KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced Thursday, Oct. 12, that the band Dispatch will headline a robust music and entertainment lineup to celebrate the return of the Audi FIS World Cup.
“Combining top-notch entertainment with one of the world’s most premier ski racing events makes for an amazing, party-like weekend at Killington for families and fans of all ages,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort in a press release. “We are thrilled Dispatch will headline our full weekend of World Cup Race festivities and hope the public comes out to enjoy the concerts, movie premiers, opening parades, fireworks, our unique dining experiences and autograph signings, in addition to the women’s giant slalom and slalom races.”
Dispatch, who formed while attending Vermont’s Middlebury College, will return to their Green Mountain State roots for the free concert on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Killington’s K-1 Base Area. Known as one of the biggest independent rock bands in history, Dispatch hit a major career milestone when they played an outdoor concert in Boston that drew over 110,000 people and were dubbed by Rolling Stone as the hosts of the largest independent music event ever.
Dispatch is returning to the road with their first national tour in five years, and their Audi FIS World Cup concert at Killington is their only scheduled appearance in Vermont.
New this year and, in addition to an already action-packed, fun-filled weekend, Killington Resort and the Audi will host a free concert on Friday, Nov. 24, featuring Troy Ramey, originally from Woodstock, Vt., and best known for soaring through season 12 of the hit singing competition, “The Voice.”
Killington’s Snowshed Base Lodge will host two separate movie premiers throughout the weekend, including new releases from Teton Gravity Research and Warren Miller Entertainment, showcasing extreme snow sports and thrilling cinematography, with proceeds from Friday and Saturday’s showings benefiting the Pico Ski Club and Killington Ski Club, respectively.
The World Cup Expo Village, located at the K-1 Base Area, will feature over 40 unique sponsors, ranging from artisan Vermont craft and food vendors to the latest ski industry hardware and technology companies. Opening parades on both Saturday and Sunday will feature youth racers marching with their ski clubs and carrying participating nations’ flags, culminating in the finish area to kick off the competition each day. We expect more than 1,000 youth racers both days with Vermont ski clubs featured on Saturday and ski clubs from all over the Northeast joining us Sunday.
Schedule of weekend events
Friday, Nov. 24:
Expo Village open, 10a.m.-7 p.m., K-1 Base Area
Free concert by Troy Ramey, 4 p.m., Expo Village K-1 Base Area
Athlete presentation, 5:45 p.m., Expo Village K-1 Base Area
Fireworks immediately following athlete presentation, Expo Village K-1 Base Area
Teton Gravity Research movie premier: “Rogue Elements,” 7 p.m., Snowshed Base Lodge
Saturday, Nov. 25:
Expo Village open, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., K-1 Base Area
VIP Area open, 8 a.m., Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar
Opening parade, 8:45 a.m., Expo Village, K-1 Base Area
Giant Slalom Run 1, 10 a.m., Superstar Trail
Giant Slalom Run 2, 1 p.m., Superstar Trail
Free concert by Dispatch immediately following second race runs, K-1 Base Area
World Cup official post-party, 6 p.m., Wobbly Barn Nightclub
Warren Miller movie premier: “Line of Descent,” 7 p.m., Snowshed Lodge
Sunday, Nov. 26:
Expo Village open, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., K-1 Base Area
VIP Area open, 8 a.m., Roaring Brook Umbrella Bar
Opening parade, 8:45 a.m., Expo Village, K-1 Base Area
Giant Slalom Run 1, 10 a.m., Superstar Trail
Giant Slalom Run 2, 1 p.m., Superstar Trail
All venues are at the Killington Resort. The general public is invited to view the women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom races from free general admission areas or from the grandstands, as a limited number of premium grandstand tickets remain available when Killington hosts the Alpine World Cup event for the second year in a row. The free viewing areas will accommodate approximately 12,000 spectators and Killington will provide free parking and an enhanced shuttle system for event spectators during the weekend. Appropriate attire for winter weather is recommended for the outdoor venue, including sturdy waterproof footwear and multiple layers.
No pets, lawn chairs or coolers will be permitted in the Expo Village.
Photo submitted
The band Dispatch will be headlining entertainment at the FIS World Cup race at Killington Resort in November. The three-person band has its roots in Vermont.
