It has been one of those weeks that Vermont does every spring…a few days in the 70s that feel like summer is here, followed by a forecast that says, “Not so fast.”

The calendar says May tomorrow, but now the thermometer is still thinking things over. Regardless, Vermont is waking up…the farm stands are opening, the waterfront spots are unlocking their doors, and the summer planning is very much underway. More on all of that below, including some exciting news on the Burlington Wine & Food festival front, and a Champlain Dinner Club update that has us pretty fired up, too...

Welcome to “Actual Spring.”

Before we get into what's happening around town…a couple of things closer to home.

The Champlain Dinner Club registration for the May 19th dinner in Winooski opened this week, and the response has been a bit staggering. In the first week, we've signed up as many people as attended the entire first event. And, wow…we’re not sure we can all fit into Winooski! We’re thinking we may need to expand some of the restaurant options into the north end of Burlington to keep up with demand. We'll keep you posted as it takes shape.

But the number that actually stopped us in our tracks this week was one. As in, one email…which we received in response to a thank-you note we sent to attendees of the first dinner. We'll let it speak for itself:

"I made not only one friend, but three. Two of them were from another table, younger folks I talked with at The Whiskey Bar. I went hiking with one of them on Saturday and the three of us are on a text thread about doing things together. One of them I happened to see at the comedy show at Shelburne Vineyards on Friday night when I was out with the friend I made at our table. So this is to say that what you're doing is helping to build social lives and community. I think we will all be going back for more Dinner Club evenings."

That's 100 percent why we started this.

If you haven't grabbed a spot for May 19th yet, we'd love to see you there.

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And then there's the Burlington Wine & Food festival. Our exhibitor slots are officially full for this year’s event, and we have a lineup we are truly excited to announce. We're also looking some new events that we think are going to be really special. Updates are coming this weekend.

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We'd been meaning to get to Donwoori for a while, and last week we finally made good on that plan.

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After a four-year absence, Sweetwaters is open once again in their iconic spot on Church Street. Head chef Jessee Lawyer is back in the kitchen, and many of the old favorites are on the menu alongside some new additions. They're starting with dinner service five days a week and building from there. If you have history with that place, here’s your chance to go make some new memories.

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In brew news, Soulmate Brewing Company of Morrisville just picked up its 31st competition medal…a bronze at the Best of Craft Beer Awards in Oregon for its Coffee Imperial Stout. The competition drew 1,498 entries from 270 breweries worldwide, and Soulmate was the only Vermont brewery to medal. They're approaching their three-year anniversary this July, and thirty-one medals in under three years is no joke.

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The Burlington Farmers Market is looking for volunteers for the 2026 season. Hours are Saturdays, from the market opening on May 9 through October 21, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tasks include market setup and breakdown, welcoming and counting attendees, checking in with vendors, and managing the parking lot. Yet one more sign that summer is upon us.

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Mother's Day is May 10, and Poorhouse Pies is taking pre-orders now. If you've never made the trip out to Underhill, or their newer Cambridge location, these are made-from-scratch pies in the honest sense of the term: fruit, cream, nut, savory, gluten-free and vegan options, all under the banner of their motto, "Pie fixes everything." Note that these are only available May 8 - 10.

And in one more sign of summer, we couldn’t pass up mentioning of a local company called Compliment Coins, who’s running a recurring bit on their Instagram called Creemee Bingo…a community-sourced bingo card of Vermont creemee stands. Burlington Bay, Palmer Lane, the Village Scoop, Vermont Cookie Love and twenty others fill the squares. Apparently, you can play by visiting creemee stands, marking up the card and sharing a photo…you can print the cards at their website. Might as well start your research.

Today (April 30) kicks off what might be the most enthusiastically spring day we've seen yet. The Skinny Pancake is giving away free crepes — SugarShack or Choco Nutty, your pick — at all locations starting at 8 a.m. No purchase required, and no catch.

Then tonight from 4 to 5:30 p.m, the Community College of Vermont in Winooski hosts the 23rd Annual International Food Festival …students and alumni will share dishes from home, with a dozen-plus countries represented. It’s free and open to the public. Two events, one day, both free…a good Thursday indeed.

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Friday (May 1!) also brings a full plate. In yet another harbinger of spring, the Common Roots farm stand opens for the season. The South Burlington nonprofit does food access and farming education year-round, and they’re also the community partner of Burlington Wine & Food.

Also Friday: the Vermont Cheese Council hosts its Artisan Cheesemakers Conference at The Hub CoWorks in Rutland. It’s open to makers, mongers, chefs, retailers, and food industry folks. Tickets are $125 and space is limited.

And Friday evening, head up to North Hero for the Full Moon Dance with Kraemer and Kin and Green Up Vermont. It runs from 5 to 9, with live music, dancing, and sign-up materials for Saturday's cleanup. It’s free to attend, families welcome, and wood-fired pizza and beer available. A full moon on the lake in May is hard to beat.

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Speaking of Green Up Day… Switchback Brewing is making a full day of it with the Green Up Hoedown from noon to 9. It’s a “Kentucky Derby Meets Cleanup” theme: mint juleps, BBQ, brews, the race on the big screen, live music and a hobby horse racing competition that is, reportedly, taken with complete seriousness.

Also Saturday evening, Adventure Dinner goes full witch for their Halfway to Halloween dinner…a multi-course feast themed around the 30th anniversary of The Craft at their clubhouse in Colchester. The menu is built around Vermont farms and producers, and the atmosphere is full 1996 Southern California witchcraft.

Also this weekend: Foam Brewers is turning 10, and they’re celebrating all three days with live music, anniversary releases, and food vendors at the Lake Street brewery. Note that Saturday evening the taproom closes early…the team is heading to Higher Ground for an anniversary show with Built to Spill.

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If you're in more of a mood for a mini road trip this weekend, The Landgrove Inn, a 216-year-old inn near Manchester, is hosting “From the Vine to Vermont” on Saturday, May 2. It’s a five-course wine pairing dinner built around Owen Roe, the Pacific Northwest winery known for structured, balanced bottles. Chef Angela designed every plate to sit alongside the wine, not compete with it. Seating is limited, and this one is worth the drive.

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On Monday, May 4, the Vermont Specialty Food Association hosts its first-ever Producer Expo at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier, running from 11 to 3, with a networking reception from 4 to 5. This is a wholesale-focused trade event connecting Vermont producers with buyers, distributors, and retailers. Trade professionals only; registration required.

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Then on May 13, you’ll know summer is truly here: Spot on the Dock opens for the season at 1 King Street. The seasonal lakeside restaurant on Burlington's waterfront closes every September and comes back every May, with spectacular lake views, warm weather plates, craft cocktails, and that particular feeling of having nowhere to rush off to.

And if you want to make sure you’re making the most of summer once it arrives: City Market is hosting a Memorial Day Grilling Favorites class on Tuesday, May 19 at the South End store. Consider it your official warm-up.