WILMINGTON- There are Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival activities happening all weekend on September 22 and 23, but don’t miss out on the welcome event on Friday, September 21, in the village of Wilmington. The Wine and Harvest Stroll combines two great events: Wilmington’s Village Stroll and the kick-off event for the Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival. From 5 to 7 pm, locals and visitors are invited to stroll throughout the village and experience the special treats that the wine and harvest stroll has to offer.

Start at the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce to check in and receive information for the night. With the second annual soup contest at shops throughout the village, and a wine and cheese tasting seminar at Memorial Hall, foodies and wine aficionados will delight in the samplings. The stroll and soup contest are free and open to the public. Pick up a ballot at the chamber to vote for a favorite soup. Return the ballot to be entered to win a festival pass for Saturday or Sunday. At Memorial Hall there will be a wine tasting seminar sponsored by Honora Winery and Vineyard and a cheese tasting sponsored by Grafton Village Cheese Company. Pickwell’s Barn, Bartleby’s Books, and Gallery Wright will have wine tasting available as well. The fee for participating in the wine seminar and wine tastings is $7 and includes a festival wine glass.

Stores will stay open late and there are a number of dinner options available after the stroll around the village. Musicians will be located at various spots in the village and cider will be available at River Bank Park. Look for a surprise at dark at the park. Saturday and Sunday festival passes will be available for sale at the chamber during the stroll for convenience. For more information about the village stroll or any Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival events contact the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce at (802) 464-8092 or see www.visitvermont.com.