Bennington Daze Draws Thousands for Weekend of Community Celebration

By Marisa Dawson

From a packed community picnic and fireworks show on Friday evening to a bustling farmers market, parade and street dance on Saturday, Bennington Daze once again brought the community together for one of the city’s most anticipated annual traditions.

According to Bennington Daze Committee Chair Nicki Byars, attendance remained strong throughout the weekend’s activities.

“On Friday night, the Community Picnic sponsored by the Bennington Chamber of Commerce had over 1000 community members in attendance,” Byars said. “The picnic is a perfect gathering point for neighbors all over our community. It’s fun to see some of the residents that have lived here their whole lives sharing a smile or conversation with a family that might have just moved here last year.”

Friday’s festivities began at Bennington High School, where the Bennington Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual community dinner with support from local donors. Chamber members hosted booths and displays throughout the evening, many featuring games, giveaways and opportunities to connect with local businesses and organizations.

A busy cafeteria filled with people sitting at tables, chatting, and eating. The walls are adorned with framed photos and memorabilia, creating a lively atmosphere.

Two smiling girls holding a decorative frame that reads 'BENNINGTON DAZE JUNE 2026' and 'BENNINGTON BUZZ'. They are wearing matching pink shirts and hair bows, set against a colorful background.

Families enjoyed a variety of activities, including TeamMates mentoring program yard games, a children’s zone with inflatables and additional activities for all ages. Due to the threat of severe weather, organizers moved the inflatables and activities indoors to the auxiliary gym.

A bustling indoor gym with various colorful inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses, filled with children and adults engaging in play.

Two children playing on a colorful inflatable bounce house, with one child climbing over a barrier and another kneeling down on the inflatable surface.

A gymnasium scene with children and adults participating in a group activity. There is a blue framework set up in the center, where several kids are playing with a large red ball. Others are watching and engaging from the sidelines.

A young girl is reaching up to catch a red ball while playing in a gymnasium, surrounded by other children and blue equipment.

Entertainment throughout the evening included performances from cheer clinic participants, the Bennington High School dance team and demonstrations from Nielsen Ninjas martial artists.

Following dinner, Omaha Street Percussion energized the crowd with an interactive performance that quickly transformed into a community dance party. Children flooded onto the gym floor, forming conga lines and dancing along as the group performed songs spanning multiple decades and genres.

A group of six musicians performs in a gymnasium, using trash cans and other unconventional items as percussion instruments. The floor is wooden, with blue bleachers in the background. Some audience members are seated and watching the performance.

For Omaha Street Percussion member Justin Fisher, returning to Bennington Daze remains a highlight of the group’s schedule.

“Like I said in the show, this was one of our first performances over 12 years ago, so it’s great to be able to continue doing this,” Fisher said. “We get to come to the city of Bennington quite often and Bennington Daze, it’s one of those shows we look forward to having on our schedule every year.”

Fisher estimated the group has performed at Bennington Daze five or six times and said the organization’s connection to the community extends well beyond the annual festival.

“I feel that we have a lot of support in the city,” he said. “Every year we perform for almost all of the public schools, and it’s great to get to come to the high school and perform for Bennington Daze… It means a lot to be able to do that.”

The group’s mission, Fisher explained, is to show audiences that music can be created in unexpected ways. “The message is that there is so much joy and fulfillment in music and you can use your imagination to create sounds and instruments,” he said. “And that’s what we do in our show, is we show you that we could take everyday materials and make them musical.”

A group of musicians performing with various percussion instruments, including drums and buckets, in a gymnasium. Audience members watch from the stands while a child runs in the background.

A group of six musicians performing with various instruments made from drums and buckets in a gymnasium setting.

He credited the audience participation segments for helping maintain the group’s energy throughout nearly 200 performances each year. “It keeps us going,” Fisher said. “Doing the crowd engagement and crowd participation is definitely what keeps us going. It makes us feel connected with the audience. It keeps everything exciting, and it makes you feel like you’re part of a community.”

As darkness fell, attendees gathered outside for one of Bennington Daze’s most anticipated traditions: the annual fireworks show.

The display, coordinated by Bennington High School vocal music teacher Tye Hanke, marked the second consecutive year the fireworks were launched from the high school campus.

“This is the second year shooting Bennington Daze at the high school which I much prefer over shooting it at the park,” Hanke said. “It is nice not having to close down portions of the park due to fireworks setup and we have enough setback distance so we do not have to close Bennington Road, which is helpful.”

Colorful fireworks bursting in the night sky with golden and purple sparks.

A green firework burst radiating in the night sky.

Weather concerns required organizers to make last-minute adjustments. “After seeing the forecast for rain on Friday and speaking with the Fire Chief Mallory, we moved the fireworks display to the bus barn parking lot so that we would not tear up the practice fields with our vehicles,” Hanke said. “We had to be flexible to adapt the show to the smaller footprint.”

The fireworks were electronically synchronized to music, which was shared through a mobile app called Pyrocast. “This was our first time using the app, and we think it was pretty smooth,” Hanke said.

Byars noted that the fireworks continue to serve as a signature moment for the festival. “The fireworks show that ends the night has become a highlight for all ages and is something we are so excited we can provide each year with the support of our generous sponsors,” she said. “Whether people hang out in the parking lot near the shoot site or watch from their back porch in their neighborhood, almost everyone seems to enjoy the fireworks.”

Saturday’s schedule began bright and early with the Bennington Public Schools Foundation’s Triple B Race (Read more about the race here: https://benningtonbuzz.com/2026/06/10/bennington-daze-triple-b-race-starts-saturday-off-with-a-bang/ ) and a pancake feed hosted by the Bennington High School cheer team.

Meanwhile, downtown Bennington filled with activity as the annual farmers market welcomed a record number of vendors. More than 100 booths lined Warehouse Street, drawing hundreds of visitors throughout the morning. Many vendors reported selling out of products within just a few hours, highlighting the community’s support for local businesses and entrepreneurs.

A busy outdoor market street with colorful tents, vendors selling various items, and people walking between them on a sunny day.

A bustling street market scene with various vendor tents in different colors, people shopping and browsing, and utility poles in the background.

Visitors also had the opportunity to receive historic Sass Iris rhizomes, encouraging residents to learn more about Bennington’s horticultural heritage and the iris varieties developed within the community.

As the farmers market concluded, thousands gathered along the streets for the annual Bennington Daze Parade. “The parade is a much anticipated event each year,” Byars said. “Whether you are there for the candy, the classic cars and tractors, or the creative floats, this tradition offers up something for everyone.”

The parade featured 80 registered entries consisting of more than 130 vehicles and an estimated 500 participants. Community organizations, businesses, sports teams, performers and local leaders made their way through town, distributing candy, beads, popsicles and other treats to spectators lining the route.

Dandelion Salon Co. (pictured below) earned Best Float honors with its creative “salon on wheels” design and festive pink beads.

A group of six women standing together, wearing matching black shirts and pink shorts, adorned with pearl necklaces and smiling at the camera. They are posing in front of a decorated float with large floral decorations in a sunny outdoor setting. — *Photo Courtesy of Bennington Daze.*

Byars emphasized that the parade serves as both entertainment and a showcase for community organizations. “The parade gives local businesses and organizations an opportunity to spread awareness about their causes or services,” she said. “The parade is a great way to see your friends and neighbors, get a tootsie roll, and learn more about the community.”

Additional activities continued throughout the day. The Bennington Public Library hosted family-friendly activities indoors, while the Friends of the Library conducted their annual book sale fundraiser. The event, held in the bays this year for the first time, raised thousands of dollars to support library programs (like the current summer reading program), with remaining books donated to Paralyzed Veterans of America.

A large indoor space with multiple tables arranged in rows, displaying numerous books and boxes. Several people are browsing through the books, while one individual is checking their phone. The ceiling has exposed beams, and there are various electrical installations visible on the walls.

Three young women smiling behind a table with a Bennington Public Library banner, showcasing library materials and registration information.

A young girl in a pink dress is cutting paper with blue scissors, focusing intently on her task. Another girl in the background is holding a piece of paper.

Nearby, barbecue teams participated in the annual BBQ competition, while the American Legion welcomed visitors for lunch. The 8th annual parking lot party took place at The Warehouse Grille as well, with live music by Southland.

Group of people gathered in a kitchen, smiling and posing for a photo. There are various food items on the table, including desserts and snacks. — *Lunch was served by Legion and Legion Auxiliary members.*

A food vendor at a festival with a barbecue setup and a man wearing a black t-shirt standing behind a table. A woman in a pink shirt is in the foreground, while people browse around in the background. The table is decorated with a star-patterned tablecloth.

Four men standing behind a table at a barbecue event, wearing black shirts with a humorous pig design and aprons. They are smiling and posing for the camera, with various food items on the table and a crowd in the background.

As the afternoon continued and evening arrived, the Bennington Jaycees beer garden drew crowds downtown before attendees gathered for the annual street dance featuring Interstate Daydream. Friends, families and neighbors danced and socialized well into the night, bringing the weekend’s celebration to a memorable close.

A man in a white t-shirt holding a drink at a brewing booth labeled 'Monolithic Brewing'. Another man in a red shirt is behind the counter, attending to customers. People are seated in the background, enjoying the event outdoors.

“The Street Dance is another event of the weekend that draws over 1000 people,” Byars said. “This year everyone enjoyed a beautiful evening hanging out with friends, maybe having a drink, while listening to a local band in a safe, fun environment.”

A lively outdoor gathering with a large crowd sitting at tables, enjoying food and drinks on a street lined with shops and trees. The scene captures people socializing and participating in a fun atmosphere during an event.

A lively outdoor gathering with people sitting at tables, some interacting and enjoying drinks. A few individuals are engaged in conversation, with beer cans and cups on the table.

A live band performing on a stage set on a trailer, with three musicians playing guitar and drums, under colorful stage lights. In the background, vehicles and buildings are visible.

Reflecting on the weekend, Byars credited the success of Bennington Daze to the many volunteers, sponsors, organizations and public servants who helped make the celebration possible.

“The Bennington Daze committee is grateful to our many sponsors that give generously so that we can provide a weekend that is all about community,” she said. “It takes many hands so we also appreciate our partnership with the many local nonprofits, businesses, and Bennington schools to pull it all together. And of course the real heroes of the weekend are the local police for helping keep everyone safe.”

Bennington Daze will return June 4-6, 2027.