US Air Force Band of Liberty

One never knows what kind of music will be at our Friday Night Concert Series at Jackson Gore. You know its going to be great music, but what kind? This summer we ran a full slate of fine musical entertainment. We kicked off the summer with the smooth sounds of Dr. Burma and then threw ya right in to the Jam band world with Twiddle.
We covered all different types of music from funk to reggae to blues to rock. The power of music can be measured in many ways. Music can take you on a journey. It can heal,relax, party, worship and energize. We hope this weeks Band will excite! The US Air Force Band of Liberty's sounds will inspire Air Force members and the great nation they serve, producing innovative musical programs and products, and communicating Air Force excellence throughout New England and around the globe.
The weather is looking good, so pack up your chairs and head on over to Jackson Gore this Friday for some inspirational tunes! Show time is @ 6:30pm with the festivities ending around 8pm. This is a FREE concert open to everyone - rain or shine!

these are a few of my favorite wings

What goes better with beer at a brew fest than wings? This year, Okemo is making a good thing better by introducing a Chicken Wing Championship to it's lineup of fabulous festivities on Aug. 7. The Hops in the Hills Brew Fest will feature a dozen local and regional breweries offering samples of their finest. And this year, for the first time ever, several local restaurants will be vying for the highly coveted title of Okemo Valley Chicken Wing Champion.

The fun begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. Bluesman Chris Kleeman will get the music rolling and warm up the crowd for bluegrass sensation Possum Haw. $20 includes a pint glass and 4 beer tickets. Additional beer tickets can be purchased at 4 tickets for $5. Wing tickets are 6 for $5 or a voting package includes 12 tickets and a vote for $10.

This is a rain-or-shine event. The location is the Paleo Indian site at Jackson Gore. In case of rain, the event will move under cover at the Jackson Gore Ice House.

He's not a lawyer, but he plays one on TV

You may know him as the skeezy lawyer on Scrubs, but at Friday night's Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series performance, Sam Lloyd showed a crowd of Beatles fans what he can do with a bass guitar. Sam and his friends from Syracuse University, aka The Butties, rocked the house with one Beatles tune after another. Most were well known, but the band showed that they really know their Fab Four history with a few obscure tunes as well.

The performance was peppered with appearances from friends doing vocals, playing drums, french horn, and a special appearance by Sam's dad, Sam Lloyd, Sr., as "The Admiral" for a heartwarming rendition of Yellow Submarine.

And if you think Sam, Sr., looks a little like Jim from Taxi or Doc Brown, from Back to the Future, just chalk it up to a family resemblance. Sam is the brother of Christopher Lloyd.

Join us this Friday night in the Jackson Gore courtyard for The Pete Kilpatrick Band. The concert is free and the music starts around 6 p.m.

OVGC in the News

Links Magazine named Okemo Valley Golf Club one of New England's Top 25 Golf Courses You can view the entire collection of their favorite places to play online.

And speaking of links, it's shaping up to be a fantastic weekend to get out on the links here at Okemo. The course is in superb shape and the patio at Willie Dunn's Grille is a wonderful place to enjoy lunch or an after-play beverage.

Tater Hill is a short and scenic drive from the resort. The cottage-style flower gardens are near peak bloom and the views of the surrounding hillsides will make play this weekend simply spectacular.

Spring House Open House

Saturday June 26th 7:00 AM-7:00 PM

Why wait until 3:00 PM- Okemo's Flip Flop Festival to kick off the summer?

Instead, kick off your flip flops and go for a swim in the pool, or ride the slide into the cool water. Maybe bring the youngsters for a splash in the fountains of our 18" splash pool, or get a good workout on the treadmill.

All for FREE.

The Spring House, Okemo's pool and fitness center will be free for the public from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM. including group fitness classes like Zumba, Hatha Yoga and Power Yoga. If you've been wondering if you should try to get fit or try out a class, Saturday 6/26 is the day! Of course, if you like it, we'd love to have you back and will be happy to tell you about membership rates and day pass prices to fit all budgets. Sorry...can't resist.

See you Saturday June 26th, tell a friend!

Musicians and fans pay tribute to a Ludlow artist

As many of you know, Sandra Wright, a blues singer and resident of Ludlow, VT passed away this winter at the age of 61. Her music and generosity have filled the Okemo Valley for over 15 years. On June 12th we pay tribute to one of Ludlow's great musicians with a remembrance concert for the Friends of Sandra Wright. Artists including Chris Kleeman, Rick Reddington, Gypsy Reel, The Pleasents, and members from three of Sandra's previous bands will play during an all day concert event. Music starts at 1pm at Okemo's Jackson Gore and will run until 8pm, ending with Sandra's Memphis Band, Soul Kitchen.

Advance tickets are on sale at the following locations:

Chittenden Bank, Ludlow, VT
BE Music - Rutland, VT
Blue Mountain Guitar - Hanover, NH
The Northshire Bookstore - Manchester, VT
The Belmont General Store - Belmont, VT

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door

Okemo's Outdoor Music Series is BACK!

I don't remember who came up with this idea, but it was a good one! The Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series has become a Friday-night ritual for lots of local folk (myself included). It's such a great vibe with people socializing, listening to the music, kids running around, burgers on the grill and a cold beer in hand ... what could be better? It's a great way to start the weekend from June 18 through September 3.

On Friday nights throughout the summer season, the lawn in the courtyard at Okemo's Jackson Gore Inn is transformed into an outdoor concert venue featuring popular local and regional entertainers. Admission to the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series is free and the grounds open at 5 p.m. Concerts are slated to run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Families are welcome and all attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. In case of rain, the concerts will move indoors. Dining options include fresh-from-the-grill burgers, hot dogs, chicken and ribs, or full-service dining with an al fresco seating option at Jackson Gore's Coleman Brook Tavern.


Here's the lineup:

Kicking off this year's concert series, on June 18, is Dr. Burma. Dr. Burma has been playing for enthusiastic audiences all over New England for more than 20 years. Dynamic vocals, stellar musicianship, and an irresistible groove have built Dr. Burma's reputation as one of the area's premier rhythm and blues dance bands, playing clubs, concerts, festivals and parties throughout northern New England and New York.

Following Dr. Burma, the summer lineup for the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series includes: Twiddle, June 25; Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys, July 2; Crunchy Western Boys, July 9; The Butties, July 16; The Pete Kilpatrick Band, July 23; The Alchemystics, July 30; Sly Geralds, August 6; The Chris Kleeman Band, Aug. 13; The Slim Redmond Band, August 20; Bud and Budd the Kind Buds, Aug. 27; The U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty, September 3.

Saturday BONUS:
In addition to the Jackson Gore Outdoor Music Series, Okemo will host three special Saturday events. The Flip Flop Festival, slated for June 26, features musical guests J-San & the Analogue Sons opening for Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. Okemo's second annual Hops in the Hills Beer Festival and Chicken Wing Championship will include the folk and bluegrass sounds of PossumHaw on August 7. The final festival of the season is scheduled for October 9. Okemo's fourth annual Parrothead Party celebrates the music of Jimmy Buffett with tribute band Changes in Latitudes.

Go online for more event info or call 802-228-1600. For dinner reservations at Coleman Brook Tavern, call 802-228-1435.