Downtown Poultney is a lively and interesting place year round. Here you will find historic buildings that today house many of our businesses. An example is the Thankful Mears house dating to 1829 which houses the Original Vermont Store in which you can find many unique Vermont products and gifts.
You can also visit some interesting specialty stores. At Hermit Hill Books you will find contemporary used books and collectibles as far back as the 1800’s. These include first editions of many classic books such as Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”
Poultney has entertainment and festivities throughout the seasons. With Memorial Day comes a parade and the annual chicken barbecue. In the summer a Farmers market is held every Thursday which attracts local farmers and craftspeople selling their produce and goods. July Fourth features a parade, a 3km fun run, and evening fireworks show. In the fall during Parent’s Weekend at Green Mountain College the Rotary Club sponsored chili cook off is held, with more than 25 contestants vying for the right to brag as best chili chef. The chili cook off attracts many local and nearby cooks. Visitors are always eager to sample their concoctions. The winter features a visit from Santa in December with a parade, story hour at the library, the lighting of the memory tree and refreshments as well as the annual Maple Fest Winter Carnival in March.
The Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce is an active group which hosts many of these events, including the two annual town wide yard sales and Downtown Saturday Night street fairs throughout the year which provide music, activities and family fun. These events contribute to the warm hometown feeling that prevails in Poultney. Here you will see friends and neighbors greeting each other while enjoying the festivities.
In 2002 Downtown Poultney was awarded status as a Designated Downtown Development District by the State of Vermont Downtown Development Board. The Poultney Downtown Revitalization Committee has developed a Streetscape Improvement program which will restore the historic look and feel of the downtown while enhancing the amenities of the area.
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