New years events that appeal to all tastes and styles
By Stephen Seitz
We don’t have to say goodbye to 2014 in front of the TV set sipping warm champagne. New Year’s Eve in Vermont offers plenty of choices for everyone, regardless of age. Here are some of the alternatives to Ryan Seacrest.
Mountain View Farms in Rochester is offering the When Words Count Retreat, and their staff takes care of it all. On Dec. 31, they offer “Write to the Last Minute” New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring “a five-course, famous-writer-inspired dinner with select wines and champagnes, followed by a spirited party in the Gertrude Stein Salon,” according to the website. For more, visit www.whenwordscountretreat.com.
Over in Middlebury, the Doughboys will be rocking into the New Year with a dance party at the Town Hall Theater. Tickets are $15, and the event runs between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. www.townhalltheater.org.
Not ready to let go of Christmas? In Woodstock, the Billings Farm and Museum is holding its continuing “Christmas at the Farm” event. The farmhouse will be decked out in 19th century Christmas decorations. Other features include a horse-drawn sleigh (or wagon, if you prefer), sledding, making ornaments, and candle dipping. Details at www.billingsfarm.org.
The Woodstock Inn is holding a New Year’s Gala in the Rockefeller Room. Guests can enjoy a five-course dinner, champagne, and rock the New Year in with the High Rollers. To make reservations, call 802-457-6621.
Both Killington Mountain Resort and Okemo Resort host New Year’s events, too. At Killington, the Master Cylinders will play at the K1 Lodge, the Snowshed Lodge hosts Joey Leone, Tony Lee Thomas will appear at the Bear Lodge, while Pico Lodge has Ryan Fuller. Besides music, there will also be games and prizes. Then late night parties continue at most bars on Killington Road. More at www.killington.com.
Okemo is hosting family events, including early evening ice skating, snowtubing, snowshoeing, mountain coaster rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, bingo games and a trivia tournament. For the adults, there will be a DJ dance party, with fireworks, at Jackson Gore. Full details at www.okemo.com.
The town of Mount Holly is throwing a free event: New Year’s Eve at Star Lake, starting at 9 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Mount Holly Sno Drifters, the festivities include a bonfire and fireworks. More information can be found on the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce website, www.yourplaceinvermont.com.
Rutland families with children between the ages of 6 and 13 may be interested in the annual Cobra Gymnastics and Dance New Year’s Eve Sleepover. The kids get dinner, snacks and breakfast along with activities. $55 members, $60 non-members, family rates available. Details and registration at www.cobravt.com
Revelers in Poultney can celebrate with bluegrass music from the Mean Waltons, who will play their music at the Taps Tavern. Free toast at midnight. More information at tapstavern.com.
In Proctor, the sixth grade is holding a luminaria lighting at the Proctor Skating Rink from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A luminary kit costs $3, two for $5. Full details at proctorvt.com.
The Fullerton Inn in Chester is celebrating wine and the New Year with a wine pairing event. Their chefs will prepare nine holiday-themed dishes, each accompanied by a selected wine. For more info, visit www.fullertoninn.com.
