by Ashley Witzenberger, Executive Director, Montpelier Alive
Montpelier Alive would like to send a big thank-you out to all of the community members who came out Saturday night for our 15th anniversary party! Thank you to all the volunteers and vendors who helped to make the party great fun. We appreciate all the donations made to the Montpelier Food Pantry and Central Vermont Humane Society. Lastly, thank you to all the State Street merchants for being patient with the street closure on Saturday. Your support is so important to Montpelier Alive.
This week, Montpelier begins its branding process. Arnett Muldrow & Associates, arnettmuldrow.com, have been contracted to facilitate the branding process, which is a combination of emotional and intellectual reactions to all the different experiences, marketing communications and behaviors that people have encountered on behalf of our community. Branding is the process a community embarks upon to refine and improve how people view their city–our city, in this case. In order for this process to truly represent our community, we need input from as many people as possible.
A public input branding meeting took place on September 9 and the final presentation of branding ideas will take place on Thursday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. All are welcome. ORCA will live-stream both meetings.
On to our next event: the Sight Unseen Montpelier Arts Festival, Saturday, October 18, 4 to 8 p.m. Several unique downtown venues will showcase the vast artistic talent in central Vermont, including visual and performance art in all media. Groups such as Studio Place Arts, Vermont College of Fine Arts, the Art Resource Association and Gallery 6 will curate spaces.
Call to artists: There will be one venue dedicated to individual artists. Please contact Rob Hitzig at rhitzig@myfairpoint.net if you are interested in participating. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Stay tuned for more exciting details on this event.
Moonlight Madness will rev up Montpelier on Thursday, October 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. Downtown stores will have blowout sales. Friday, October 17, is the date for our Fall Art Walk, also from 4 to 8 pm; downtown stores and restaurants will showcase artists to kick off Sight Unseen.
This week, Montpelier Alive would like to thank Woodbury Mountain Toys and Uncommon Market for their continued support as members, and Carrie Anne Greene as a stellar volunteer! See you in Montpelier!