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Friday morning felt more like early April than late May, with Burlington thermometers dipping into the upper 20s and low 30s after those crystal clear overnight skies. The sunshine has been steadily making amends, and afternoon highs should reach the mid 60s under blue skies. Saturday looks like the best day of the long weekend, holding mostly dry even as clouds gradually build, with temperatures nudging toward 70. Sunday is the one to plan around. Overcast skies bring scattered light rain showers, steadiest during the afternoon, and highs will only climb into the 50s. Marathon runners and spectators should dress in layers and pack a rain jacket. Memorial Day on Monday may still see a few showers through the morning, but the afternoon looks increasingly dry with some sun possibly poking through and highs returning to the mid 60s. The real payoff arrives midweek, when Tuesday and Wednesday bring back full sunshine and push temperatures into the upper 70s and low 80s.

If you're trying to map out your absolute top-tier plans for this massive holiday weekend, look no further than Virtue Field. We have a historic weekend of home openers on the schedule. Tonight at 7 PM, the Vermont Green FC men's squad takes on the Albany Rush. Then on Saturday at 7 PM, make sure you're there for the highly anticipated home debut of the women's team as they match up against the Hudson Valley Crusaders. And remember, if you don’t have tickets, you can usually find space on the hill if you bring your own chair and get there early enough! Read the match preview in the Athletics section of the newsletter.

Beyond the stadium, the long weekend starts strong tonight. The Free Sports & Fitness Expo at the DoubleTree in South Burlington is running all afternoon until 7pm, packed with running gear vendors, demos, giveaways, and a free comedy show. At 4:30 this afternoon the Expo features a screening of Best Day Ever, an award winning Vermont documentary about adaptive mountain bikers finding joy and community on the trails, and the whole thing returns Saturday with even more programming including author readings, an adaptive athlete panel, and an invited marathon runner discussion. Over on Allen Street at 7pm, VMT's 10th through 12th graders open a free production of Follies at the O.N.E. Community Center, performing Sondheim's legendary musical about ex-showgirls confronting their pasts at a crumbling theater, with additional performances Saturday at 2 and 7pm and a final show Sunday at 6pm. Live music is everywhere tonight. Dan Parks plays acoustic at Switchback Brewing at 5:30, Shelburne Vineyard hosts Bluegrass & BBQ with Hard Scrabble from 6 to 9, Quadra opens the Summer Concert Series on the patio at The Old Post in South Burlington from 7 to 10, Joe's Big Band swings with a 17 piece jazz ensemble in South Burlington at 7:30, and SWALE teams up with The Nancy Druids at Standing Stone Wines in Winooski at 8. Over at Red Square, Burly Bear launches its summer dance party series with a 007 theme at 8pm, continuing Saturday. Car enthusiasts should check out the weekly 802 Meets & Cruises gathering at 115 Lakeside Ave at 7. The Lil' Vermonters Consignment Sale opens with an early bird session at the Champlain Valley Exposition from 5 to 9 tonight, with public hours Saturday noon to 4 and a half price sale Sunday from 9am to 1pm.

Saturday morning is one of those days where you might need to pick a lane. The Run Vermont Mini Marathon brings young athletes to Waterfront Park starting at 8:15am, and they're still looking for adult volunteers in the reunion zone. The Burlington Farmers Market returns to 345 Pine Street from 9am to 2pm with over 70 vendors, live music, a kids tent, and all the maple syrup and fresh produce your tote bag can handle. While you're in the Pine Street neighborhood, swing by our BTown Coffee Club [MEETUP] at Zero Gravity Brewery from 10 to noon for a casual weekly hangout with locals. Over in Winooski, the Vermont Garden Network's Spring Plant Giveaway at the Greenhouse at Landry Park from 9 to 11am is sharing free seedlings from the African, Asian, and Latin American diasporas, along with seed packets and gardening manuals. Tabletop fans can head to Board Game Brunch [MEETUP] at Old Town Cafe & Comics in Williston from 9am to noon. The Essex Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9:30 at Five Corners. Down in South Burlington, the Bloom Time Festival at the UVM Horticulture Farm on Green Mountain Drive runs 10am to 2pm with guided nature walks, a pollinator scavenger hunt, seed ball making, tractor rides, and guest speakers on butterflies and ecological landscaping (free, rain or shine, no dogs). Vermont Open Studio Weekend is in full swing with the Essex Art League show at 7 Main Street in Essex Junction from 10 to 5, Saturday and Sunday, and Tall Grass Stonework at 85 Apple Ridge Road in Hinesburg opening their workshop both days from 10 to 5 with stone installations, live demos, and garden paths to wander. BCA's Family Art Saturday brings all ages artmaking to the BCA Center on Church Street from 11 to 1, inspired by the current sculptural exhibition. The Ethan Allen Homestead hosts a free Revolutionary War reenactment from 11 to 2 featuring musket firings, open fire cooking, artisan crafts, and militia training, all free in 2026 to mark America's 250th birthday (museum open 10 to 4, continuing Sunday). The Tracy Drive Plant Sale at 47 Tracy Drive runs 11 to 2 with locally saved seed varieties, continuing Sunday same hours. Champ's Legendary Creemees opens for the season at ECHO on the waterfront from 11 to 5, and the first 60 groups get a free Vermont Teddy Bear plushie with a creemee purchase. The Malia Racing free dragon boat lesson at the Community Sailing Center runs 11:30 to 1 for anyone ready to kick off summer on the lake (RSVP required). And the Vintage Beneath Pop-Up at 3 Bilodeau Court in Burlington offers mid century modern art and vintage finds from 9 to 3, Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday afternoon and evening keep the momentum rolling. A Free Community Acupuncture Party at Kula on Dorset Street in South Burlington from 2 to 5 features food, mocktails, prizes, and a deep dive into community acupuncture's radical history. At 3:30, the Memorial Day Weekend Polo Match at Amdez Polo Club in Shelburne offers field side tailgate spectating for $10 a person or $20 per carload, with empanadas and tacos on site. The inaugural Brew the 802 takes over City Center on Dattilio Drive in South Burlington from 4 to 8, a brand new beer festival from the South Burlington Rec and Parks Department celebrating local craft brews, vendors, and everything Green Mountain, with a sampling glass and ten tasting tickets included with each adult entry. As evening falls, the Third Tone live binaural sound journey at the Black Box Theater at Main Street Landing at 7pm combines live double bass, binaural frequencies, and spatial sound for something truly unlike a typical Friday night out. Spanish Tapas [MEETUP] gathers home cooks in Shelburne at 7 to share their experiments with Spanish small plates. Sonido Mal Maïz brings their Latin American folk and psychedelia blend to Foam Brewers on Lake Street at 9. And for something completely different, Magic Hunks Australia takes over Einstein's Tap House at 8 for a 21 plus ladies' night.

Sunday centers on the big one. The M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay launches from Waterfront Park at 7:15am, sending runners along Lake Champlain on a USATF certified course that doubles as the 2026 RRCA Eastern Region Championship. Whether you're running the full 26.2, splitting a relay, or just cheering from the sidewalk, expect a great atmosphere even if the skies aren't cooperating. ActiveVT is offering showers, bag check, and recovery space steps from the finish line starting at 6:15am for runners looking to freshen up fast. The Finisher Festival at Waterfront Park rounds out the morning. Over at the Ethan Allen Homestead, the free reenactment continues 11 to 2, followed at 2pm by a free lecture on William Marsh, the Vermont patriot who turned loyalist, delivered by local historian Daniel Cole. At Burlington City Hall, the "Through Lines" artist reception for Robin Lloyd runs 3 to 5pm, celebrating six decades of her visual art, filmmaking, and community activism. VMT's Follies wraps its run with a 6pm performance. In South Burlington, Mom & Me Mini Photo Sessions with Vida Expressions are available at Wheeler Park (book through the website). Over in Williston, the PetSmart Pawp-Up & Adoption Event with Passion 4 Paws runs 11 to 1 for anyone looking to meet a new best friend. And at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, the 40th annual Knights of Columbus Super Bingo runs 10am to 5pm benefiting Camp Ta-Kum-Ta and families impacted by childhood cancer. The Open Studios in Essex Junction and Hinesburg, the Vintage Beneath Pop-Up, and the Tracy Drive Plant Sale all continue Sunday as well.

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The Btown Brief IRL - We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Here is what we have coming up:

If any of those sound fun, be sure to RSVP on Meetup.com. So, be sure to stop by, everyone is welcome! Especially coffee, since it’s a great place to talk about weekend events too, along with news and life updates. So come find things to do this weekend together:

Why support? Every week, I sort through 24+ local sources: 12 event calendars, some of those being Seven Days, Front Porch Forum, Facebook events, plus 9 others and 12 news stations, from VTDigger to WCAX to Vermont Public to Community News Service, plus 8 others, to keep you connected. If this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!

About Me

El Cortijo Taqueria to Close, Become Burl's Downtown Kitchenette

After 15 years of tacos and margaritas in that iconic Bank Street diner car, the Farmhouse Group is pivoting to an all day concept with serious Southern flair. The shift reflects a downtown nightlife that has simply changed, with Davis noting that El Cortijo was always as much a bar as a restaurant, and late evening traffic just isn't what it used to be. The building itself has quite the resume, having hosted both Walter Mondale and Bill Clinton when it was the Oasis Diner. Expect Burl's to open just days after El Cortijo's farewell sometime in early to mid June.

A Look Ahead at the Vermont City Marathon

More than 3,000 participants have signed up for this year's marathon, which remains the biggest weekend for runners in the state since its founding in 1989. RunVermont is leaning into the full weekend experience with a loaded Expo, a free comedy show, health screenings, and Saturday's youth events including the Mini Marathon and a two mile race that saw participation double this year. The organization is also keeping things local and green, with custom cans of Vermont spring water and locally designed finisher medals. Weather looks cool with possible rain on Sunday, which marathon veterans might actually prefer to sunshine.

Vermont Summer 2026 Events Not to Miss, From Sports to Theater

Seven Days' summer preview is a useful planning document for anyone trying to map out the months ahead. Highlights include the inaugural season of Vermont Green FC Women at UVM's Virtue Field, The Sound of Music performed by Lyric Theatre at the von Trapp Family Lodge with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra in August, and the return of Festival of Fools to downtown Burlington in full force after scaling back last year. The Vermont Brewers Festival on the waterfront in July, the Champlain Valley Fair, and Tunbridge World's Fair round out a packed calendar worth bookmarking now.

GlobalFoundries Launches Quantum Technology Solutions, US to Take 1% Stake in GF

This is a big deal for the Essex Junction campus and for Vermont's tech footprint broadly. GF is launching a new quantum computing manufacturing division backed by a $375 million grant from the Department of Commerce CHIPS R&D Office, with the U.S. government taking an approximately 1 percent equity stake in the company. The customer list includes Google Quantum AI, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Quantinuum. GF shares hit an all time high of $81.35 on the news, and the company says it expects the initiative to add jobs over time at its existing U.S. facilities. Come work on the Automation Team with me!

Amid Backlash, Burlington City Council Rejects Abenaki Gift

The 11 to 1 vote effectively kills a plan to replace the deteriorated "Whispering Giants" sculpture in Battery Park with a new wooden piece commissioned by the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi using city funds. At the heart of the debate is a deepening dispute between the Quebec based Odanak and Wôlinak First Nations and the four Vermont recognized Abenaki tribes over genealogical legitimacy and who can rightfully claim Indigenous heritage in the region. Councilors were careful to say they weren't taking sides, framing the vote as a need for more community input rather than a final judgment. Missisquoi chief Brenda Gagne made clear the community felt the harm regardless, calling out to the council as she left the room after the vote.

Burlington Is Aggressively Pursuing Overdue Taxes and Fees

Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak's administration is going after nearly 40 properties where owners owe at least $1,500 in taxes for more than a year, part of a broader push to collect roughly $1 million in overdue revenue including unpaid parking tickets and gross receipts taxes from restaurants and bars. The initiative follows a pandemic era moratorium on delinquent collections, and the tension between fiscal necessity and political blowback is real. Most of the properties on the sale list are reportedly vacant, but the optics of forced auctions in a city where only 40 percent of homes are owner occupied will be tricky. The city has already gotten 14 property owners onto repayment plans, suggesting the threat alone may be the most effective tool.

Lawmakers Reject Scott's Effort to Weaken Wetland Rules for Housing

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules voted 5 to 3 along party lines to reject the governor's proposal to cut wetland buffer zones from 50 feet to 25 feet around Class II wetlands in areas designated for housing. The decision stems from a sweeping executive order Scott issued in September, which Attorney General Charity Clark had already found exceeded his authority. Housing advocates like former Burlington mayor Miro Weinberger pushed back hard against the committee's vote, calling the status quo "crushing" for Vermont families. The decision is significant but not necessarily final, as the Agency of Natural Resources could still implement the rule over the committee's objection.

Vermont House Stops Short of Unmasking ICE, Dividing House Democrats

The House passed S.208, which creates a statewide masking and identification policy for state and local police but stops short of applying those rules to federal agents. That was a bitter pill for roughly 50 of the chamber's 87 Democrats, who backed a failed floor amendment to restore the original Senate version covering federal officers. The retreat came after a Ninth Circuit ruling struck down a similar California law as unconstitutional, though Vermont sits in a different circuit and the ACLU of Vermont maintains the broader version could survive a legal challenge here. The bill now heads back to the Senate, where disagreements over the changes could send it to a conference committee.

Fossil Fuel Price Increases Added Over $32 Million in Costs to Vermont in March

The numbers from the Energy Action Network are stark. Vermont drivers and fuel oil customers spent an estimated $32.4 million more in March than they would have if prices had held at late February levels, driven by spikes tied to the war in Iran. For the average Vermont driver, monthly gasoline costs jumped by more than $50 to around $210. Fuel oil customers got hit even harder, with increases of over $1.50 per gallon translating to roughly $1,400 more per year for an average home during a typical Vermont winter.

Police Department's Social Media Tactics Lead to Arrests and Criticism

Morristown police have been running "Wanted Wednesdays" since 2023, offering prizes ranging from Shamrock Shakes to Lego sets in exchange for tips on people with active warrants. Lt. Todd Baxter says all 12 cases posted have led to arrests, with several suspects choosing to turn themselves in. But the approach raises real questions about dignity and lasting consequences, especially since VTDigger found at least seven posts from 2024 that were never taken down despite the department's stated policy of removing them after arrest. The debate echoes a broader national tension around police social media practices and the permanent digital footprint they create for people who may ultimately be cleared of charges.

On the Beat: Sunday Night Mass Returns to Higher Ground

The nearly 30 year old electronic dance music series returns to the Higher Ground Ballroom on Sunday, May 24 with Chicago house pioneer DJ Sneak headlining alongside Texas DJ Kelly Reverb and a deep bench of local talent. Seven Days writer Chris Farnsworth also spotlights Burlington musician Kevin Bloom of the Dead Shakers, who is running for Chittenden County sheriff and throwing a campaign rally concert at Radio Bean on May 30 with a stacked lineup including Liz Cooper, DJ TAKA, and speakers like Burlington City Councilor Melo Grant and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo.

Champlain Valley School District Finds School Merger Not Recommended

After months of study, CVSD has shelved its exploration of merging Charlotte Central School and Hinesburg Community School at the middle school level. The district had hoped combining the two might save money and improve outcomes through larger class sizes and better use of Charlotte's facilities, but the analysis pointed the other direction on both counts. Students at both schools are performing well, and administrators saw no reason to disrupt what's working. Like many Vermont districts, CVSD is also keeping an eye on whatever shakes out of the legislature's ongoing education reform efforts before making any structural moves.

Farmers Market Returns to Shelburne With a Few Shifts

The Shelburne farmers market is now operating under the town and its affiliated nonprofit Experience Shelburne after nearly 20 years with the Shelburne Business and Professional Association. The transition has brought more structural support, tighter financial management, and room for 101 booths this summer, up from around 70 last season. The market's growth from a handful of vendors to 155 different participants had simply outgrown what a volunteer business group could manage. Donations have already jumped to $5,000 this year compared to $700 last year, and the core Saturday experience for shoppers remains the same.

Mobile Pet Food Shelf Supports Chittenden County Pet Owners in Need

Since 2023, the Mobile Pet Food Shelf has been setting up at motels, churches, and community centers across Chittenden County at least once a week, offering free pet food, treats, and supplies funded entirely by donations. Beyond the food itself, Gingras connects people to low cost veterinary resources including vaccine clinics and spay/neuter programs. The organization visits Winooski, Burlington, Essex, Colchester, Williston, and St. Albans monthly and plans to host a free vaccine clinic in July. Right now the biggest need is cat food and cat litter, and Gingras hopes to eventually expand into Addison County.

J.Crew Opens at Maple Tree Place

The clothing brand opened a new retail location at Maple Tree Place in Williston last Thursday, filling a space formerly occupied by a Mexican restaurant. It's one of several national brands to arrive since Acadia Realty acquired the shopping center in 2024.

Shelburne Student Competes at National Neuroscience Competition

Elle McAvey, 18, of Shelburne represented Vermont at the 2026 USA National Brain Bee Championship at UC Irvine, competing against 54 students from 33 states. McAvey won the Vermont Brain Bee and founded the CVU Neuroscience Club as a sophomore. She's heading to Northeastern this fall to continue her studies.

Burlington Daycare Could Reopen Next Week After State Guided Reset

One Arts Community School, which temporarily closed earlier this month after multiple incidents where children were hurt, could reopen as soon as May 26 pending state approval. The Department for Children and Families is requiring safe staffing ratios and additional training as part of a corrective action plan. State officials say they are not seeing a broader pattern of concerning behavior across Vermont childcare programs.

Killington to Close for Skiing Operations This Weekend

Ah, my home mountain! Memorial Day weekend will bring the final days of lift served skiing on the East Coast, with Killington's Superstar trail expected to wrap up Saturday or possibly Sunday depending on conditions. Tickets are $40, with proceeds supporting the town's fundraising for a new pool. Summer operations are already rolling, with mountain biking and the golf course open starting Friday.

Essex Experience Opening Concert Postponed Due to Raven Nesting

A raven family nesting in the stage at the Essex Experience has pushed the summer concert series opener from May 30 all the way to September 25. Fish and Wildlife officials say the nest can't be removed because ravens are a protected species. Three of the four birds are named after Baltimore Ravens players, with the last baby named after a Kansas City Chief, naturally.

Camping Season Kicks Off at Vermont State Parks

All 55 Vermont state parks open for the season this weekend, with officials expecting strong turnout across the state's 2,000 campsites. Branbury State Park in Salisbury, which opened two weeks early, is already sold out for the holiday weekend. The state has made some changes to pricing and the reservation system this year as it works to attract first time campers.

How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!

And yes, there are PRIZES. Each month, we'll reward the top performers based on the best combination of Total Score and Average Score. That means playing consistently AND playing well will pay off. The more quizzes you complete with high scores, the better your chances of winning. I mean, who doesn’t want cool Btown Merch gear sent to them?

Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz

View the potential prizes on the Btown Brief Merch Store

The Vermont Green FC men’s team kicks off their USL2 home schedule on Friday night, hosting Albany Rush at Virtue Field. The defending USL2 champions enter the match with a dominant historical edge, having won all seven prior meetings against the Schenectady-based club. The last time the two sides met, the Green secured a 7-0 victory highlighted by a Zach Zengue hat-trick and two David Ajagbe assists. On the pitch, two-time All-American midfielder Connor Miller will be a key player to watch; the Ivy Leaguer has started all four matches this calendar year and is coming off a strong performance with a goal and an assist against the Boston Bolts. Friday's home opener will also serve as Land Conservation Night, featuring a halftime address by renowned Vermont environmentalist Bill McKibben.

The Women in Green are set to make history on Saturday night with their highly anticipated USL W League home field debut against the Hudson Valley Crusaders. Following a history of massive, record-breaking crowds for exhibition matches at Virtue Field, Head Coach Abby Carchio’s squad will now host their first fully competitive league match against the current Northeast Division leaders. With starting goalkeeper Olivia Shippee unavailable, Syracuse University standout Blythe Braun will make her Vermont Green debut in net to face a high-scoring Crusaders attack led by Vivian Akirem. Saturday’s match will celebrate Housing Justice Night, with Matthew Anthony of the Champlain Housing Trust slated to speak at halftime.

Upcoming Home Matches

May 22: Men's USL2 Soccer vs. Albany Rush (Fri ⦁ Evening)

May 23: Women's USLW Soccer vs. Hudson Valley Crusaders (Sat ⦁ Evening)

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do

Full list of restaurant reviews here.

View the full list of food & drink deals here.

It's a big weekend in Btown. Marathon energy, a brand new beer festival, Revolutionary War muskets, creemee season officially underway, and about forty other reasons to get outside and soak up what makes this place feel like home. If any of the stories in this edition caught your eye, click through and give some love to the local reporters covering Burlington every day.

Happy Memorial Day weekend. See you out there.

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