Make sure your vacation includes plans to celebrate our culinary treasures at a variety of fun food festivals and events around the state. Here’s a look at some of what’s happening in 2008:

Vermont Chocolate Show
Essex – May 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and May 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Vermont Chocolate Show at the Inn at Essex features chocolatiers, chefs, and other vendors from Vermont and throughout the Northeast. The show includes educational programs, a chocolate art exhibit, product sales and other culinary activities. It is an opportunity for chocolate lovers of all ages to buy chocolate products, learn from noted Vermont pastry chefs and food experts, and enjoy chocolate spa treatments.
For more information, visit: www.vermontchocolateshow.com

Vermont Culinary Classic 
Stowe – June 13-22, 2008
Experience and learn more of the indigenous culinary bounty of Vermont! Meet local cheese producers, foragers, farmers and the restaurants that use local products. Enjoy cooking classes, seminars and wine tastings. For more information, visit www.gostowe.com.

Green Mountain Chew Chew
Burlington – June 27, 28, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and June 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The 23rd Annual Green Mountain Chew Chew Food & Music Festival is Vermont's favorite, family-oriented feeding frenzy, showcasing 30 restaurants, caterers and Vermont food producers, each serving three of their most tantalizing taste treats. The festival is held in downtown Burlington's magnificent waterfront park, right on the shores of Lake Champlain. For more information, visit www.greenmountainchewchew.com.

Vermont Brewers Festival
Burlington – July 18, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 19, 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Vermont Brewers Association is pleased to present the annual Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington's scenic Waterfront Park. The Festival's tent village setting is perfect for enjoying the magnificent views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, so bring your friends and family. It's a great way to celebrate American Beer Month! The Vermont Brewers Festival is the longest running outdoor brewers festival in the East, and it's no wonder since Vermont is home to more breweries per capita than any other state. For more information, visit www.vermontbrewers.com/festival.html

13th Annual Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival
Bennington – August 30, 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This fun-filled festival has something for all ages. Area restaurants cooperate in a food tent with a huge variety of garlic-inspired goodies from their menus. Children’s games and activities keep the little ones entertained. Live music can be enjoyed throughout the festival. Everything from garlic ice cream to garlic jelly, picked garlic, roasted garlic, and more... Plain garlic bulbs of every variety will be available to purchase and sample. For more information, visit www.lovegarlic.com

Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival
Plymouth Notch – September 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the bounties of the harvest and the award-winning world of Vermont-made cheese! The festival features cheese sampling by members of the Vermont Cheese Council, wagon rides, historic farm & craft demonstrations, old-time fiddling, guided tours of the Plymouth Cheese Factory, and activities for the entire family. For more information, visit www.HistoricVermont.org/Coolidge

Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival
Mount Snow Valley, September 26–28
Vermont Life and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce are combining forces to create the inaugural Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival. The event will celebrate the best of wine, food and the good life and highlight the quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers and artisans, from cheese makers, vintners and farmers to chefs, chocolatiers, photographers, painters and more. The festival takes place in Wilmington, with additional events occurring in nearby Dover and Whitingham. Entertainment, crafts, demonstrations, food discussions and other diversions add to the flavor. Cost: $10 and less for festival, other events vary. For more information visit  www.thevermontfestival.com  

Dummerston Apple Pie Festival
Dummerston – October 12, 9 a.m. until sold out.
For 40+ years, the Dummerston Apple Pie Festival has been held each year on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, the peak of colorful autumn foliage in Southern Vermont. A full 1,500 apple pies are made by many church members and friends. Folks from all over the United States travel by motorcycle and automobiles to take part in the festivities. Join us for a piece or take home a whole pie. In addition, we serve Vermont cheddar cheese, homemade ice cream, cider, coffee, donuts. For more information, call 802-254-9158 or e-mail janart54@sover.net.