WILMINGTON — The Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce will once again produce a valley-wide community arts installation, “Cool Running in the Valley.”
Area artists will be challenged to create a signature work of art using six-foot handcrafted wooden toboggans purchased from American Traders in Brattleboro.
The artwork will be auctioned later this year, with proceeds benefitting Deerfield Valley Community Cares Heating Assistance, The Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
The toboggans will be displayed as a group in Wilmington during July and August, and West Dover during September and October. Toboggans will be unveiled at Hayford Field in Wilmington during the Independence Day weekend fireworks festivities on July 2.
The chamber will host an artist-and-sponsor “Toboggan Speed Date” event on Tuesday, March 22 at the Hermitage Inn in West Dover, from 5 to 7 p.m., with light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Tubing will be weather-dependent.
Mini-toboggans will also be provided to area schools for fundraising. Sponsored mini-toboggans will be painted by valley students. Proceeds from the auction of school toboggans will go to the classes responsible for producing each sled. Mini-toboggans will be displayed separately from the larger sleds in area retail shops throughout the summer and fall.
The toboggans will go to auction on Nov. 26 at Mount Snow Resort immediately following the Fireworks & Torchlight parade.