Summer  is heating up in July and it is great time to be in Vermont.

Planning a vacation in Vermont in July here are some events that are not to be missed.

Up, up and away!

 Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa in Stowe is hosting their  29th Annual Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival on July 10th through July 12th.  Come and see more than 25 hot air balloons fill up the sky.  Take a ride on one yourself or just sit back and enjoy the breathtaking launches while listening to live music and relaxing with a cold beer or a nice glass of wine   There will be activities for children to enjoy throughout the festival along with plenty of food and live entertainment. Call 802-253-7355, ext. 5538 or visit Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa  for more details.

Next head to Grafton for the 3rd Annual Grafton Food Festival. The Festival is an annual food-lovers event celebrating local food and farms in Vermont. This year the event is being held on July 11th. Come and celebrate their local “taste of place” where they will be featuring local food and beverage vendors with tastings, cooking demonstrations, farmers market tables, and a children’s cooking competition.  While you are in Grafton make sure you stop and visit the Grafton Village Cheese Co. and taste some of their award winning cheese.  For more details on the festival call 800-843-1801 or visit Grafton Food Festival for more details.

Now lets head up to Burlington for the Vermont Brewers Festival which is being held July 17th-18th in Waterfront Park. Enjoy the scenic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains while sampling some of the best artisan beer that Vermont has to offer. With Vermont being ranked as the state with the greatest number of breweries per capita, there is sure to a beer for everyone to enjoy.  For more information go Vermont Brewers Festival to get all of the event details.

Can you say cheese?

This year Shelburne is the home for the 6th Annual Vermont Cheese Makers Festival. Vermont is a world class cheese state with the highest number of cheese makers per capita.  Over 40 vendors are going to be there showing off their award winning cheese.  Spend a nice summer day on the shores of Lake Champlain at historic Shelburne Farms Coach Barn sampling, buying, learning everything there is to know about cheese. Enjoy some great food, wine or beer while watching cheese demonstrations and so much more. Call 866-261 8595 or visit Vermont Cheese Festival for more details.

To wrap up must see events in July head on down to Southern Vermont for The Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival which has been voted by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as one of the Top Ten Events of the summer. Enjoy ten days of fun including block parties, a Blueberry Parade, blueberry culinary experiences, pajama parties in the blueberry field, a Blueberry Ball, the Deja Blue Car Show and blueberry pie eating contest. These are just some of the events that will be going on during the festival.  So if you like blueberries this is the place to be.  Call 802-464-8092 or visit Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival for more details.

Make sure you add these events to your list when you are visiting Vermont in July.  What is your favorite event in Vermont?