Columbus Day 2019: Vermont This Weekend

Fall Foliage in Southern Vermont, Stratton Foliage, Leaves Changing

Every Fall in Vermont consists of constant elements; the leaves are peaking, the nights are getting longer, the days are getting cooler, and Harvest Fest kicks off Columbus Day Weekend!

This year we have a bigger variety of activities than colors in the trees. A packed schedule of events, music, food, and drinks will keep leaf peepers of all ages occupied.

HarvestFest begins Friday, October 11th at noon with our Columbus Day Weekend Tent sale. The sale will run the duration of Harvest Fest. With items ranging from 50%-70% off, you’ll want to arrive early for the best deals on the biggest selection.

Stick around Friday evening for our Zero Gravity Craft Brewery Pairing Dinner. Come taste this four-course meal created by Stratton’s team of chefs, inspired by 4 beer offerings from Zero Gravity. Get the inside scoop on the meal and details on each beer pairing from a brewery expert.

Scenic Gondola rides are available every day of HarvestFest. Gondola rides allow leaf peepers an opportunity to see our breathtaking foliage from 3,875 feet. Gondola rides are both handicap accessible and pet-friendly. And for the thrill-seekers? Our downhill Mountain Bike park will be open for its final laps of the season Friday through Monday.

Stratton Brewfest, Columbus Day Weekend Brewfest, Stratton Beer, Stratton Brewers, Colubus Day Weekend Vermont

Saturday ramps up with a full slate of activities. Make your way up to the top of southern Vermont’s tallest peak for Mountain Top Yoga starting at 11 AM. Yogis can cruise back down on the gondola for the start of Brewfest at noon, a sampling of Vermont Craft Brewer’s finest beers, ales, lagers, and ciders. Saints & Liars will kick off our free live music at 11:30 AM.

Chili Cook-off, Stratton Chili cook-off, Chili Tasting, Columbus Day Weekend Events, Stratton Events

Test your taste buds at our Chili Cook-Off. Sample a delicious variety of locally made chilis, and cast your ballot for our 2019 Chili Champion. Be sure to arrive on time as chili is limited!

The kids will be entertained all day Saturday between our inflatable ax throwing, inflatable bull-riding, caricaturist, and face painting stations. We promise, no siblings will be hurt in the process of throwing inflatable axes.

Stratton Race, North Face Race to the Summit, Stratton Race to the Summit, North Face Stratton, Columbus Day Weekend Run

We can all agree a Sunday morning gondola is a scenic ride, but how about taking the scenic route? The North Face Race to the Summit begins at 9:30 AM. Runners will challenge our 2.18-mile race from the base to the summit of Stratton. With over $1600 in prize money, break out your running shoes and get ready, set, GO! Preregister online, or Sunday morning at our village North Face Store.

What’s better than a wine tasting? How about a FREE wine tasting Sunday afternoon by Palm Bay International in our base lodge, 21+ only.

Be sure to bring your dancing shoes for the evening. Lauren Davidson kicks off our last Summer Concert Series at 5:30 PM. Lucy Wainwright Roche comes out at 6:30 PM and is followed up by everyone’s favorite ladies, The Indigo Girls.

The weekend rolls into Monday with our Columbus Day Tent Sale, Verde’s Fall Closing Party, with live music by David Domenick.

Gear heads are sure to join us on the final day of an exhilarating season for our downhill mountain bike park.

Join us for Harvest Fest 2019 as we ring in Fall the Stratton way!

Columbus Day 2019 Events Schedule

Friday, October 11th

  • 10am – 5pm: Mountain Bike Park Opens
  • 12pm – 6pm: Columbus Day Weekend Tent Sale
  • 12pm – 4:30pm: Gondola Rides to Summit
  • 7pm – 10pm: Zero Gravity Brewery Pairing Dinner

Saturday, October 12th

  • 9am – 6pm: Columbus Day Weekend Tent Sale
  • 10am – 11am: Lole Karma Class Mid Mountain Hike
  • 10am – 5pm: Mountain Bike Park
  • 10am – 4:30pm: Gondola Rides to Summit
  • 11am – 12:30pm: Mountain Top Yoga
  • 12pm – 6pm: Brewfest opens
  • 12pm – 4pm: Kids Fun: Inflatable bull-ride and ax throwing
  • 12pm: The North Face Doggie and Me Hike. Meet at the Base Lodge
  • 1 – 3pm: Chili Cook-off
  • 1 – 3pm: Erin Harpe & Delta Swingers. Live Music and free admission.
  • 3:00pm: Keg Toss at South American Lift
  • 3 – 6pm: Face Painter, Caricaturist in Stratton Village
  • 3:30pm: Dr. K’s Motown Review. Live Music and free admission

Sunday, October 13th

  • 9am – 6pm: Columbus Day Weekend Tent Sale
  • 9:30am: The North Face Race to the Summit
  • 10am – 5pm: Mountain Bike Park
  • 10am – 4:30pm: Gondola Rides to Summit
  • 11am – 12:30pm: Mountain Top Yoga
  • 2pm – 5pm: Free Wine Tasting, Palm Bay International – Base Lodge
  • 5:30 – 6-30pm: Doors Open; Lauren Davidson
  • 6:30 – 7:30pm: Lucy Wainwright Roche
  • 7:30pm: The Indigo Girls Summer Concert Series

Monday, October 14th

  • 9am – 1pm: Columbus Day Weekend Tent Sale
  • 10am – 5pm: Mountain Bike Park, Last ride of the season
  • 11:30am – 3pm: Verde’s Fall Closing Party. Casual brunch/lunch with live music by David Domenick
  • 12pm – 4:30pm: Gondola Rides to Summit, Last ride of the season