The Montpelier community is taking celebrations to the next level for the long Independence Day weekend. It’s one of their biggest celebrations of the year, drawing nearly 10,000 people from all over.“We’re surrounded by a number of more rural communities,” said Katie Trautz, the executive director of Montpelier Live. “Not all of them can pull off a big parade and all of these festivities. So, it’s really a good chance to pull our region together as a central Vermont community and gather here at the state capitol for one of the biggest and best celebrations in the state.”The event is packed with fun for the whole family. Kids could dance, sing and jump around to live music. Plus, there were plenty of games. And a marquee attraction for little ones — bounce houses.“We have the bouncy houses back, which has always been a favorite,” Trautz said. “We haven’t had them in the past couple of years. So, we’re really excited to have that back as well.”On Monday, food vendors set up early around the capitol, all with fan favorites on the menu. Mo’s Backyard Barbeque was hoping to have enough to go around.“Got a lot of food prepped,” said Shawn Moshinskie, the owner of Mo’s. “Last year, I sold out before the parade started. This year I’m hoping to make it past the parade. It’s a lot of work. But I like to make people smile. Good food goes a long way.”He means business with his barbeque. He smoked 260 pounds of pork just for this event. But was also a family affair. Moshinskie’s kids help him run the stand. They said it’s one of the best seats in the house.“I like seeing the people in Montpelier,” Moshinskie said. “I get to see the festivities and work at the same time, which not everyone gets to do. Just making people happy is something I like to do.”After grabbing a bite, there were plenty of musical performances, a road race and a parade that featured over 40 floats. Plus, a stand-out fireworks display.“We get together with family every year,” said Leslie Eramo, a Waitsfield resident. “Come here for the Fourth of July at the State House. We love the fireworks; it means America to us, and freedom. We love it here.”
The Montpelier community is taking celebrations to the next level for the long Independence Day weekend. It’s one of their biggest celebrations of the year, drawing nearly 10,000 people from all over.
“We’re surrounded by a number of more rural communities,” said Katie Trautz, the executive director of Montpelier Live. “Not all of them can pull off a big parade and all of these festivities. So, it’s really a good chance to pull our region together as a central Vermont community and gather here at the state capitol for one of the biggest and best celebrations in the state.”
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The event is packed with fun for the whole family. Kids could dance, sing and jump around to live music.
Plus, there were plenty of games. And a marquee attraction for little ones — bounce houses.
“We have the bouncy houses back, which has always been a favorite,” Trautz said. “We haven’t had them in the past couple of years. So, we’re really excited to have that back as well.”
On Monday, food vendors set up early around the capitol, all with fan favorites on the menu. Mo’s Backyard Barbeque was hoping to have enough to go around.
“Got a lot of food prepped,” said Shawn Moshinskie, the owner of Mo’s. “Last year, I sold out before the parade started. This year I’m hoping to make it past the parade. It’s a lot of work. But I like to make people smile. Good food goes a long way.”
He means business with his barbeque. He smoked 260 pounds of pork just for this event.
But was also a family affair. Moshinskie’s kids help him run the stand. They said it’s one of the best seats in the house.
“I like seeing the people in Montpelier,” Moshinskie said. “I get to see the festivities and work at the same time, which not everyone gets to do. Just making people happy is something I like to do.”
After grabbing a bite, there were plenty of musical performances, a road race and a parade that featured over 40 floats. Plus, a stand-out fireworks display.
“We get together with family every year,” said Leslie Eramo, a Waitsfield resident. “Come here for the Fourth of July at the State House. We love the fireworks; it means America to us, and freedom. We love it here.”
