Show History

In 2001 a research project was conducted to provide a strategic plan for the Vermont Secondary (or Value-Added) Wood Products Industry and to give clear direction for their development and long-term viability. One of the suggested courses of action from that plan was the following: A single location for a Vermont Secondary Wood Products Industry “Showcase” should be considered to allow small and large manufacturers to display their products to the tourist trade. The industry agreed that local promotion to Vermont’s tourist industry was a great idea and the idea came to fruition just a few years later. In May of 2004 the Vermont Wood Products Showcase was held at Shelburne Farms. Model rooms, guided tours, partner exhibits, and demonstrations filled the one-day event. 15 Vermont woodworking companies displayed their product and attendees were primarily from Chittenden County.

With the first show under their belt they decided to make some changes for the 2nd Annual Vermont Wood Products Showcase. The event location was moved to Woodstock’s Union Arena on Route 4 and a partnership was formed with the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park to hold the event in conjunction with their Forest Festival weekend in September. Holding the event in a more centralized location and during foliage/tourist season in Vermont, with the addition of the National Park’s activities increased the traffic dramatically. A free shuttle brought attendees from the Arena to the Forest Festival so they could enjoy the many activities happening at the Park. The number of woodworking companies exhibiting almost doubled in 2005.

The industry was pleased with the changes implemented into the second annual event and decided to stay in Woodstock. In 2006 other aspects like live music and local food were added to create more of a Festival experience and the event was then dubbed the Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival. Connections with the local town of Woodstock were established, for example the town’s regional “Palettes of Vermont’ exhibit was on display for the weekend. Hourly door prizes, kids activities, and judging the Vermont Wood Design competition entries were fun aspects that made the event hands-on for attendees. Once again, new woodworking companies were on exhibit.

With every new year the Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival has grown with an increase in attendance and exhibiting companies. The event was named a Top Ten Fall Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and then again in 2011! The industry hears from attendees that they have planned their fall trip around the dates of this event and folks travel from all over the United States, Canada, and several foreign countries.

First Annual Vermont Wood Products Showcase flier
(175kb PDF Document)

Second Annual Vermont Wood Products Showcase flier
(208KB PDF Document)

Third Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival flier (2.69 MB PDF Document)

Fourth Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival flier (4MB PDF)

View the Grant Announcement awarding the funds in order to make the 4th Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival a reality.

Fifth Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival flier (2.7 MB PDF)

Sixth Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival flier (6.17 MB PDF)

Seventh Annual Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival flier (5.61 MB PDF)