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Weather & Monday Update:
If you have outdoor plans this week, spend them today. Monday is the pick of the stretch, mostly sunny with a high near 78, low humidity and just some patchy morning fog to burn off. Tuesday turns mostly cloudy and muggier with a 50 percent chance of light showers and a high around 78. Wednesday is the wet one, showers and thunderstorms most of the day with an 80 percent chance and southerly gusts to 24. Thursday keeps the umbrella in play, storms likely and a high near 78, before drier air works in for the weekend. Track it all week, with patio, swim, and sunset scores, at Burlington Right Now.
Fair week continues, and Monday's weather is made for it. The Champlain Valley Fair runs noon to 10 every weekday through Sunday in Essex Junction, with the midway rides, games and 4-H dairy shows going daily. Tonight the grandstand turns into a dance floor for Decades of Disco at 7, a free grandstand show with fair admission with doors at 6. Runners can swing by the Brooks shoe demo at Skirack starting at 3, then roll out with the free group run at 6, arriving by 5:45 to get fitted with demo shoes first.
Tuesday keeps the fair theme going with the Honky Tonk Hoedown at the fair at 7, where Bob Wagner and friends including Mike Gordon, Kat Wright and Brett Hughes soundtrack an attempt at the world's largest square dance, with proceeds benefiting NOFA-VT. Early risers can talk shop at the Tech Breakfast at Zero Gravity from 8 to 10, coffee, waffles & conversation, and singers can try the first week of Flow Singing free at the Heineberg Senior Center at 11:15. In the evening, the Vermont Figure Drawing Collective holds its weekly session at Karma Bird House from 6 to 8 ($20 cash), UK Americana band Brown Horse plays the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge with Eastern Mountain Time, doors at 7:30, and VTIFF screens 'Black Swan' at 7 at Main Street Landing, with local artist KeruBo sharing her new music video and a conversation after the film. Wednesday, our own Pick-up Basketball [MEETUP] runs at Pomeroy Park at 5:30, always free, come get a game in before the rain if the sky cooperates. The rest of Wednesday has range, with coffee with Ben Bosley at Vivid's back tables at 7:30 AM, the AI dev meetup ChatBTV [MEETUP] at Bluehouse Group at 6, Figure 8 Racing criss-crossing the grandstand at 7, Lillian Leadbetter's album release show ($10) at Radio Bean at 7 with Millions of Birds opening, and a free Jenny Porter set at Four Quarters in Winooski at 7:30.
Thursday is the big night out, weather be warned. The fair's Demolition Derby hits the grandstand at 6:30 with local band Pony Hustle on the bill, grandstand tickets running about $23 in advance. Bark & Brew ($20) returns to the Humane Society in South Burlington from 5:30 to 7:30, two drinks included and dogs welcome in the play yard, with Switchback, Vermont Cider Lab and Lucy & Howe pouring, weather permitting. Blues guitar standout Quinn Sullivan ($30-35) plays the Showcase Lounge with doors at 7:30, and the Strapped-In! queer comedy showcase celebrates its two year anniversary at Vermont Comedy Club at 7 during Pride Week, with a dance party after. Art lovers get two openings, the 'Cut & Sew Show' reception at Karma Bird House Gallery from 6 to 9, where 29 artists reinterpret unfinished chore coats with designer April Cornell, and the Art & Design Summer Research reception at St. Mike's McCarthy Gallery from 6 to 7. VTIFF screens the Lithuanian dramedy 'How to Divorce During the War' at 4 and 7, and Tournesol brings its 1930s Paris cafe jazz to Standing Stone Wines in Winooski at 7, donations at the door. Cyclists can join the Bike Ride @ Pioneer [MEETUP] from Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe in Colchester at 5:30, or cruise into Bike Night at The Old Post in South Burlington from 6 to 8, with food and drink specials plus games and giveaways. Morning people can bring a question to the North District Mayor Meetup at Bagel Cafe & Deli at 8 AM, open to residents from any district. And Sunset Watchers Club may pop up somewhere at sunset this week, they announce the spot a day or two ahead on Instagram, so be sure to catch one of those big bashes before the sunset starts turning too early for it!
Scroll down to Events Section for full list of events this week.
Hard launch: I built All Day, and it might be the best thing I've made.
Click the image above to jump straight in!
I call it All Day because that's the whole point… it's something you can keep coming back to all day, and I truly mean that.
It's nine feeds in one place. Every headline from over a hundred sources, local and national, with my own picks three times a day; what discussions people are having in r/burlington and r/vermont plus some national subs; a YouTube video shelf of 50 videos curated every night; every Vermont podcast named and played alongside the important national ones; local Vermont musicians and who's in town this week with a built-in player; local photos to browse and add to; two feeds of Burlington Instagram with the pop-ups and one-offs that only ever get announced on social media, plus a wall of what the city looks like right now; a What Now button that reads the real weather and hands you one thing to actually do like a gumball machine; and a Wikipedia rabbit hole for when you're just killing time.
One switch at the top changes what it is. Off, it's a full news app filled with world, national, tech, sports. Flip it to Local and all nine feeds collapse to Burlington at once. Same app, two different papers. Local stuff shows up in green so it’s easy to spot.
Nothing is ranked by an algorithm, it's just newest first. Swipe a headline left to mute an outlet you're sick of, right to save it for later. It’s a work-in-progress, but what a way to start! Help me improve it.
Coffee in the morning, lunch break, on the couch at night. It's different every time you open it. Click it here, or the image above, then give it a bookmark.
A. Dog Day down at the skate park
The Btown Brief IRL - Burlington Social & Activities
We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Thanks to everyone helping host events with me. And thanks to those that show up to make it worth it. Be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. 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:
Join the Meetup (It’s FREE): Join Meetup group | RSVP here
Join the Telegram Group Chat: [Telegram Link] – Plan casual hangouts with other Briefers, or just another way to find us for our Saturday coffee event. Download Telegram before clicking link.
This Coming Week:
Pick-up Basketball – Wednesday, September 2nd @ 5:30 PM: The Wednesday evening run at Pomeroy Park, outdoors and free, all skill levels welcome.
BTown Coffee Club – Saturday, September 5th @ 10 AM: The weekly no pressure hang at Zero Gravity Brewery, grab a coffee and find us at the big table on the right.
Btown at the Champlain Valley Fair – Saturday, September 5th @ 1 PM: We are taking the group to the fair in Essex Junction, rides, fair food and the midway, meet us at the Expo.
Other Upcoming Events:
Btown Bites at Bluebird Barbecue – Thursday, September 17th @ 6 PM: The young adult group grabs dinner at Bluebird Barbecue on Riverside Ave, come hungry.
Support the Brief to Keep it Running!
Why support? Every week, I sort through TONS of local sources: Seven Days events, Front Porch Forum calendar, Facebook events, Hello Burlington, Meetup.com, Eventbrite, Church St Marketplace calendar, Flynn, Higher Ground, Vermont Comedy Club, and then news stations like VTDigger, Seven Days, WCAX, WPTZ, Vermont Public, Community News Service, VT Cynic, The Other Paper, Vermont Business Magazine, Williston Observer, MyChamplainValley, The Charlotte News, to keep you connected. It takes a long time to curate and write about all this local content, so if this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!
Become a Monthly Supporter: [Here] – Tiers start at $5. $10+ tiers get fresh Btown Brief merch!
One-Time Donation: [Here] – Buy me a coffee for the late-night editing sessions. Can also choose ANY monthly donation amount here.
Shop the Merch Store: [Here] – 15+ cool, Burlington-inspired designs on Comfort Colors tees.
Local News (All Links Clickable)
"It gives us more space, capacity; there is an increased demand in our region and across the state," per WCAX.
Six years after PCB concerns closed the old building, the Burlington Technical Center's five programs are finally back under one roof at the new Burlington High School, with additional offerings at the airport. Students walked into classrooms ranging from a criminal justice suite with an interrogation room to a health science academy built around a real-world hospital environment. Director Jason Reed says the space lets the center meet growing regional demand for technical education.
"It's a wondrous trail through the wild heart of Burlington. This is a great day and a great accomplishment for our small city," per NBC5.
Nearly ten years in the making, the ten mile Wildways Trail is officially complete, linking the Intervale, Ethan Allen Homestead, Ethan Allen Park and Rock Point in one continuous route from the Winooski River to Lake Champlain. Saturday's ribbon cutting at the Homestead ended the only way it should have, with a guided hike, and the full route is now open to everyone.
"We need to gather together to make sure this stops. I'm begging," per WCAX.
A standing room only crowd packed City Hall on Friday as downtown businesses told Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak they are losing patience with open drug use, vagrancy and safety issues, with the Friendly Toast's manager describing a recent needle stick and Vermont Pub and Brewery reporting foot traffic down 20 percent from an already bad year. The mayor said she is not okay with the status quo and pointed to more police hiring, portable bathrooms and prevention work, while stressing the city cannot do it alone without state backing for a new 100-bed shelter. With Gov. Scott panning that idea days earlier, the standoff between the city and Montpelier is the thing to watch this fall.
"This is a beautiful screened-in porch, which I now never use. It's a lot of house for one person," per Vermont Public.
If the population is flat, why is it still so hard to find a place to live? This deep dive lands on household size, with 70 percent of Vermont households now just one or two people and the state average down to 2.2, one of the smallest in the country. The same number of people simply takes up more homes, and the Vermont Housing Finance Agency calculates the state needed nearly 22,000 additional homes between 2015 and 2024 just to absorb that shrinkage. With nearly 60 percent of Vermont homes built with three or more bedrooms and downsizing options scarce and expensive, older owners stay put, the housing ladder jams, and younger families get squeezed at the bottom.
"I think, myself, a 100-unit in one location is a bad idea, but having 100 available beds is a good idea," per WCAX.
The governor doubled down on his criticism of the City Council's 10-point homelessness resolution, saying he was surprised to see the 100-bed low barrier shelter on the list and that he would rather see smaller shelters spread across the county. He also suggested Vermonters elsewhere might be miffed at Burlington asking for extra resources when other regions face the same problems. Paired with Friday's City Hall meeting above, the two sides are talking past each other while downtown feels the strain.
"We will not be daunted in the face of the challenges before us," per VTDigger.
President Marlene Tromp used her first State of the University address to announce the projected $12 million deficit is fully closed, done through eliminating vacant positions and operational inefficiencies rather than layoffs. Enrollment is still the headwind, with about 2,600 first years against a usual target of 3,000 and roughly 10,800 students overall as the demographic cliff hits New England schools hardest. The bright spot was research, where UVM pulled in $222.6 million for fiscal 2026 despite federal cuts, and a major fundraising campaign is coming.
"Part of our big kind of education push, is to make sure we have the right information for those folks, because we want to minimize any sort of risk of losing insurance as we start to implement these big federal changes," per MyChamplainValley.
Federal Medicaid changes hit in waves, with several hundred immigrants losing eligibility October 1 and up to 49,000 Vermonters at risk on January 1 when new work requirements take effect, requiring at least $580 in monthly income or 80 hours of work, school, training or community service. Reviews also go to every six months starting in 2027. The state has launched StayCoveredVT.com so people can check whether the changes affect them, worth passing along to anyone on Medicaid.
"The proposed sale is a functional insider transaction," per VTDigger.
Lawyers for more than 100 clergy abuse claimants are challenging the diocese's plan to sell Rice Memorial High School to a supporter group for $4.3 million, just 14 percent of the $30.5 million value in the church's own appraisal, noting the property was never listed, brokered or opened to competing offers. The creditors want a public sale to raise more money for abuse settlements, while the diocese argues an open process would scare off enrollment and sink the deal. A bankruptcy judge takes it up in Burlington on September 1.
"The bottom line is, this plant is vital to dairy farmers; it is vital to this entire community. It must not be closed," per Seven Days.
Four milk processing plants have closed or announced closures in a matter of months, in Barre, Georgia, Enosburg Falls and St. Albans, and the losses have farmers and state leaders worried about the $5.4 billion dairy sector's future. The St. Albans Creamery closure stings most, since the plant sold cream to Ben & Jerry's across town and its co-op owner had pledged $30 million in investment after its 2019 merger, and Sen. Bernie Sanders is publicly calling for it to reopen while the Teamsters arbitrate a retaliation claim. The backdrop is stark, with Vermont down from 838 dairy farms to 405 in a decade and milk production falling since 2016 as huge modern plants in New York soak up the region's supply. Even Ben & Jerry's says it may not manage a majority of Vermont dairy in its pints this year.
"For someone who decides not to take corporate donations, they're really handicapping themselves," per Vermont Public.
A Vermont Public analysis found Gov. Scott has taken $167,700 from corporations, businesses and corporate PACs over three cycles, 22.7 percent of his donations, while Attorney General Charity Clark has accepted $84,000, including checks from gambling companies and firms her office regulates or has sued. Both defend the practice, with Scott shrugging that there is no quid pro quo and Clark arguing candidates who refuse corporate money handicap themselves, especially women. The issue is live this cycle because gubernatorial nominee Amanda Janoo has sworn off corporate donations entirely, and she and Molly Gray are proposing a Hawaii-style state ban. National polling suggests voters are skeptical of the no-influence argument, with 92 percent calling corruption a big problem in politics.
"This is a way for us to let folks know we are not leaving that property. We're going to stay with it until it comes into compliance or it comes back into productive use," per WCAX.
The city published a top ten list of noncompliant vacant buildings, naming properties like the old Bove's on Pearl Street, vacant since 2019 with violations that make it unsafe for emergency crews to enter, and a former gas station with no redevelopment plans. Owners on the list owe fees under the vacant building ordinance or have visible maintenance problems, and one landlord with two listed properties argues the public shaming just invites break-ins. City-owned Memorial Auditorium is exempt from fees but will be added when the list expands, so the accountability cuts both ways.
"Mail-in ballots work well in Vermont, and I remain committed to defending our system from federal overreach," per VTDigger.
The state removed just under 900 people from the voter rolls who were wrongly registered by DMV clerical errors going back 25 years, none of whom ever cast a ballot, all of whom had actively declined registration. Gov. Scott and Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas announced the cleanup themselves, framing it as getting the rolls airtight before general election ballots mail out next month, one day after a Supreme Court ruling revived attention on the White House's push against mail-in voting. Both officials, a Republican and a Democrat, used the podium to defend Vermont's universal mail-ballot system.
"The goal here was to reduce how many Vermonters are failing their annual vehicle safety inspection because of things that have nothing to do with keeping themselves or other drivers safe," per NBC5.
Starting September 1, your car can no longer fail inspection for rotor rust, tire cuts, windshield cracks or ABS and airbag warning lights, though mechanics can still recommend the fixes. If a station fails you solely for one of those, the DMV Highway Patrol says report it and they will investigate.
"The app democratizes birding. You don't really need any kind of special training to know what birds are singing all around you. You can just walk around in the woods and have your Merlin app out," per Williston Observer.
Free apps like Merlin Bird ID and eBird are pulling Gen Z into a hobby long associated with the 55 and up crowd, and the local numbers back it up, with UVM's ornithology class doubling to around 60 students a semester and campus Audubon chapters nationally growing from a dozen to over 92 since 2019. Young Burlington birders describe group chats that light up when a good bird shows at Colchester Pond or Shelburne Bay. A wholesome one to close on, and a free hobby that starts in your backyard.
QUICK HITS
Smugglers' Notch installing 100 new snow guns for 70th season — Smuggs marks its 70th season with 100 new snow guns across its three peaks, the first upgrade under new owner Bear Den Partners, with hopes of blowing snow by late November.
UVM awarded $3.3 million to advance research on snow and outdoor economy — A National Science Foundation grant funds Snow STORE, a UVM-led project installing snow monitoring equipment at ski areas like Stowe to sharpen forecasting and protect the winter recreation economy.
South Burlington pedestrian bridge site construction creates noise frustration — Unexpected bedrock at the I-89 pedestrian bridge site has meant weeks of jackhammering that sent one neighbor reaching for earplugs; the city says the loud work is limited to 8 to 5 and should wrap up shortly, with the bridge itself due in 2028.
Snapping turtles to hatch soon at North Beach — Parks and Rec has netted off snapping turtle nests at North Beach ahead of a hatch expected in the coming weeks, likely in the evening as temperatures cool. Look from a distance, leash the dogs and let the hatchlings make their own way to the water.
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!
Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz
UVM Athletics: Field Hockey Off to a Flyer as Men's Soccer Draws a Ranked Thriller
Virtue Field was packed for a big one Friday night. No. 7 Vermont and No. 18 Charlotte played to a 2-2 draw in front of a sold out crowd, with Pieter Bultman heading home in the 22nd minute, Shalom Adja scoring his first UVM goal in the 58th, and keeper Niklas Herceg tying a career high with 7 saves to keep the point. The men sit at 2-0-1 and are right back at it Tuesday night when Holy Cross visits for Pep Rally night.
Field hockey is the early season story. The Catamounts poured five goals on Northeastern in Friday's home opener, two from Veerle Nijhuis among four different scorers, then blanked Quinnipiac 3-0 on the road Sunday while holding the hosts shotless in the first half, the program's first 2-0 start since 2016. Women's soccer picked up its first point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Stonehill, Kate Hawley's first career goal doing the scoring, and they return to Virtue Field Thursday to host Boston College on Youth Day.
Sep 1: Men's Soccer vs. Holy Cross (Tue ⦁ 6:00pm)
Sep 3: Women's Soccer vs. Boston College (Thu ⦁ 6:00pm)
Sep 11: Field Hockey vs. LIU (Fri ⦁ 3:00pm)
Events:
This is the curated cut. The full calendar, 25 sources refreshed twice a day, lives at Burlington events.
Monday, August 31, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
10:00 AM: 'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.)
10:00 AM: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:30 AM: Industry Day at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction ($7-20; $10 for parking; free for kids 4 and under.)
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
2:00 PM: Sun to Cheese Tour 2026 at Shelburne Farms Welcome Center, Shelburne
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:00 PM: Brooks Shoe Demo + Group Run at Skirack at Skirack Run Center, 85 Main St, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
5:00 PM: Overdose Awareness Day at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: 'Discover Nature With iNaturalist' at Deborah Rawson Memorial Library, Jericho (Free; preregister.)
6:00 PM: Guided Mountain Bike Rides: Novice Mondays and Social Thursday at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: Overlook / Summit at Spear Stormwater Public Meeting at South Burlington City Hall Auditorium, 180 Market St, South Burlington
6:00 PM: Monday Night Open Mic at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Anime Group at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place Peer Support Center, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Burlington Elks Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge, Burlington (Various prices.)
7:00 PM: Spanish Chat Mondays at Three Needs Taproom (back patio), Burlington
7:00 PM: Community of Poets Sharing Circle with Darlene Witte, Burlington — MEETUP.com
Performances
7:00 PM: Play Dodgeball on Monday Nights! at Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, Gosse Court, Burlington ($5)
Live Music/DJ
7:00 PM: Decades of Disco - Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: South End Singing Circle at Tall Grass, 208 Flynn Ave #B2B (or Oakledge Earth Clock, weather permitting), Burlington (Free, donations welcome)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
10:00 PM: DJ NewCity at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Lawn Sale to Benefit Walk to End Alzheimer's at The Arbors, 687 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
8:00 AM: Mini Clean Up Crew at Burlington City Hall Park, Burlington (Free.)
8:00 AM: Tech Breakfast at Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington (Free; cost of food and drink.)
9:00 AM: Become a Cisco Certified Network Associate Training In Burlington, VT at 1068 Williston Rd, South Burlington
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
9:00 AM: Burlington Bitcoin Meetup - @ Zero Gravity at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington — MEETUP.com
10:00 AM: 'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.)
10:00 AM: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:30 AM: Shelburne Farms Tour 2026 at 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
11:30 AM: 802SDAY (Aussi ton Mardi)/7302/) at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction ($7-20; $10 for parking; free for kids 4 and under.)
12:00 PM: Zephyr Place at Zephyr Place, Williston
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
1:30 PM: House & Garden Tour at the Shelburne Farms Inn 2026 at Shelburne Farms Inn, Shelburne
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:00 PM: Opening Day for the ONE Farmers Market at Dewey Park, Spring St, Burlington
3:30 PM: Games Galore at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free.)
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
4:00 PM: Writer's Circle at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place Peer Support Center, Burlington (Free)
4:30 PM: Traditional Tuesday at Mesmer Kava, Burlington
5:00 PM: Super Smash Tuesdays at RiRa Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Volunteer Night at Old Spokes Home at Old Spokes Home Community Workshop, 664 Riverside Ave, Burlington (Free)
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Burlington (Free; donations accepted.)
5:30 PM: Paul Hawken at Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne (Free; preregister.)
5:30 PM: Mindful Yoga at Shelburne Museum, Shelburne
5:30 PM: Cookbook Club at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Tuesday Trail Running Series At Catamount OFC at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: Vermont Figure Drawing Collective at Karma Bird House, Burlington ($20 (cash))
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Dads' Night Out: Board Game Night at The Guild Hall, Burlington (Free; preregister.)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Performances
7:00 PM: 'Black Swan' at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
Live Music/DJ
11:15 AM: Flow Singing Starts Fresh! at Heineberg Community Senior Center, Heineberg Rd, Burlington (First session free; monthly registration for 8 sessions)
6:00 PM: Local Dork at Foam Brewers on a Tuesday at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Joe O'Brien and Friends Perform 'The Point' at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
7:00 PM: Honky Tonk Hoedown at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (Regular fair admission, $7-20.)
7:00 PM: Vermont's Freedom & Unity Chorus at Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael's College, Colchester (Free.)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesday at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:30 PM: Brown Horse at Higher Ground (Showcase Lounge), South Burlington ($15.00-$20.00)
8:00 PM: Dead Is Alive with Dobbs' Dead at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15)
8:30 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with the Red Newts at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride at The 126, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: DJ 2Rivers at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: A More Beautiful Vermont - Coffee with Ben Bosley at Vivid Coffee Roasters, 150 Cherry St (back tables), Burlington
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
10:00 AM: 'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.)
10:00 AM: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:00 AM: Read to Theo the Therapy Dog at Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester
11:00 AM: Wild Card Wednesday at Bay & Brisket, Colchester
11:00 AM: Care Pit Stop at Kinney Drugs (South Burlington), South Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction ($7-20; $10 for parking; free for kids 4 and under.)
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
2:00 PM: Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity: Community Partners Desk at Fletcher Free Library (Main Reading Room), Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: VBSR Volunteer Day at 35 Thompson St, South Burlington
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
4:00 PM: Wednesday $10.00 Burger Night at Hotel Champlain Burlington, Curio Collection by Hilton, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: The All-Inclusive Dyke-Tacular at Doma Bar, Burlington (Free; cost of food and drink.)
5:00 PM: Yarn Crafters Group at Must Love Yarn, Shelburne (Free.)
5:00 PM: Yarn & Yak at Milton Artists' Guild Art Center & Gallery, Milton (Free.)
5:30 PM: Permanent Markings: Indigenous Tattoos and the Stories They Carry at Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education, Shelburne
5:30 PM: VEC September Quarterly Mixer at Pizza 44, Burlington
5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball at Pomeroy Park, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: BHS/BTC Community Tours! at 110 Institute Rd, Burlington
6:00 PM: Wednesday Mountain Bike Series at Catamount OFC at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: ChatBTV: AI software development meetup at Bluehouse Group, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: Scrabble Night @ The Boardroom at The Boardroom - Board Game Cafe, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: Champ Masters Toastmasters Club at Dealer.com, Burlington (Free; preregister.)
6:00 PM: Community Cooking at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: Recovery Dharma at First United Methodist Church, Burlington (Free.)
7:00 PM: Figure 8 Racing at Champlain Valley Fair, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: The Ribbit Review Open Mic & Jam at Lily's Pad, Burlington (Free)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free)
Live Music/DJ
3:30 PM: Tending Rock Point - Biweekly Volunteering at 20 Rock Point Rd, Burlington, VT, Burlington
7:00 PM: Trivia at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Lillian Leadbetter's Album Release Show w/ Millions of Birds at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10; 18+)
7:00 PM: Sam Jam at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5)
7:00 PM: Trivia at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: Jenny Porter at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
7:30 PM: Slow Teeth, Invisible Homes, Rose Asteroid at Monkey House, Winooski ($10)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Jam at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Thursday, September 3, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: South Burlington Rotary Club Meeting at 185 Market Street, South Burlington
7:30 AM: BTV Clean Up Crew at Top of Church St., Burlington (Free.)
8:00 AM: North District Mayor Meetup at Bagel Cafe & Deli, 1127 North Ave, Suite 29, Burlington
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
9:45 AM: Baby & Me Class at Greater Burlington YMCA (Burlington), Burlington ($10; free for members.)
10:00 AM: 'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Regular admission, $17-23; free for members and kids 2 and under.)
10:00 AM: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:00 AM: Bay & Brisket Trivia Thursday at Bay & Brisket, Colchester
11:00 AM: Mandarin Conversation Circle at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free.)
12:00 PM: Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction ($7-20; $10 for parking; free for kids 4 and under.)
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
12:00 PM: Hot Dog & A Can Thursdays at Citizen Cider, BURLINGTON
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
12:30 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6.)
1:00 PM: Friendly Game of Bridge at Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington (Free.)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:00 PM: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Free Wine Tasting at La Reprise, Burlington (Free!)
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
4:00 PM: Tween Group at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free.)
5:30 PM: Bike Ride @ Pioneer at Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe, Colchester — MEETUP.com
5:30 PM: Pop-Up Happy Hour at Lincolns, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: UVM Women's Soccer vs Boston College at Virtue Field, UVM, Burlington
5:30 PM: Bark & Brew at HSCC at Humane Society of Chittenden County, Kindness Court, South Burlington ($20 (includes 2 drinks))
6:00 PM: Bike Night at The Old Post! at The Old Post, South Burlington
6:00 PM: Crokinole at The Boardroom at The Boardroom - Board Game Cafe, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: Peer Support Dungeons & Dragons at Morgan House, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: 'The Cut & Sew Show' opening reception at Karma Bird House Gallery, 47 Maple St., Burlington
6:00 PM: Vinyl Thursdays at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Demolition Derby at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction
10:00 PM: Thirsty Thursday at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
Performances
4:00 PM: 'How to Divorce During the War' at Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
7:00 PM: 'How to Divorce During the War' (second screening) at Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
6:00 PM: Learn & Play Spirit Island at The Boardroom - Board Game Cafe, Burlington — MEETUP.com
7:00 PM: Strapped-In! Queer Comedy Showcase (Two Year Anniversary) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($20)
Live Music/DJ
10:30 AM: First Thursdays: Music & Movement With Miss Emma at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free.)
5:00 PM: The Grift: Live at the Lantern at Old Lantern Events Barn, Charlotte (Free; register.)
6:00 PM: Troy Millette & the Fire Below at Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton (Free; cost of food and drink.)
6:00 PM: Blues Jam at Sparky's Bar & Grill at Sparky's Bar & Grill, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: Folino's Tunes'n'Brews on the Patio w/David Karl Roberts at Folino's Pizza - Williston, Williston
6:00 PM: Trivia at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Timbo & Lonesome Country at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Tournesol at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski (Donations)
7:00 PM: Mavstar at Specs, Winooski (Free)
7:30 PM: Quinn Sullivan at Higher Ground (Showcase Lounge), South Burlington ($30.00-$35.00)
8:00 PM: Karaoke in the Alley at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Funk Jam at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Here are some of my favorite BtownBrief links:
The full list of things to do around town, always waiting for you when you need a plan: Things To Do in Burlington
Every restaurant and bar in town, with their real hours, so you can see what's actually open right now: Open Right Now
Every happy hour, daily special and cheap-night I've gathered so far: Food & Drink Deals
And if you'd rather just have one link for all of it: the guide, the arcade, the whole lot hub.btownbrief.com
Photos from past Btown Brief meetups live on the photos page. Come get in the next one.
That’s All, Burlington!
That's the week. Soak up the sunshine today, keep the rain gear handy midweek, and get yourself to the fair at least once before it packs up Sunday. If the Btown Brief makes your week a little easier, you can support it at ko-fi or on Venmo (@btownbrief), and it genuinely helps keep this thing running. Got a tip, a favorite haunt, or an event we should have on our radar? Send it our way, we are always listening.
See you later, Burlington.
Missed an edition? Every Brief ever written is searchable.
