Cool in Stowe right now, but expecting some nice warmer weather next week. And while it's difficult to predict the weather for June 27-29, we DO know that Stowe will become garden-centric that weekend as the Stowe Garden Festival comes to town. I'm not a big gardener, but even I can tell that some of these events are pretty intriguing. I definitely plan to head up to Stowe Mountain Resort's Stowe Mountain Lodge on Saturday, June 28 because I've been dying to check out the new restaurant, Solstice, at the opulent and mucho impressivo new hotel at Spruce Peak. This is a great (and affordable!) opportunity, because the Garden Fest is sponsoring the "Farm to Table" Dinner, in keeping with their "Growing Green" theme at Solstice. For sixty bucks (plus tax, tips and drinks) you can have a 3-course dinner of sublime Vermont-y foods at the hottest new hotel and restaurant in Vermont, and maybe in all of New England.
But the complete experience would include attending the very, very, very exclusive Stowe Mountain Club Golf Course's workshop "Habitats in the Landscape at Stowe Mountain Club Golf Course". Led by course superintendant Kevin Komer, the discussion will be all about the creation and maintenance of the course that is solely for guests and members. This Bob Cupp-designed mountain course was named one of Golf Magazine’s Top Ten New Courses for 2008, and is the first Audubon International Signature Sanctuary, a role model of sustainable development and environmental protection.
After the course tour, you can head to the hotel's bar, Hourglass (named for one of Stowe Mountai Resort's backcountry ski trails) and get primed for the dinner by attending an Organic Cocktail Party (Don't you love Vermont? Organic spirits!) with creative hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar, but the nibbles are free. Here's the catch: A Stowe Garden Festival Pass must be purchased for entrance to these events. Weekend passes are $25, 2-day passes are $15 and 1-day are $10. You can buy passes at The Garden Central, Golden Eagle Resort on the Mountain Road/Route 108.
BUT! With your passes you'll also have access to some other pretty cool events, like:
- Rain Gardens at Ten Acres Lodge
- Growing Shiitakes (the leader of this workshop is Eric Swanson, owner of a company which has probably one of my favorite manufactured words ever: Vermush)
- Spiritual Gardens, led by the authors of Sacred Gardens, Judy & Michel Marcellot
- Where are the Birds at Trapp Family Lodge
- Beautiful Gardens with Minimal Intervention
- Create Your Own Spa Treatment at Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa. After you stroll the meditative seven-circuit flower and herb labyrinth you'll be able to create our own home treatments
- Tour the gardens of Trapp Family Lodge, Stoweflake, Golden Eagle, Cactus Cafe. And don't forget the Private Home Garden Tour and Tea, always a huge hit (and $25 extra)
- Learn to make wine from weeds at Grand View Winery
- Learn to cook with fresh herbs in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine at Trattoria La Festa (an extra $15 gets you in)
- More, more more...all the info is here: http://www.stowegardenfestival.com/index.htm
To complete your Stowe weekend (all kinds of info on Stowe here: www.gostowe.com) you can see a performance of the musical ANNIE at the Town Hall Theatre in Stowe Village and stay over on Sunday night for a concert in the incomparable Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow. And check that Stowe website for Stowe Garden Festival Lodging Packages.
