Governor Jim Douglas (center) and his wife, Dorothy, congratulate leadline competitor Natalia Torano at the 2009 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

August 13, 2010 – East Dorset, Vermont – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas will attend the Vermont Summer Festival horse show in East Dorset, VT, on Sunday, August 15.

Governor Douglas will be in attendance for the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, presented by Purina, beginning at 1 p.m. and will present the awards to the winning competitor.

The Governor is a frequent visitor to the Vermont Summer Festival, which is the richest sporting event in the state based on purse, awarding more than $750,000 in prize money. In addition, it is conservatively estimated that the Vermont Summer Festival and its competitors spend approximately $18 million locally on goods and services throughout the duration of the six-week equestrian competition.

Located at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children Wednesday through Saturday. On Sunday, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. All gate proceeds benefit Manchester Elementary-Middle School (MEMS).

For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail: info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.