Sunday, July 20, 2008

Elton John Venue


The Coca-Cola Grandstand gets ready for the Elton John Concert on Monday, July 21 at 8 pm
(Photo by Stephen Mease)
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Expo urges Elton John fans to come ready for anything
Essex Junction, VT - Officials at the Champlain Valley Exposition are encouraging concert goers to come prepared for the possibility of inclement weather for Monday's Elton John Concert at 8 pm. The Elton John concert is rain or shine.

But not even the prediction of rain can dampen the excitement surrounding Monday's concert for Elton John fans who have been waiting for 38 years for the the pop music star to play in Vermont. With the Vermont concert, Elton John can claim to have played at least once in every one of the 50 American states.

"The weather forecast for Monday is less than encouraging as of Sunday evening," said Stephen Mease, communications director for the Expo. "It looks like there will be a strong possibility of rain and we want people to be prepared, especially if their seats are on the track or on the bleachers." About half the seats are under cover of the Grandstand, but even those are still open to the elements, he added. Ponchos and raingear are encouraged since umbrellas are prohibited from the concert venue.

"Vermonters are a hardy audience and with a little planning, rain gear and the proper footwear, they'll be just fine at the concert, even if it rains," Mease said.

A good example was Sunday's WOKO Country Club Music Festival, where thousands of country music fans enjoyed a full day of music despite the steady rain.

More than 10,500 people from Vermont, across New England and beyond are expected for Elton John’s 2008 “Rocket Man – Number Ones” tour, presented by Live Nation.

According to Tom Oddy, the Expo’s director of special events, the Exposition grounds will open for parking at 5 p.m. on Monday using the main entrance Gate B off Route 15 (Pearl Street) and Gate E off Route 2A. “Everyone entering the Exposition grounds will be required to have a ticket to the concert. It’s also important to note that due to the size of the expected crowd no tailgate picnics, coolers, bottles or cans are allowed,” Oddy said. Depending on the weather conditions, indoor space in Expo North will be available prior to the concert doors opening at 6:30 p.m. All seats are reserved in the Coca-Cola Grandstand and the show is sold out.

“We are encouraging folks to come early to avoid possible traffic delays due to regional road construction projects. We will have a variety of food vendors, the Halvorsen’s Beer and Wine Garden and other concessions available for an early dinner,” he noted. The Coca-Cola Grandstand gates will open at approximately 6:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert. No cameras, video or audio recording devices are allowed inside the concert.

Elton John and his band, including members Davey Johnstone on guitar, Guy Babylon on keyboards, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion and Nigel Olsson on drums will play his greatest hits and more recent songs from his latest release, "Rocket Man • Number Ones." Elton John has sold more than 200 million records and continues to add innovative work to his personal repertoire of 29 consecutive Top 40 hits, 35 gold and 25 platinum albums.
For updates on the concert and other events at the Exposition, visit www.cvexpo.org

Wet and Wild Sunday at WOKO Festival

Slippin' and slidin' in the midway mud.

Jason Aldean and his band headlined the show

A colorful midway of ponchos, umbrellas and cowboy hats

Diehard fans of all ages enjoyed the WOKO Country Music Festival on Sunday at Champlain Valley Expo.
more pictures at www.cvexpo.org

(Photos by Stephen Mease)
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Friday, July 11, 2008

Getting Ready for Elton John

Champlain Valley Exposition Spruces up Grandstand
For Summer’s Big Concerts with Elton John and the Fair

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – Preparations are underway at Champlain Valley Exposition for the biggest outdoor concert of the summer – the first-ever Vermont performance by rock legend Elton John on Monday, July 21.

Tickets for the concert at the 10,000-seat Coca-Cola Grandstand sold at a “rocket-powered” pace when they went on sale in early May.
Now, with about a week to go, work crews are busy putting a fresh coat of green paint on the grandstand seats. And once that is done, another painting crew will come through and re-number the 3,000-plus seats, according to the Expo’s General Manager David F. Grimm. It will take more than 100 gallons of paint for the grandstand benches, not to mention the aisles and box seat area. The Grandstand’s perimeter fences are also getting a facelift, weeds are being pulled and signs are being painted.
“We want to put on the best face possible for this once-in-a-lifetime show that marks a major milestone in Elton John’s career – playing in all 50 states,” Grimm said.
“It will also benefit all our events, including the 10 days of concerts and motor sports during the Champlain Valley Fair that begins next month on Aug. 23,” he noted. Among the 2008 Bud Light Music Series concerts at the Fair: Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion on Aug. 23, country star Toby Keith (Aug. 30), pop sensations The Jonas Brothers (Aug. 31) and Danity Kane (Aug. 25), and rockers Daughtry (Aug. 24) and Ted Nugent (Aug. 29). Tickets are still available for all Fair concerts at www.flynntix.org or by calling 802-86-FLYNN.
It will be a busy weekend at Champlain Valley Exposition, with the potential for some 25,000 people coming on the grounds between Sunday’s WOKO Country Club Music Festival with Jason Aldean and John Anderson that could attract up to 15,000 people and 10,000-plus to Monday’s Elton John concert.

There will be more than 10,000 people coming from Vermont, across New England and beyond for the Elton John’s 2008 “Rocket Man – Number Ones” tour, presented by Live Nation.
According to Tom Oddy, the Expo’s director of special events, the Exposition grounds will open for parking at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 21 using the main entrance Gate B off Route 15 (Pearl Street) and Gate E off Route 2A.
“Everyone entering the Exposition grounds will be required to have a ticket to the concert. It’s also important to note that due to the size of the expected crowd no tailgate picnics, coolers, bottles or cans are allowed,” Oddy said.
“We are encouraging folks to come early to avoid possible traffic delays due to regional road construction projects. We will have a variety of food vendors, the Halvorsen’s Beer and Wine Garden and other concessions available for an early dinner,” he noted.
The Coca-Cola Grandstand gates will open at approximately 6:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert. No cameras, video or audio recording devices are allowed inside the concert.
The July 21st concert has taken on special significance for Elton John fans since it marks the first time he has played in Vermont. The concert comes 38 years after his first US appearance in 1970 in the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles, Calif. With the Vermont concert, Elton John can claim to have played at least once in every one of the 50 American states.
Elton John and his band, including members Davey Johnstone on guitar, Guy Babylon on keyboards, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion and Nigel Olsson on drums will play his greatest hits and more recent songs from his latest release, "Rocket Man • Number Ones." Elton John has sold more than 200 million records and continues to add innovative work to his personal repertoire of 29 consecutive Top 40 hits, 35 gold and 25 platinum albums.
"Rocket Man • Number Ones," released in March 2007, debuted in the top 10 and features newly compiled and digitally mastered greatest hits spanning the first three decades of the singer-songwriter’s career.

Champlain Valley Exposition is located at 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction. It is home of the Champlain Valley Fair. For more information about other upcoming concerts and special events, visit www.cvexpo.org to sign up for a free e-newsletter, or call (802) 878-5545.


CONCERT INFO:
Elton John Concert
Monday, July 21 at 8 pm
Coca-Cola Grandstand at Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street (Rt. 15), Essex Junction, VT
Gate B (Route 15) and Gate E (Route 2A) open for parking at 5 pm.
On-site parking included with concert ticket
Variety of food concessions and beer and wine garden open at 5 pm
No tailgate picnics, coolers, outside bottles or cans allowed.
Coca-Cola Grandstand gates open approximately 6:30 pm
No cameras, video or audio recording devices, laser pointers allowed
No large backpacks or umbrellas.
For updates and more info,
www.cvexpo.org



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Monday, June 2, 2008

Teenfest Vermont

The Teenfest Vermont two-day expo of events and exhibits for teens included Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games on the big screen. The show also included a local Battle of the Bands, art installation, skateboard demos, dance shows and a display of race cars.

Jana Beagley of Burlington was one of many Fashion Show models at the University Mall and Fusion Fashion Show at the TeenFest Vermont Sunday. The two-day expo devoted to teens was held at the Champlain Valley Exposition Saturday and Sunday. Designers from Eco Vibe, Xelafern and Post Decadent Reconstructed showed their new and recycled fashions for teens.
(Photos by Stephen Mease)


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Friday, May 2, 2008

Elton John

Great Seats still Available

Thanks for your patience!

If you are experiencing difficulty with ordering online, you can also purchase tickets in person at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts box office on Main Street, Burlington, Vt., and at Copy Ship Fax Plus on Route 15 in Essex Junction, Vt. or by phone (802) 863-5966.

Please note: Champlain Valley Exposition's office does not have tickets.

Do not call (802) 878-5545 - call (802) 863-5966

When ordering, once you get seats, don’t give them up!

If you try to get better seats you’ll go to the end of the line and lose the seats you have!

Due to the high demand for this event, your online order may take longer than normal to process. If you do not receive an order confirmation please call (802) 652-4563.

Submit your online order one time only.

Resale of tickets is not condoned.

The FlynnTix Regional Box Office is the only authorized ticket agent for this event.

Stars in their eyes


Robin Bourdeau of Williston and Tracy Lamphere of Mallett's Bay camped out overnite at the Copy-Ship-Fax-Plus store in Essex Junction to get tickets for Elton John's July 21 concert at Champlain Valley Exposition.
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Saturday, April 26, 2008

Everything Equine 2008

 
 
 
 
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Sunday, April 13, 2008

Iron Chef Jr. at the Expo

 
 
 
 
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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Jonas Bros Fans


A group of teens from Essex wait in line for their chance to get tickets to the Jonas Brothers Concert.

The Flynn Box Office was jammed with parents and teens looking to buy tickets for the show

Box Office Action for the Jonas Brothers

Success for these Burlington teens - great seats -now the wait for Aug. 31 begins
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