Manchester Field Update

I wish to clarify clouds of swirling confusion and chaos regarding two of our prized, long running,  and successful Fall shows in Vermont. As many of you know, we were forced to leave Hildene in Manchester in 2012 after 26 successful years there. We had no choice. With tremendous support from the Manchester community, we identified a strong non-profit organization, Riley Rink, and decided to move to their field. Their goal is to create a viable events venue in Manchester to serve the entire community.  Riley Rink hired engineers and a landscaping firm to transform the field into a flat well drained field. After spending $175,000 towards  accomplishing this, the field simply did not drain at all in 2012. Our fall show there was a mess as the water did not drain. We were entirely unprepared for such conditions. We brought in truckloads of woodchips to salvage the show and Saturday was a very busy day. The rains and problems returned on Sunday. Seemingly, Craftproducers had no site for its 2013 shows in Manchester.

After consulting closely with Riley Rink and the Town of Manchester, we have a plan to move forward.  The engineers are confident that the winter freezing and thawing in the spring will open up the earth. When they completed construction last spring and planted the grass, a  four month drought with high temperatures baked the ground. When the fall rains fell. The water simply flowed as if it were on concrete, creating an inch layer of mud. At this point, Riley Rink will be the host site for the Manchester Fall Art and Craft Festival October 4-6.  We will test the viability of Riley Rink in late April 2013 to verify the engineer’s assertions. If we have an iota of doubt that Riley Rink Field is not ready, we have the permission to use the Town of Manchester Recreation Field in October. It is flat and well drained. There is adequate parking. It is a quarter of a mile from the center of Town and visible from the road. We are pleased with this unprecedented support from the community. In either case we will have a firm location by early May, plenty of time to promote the specific address to our large customer base.

You have seen that I did not mention the Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival. In fact, we will be moving this show down the road to Bennington. In these economic times we believe that Manchester can no longer support a summer show. The six week Horse Show fills hotel rooms and it is an event that does not benefit our show. Bennington is a lot closer to the major populations in the Berkshires and the Albany, NY areas.  We are convinced this will revive our Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival. And, by not having two shows in Manchester, the singular fall show will benefit because it will be extra special.

 - Charley