Vermont
7 Most Eccentric Towns in Vermont
Ever thought a small town could catch you off guard? Tucked between New York and New Hampshire, Vermont is best known for its covered bridges, green mountains, and quaint villages. Founded in 1791 as the 14th state, Vermont played a key role in early American history, from its independent Republic days to its abolitionist movement. But beneath the postcard-perfect scenery, there are a few towns that embrace the strange, making them unforgettable with their weirdness and off-the-wall traditions. From a museum filled with everyday items to a festival that brings Main Street to a standstill with cows, these towns have more than the typical charm. If you enjoy history with a twist, hit the road and discover these seven strange Vermont towns for an unforgettable adventure.
Glover
Glover is home to one of the country’s strangest museums: The Museum of Everyday Life. Instead of fine art or valuable artifacts, this museum highlights everyday objects like toothbrushes, pencils, and even dust. The self-guided museum invites visitors to contemplate thought-provoking exhibits on the mundane, making it one of Vermont’s strangest attractions. Bread & Puppet Theater, a local oddity, is one of the country’s oldest experimental theater companies. Renowned for its giant papier-mâché puppets and politically challenging performances, the company has been based in Glover since the 1970s.
Despite all its eccentricity, Glover is also naturally gorgeous. Shadow Lake offers a peaceful spot for swimming and kayaking, and the nearby Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a haven for cross-country skiing and cycling. But it’s the town’s enthusiasm for the strange that sets it apart.
St. Johnsbury
It is a town where the strange exists alongside the historic. Dog Mountain, a sprawling sanctuary dedicated entirely to dogs, is unlike anything else in Vermont. Its Dog Chapel, built as a memorial to beloved pets, is covered in poignant messages from visitors. With open fields for off-leash play and trails winding through the hillside, it’s heaven for both dogs and their owners.
Science and wonders converge at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, with exhibits ranging from two-headed calves in taxidermy to an interactive space experience. The town has a sweeter side as well—Maple Grove Farms, the country’s oldest maple candy factory, has been churning out syrupy treats for over a century, giving visitors a taste of Vermont’s signature flavor.
Barre
Barre’s quirkiness is carved in stone—literally. Dubbed the “Granite Capital of the World,” the town is famous for its massive granite quarries and over-the-top, sometimes bizarre gravestones at Hope Cemetery. Monuments here include stone race cars, soccer balls, and even life-sized likenesses of the deceased, earning it recognition as one of the country’s strangest cemeteries. Rock of Ages Quarry lets visitors see where these massive stoneworks are crafted, offering guided tours and even a chance to bowl on a granite lane.
The city also embraces its artistic side. Studio Place Arts showcases local artists, and Millstone Hill has hiking trails with historic quarries now filled with crystal-clear water.
Woodstock
Woodstock is Vermont’s most striking town, but don’t let its postcard façade fool you—there are some quirky surprises beneath the surface. Billings Farm & Museum is not your typical historic dairy farm—it’s also home to an eccentric collection of antique butter churns and cow-themed exhibits. The Middle Covered Bridge, one of Vermont’s most photographed landmarks, is smack in the center of town, offering the quintessential backdrop.
The offbeat aspect of Woodstock is its passion for vintage tractors. The town’s annual Antique Tractor Day sees old farm equipment parading through the streets to the delight of locals and visitors. Those who love nature can explore the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, where scenic trails offer a glimpse into the town’s conservation history.
Montpelier
The smallest U.S. state capital, Montpelier is quaint and eccentric with its off-the-beaten-path attractions. What makes it truly quirky is that it’s the only state capital in America without a McDonald’s. Instead of chain fast food, the town embraces small businesses, with places like The Skinny Pancake serving farm-fresh crepes.
The Vermont State House, with its gold dome, contrasts with the town’s more eccentric attractions, like Lost Nation Theater, known for its experimental performances. Independent bookstore Bear Pond Books has been a local staple for years and is renowned for its carefully curated collection of rare finds, local authors, and an entire section dedicated to the history of Vermont. Since 1947, the Montpelier Live Poets Society has hosted spoken word performances, where locals share everything from comedic rants to heartfelt prose, keeping the town’s artistic energy alive and well.
Brattleboro
Brattleboro is one of the most offbeat towns in the state of VT, a haven for artists, musicians, and free spirits. Each summer, the town hosts the Strolling of the Heifers, a tongue-in-cheek parade where cows take over Main Street in a playful twist on Spain’s Running of the Bulls. The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center features changing contemporary art exhibitions, often interactive and experimental. The Gallery Walk, presented on the first Friday of each month, transforms downtown into a vibrant arts celebration, complete with jugglers, live music, and even mock archaeologists good-naturedly “excavating” for UFO remnants. This rain-or-shine affair keeps the town’s creative energy going year-round.
For a different kind of experience, The Estey Organ Museum highlights Brattleboro’s unexpected past as a premier organ manufacturing hub, featuring beautifully restored instruments that once shaped the town’s industrial history.
Shelburne
Few towns embrace eccentricity as wholeheartedly as Shelburne, where history, art, and whimsy converge in unexpected ways. The Shelburne Museum, a vast collection of oddities spread across 39 historic buildings, features everything from a lighthouse and a jail to a full-sized steamship docked in a meadow. The collections range from circus artifacts to offbeat folk art, making it one of the most peculiar museums in New England.
Adding to its quirkiness, Shelburne Farms is a sprawling working estate where visitors can tour a fairy-tale-like mansion, interact with farm animals, and watch cheesemakers craft award-winning cheddar. For an even stranger experience, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory offers a behind-the-scenes look at the production of custom teddy bears, complete with a “Teddy Bear ER” for stuffed animal emergencies.
Embracing Vermont’s Unique Towns
Vermont’s small towns prove that uniqueness thrives in the most unexpected places. From Glover’s Museum of Everyday Life to Shelburne’s steamship-docked-in-a-field museum, each town embraces quirks that set it apart. Some, like Brattleboro, celebrate the bizarre with cow parades and vibrant arts festivals, while others, like Barre, carve personality into granite with larger-than-life cemetery monuments. In Montpelier, even fast food is an afterthought, and Chester’s streets are filled with scarecrows in a seasonal explosion of creativity. From puppet shows to quirky art to towns that reinterpret history, Vermont is a journey through the bizarre, the beautiful, and the wonderfully unexpected.
Vermont
Vermont lawmakers consider suspending new fines for candidates who don’t disclose their finances – VTDigger
Vermont lawmakers are advancing a bill that would allow political candidates to go unpunished this year if they don’t file a legally mandated financial disclosure form.
At the same time, the state commission tasked with holding late filers accountable by levying fines says it does not have enough staff to do that work, anyway.
Lawmakers created the fines two years ago to compel candidates for certain offices to turn in reports providing information about their employer, their spouses’ work, stocks and investment income and boards they’re on that could create conflicts of interest. The forms, which are separate from reports detailing campaign fundraising, must be filed by candidates for statewide office, the Legislature and county offices such as sheriffs.
Enforcement of the fines was set to start this year. But under a bill, S.298, that passed the House on Thursday, candidates would not face any penalties until at least 2027.
That means there could be less information available to voters ahead of this year’s primary and general elections about where some candidates get their income from.
“This is, frankly, embarrassing,” Lauren Hibbert, Vermont’s deputy secretary of state, told the Vermont House committee that drafted the change late last month.
At issue are two provisions the House added into S.298, which cleared the Senate in March. The Senate’s version proposed incorporating some existing federal-level voter protections into state law, and would allow candidates to use campaign funds for security expenses. It did not include anything about financial disclosures.
House lawmakers also approved voter security measures, but tacked on a new section suspending fines, until the end of next May, for late financial disclosures. Laid out in a sweeping state and municipal ethics reform law from 2024, those penalties are $10 a day after the form has been overdue after at least five days, up to $1,000.
The House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee passed the revised bill with no votes against it, and no House members spoke up against it on the floor. The bill now heads back to the Senate for a review of the House’s changes.
Rep. Chea Waters Evans, D-Charlotte, is the ranking member on the government operations panel. She said in an interview the committee didn’t want candidates to be punished for failing to fill out the form when it is unclear currently how to access it.
That’s because of a standoff between the Vermont State Ethics Commission and the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office, she said, over who should take the lead on the form’s rollout and should field questions about what information gets disclosed on it. As of Friday, an updated version of the form was not online — and the websites of the ethics commission and the secretary of state each refer users to the other for a copy.
Meanwhile, Waters Evans said, the window candidates have to file financial disclosure forms this year, as well as formally declare that they’re running for office, opened last week. The window closes on May 28, at least for major party candidates.
“It doesn’t seem fair or right to candidates to charge them for not complying with something when we, ourselves, have not been able to make it available to them,” she said.
According to the 2024 ethics law, Act 171, financial disclosure forms should be “created and maintained” by the State Ethics Commission. That was a change from the law before that, which said only that the form should be “prepared” by the commission.
Paul Erlbaum, the ethics commission’s chair, told lawmakers the commission has created a version of this year’s form and sent it to the Secretary of State’s Office, which the commission thinks should then distribute the form to candidates and offer help filling it out. But Hibbert, the deputy secretary of state, rejected that notion, telling lawmakers the letter of the law makes it “very clear” the commission should take the lead.
The House version of S.298 attempts to clarify that dispute, according to Waters Evans.
The bill stipulates that the ethics commission provide resources to candidates and answer questions over email and phone about the disclosure form, make the form available on its website and prepare a list of frequently asked questions about it.
The ethics commission has pushed back hard against that measure because it does not have enough staff to carry out what it sees as new responsibilities, Erlbaum said. In fact, he said, even if lawmakers wanted to enforce the fines this year as planned, the commission wouldn’t be able to enforce them because it is so understaffed.
He noted that the commission stopped providing guidance to municipalities on how to handle ethics complaints at the local level, as it was authorized to do under the 2024 law. The reason, again, is a lack of staff, Erlbaum said. Currently, the commission has two employees: a part-time executive director and a part-time administrative assistant.
The commission asked legislators to send it funding in the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July, for two additional positions. Gov. Phil Scott’s budget proposal did not include any new positions for the panel.
The House version of the budget, which passed in March, included one new ethics commission position tied to municipal-level work. The Senate, however, took that position out in its budget proposal, approved last week. The budget bill, H.951, is now being considered by a committee of conference, where House and Senate budget writers are hashing out their differences, including over the ethics job.
For its part, the Secretary of State’s office says it doesn’t have enough staff to take the lead on the financial disclosure forms, either. Moreover, Hibbert said last month, it’s inappropriate for questions about conflicts of interest to be under the jurisdiction of a statewide officer who is affiliated with a political party, as the secretary of state is.
The fact that disclosure forms haven’t yet been made available has drawn criticism from the heads of Vermont’s two largest political parties. Suspending enforcement of the disclosure requirements “is not in the best interest of Vermont voters,” May Hanlon, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party, told lawmakers last month.
The chair of the Vermont Republican Party, Paul Dame, took it a step further, calling for the ethics commission’s executive director, Christina Sivret, to be fired over the fact the commission had not made the form publicly available on its own. He made the comments in an April 23 press release.
Campaign for Vermont, an advocacy group that focuses on government transparency, said in its own press release last week that Dame’s push for Sivret’s firing was excessive — but urged legislators to send the ethics commission more staff.
“You can’t demand more complex forms, real‑time candidate support and tougher enforcement from an office with two part-time staff, then attack them for saying they don’t have the capacity to do it,” said Ben Kinsley, Campaign for Vermont’s executive director. “If we want ethics and oversight to mean something in Vermont, we have to fund the folks responsible for carrying that forward.”
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at May 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 2 drawing
25-37-42-52-65, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 2 drawing
Day: 6-4-6
Evening: 0-7-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 2 drawing
Day: 6-3-8-5
Evening: 4-4-5-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from May 2 drawing
01-07-10-19-32, Megaball: 05
Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 2 drawing
06-17-31-42-50, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The 2026 Vermont high school spring season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, track and field and Ultimate.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
►Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
SATURDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Baseball
Games at 11 a.m. unless noted
Champlain Valley at South Burlington 2 p.m.
Harwood at Montpelier, 2 p.m.
Essex at Mount Mansfield
BFA-Fairfax at Milton, 3 p.m.
Mount Abraham at Otter Valley, 3 p.m.
Missisquoi at Spaulding
Richford at Vergennes, 3 p.m.
Hazen at Lamoille, 2 p.m.
Randolph at Lake Region
Peoples at Lyndon, 2:30 p.m.
North Country at Oxbow, 3 p.m.
U-32 at Thetford
Blue Mountain at Caledonia United
Softball
U-32 12, Thetford 5
U: Megan Pittsley (WP, CG, 6H, 5R, 12K, 1BB). Ava Batdorff (2-for-4, 3 RBIs). Addison Coleman (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs). Avery Burke (2B).
T: Chloe Caper (LP, CG, 7H, 7R, 5K, 8BB). Greta Johnson (HR). Brookle Chaffee (2B). Ellea Osgood (2-for-4, 2 RBIs). Austin Powers (2-for-2).
Note: U-32 scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win.
Paine Mountain at Craftsbury
Blue Mountain at Danville
St. Johnsbury at Lyndon
Champlain Valley at South Burlington, 2 p.m.
Milton at BFA-Fairfax, 3 p.m.
Randolph at Lake Region
Essex at Mount Mansfield
Harwood at Rice, 2:30 p.m.
North Country at Oxbow, 3 p.m.
Vergennes at Spaulding, 3 p.m.
Mount Abraham at Otter Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Girls lacrosse
Middlebury at U-32, 11 a.m.
Essex at Mount Abraham/Vergennes, 2:30 p.m.
Mount Anthony at St. Johnsbury, 4:30 p.m.
Boys lacrosse
Games at 11 a.m. unless noted
Essex at BFA-St. Albans
Woodstock at Middlebury
Mount Mansfield at Champlain Valley
Rice at South Burlington
Stowe at Harwood, 1 p.m.
Mount Anthony at St. Johnsbury, 4:30 p.m.
Girls tennis
Mount Mansfield at Burlington
South Burlington at Colchester
Champlain Valley at Essex
Boys tennis
Essex at Champlain Valley
North Country at Mount Mansfield
South Burlington at Stowe
Girls Ultimate
Matches at 4 p.m.
St. Johnsbury at Burlington
Burr and Burton at South Burlington
Mount Mansfield at Champlain Valley
Middlebury at Milton
Track and field
Twilight Meet at South Burlington
Windsor Invitational
MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Baseball
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Vergennes at Mount Abraham
Lyndon at Lamoille
Softball
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Vergennes at Mount Abraham
Lyndon at Lamoille
Colchester at Burr and Burton
Girls lacrosse
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Mount Mansfield at Mount Abraham/Vergennes
Lamoille at Stowe
Spaulding at St. Johnsbury
Boys lacrosse
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Harwood at Mount Mansfield
Otter Valley at BFA-Fairfax
Stowe at Lyndon
Colchester at Spaulding
St. Johnsbury at Hartford, 6:30 p.m.
Boys Ultimate
Matches at 4 p.m.
Burlington at Middlebury
Essex at Milton
St. Johnsbury at South Burlington
Montpelier at Champlain Valley
(Subject to change)
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