HARDWICK, WALDEN – Memorial Day weekend is upon us and Hardwick’s Springfest is on tap for area residents, but not before the Walden School Carnival, which overlaps with the first Hardwick Farmers Market of the season Friday.
map courtesy Hardwick Kiwanis Club
Saturday’s parade will follow its traditional route despite downtown construction, with a new location for the street fair in and around the American Legion parking lot.
Hardwick Gazette Weatherman Tyler Molleur predicts a 60 degree afternoon Friday with a chilly evening into the low 40s, then a partly sunny Saturday with a high near 60 and calm winds.
The Friday carnival at Walden School runs from 3 to 6 p.m., with food, games and other activities at the school, 135 Cahoon Farm Road, West Danville. Organizers promise a barbecue dinner and games following school release with a bouncy house, inflatable ax throwing, face painting, cotton candy, raffle prizes and police, fire and EMS on hand. The free community event hosted by the Walden PTA welcomes all families for an afternoon of activities for children and adults alike. Visit the Walden PTA Facebook page for more information.
Hardwick’s Friday events begin with the Farmers Market opening day from 3 to 6 p.m, at Atkins Field, off Granite St.; 6 p.m. Parade Marshal Reception at the Hardwick Village Restaurant; then a free evening concert and street dance by Point Noire from 7 to 10 p.m. at Atkins Field hosted by the Civic Standard.
Farmers Market Manager Hayley Williams said to expect more than 20 farmers market vendors, a Farm and Garden Expo with tool sharpening and soil blocking demos, plant sales and the opportunity to connect with Extension Master Gardeners.
Food trucks will be on hand and cocktails will be available to purchase from St. Johnsbury Distillery.
Yard games (corn hole, yard Yahtzee and jumbo Jenga with children’s activities that will include face painting and live music by Michael Perry.
aren Brown will be leading folks in the how-to’s of soil blocking and seed snailing, from 3:30 p.m. She will teach visitors how to mix the right blocking medium, press and form sturdy blocks, choose appropriate seeds, timing and create seed‑snail rolls that maintain moisture while reducing plastic waste and improving home germination success. No registration is needed.
Indivisible Hardwick reports that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo will visit the Farmer’s Market from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Civic Standard’s Rose Friedman said, “Kick off Springfest weekend at Atkins Field with Vermont’s premier Cajun band, Pointe Noir. Food trucks will be there with tasty treats and fancy drinks and the band will be serving up spicy cajun rhythms. The concert is free to all so come on down and dance the night away!”
Saturday’s events begin at 7 a.m., with a bird walk beginning at the Hardwick Trails kiosk behind Hazen Union School.
At 8 a.m. a 5K Fun Run leaves from the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) near the Hardwick Area Health Center parking lot.
At 9:45 a.m., a Memorial Service hosted by the American Legion at the Memorial Park on Church St., across from the Hardwick Memorial Building, kicks off the parade, which begins at 10 a.m.
Those wanting to be in the parade should gather by 9:30 a.m. in the Hazen Union High School parking lot.
Despite construction downtown, the parade will follow its usual path down North Main Street, turn right on South Main Street at the Hardwick Inn, where an announcer will be on hand as floats and marchers pass by.
The parade will continue, passing downtown construction and Wolcott Street, turning right on Spring Street and winding up at Atkins Field, where there will be no events this year.
The Catholic Daughters of America, Court St. Veronica will hold their annual bake sale in front of St. Norbert’s Church during the parade until 11 a.m.
The Knights of Columbus will be dishing out its annual “Mario Fradette and Ryan Brown’s famous Chicken Barbecue” beginning at 11:45 a.m. in front of the church, where they hoped to have tickets sold by May 15.
This year, the Hardwick United Church will be offering free ice cream and cookies before, during and after the parade passes by the corner of Lower Cherry Street, along with a sale table of selected items from Angel Outfitters.
Spring Street will be closed immediately after the parade for Cubmobile Races on Spring Street (not Lower Cherry). All are welcome to race or just watch, cubmobiles will be available to borrow.
This year’s Street Fair moves to the Legion parking lot at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Brush Street, which will both be closed to through traffic from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Vendors, food trucks and community organizations will be set up with tables and tents. A tent with the Kiwanis Club and Downtown Partnership, will offer information.
The Jeudevine Library premiers its Human Library of Books to sign up for at 12:30 p.m., which runs for two hours, through 2:30 p.m. Visitors can meet for about twenty minutes, one-on-one, with the book (a person) of their choice. Space is limited; signing up ahead of time is a good idea by calling, emailing, or coming into the library.
Events on tap are a 1 p.m. human truck pull on Brush Street, Edie Menard and the Krazy Kountry Band from 2 until 3:30 p.m., followed by a Duck Dive at 3:30.
At 1:45 p.m. Saturday, Hardwick Area Little League will hold the opening ceremony of its 11th Annual Tristan Southworth Memorial Day Classic game at the Little League field behind the Hardwick Elementary School. The game will follow at 2 p.m.
Sunday at 11 a.m. Riverside Cycles hosts an LVRT trail ride leaving from the store at the Hardwick Inn, where N. and S. Main intersect.
Memorial Day will be observed at 10 a.m., Monday at the Memorial Park and area cemeteries.
Since 1950, the Spring Festival, known as Springfest, has been Hardwick’s biggest annual community celebration. Originally started as the renowned Tulip Festival (the Dutch ambassador once attended), Springfest has evolved over its long history. It’s been part old-time country fair with horse pulls and square dancing, part carnival with rides and fried dough and part home-grown festival with homemade games and attractions. The constant centerpiece has been a parade, with spectators lining the streets of Hardwick along the route.
The Hardwick Kiwanis Club has spearheaded Springfest since its inception; however, it has always been a community effort involving local businesses, organizations, vendors, artists, schools and residents.
The Hardwick Downtown Partnership, The Civic Standard, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Hardwick Farmers Market, American Legion, Hardwick Trails, Hardwick Recreation Committee, Hardwick AreaLittle League, Jeudevine Memorial Library, The Hardwick Gazette and the Town of Hardwick now co-host the event with the Kiwanis Club.
Looking forward to it! 🙂