February

Penguin Plunge
802-863-5222
www.penguinplunge.org
On Saturday, February 6, this event sponsored by Special Olympics Vermont takes place on the Waterfront. Starting at 11 a.m., hundreds of brave (or crazy?) individuals don their bathing suits and jump into Lake Champlain.

Church Street Marketplace Ice Walk: After the plunge, the 18th annual Winter Festival is held on the Marketplace. The highlight of the day is a snow carving competition, in which a variety of teams compete to represent Vermont in the National Snow Sculpting Competition in Shorewood, WI. Sculptures will also be lighted for night viewing. www.enjoyburlington.com or www.theburlingtonwinterfestival2010.wordpress.com

Magic Hat Mardi Gras Parade
www.magichat.net/mardigras2010
On Saturday February 27, be on the Church Street “Quarter” for this annual festival and Laissez les bon temps rouler! At 3 p.m., line the parade route and watch as a promenade of 45 fantastic floats passes by, along with the frenzied hurling of beaded booty (as well as Lake Champlain Chocolates).