BRISTOL — ACORN continues its mission to support and strengthen the local food economy in Vermont’s Champlain Valley with the 9th Annual Tour de Farms — an annual ride that sends bikers around to various farms in the Bristol area, where they can stop and sample local products.
This year, however, ACORN is reaching beyond cyclists; if you don’t ride a bike, you can ride the inaugural Tour de Farm Bus or join the fun at the after party.
“The Farm Bus idea originated within the community and we are quite excited to offer this opportunity for the very first time,” said Jonathan Corcoran, ACORN’s executive director. “People heard about the tour and asked for an alternative to riding bikes. They will now be able to share in the experience of sampling delicious, farm fresh food while enjoying the beauty of the landscapes from the comfort of the bus.”
The cycling farm tour, one of the oldest in Vermont, will be held next Sunday, Sept. 18, and connects the community with the region’s food shed. ACORN has announced four new additions to this year’s tour: a 13-mile family-friendly route, a Farm Van for on-farm food purchases, and the aforementioned Farm Bus and After Party with live music, ice cream, food and drinks.
The Tour de Farms will start and end at the Bristol Recreation Field, next to Mount Abraham Union High School, and will feature over 30 participating farms, food businesses and restaurants. At the end of the tour, riders can stay and relax at the After Party, enjoying live music by The Doughboys, a 10-piece band; free Farmhouse Ice Cream; Fuego Taco Cart; and local beverages from Shacksbury Cider, Hogback Mountain Brewery, Lincoln Peak Vineyard and Savouré Soda.
This year’s event is sponsored by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Merchants Bank, City Market, Skinny Pancake, Earl’s Cyclery, Citizen Cider and Seven Days. Discounted advance registration is open until 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, and registrations are also accepted day-of-ride. For more information and to register, visit www.acornvt.org.