July 17, 2012
Northern Decadence Food & Travel Expo Celebrates Vermont Pride
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
BURLINGTON, Vermont - The second annual "Northern Decadence Food & Travel Expo" will take place on Saturday, September 22, 2012, 12 - 5 pm at Battery Park in Burlington, as part of the annual Vermont Pride Festival.
The Vermont Gay Tourism Association (VGTA), in partnership with the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, produces Northern Decadence to promote Vermont to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel market. Northern Decadence celebrates Vermont's diversity, tourism and culinary culture.
"We're pleased to be part of the Vermont Pride Festival, which is Northern New England's premier pride festival," says Vermont Gay Tourism Association President Willie Docto. "Northern Decadence will help us showcase Vermont's renowned specialty food industry and LGBT-friendly inns, hotels, restaurants and attractions."
The public will be able to sample some of the best specialty foods made in Vermont and New England, plus learn at cooking demonstrations presented by noted chefs. The popular Decadent Cup Cake Competition will take place, with cash and prizes going to amateur bakers. There will also be a silent auction with items and certificates from restaurants, resorts, inns, shops and other businesses.
The Vermont Gay Tourism Association is a statewide nonprofit membership organization of gay-welcoming businesses of all types and sizes. It was incorporated in 2003 with the mission of promoting the state of Vermont to the LGBT traveler, including groups, gay weddings, and individuals. The first state to legally recognize same-sex unions, Vermont is a leader in equal rights for America's LGBT citizens.
Northern Decadence is sponsored by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, Macy's, Audi South Burlington, Moose Meadow Lodge and other businesses.
Admission into the Northern Decadence tent is $5. Children 12 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to the Vermont Pride Festival is free.
For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.northerndecadence.com or www.vermontgaytourism.com
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
