Books? Big Art? Win a Coffee Maker?

Stowe's summer is well underway, and it's so great to see the evolution of events that happen every summer. For locals and frequent visitors, these events are a harbinger of settling into the summer rhythm. And for first-time visitors to Stowe they're obviously must-sees!

First off is the Stowe Free Library Porch Book Sale. Browse, browse, browse. Stroll over to the library on the green in the village after dinner, or before seeing a performance of Stowe Theatre Guild's BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. Shameless promotion: I'm in it. And I'm probaby the least talented of all these amazingly gifted performers, and I do consider myself somewhat capable. And I'm definitely the oldest--by decades. The creative team are all in their early twenties and profoundly professional. See http://www.stowetheatre.com/ to buy tix.

But back to the book sale. Thousands of books are both donated and culled from the library's stacks, and there are categories too many to even begin mentioning. A great way to build a kid's library too. Oh, and did I mention they're really inexpensive?

Another of the signs of mid-summer is the Helen Day Art Center's EXPOSED! Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit. Wander the village and Stowe Recreation Path, turn a corner and BOOM! You might say "WHHAA??? You may marvel. You will be intrigued.

This weekend is also the annual Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa Hot Air Balloon Festival. If you've never seen a hot air balloon launch it's loads of fun, especially the early morning ones, like 6am. http://www.stoweflake.com/ Evening launches feature lots of food and fun actitivies on the Stoweflake Events Field, too.

UNCOVER OUR SECRET is our theme this summer, and we're running the SECRETS OF STOWE SWEEPSTAKES. Just visit www.gostowe.com/uncoveroursecret and you're eligible to win a 5-night stay in Stowe or dinner for 2, or a $50 gas card or a Keurig Coffee Maker from Green Mountain Coffee. Go try your luck! Contest ends the first day of Autumn, which is September 22.

Still time to plan a visit to Stowe for the 51st (that's FIVE ONE!) Annual Stowe Antique & Classic Car Meet, August 8-10. And this is the second year that we'll close off Main Street in Stowe Village for the Oldies Street Dance & Block Party. Closing Main Street is a very rare occurrence, so this is really a big deal. Our great Stowe Police also clear the street of modern vehicles and they're replaced by vintage ones. Think 57 T Bird convertibles. The owners love to show them off, too, and will gladly engage in automobile repartee.
The dance is Saturday night, August 9, and earlier that afternoon is the antique car show parade.
And speaking of cars: Stowe really is a car-show intense. for good reason. Cruising Vermont back roads is a recreational activity that is really popular. Our scenery is exceptional, and you set your own pace. See here for some self-guided tours: http://www.gostowe.com/thingstodo/sports/drives/ . More upcoming car events include Cobras in the Mountains http://www.cobrasinthemountains.com/ and the British Invasion http://www.britishinvasion.com/, with featured marques Jaguar and Morgan.

And of course for all of Stowe's events and other info our website is invaluable: http://www.gostowe.com/