Chester 250 Schedule of Events

Chester 250 (1766-2016)
Main Celebratory Period July 14-17

THURSDAY, July 14

• 4:00-5:00 PM - Rick Bates of Sovera will present a talk at the library on the knowledge of Astronomy at the time of the settling of Chester.
• 6:30 PM-8:00 PM - Performance by Gypsy Reel, a band that plays acoustic tunes from early Americana, Ireland and Scotland on the green.

SATURDAY, July 16

• Most Chester churches will be open (Sat & Sun) for visitors with an interest in architecture and church history.
• Chester's Public Tomb and newly-restored Hearse House will be open for visitors at the invitation of Chester Townscape. Contact [email protected].
• At the Pinnacle Recreation Area:
  Starting at 10:00 AM - Games and children's activities.
  10:00 AM-Dedication of Chester Disc Golf Course.
  Starting at 11:00 AM - BBQ burgers with snack food and soft drinks.
• Starting at 11:00 AM at the Chester Festival Fairgrounds on Rt. 103 South
  BBQ Brisket, chicken, snacks and soft drinks.
Vintage snowmobiles, motorcycles, chain saws, tractors, and more.
• At railroad station in Chester Depot:
  Round-trip train rides ($10/person) depart from Chester train station at Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM. Obtain tickets at http://www.rails-vt.com/ or 800-707-3530 or first-come first-served at the station. Aboard the trains Vermont Rail System's Niki Wulfson will make a presentation on the history of the railroad.
3:00 PM-Dedication of state historical marker recognizing the opening of the railroad in 1849, the construction of Chester's train station in 1871, and the growth of a vibrant village nearby which we know today as Chester Depot.
• Starting at 2:00 PM - Pie Bake Off at the Southern Pie Company on the green. For information call 802-428-4390 or email at [email protected].
• Self-guided walking tours of the village and the Stone Village.
• Possible F-16 flyover of town by the Vermont Air National Guard.
• Fireworks at dark - located at McKenzie softball Field off Rt. 103 South.

SUNDAY, July 17

• Presentation by GMUHS students on Stone Village architecture at UU church.
• Walking tours of Hearse House, Public Tomb, and Brookside cemetery.
• Starting at 3:00 PM - Historical Society Tour of Brookside cemetery to include graves of Chester's early settlers and Revolutionary War participants.

Celebrate!
It's our Sestercentennial
250 years of Chester History

Questions? Contributions?
Contact us at [email protected].