Vermont Quilt Festival

This year, the Vermont Quilt Festival marks its 40th anniversary. The annual event, which takes over the Champlain Valley Exposition every summer, provides a patchwork array of fiber vendors, workshops with leading quilters, exhibits, appraisals and more. The party kicks off with the announcement of the quilt contest winners and Ruby Jubilee Champagne preview on Thursday evening. On Friday, needle-and-thread enthusiasts can look forward to a unique showing of art quilts by Ruth B. McDowell, whose work has been displayed internationally. “Life’s Work: Ruth B. McDowell” stitches together 30 years’ worth of quilts into one gallery. McDowell’s lovingly crafted creations, depicting all type of flora and fauna (and the occasional sap bucket) are a testament to traditional techniques — and works of art in their own right.