The Mad River Valley Is Open

A flood just can’t beat the people of Vermont and the Mad River Valley. While work continues at a feverish pace at many locations, most of the Mad River Valley is back in business. We lament the temporary loss of three favorite restaurants (Tracks at the Pitcher Inn in Warren and Mint and the Green Cup in Waitsfield) but there are many other restaurants open and ready to serve while these three continue their cleaning. The Lareau Farm and American Flatbread go back into production Friday which means the Big Red Barn Art Show will once again be welcoming guests. There are more than 140 works of art in this show – none damaged by the flood.

On Bridge Street in Waitsfield you will find Artisan’s Gallery and The Bridge Street Emporium cleaned and ready for customers. None of the photos in VINTAGE VERMONT at the Emporium were damaged and this is the last week to see these images in their first printing since the early 1900′s. Across the street All Thing’s Bright and Beautiful have their European glass ornaments all sparkling next to Gaelic’s hand painted ornaments, cats, dogs and Santas. Just be careful not to step into the 10 foot ravine the river so carefully carved out of their driveway next to their side porch.

The 41st annual Mad River Valley Craft Fair will go on as planned at Kenyon’s Field on Saturday and Sunday 10 to 5. Moosewalk Studios will be joining Mad River Antler for the first time at the fair. Gary will be working the Craft Fair while Roarke keeps the home gallery open. Moosewalk Gallery will be open noon to 5:00 Saturday and Sunday. We will be taking Labor Day off this year

Join the Flood Fund-raising Block Party on Bridge Street this Saturday starting at 5:00. The Detonators will be playing for dancing and you can see the 1833 covered bridge still standing proud.

Route 100 is now open from Interstate 89. Lincoln Gap Road, Route 17 through the Appalachian Gap and the Roxbury Gap are also open. You cannot access the Valley by Route 100 from the south.

I would also like to take a moment to thank the hundreds of people who are helping the Valley recover – visitors, locals, utility workers from near and far and, especially, the students from the Green Mountain School who have been working steadily since Monday morning. In addition, a huge thank you to the moms and kids who have been baking cookies and cakes and distributing them to the workers. Those treats from a hand connected to a big smile mean so much.

Hope to see you!