On August 15 , 2026, Big Town Vermont held their Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Event, featuring the Best of the Fest 2026 touring program which included the Vermont-made award-winning film Best Day Ever directed by Ben Knight, recipient of the festival’s 2026 “Mobilize” Award.
Building on the success of last summer’s festival, which welcomed more than 150 attendees per screening, this year’s event highlighted the momentum of local trail initiatives and the arrival of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports in Rochester. Celebrating the growing movement for inclusive outdoor access, the event brought together organizations including Ridgeline Outdoor Collective, VT Huts & Trails, VMBA, and Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports to foster community connection, environmental stewardship, and expanded access to Vermont’s outdoor spaces.
Screenings were followed by a community Q&A on adaptive recreation, trail access, and the future of inclusive outdoor experiences in Vermont. Guests were then invited to gather at BigTown Vermont for the “Spirit of the Dough” wood-fired pizza dinner at 6:00 PM behind the bike shop.
Community partners hosted tents throughout the evening, offering opportunities to connect, share current projects, and celebrate the growing network of organizations working to expand access to Vermont’s outdoor spaces.
A raffle drawing closed the evening.
BigTown Vermont (BT—VT), is a multi-functional environment that invites folks to muse on rural Vermont life as they participate in the recreational and cultural offerings presented by BigTown Gallery est. 2003, Green Mountain Bikes est.1987, and The Stable Inn est. 2022. BigTown Gallery, and its non-profit, BigTown Projects, Inc. explores the local impact of creative economy. Their programming seeks to highlight accomplished and well-established artists for general appreciation, enjoyment, and investment.
BigTown Gallery, offers a full spectrum of visual, literary, and performing arts with its year-round exhibit schedule, Summer Reading Series, and performing arts events. Programming is presented by the Gallery’s non-profit 501c3 tax deductible sister-entity, BigTown Projects, and is generously supported by loyal audience members and partners; all free (unless noted otherwise) and open to the public. The Bigtown Projects events are currently held at BigTown Gallery Rochester, located in the heart of Vermont, on RT 100 at 99 North Main, Rochester.
Anni Mackay, Founder of BigTown Vermont Gallery, said, “The audience was really thrilled and moved by the selection of films and seemed to genuinely enjoy the whole event. People especially appreciated how the films connect big national and global concerns to real people, places, and stories. Best Day Ever was an amazing kick-off film for our community because it tied so beautifully into the work of the many trail organizations here in Vermont that are working with Vermont Adaptive to make trail access more inclusive. It gave us a chance to bring those organizations and different parts of our community together, celebrate the work already happening here, and connect it to a much larger national conversation about accessibility and inclusion. It was a really empowering way to showcase what is happening in our own backyard.”
When asked what her favorite thing about putting on this event was, Anni said, “I love the films—the stories and the way they highlight the amazing work of organizations and individuals. They humanize the moment. Very not AI. Instead of just talking about an issue, you get to meet the people who are living it, working on it, and creating change. It makes the whole event feel very personal and special.”
