What is the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial?

2009 marks a significant milestone in the ongoing story wrapped around the sixth great lake in America.

In July of 1609, a French explorer named Samuel de Champlain traveled by canoe up the Richelieu River and came upon a massive lake spanning 120 miles in length and 12 miles in width.  On either side of the lake were majestic mountain ranges.  The Abenaki who lived in the region called the lake "Bitawbagok" or Waters Between.  Today it is called Lake Champlain.

The 2009 Quadricentennial (400-year anniversary) of Samuel de Champlain's arrival to the region presents a marvelous opportunity.  There will be exciting commemorative events taking place in communities large and small throughout the Lake Champlain region.  This is a chance to commemorate, learn, appreciate and share the rich history, multicultural dimensions and present-day vitality of Lake Champlain and the surrounding landscape.  It is also an occasion to ponder the future and to ask what the lake will be for our great-grandchildren celebrating the Champlain quadricentennial in 2109.

Throughout the year a number of events will take place including fairs, festivals, sporting events, educational learning opportunities and a variety of other exciting opportunities to celebrate this anniversary.

For more information about existing events or if you would like to schedule an event of your own, please visit http://www.champlain400.com/ or call (802) 828-3683.