Lions? No.  Tigers?  No.  Bears? Oh my!  Bears come to Mount Snow Valley Vermont in Summer 2007.

Bears are coming out of hibernation in Mount Snow Valley, Vermont and at The White House of Wilmington. The valley will be home to 39 new resident bears this summer.  But don’t worry – these bears don’t bite!!  The 4 foot by 5 foot fiberglass bears will be hand-painted by local artists and will be on display throughout the Mount Snow Valley along Routes 9 and 100 and secondary roads creating a summer-long arts event.  This public, multi-artist outdoor event will run from Memorial Day through Columbus Day and acts as the centerpiece of an event-filled summer for the area.

Thirty-nine bears have been sponsored by local businesses and paired with local artists to create one-of-a-kind collectable art pieces.  A wide range of artistic styles and techniques are expected, creating an interesting exhibit for the art enthusiast as well as families and people looking for a bit of fun and adventure.

There will be a host of events all summer long to celebrate the bears, culminating with a black-tie, live auction on Columbus Day Weekend.  In between there will be more Village Stroll evenings with entertainment, artist receptions, scavenger hunts, raffles, bear goodies and lots more.  Bears in the Valley will be a celebration of art, community and summer fun in the area including golf, lakes, hiking, mountain biking, and touring historic villages.

In addition to the large bears, 56 “baby bears” have been sponsored by community members and local businesses.  These bears will be on display in galleries and retail outlets all summer and will be bid on via silent auction.  All proceeds from the sale of these bears will go directly to arts programs in the local schools.   Bears will be designed by budding artists from local schools.

Mount Snow Valley, Vermont is conveniently located on Routes 9 and 100 in Southern Vermont between Bennington and Brattleboro with 30 minutes driving distance to each. 

Bears in the Valley will benefit the following organizations: Deerfield Valley Health Care Volunteers, Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Deerfield Valley Community Cares, Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and arts education programs in local schools.  A percentage of the auction price will also go back to the artist who designed the bear.

Be sure to stop by the White House to view our bear. For information and reservations please go to www.whitehouseinn.com