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The Mad River Glen Cooperative is marking three decades of community ownership with a milestone celebration this weekend, pairing festivities on the mountain with a community farewell to a longtime fixture of its childcare program.
The cooperative’s 30th anniversary party is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Basebox, bringing together shareholders, skiers and local supporters to honor the history of one of the nation’s only skier-owned ski areas.
Organizers say the evening is designed to reflect both the cooperative’s past and its future, with a mix of entertainment, community traditions and fundraising. A silent auction will feature unique experiences and memorabilia tied to the mountain’s legacy, including a historic single chair dating to 1949 and a large-format trail map created by noted ski artist James Niehues. While most items will be available only to in-person attendees, select pieces are open for online bidding, with the auction closing during the event.
Live music will be provided by The Grift, giving attendees a chance to dance as part of the celebration. The evening will also feature a fireworks display, adding a visual tribute to the cooperative’s 30-year milestone. Food will be catered by a Burlington-based provider, offering what organizers describe as a “gourmet” spread.
“This milestone belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey,” organizers said in a statement, emphasizing the cooperative’s roots in community involvement and shared stewardship.
Tickets for the event are limited and were made available through the cooperative’s online store and in person at the mountain. Rather than issuing physical tickets, organizers are using a guest list system for entry.
The anniversary celebration comes as the cooperative reflects on its unique place in the ski industry. Mad River Glen has long distinguished itself with a focus on preserving traditional skiing culture, including its single-chair lift and cooperative ownership model, which allows shareholders to help guide operations.
The weekend will also mark a significant transition for another cornerstone of the Mad River Glen community. After 52 years, Callie McAllister is set to retire from her role leading the Cricket Club daycare at the end of the season. Her final day is scheduled for Sunday, March 29.
McAllister has overseen the care of multiple generations of young skiers, earning a reputation as a central figure in the mountain’s family-oriented culture. Many parents who once attended the daycare as children have since entrusted her with their own.
Her retirement is being recognized with a community effort to compile a photo album, inviting families and former attendees to contribute images and captions that reflect her decades of impact. Upload photos here: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMrSKcRBes_r_mT5wQ0fO1GsvDkbQu925xUbsyMScLMNFuBqNkhlGt_qIarLK5NYw?key=cEhyUUZQWTJvdE5UN19
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