Join us as we dedicate a new pavilion on this beautiful site!
UVLT will celebrate the close of our 40th anniversary year with a picnic party under a newly-raised pavilion at our Ely Mountain Conservation Area. It’s a perfect place to enjoy and reflect on the impact of UVLT’s mission and accomplishments, and to look forward and celebrate our future together as well.
We’ll gather in late afternoon for music and social time and wrap up with Edgewater Farm strawberries and cream. Earlier in the day are opportunities to meet the timber framers who assembled the pavilion, hike the Ely Mountain area, learn from naturalists, ecologists, and foresters, and participate in building an inventory of flora and fauna at Ely Mountain.
Assistance will be available for anyone who may have difficulty walking up the moderate incline to the pavilion area.
There is no admission charge and no need to RSVP, but mark your calendar now for this very special event!
Saturday, June 27
Pavilion Raising (Rain or Shine)
9:00 a.m. – Noon | Crane Lift
Watch as the completed roof structure is lifted into place and set onto the posts. (Spectators are welcome throughout the morning but will be kept back from construction activity.)
3:00 – 4:30 PM | Noticing Nature: “Meet the Mountain” Hike for Kids and Familie
Join UVLT Naturalist and Outdoor Programs Leader Holly Henderson and her young family on a woodlands walk that encourages exploration, wonder, and fun for kids of all ages. Click here for details.
2:00 – 4:30 PM | Meet the Mountain (Rain date: Sunday, June 28)
Join naturalists for guided walks, family friendly activities, and hands-on exploration of the landscape.
- Tree walk w/ Kevin Martin, author of Big Trees of Northern New England
- Stream walk w/ Dan “Rudi” Ruddell, White River Partnership watershed scientist
- Botany walk w/ Alice Schori, field botanist
- Pollinator walk with Alan Graham, former Vermont state entomologist
- Bird walk w/ Len Reitsma, Plymouth State University professor emeritus, and UVLT Naturalist Holly Henderson
4:30 – 6:30 PM | Pavilion Picnic Party – Tethered Balloon Rides, Music, Celebration (Rain date: Sunday, June 28)
- Live music! Fiddlers and traditional musicians from Upper Valley Music Center, led by Carol Compton.
- Bring your own picnic (*or order by June 22, see below!) and blanket. UVLT will provide beverages and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
- Tethered hot air balloon rides will be offered starting at 5:00 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Due to limited availability, rides will be assigned by raffle.
*Optional Bagged Meals for Purchase
- Chapman’s General Store of Fairlee, VT, is offering the following bagged meal options for $19.95.
- All options include sandwich/wrap and a bag of chips or popcorn.
- Orders must be placed no later than Monday, June 22, and will be transported to the event for pick-up.
- To order contact: gm@chapmansgeneralvt.com; 802-333-9709
- UVLT thanks Chapman’s for providing these delicious food options!
Options:
- Goddess Chicken Salad: chicken, basil, celery, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, tarragon, salt, pepper, walnuts, cranberries, lettuce. Served on a kaiser roll
- The Mediterranean: Genoa salami, provolone, red peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, greens, basilnaise (basil, garlic, mayonnaise) lettuce. Served on a kaiser roll
- Veggie Heaven: cucumber, lettuce, chickpeas, tahini sauce, tomatoes, red onion, cheddar cheese. Served as a wrap.
- Deviled Egg Salad: eggs, celery, scallion, capers, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, white pepper, lettuce. Served on a kaiser roll.
