Please take a look at the list of ideas we’ve been thinking about to celebrate Bennington 250:

2023 - 2024 Preparatory Years

—Town 250th Resolutions to towns in Shires

—Planning for Train
—Planning for path at Monument to corkscrew railroad
—Planning for path from corkscrew railroad to Walloomsac with pedestrian bridge
—Planning for new monuments / historical markers (Sipp Ives, GMB, others)
—Planning for Catamount Tavern
—Planning for Archway on Main Street

—Planning for Creative Works

• Play

• Musical Pieces

• Movie / Documentary (Ken Burns style)

—Marketing for 2025-2027
—Student/Youth Involvement
—Re-enactor Group Development
—Brochure / Books /Maps for 2025-2027

—Compile events from others for cross promotion

—Planning for 2025 Anniversary Year


2025 Anniversary Year


ALL YEAR:

—Share and promote events from other groups and organizations locally, statewide, and regionally

MAY:
—250th Ethan Allen and GMB attack on Fort Ti; partner with Historical Societies in each town passed through by Ethan Allen and/or Benedict Arnold.
—Interpretive Theme: “Traitors or Heroes"

AUGUST 16:
—A bigger Parade: Invite towns along Ethan Allen’s route to be in Battle Day Parade
—Anniversaries Brochure and Schedule for 2025-2027


2026 Anniversary Year

ALL YEAR:

—Share and promote events from other groups and organizations locally, statewide, and regionally

JULY:
—town wide 4th of July event with Rotary and VFW/Civic Groups, reading at Monument, bell ringing at town offices, massive fireworks display
—Interpretive Theme: “Under-represented Stories”
—Monument for Sipp Ives and the Green Mountain Boys
—24th of July Dorset Convention

AUGUST:
—First year with train to Battlefield (test run, limited days)
—A bigger parade; invite floats from 17 towns/villages from all the shires
—Fireworks Display at Monument; maybe a Drone display instead?
—Church Bells, Cannons at Monument, howitzers at Veterans Home

—Presentation of new creative works


2027 Anniversary Year

ALL YEAR:

—Share and promote events from other groups and organizations locally, statewide, and regionally

—Presentation of new creative works

JANUARY:
—VT Declaration of Independence

MAY/JUNE:
—Catamount Tavern / Green Mountain Tavern Opens; craft beer, interpretation, and welcome center, with costumed interpreters
—Possible new trail at monument opening

JULY:
—Battle of Hubbardton
—VT Signing of Constitution

AUGUST:
—Re-enactments at battlefield and monument; fife and drum at monument.
—Massive parade with all VT towns invited and arch across Main Street
—Train (maybe steam) to Battlefield from Manchester; need railway platform at Caretaker road; shuttles/buses
—Build storehouse at monument with animals guarded by re-enactors
—Antique Car Show at Veterans Home
—“Voices from the Grave” by BPAC in Old Bennington
—Horse and Oxen Pull
—Special service at Old First Church

SEPTEMBER:
—Pawlet Expedition

OCTOBER:
—Closing of the Catamount Tavern / Green Mountain Tavern