Saturday, May 14, 2011
This summer, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce has launched a summer -long campaign called The Cows Come Home to Burlington. The campaign is a mix of community, art, and business. It is a 24/7, non-weather-dependent event spanning from May to September 2010.
The purpose of Cows Come Home is to increase tourism in the Burlington area (and hopefully the Mad River Valley) and to generate revenue for area businesses while implementing street art in a way that will benefit commerce and give recognition to local artists. It is a walking tour type of exhibit. Fiberglass cows are sent as “blank canvases” to Vermont artists who use their unique talents to decorate them.
These one-of-a-kind works of art will be displayed prominently in the Burlington downtown area and regionally. At the end of the season, the “cows” will be put up for auction, with partial proceeds benefiting the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger.
Sugarbush has purchased one of the cows and it will be displayed on Church Street in Burlington. Many of the cows are colorfully and creatively designed. Given the authenticity of the Mad River Valley (a characteristic which we hold so dear), our cow is painted to look like the Holsteins that are prevalent here. Artist Dottie Kyle of Warren decorated our cow to illustrate the many activities that occur at Sugarbush in all seasons and creatively used the spots to highlight our unique terrain and sporting opportunities.
If you are in Burlington this summer, look for the Sugarbush cow and, more importantly, spread the word about our year-round activities. I encourage you to support our farmers by buying local products whenever you can.
Win
So what would you expect a former Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch to do when he retires? Lay low in the islands? Nope. He moves north and works seven days a week right here at Sugarbush. Check out what he's been thinking.
