foodies and arts enthusiasts alike will find something to savor at the festival’s main event, The Great Taste on Saturday, September 10th from 1-4pm on State Street.
Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series
August 04, 2022
During lunch-hour on weekdays, Montpelier’s streets are bustling! Between lawmakers, lawyers, business owners, and tourists, everybody enjoys taking a break and frequenting the abundance of eateries downtown. As people wander and search for a place to sit and relax in the Vermont summer weather, they might hear melodies drifting from the Christ Church Courtyard, where live musicians take the stage every week in August and early September. The Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series, hosted by Montpelier Alive, features excellent music from across the region. These free and fun noon-time concerts brighten everyone's day, even if just passing by. Check out this year’s line-up, curated by Fred Wilber, past owner of Buch Spieler Records.
High Summer: Upcoming Events in Montpelier
July 22, 2022
Summertime in Montpelier is always very eventful, and we are certainly in full swing! The next two weeks are especially packed with fun and unique events. Here is a summary of what lies ahead...
July 3rd Festival Spectacular! Food Truck Festival and Parade Performer Highlights
June 30, 2022
Montpelier’s July 3rd Celebration is centered around community, food, and fun! Walking to the State House lawn alongside groups of other festival-goers is an experience unto itself. From a distance, you can see the food trucks lined up on State Street and you can hear musicians on the Main Stage. Excitement builds as spectators await the joyous parade at 6:15pm.
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An Inter-Galactic Independence Day in Montpelier!
June 16, 2022
Families and friends, kids of all ages - join us at the new FamilyFest at this year’s July 3rd Independence Day Celebration! Montpelier Alive hopes to reignite the flame for family fun by offering an eclectic variety of performances this year on the Main Stage on the State House Lawn from 2-5pm.
July 3rd Independence Day Celebration in Montpelier is Back!
June 09, 2022
The streets of Montpelier have been pretty quiet on Independence Day over the past couple of years. We know the community has been eager to come together to celebrate, and the parade and fireworks have been greatly missed. We’re happy to say that the Montpelier Alive team has been hard at work to bring back the Capital City’s largest festival of the year!
Beautiful Montpelier: A Conversation with Linn Syz about Downtown Flowers
May 19, 2022
We recently sat down with Linn Syz, former board member at Montpelier Alive, to discuss her efforts to keep Montpelier’s downtown streets beautiful and full of colorful flowers. Linn has volunteered for years to maintain and expand the plantings across Montpelier. Her efforts are key part of Montpelier Alive’s broader commitment to downtown beautification, including holiday decorations, the procurement of benches and trash cans, public art, and more. We asked Linn about the history and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into the downtown flowers.
Summer Events in Central Vermont
May 11, 2022
Some would say that summer is the best season in Vermont. Even though we can make the case for every season, it's hard to argue with gorgeous weather (escape the humidity and visit our magical land where the average high in July is just 83!), long summer evenings, front porch living, and dips in the swimming hole. But summer in Vermont also means fun, festive, and unique events throughout central Vermont!
Together Again: Supporting Community through Downtown Event Grants
March 24, 2022
Montpelier Alive recognizes the importance of festivals and events, and how embedded they are in community life here. One way that we support these events is through our Downtown Event Grant Program.
New Horizons for Bailey Road
March 03, 2022
Montpelier Alive loves watching businesses build from the ground up. We remember when Bailey Road first opened, and it has been wonderful to see the business grow. We recently supported Bailey Road with a grant through our Welcome to Montpelier Program to support new and expanding Montpelier businesses. Here, Sarah DeFelice tells us a little more about Bailey Road’s journey, and the new vision she has for her expanding store.