Vermont Food and Music Festival
Description
The Vermont Food + Music Festival returns September 18th & 19th with our first-ever two-day lineup. Join us for our third year at the base of beautiful Mount Ascutney for a full weekend of music, food, and beautiful early-fall views.
Friday kicks off with a food-focused Chef’s Tasting, included with your ticket, featuring dishes from Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, Café Monette, 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions, The Spicy Spoke, and REDCAN. The evening’s music lineup includes Lily Welch, Brooks Hubbard Band, and Kat Wright.
Saturday brings a full day of music headlined by Hiss Golden Messenger and Shovels & Rope, alongside Dwight + Nicole, Jay Nash & Co., Garrison Starr, Two Runner, and All She Wrote.
Throughout the weekend, enjoy food and drinks from Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, Rolling Rooster, The Spicy Spoke, Lazy Cow Ice Cream, Frisky Cow Gelato, Mac’s Maple, and more.
Our Vendor Village will also feature beautiful work from local makers, including Gray Barns Pottery, Annwn, Elm Gate Farm Wool on Wheels, Rockledge Farms Woodworking, and Burn + Brim Hats.
We are thrilled to celebrate the talents of local and nationally recognized musicians, chefs, makers, and craftspeople while honoring our deep love for community.
Lineup
Kat Wright (Friday Night)
Kat Wright, whose voice is both sultry and dynamic, delicate yet powerful; gritty but highly emotive and nuanced, has been described as “a young Bonnie Raitt meets Amy Winehouse”. Add to that voice enough stage presence to tame lions, and the combination of feline femininity proves immediately enchanting.
Brooks Hubbard (Friday Night)
Brooks Hubbard is a national touring independent artist from the mountains of rural New England. Since the age of three, his connection with music has led him on a path of continuous growth, both as an artist and human being. From writing songs about the Iraq war at age fifteen to recording with members of Jackson Browne & James Taylors’ bands, countless house shows and concert venues , to opening for artists like KT Tunstall, Robert Cray, Reckless Kelly, Matt Mays, and Stephen Kellogg. Brooks has put in his 10,000 hours and then some to become a powerful singer, songwriter, and entertainer.
Lily Welch (Friday Night)
Hiss Golden Messenger (Saturday)
The North Carolina–based project led by M.C. Taylor — delivers a deeply soulful blend of Americana, folk, and roots rock, known for its warmth, emotional depth, and quietly powerful storytelling. Their music moves effortlessly between reflective, intimate moments and expansive, groove-driven arrangements, creating a sound that feels both grounded and transcendent. Their latest album, I’m People, is a vivid and deeply human collection of songs shaped by themes of love, aging, fatherhood, and the search for meaning in modern America. Written across landscapes from the Carolina Piedmont to the American West, the record captures both heartbreak and hope — balancing vulnerability with a sense of resilience and connection. With rich, collaborative instrumentation and a live, organic feel, I’m People invites listeners into something immediate and communal — music that’s meant to be felt together, sung along to, and carried with you long after the last note fades. On stage, Hiss Golden Messenger transforms these songs into an immersive, full-band experience — equal parts reflective and celebratory.
Shovels & Rope (Saturday)
One night in the middle of the night there were a series of noises coming from above which lead to a series of thoughts. It sounded like something was working. Building something.. A nest for its family? A trap for its prey? This led to more thoughts about unseen things at work. A God? A voice in your head? It all feels kind of made up until someone responds to it. Less means more. That’s kind of always how it’s been with us. This time the rules were simple: we can only use what we work with live and whatever we put down on tape must be accomplishable on a stage in a live setting. That’s always seemed to be when we’re at our best. Or most twitchy. Many times we’ve made records that we loved and then, after figuring out how we’d perform it live, we end up falling in love with the live arrangement because being a 2 piece band it took some real risk and struggle which led to innovation which gave it a whole new life. (Consider the tortured grape.) So with this one we just started there and worked backwards. The result encapsulates, more than anything we’ve done before, the sound of our live performance. Resulting in what one might consider by definition, a definitive album.
Jay Nash (Saturday)
Jay Nash's rough-hewn voice, poignant melodies, and unique yet subtly virtuosic approach to the guitar have taken him across the United States and Europe more times than he can count. He has released seven full-length solo albums, and four solo EPs along with another ten albums with his collaborative efforts with TFDI, The Contenders, Garrison Starr, and Caitlin Crosby. In his time off the road, Nash has created the original motion picture score for three feature films, a Dutch television series, and dozens of nationally run commercial spots. Variety is indeed the spice of life. Still, everything comes back to the man and his guitar.
Two Runner (Saturday)
Two Runner was formed in the fall of 2020 when neighbors Paige Anderson & Emilie Rose became friends and started playing music together. The duo quickly garnered national attention after being featured on GemsOnVHS. They have toured extensively for the last five years alongside celebrated acts such as Sierra Ferrel, Nick Shoulders, Watchhouse, and many others. Anderson, no stranger to the road, grew up in a touring family bluegrass band. After joining Chuck Ragan’s “Revival Tour” as a teenager, she discovered the power of raw, honest songwriting and took it to heart. Their debut album, Gar Hole Records release, “Modern Cowboy” was met with national acclaim, as well as their premiere “Late Dinner”. In 2025 the band grew to include multi-instrumentalist Lucas Lawson to accommodate the band’s ever evolving and innovating sound. Their second full-length album will be released on Gar Hole Records in Summer 2026.
Garrison Starr (Saturday)
Garrison Starr is the quintessential musical triple-threat, singer, songwriter, Grammy-nominated record producer, and her soon-to-be-released latest full-length album, Garrison Starr and The Gospel Truth reveals her at the height of her powers. “A Lucinda Williams for Gen X’ers.” -NPR
Dwight + Nicole (Saturday)
Dwight + Nicole, based in Burlington, Vermont, traces its musical roots through the blues, soul, and R&B traditions by exploring the spaces between these genres, connecting them with themes found in dream pop and alternative rock. Dwight Ritscher’s warm, soulful tenor would be the envy of many bands, but it is Nicole Nelson’s four-octave vocal range that wowed a national audience during season three of NBC’s “The Voice.” Dwight, the band’s principal songwriter and guitarist, first started performing live as a child with his grandfather, and it wasn’t long before players were sneaking him into blues clubs around Monmouth Park, New Jersey to man the tubs. Nicole, also a major songwriter for the band, plays bass, her first love was the musical theater, but she also explored musical expression through flute and violin. Dwight started his first bands while in college in Burlington, and, after graduation, he relocated to Boston where he further developed his craft on stages throughout New England. Meanwhile, Nicole was being recognized as a standout jazz vocalist throughout Boston. Their paths crossed around town, and they discovered they shared an obsession with the soul and blues greats like the Staple Singers, Albert King, and Etta James. As a result, it wasn’t long before Ritscher and Nelson formed a duo. Dwight + Nicole, the duo, began with Dwight on electric guitar and Nicole on tambourine, with both stomping their feet for the beat and singing in harmony. The couple later moved to Vermont, where they met and joined forces with powerhouse drummer Ezra Oklan and keyboard wizard Leon Campos, thus completing the band. They have toured throughout North America with Mavis Staples, Melissa Etheridge, and Norah Jones, among others, as well as performing as headliners. The band’s live shows have become legendary, with fans expressing that they find comfort in the performances, and the band members’ chemistry has been described as intoxicating. Dwight + Nicole is the recipient of accolades and many awards over the past decade. The band and its members have been named “Band of the Year,” “Vocalist of the Year,” “Best Blues/R&B Band,” “Female Vocalist of the Year,” “Blues Act of the Year,” and also won “Video of the Year” at the Boston Music Awards, as well as earning Daysies Awards from the Burlington, Vermont weekly paper, Seven Days. With numerous releases in prior years under their belts, Dwight + Nicole released “The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake” in 2024, featuring the single, “Saying Goodbye.” Produced by acclaimed producer Joel Hamilton and recorded at his Studio G in Brooklyn and Ocean Sound in Giske, Norway throughout 2022, the album features musical guests the Daptone Horns and Arkai Strings, among others. The band rejoined Hamilton at Studio G in January 2025 to record some new material, which will see release in early 2026.
All She Wrote (Saturday)
All She Wrote is a progressive string band rooted in the timeless traditions of Bluegrass, Folk, and Old-Time, blooming into a sound they playfully call Earth Fairy Space Grass. The group came together to spread love, light, and truth through their music. With strong voices, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, Annie McDougall (she/her), Dakota Rose (she/her), and Sammy Rose Blackmore (they/them) weave together music that is both grounded and otherworldly. The three met in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music and quickly recognized something special in their musical chemistry — a shared desire to create music that is honest, tender, and resonant. Their songs are explorations of self, of connection, and of the tangled beauty of being alive. Rather than offering answers, they offer words and melodies for reflection, healing, and wonder — and sometimes a full-on fiddle-fueled romp. Whether you’re twirling to a twisted fiddle tune or stilling yourself inside a harmony-laced original, All She Wrote invites you to feel deeply and move freely. Their music may leave you dancing, dreaming, or discovering something within yourself you didn’t know was waiting to be heard.
FAQs
- What are the ticket and refund policies?
Are tickets refundable? All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged unless the event is canceled by the host. Please note that the booking fee is non-refundable, as it covers the cost of processing the transaction and supporting charitable projects.
What if a show is canceled or changed? The Host or Promoter reserves the right to cancel the event or change the lineup, venue, and date without notice. While minor changes do not automatically trigger a refund, refunds will be issued in the event of a cancellation or a serious inclement weather event. If a refund is authorized by the Host due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, the base ticket price will be returned to the original payment method.
The Small Print + Big Details
Booking Fees: Fees are non-refundable, even in the event of a cancellation or a refund of the ticket price.
Treat Tickets Like Cash: Lost, stolen, or destroyed tickets will not be replaced or refunded.
Right of Refusal: Admission is subject to the venue’s terms. Entry may be refused for misconduct, intoxication, or failure to comply with health and safety protocols.
Resale: Tickets may not be resold for a premium. Unauthorized resale is grounds for cancellation without compensation.
Re-Entry: Re-entry to the festival grounds is permitted only through our designated secure checkpoint. Please ensure you have your ID and leave your name with a gate agent before exiting the festival grounds.
Liability: The ticket holder voluntarily assumes all risks and danger incidental to the event, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the attraction.
- When do gates open?
Friday Night: Gates open at 4pm
Saturday: Gates open at 11am
- Can I bring my cooler?
No coolers or outside food or beverages are permitted inside the festival grounds. (Exceptions are made for children’s snacks and baby food). There are many food and beverage opportunities provided within the festival grounds, including access to free drinking water.
- Can I bring a lawn chair or sunshade/umbrella?
Please bring a lawn chair and/or blanket for seating. However, we ask that you please leave sunshades/tents/umbrellas at home so that all attendees have view of the stages.
- Can I bring my dog?
For the safety and comfort of all guests, the festival is a no-pet event. Service animals are the only exception and must have proper documentation and wear their service harness at all times.
- Is parking free?
Yes! Free on-site parking is available in the Lower Gravel Lot. Please follow event signage and flaggers upon arrival. Space is limited at the mountain; carpooling is highly encouraged! Designated accessible parking is located at the top of the main driveway.
- Is it family friendly?
Yes! Kids 12 and under are free to attend the festival.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
