BRISTOL — Two signature fall events drew large crowds to Bristol in late September
First, the Better L8 Than Never Car Show on Sept. 22 drew more than 300 cars and a record donation to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.
The weather was perfect for the 15th annual show, sponsored by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce and Snake Mountain Cruisers, and the cars showed up in droves at the Bristol Recreation Field. This year almost reached last year’s record of 353 cars but exceeded the record for money raised for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. The camp is the Snake Mountain Cruisers’ favorite charity, due to their care for kids with special needs. Each year at the car show they run raffles for donated gifts, plus a bake sale and other fundraising efforts for the camp.
This year the car show raised a record $6,500 for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.
The car show also had a special guest this year, Miss Vermont Teen Danielle Trottier, who volunteered at the gate and visited with car owners around the field. She even competed in the women’s piston toss contest.
More than 40 businesses and individuals sponsored the car show this year, covering the cost of trophies, or donating products and gift certificates for the raffle. This generous support from local businesses is what makes the Better L8 Than Never car show the success it has become over the years.
Six days later, on Saturday, Sept. 28, the 21st Annual Bristol Harvest Festival attracted a steady stream of people to the Bristol town green throughout the day. More than 70 vendors lined the sidewalks and lawn of the green, including several food trucks and other sellers of tasty treats.
The Harvest Fest organizers, the Addison County Chamber and Bristol Recreation Department, said participants around the green included everything from baskets to jewelry, cedar kayaks to solar power, and plenty of ice cream and kettle corn. Kids were lined up at the Sun Common bounce house and Harvest Moon Valley Ranch pony rides, and parents could get a little stress relief at one of two massage booths.
On the gazebo there was a steady rotation of musicians throughout the day, including Mark Lavoie, Rick Ceballos and Lausanne Allen, the Harvest Festival Band, Ramble Tree, Keith Williams and Patrick Fitzsimmons. These talented musicians are a demonstration of the vast talent in the 5-Town area.
A crowd gathered for the now infamous pie-eating contest, a no-hands eating of a full pan of homemade blueberry pie by each contestant. The winner was Edward Hipson of Zeno Farms.
This event couldn’t take place without the sponsors, which this year included Bristol Animal Hospital, Bristol Works, Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom, Bee’s Wrap, Champlain Valley Plumbing & Heating and Cassella Waste Services.

2019 Better L8 Than Never Car Show trophy winners
Best of Show: 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 – James Gaulin
Tuner: 1993 Honda Civic HB – Kyle Desjardin, 1992 Nissan Skyline GTR – Garrett Hulbert, 2004 Acura RSX – Lee Fredette
Modern Muscle: 2010 Chevy Camaro RS/SS – Steve Ballard, 2014 Chevy Camaro SS/RS – JT Hardy, 2010 Chevy Camaro SS – Don Gadue
Host Club: 1946 Chevy Truck – Roger Brace
Camp Ta-Kump-Ta Choice: 1925 Ford Street Rod – Lynford Hoague
Club Participation: Outkast Cruisers
Best Interior: 1977 Datsun 580Z – Tim Holler