April 26, 2008    
Contact: Cindy Cook
 802-223-1330
 ccook@adamantaccord.com

THE SIXTH ANNUAL ADAMANT BLACKFLY FESTIVAL
“DOWNTOWN” ADAMANT
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008

Excitement is mounting as residents of Adamant village, located in scenic Calais, VT, prepare for the Sixth Annual Adamant Blackfly Festival, to be held on May 17th, 2008.  Dozens —perhaps even hundreds — of people are expected to flock to Adamant for the festival, which has rapidly become a cult classic and the focal point of the Central Vermont social season. With any luck, the festival honorees will not be in attendance.

As always, the festival parade is expected to be one of the highlights of the day.  The parade features eclectic costumes and impromptu music, and is open to all comers. It is especially popular with children.  Past parades have variously been described as “campy”, “a whole lot of fun”, and “the Macy’s Day Parade of the Insect World.”

The Blackfly Pie contest, starting at 2:00, is expected to draw out the competitive spirit in local bakers. Egos are on the line.  Prizes are awarded for the “tastiest”, “most realistic” and “bloodiest”.  This year’s parade will include a “Chariot of Champions” featuring proud winners of past and present festival pie contests.

Delicious fresh food will be available at the Adamant Community Club from noon to 6:30.  The grill will once again offer our famous vegetarian black bean cakes as well as vegetarian chili, salads a variety of grilled meats, and baked goods.

People are encouraged to bring bicycles, canoes and walking shoes, so that they can enjoy the wonderful Adamant environs. Canoeing is especially good on the Upper Beaver Pond in downtown Adamant where one can quickly paddle to some beautiful areas, bicyclists will find a variety of loops to satisfy all energy levels, and walking is lovely along the roads along Sodom Pond and on the trails of the East Montpelier Town Forest, and on a new trail along the Beaver Pond. One can also listen to live music by a variety of Vermont artists, and enjoy an outdoor sculpture show.

The Adamant Co-op is the oldest co-op in the state and is the heart and soul of Adamant.  The co-op will be open for extended hours offers a variety of blackfly memorabilia including mugs, t-shirts, bug bafflers (screened hooded shirts that make it possible to be outside during blackfly season) magnets, earrings, pins for sale by local artists, and great food by local chefs.

As always, the festival has two purposes: to benefit the Adamant Co-op and Community Club, and to have some serious fun celebrating the bug we love to hate.  Festival organizers promise that once again the festival will be “more fun than thought humanly possible”.

The Adamant Co-op, located in the heart of the Adamant village, about 8 miles north of the state capital of Montpelier, is the oldest co-op in Vermont.  It houses the village post office and serves as the focal point of the Adamant Community.  For more information about the Adamant Blackfly Festival, please visit the festival website www.blackflyfestival.org, or contact Cindy Cook at 802-223-1330. ###