Contractors, housing advocates and families will gather May 30 for a new event aimed at addressing two of Vermont’s most pressing challenges: a shortage of affordable housing and a shrinking construction workforce.
Valley Field Days, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kenyon’s Field in Waitsfield, will bring together local builders, nonprofits, and community members for a daylong construction expo, live demonstrations, and family activities.
The event is presented by Kingsbury Companies, with superintendent Cody Balch putting it together. Balch described the event as both a community gathering and a response to broader economic pressures facing the state.
“This isn’t just an event — it’s a working solution,” Balch said in a press release.
Local construction companies will build structures on-site throughout the day, showcasing their work in real time. Those projects will later be auctioned or sold, with proceeds supporting affordable housing efforts, organizers said.
The event is being organized in partnership with groups including Habitat for Humanity and Downstreet Housing & Community Development, both of which focus on expanding access to housing in Vermont.
Balch said the event is designed to highlight the connection between the state’s housing shortage and the lack of young workers entering the trades, describing it as a way to bring attention to an issue affecting communities across Vermont.
Across the state, contractors are struggling to find and retain skilled workers, he said, while demand for housing continues to rise. Younger workers often face barriers to entering the field because of the high cost of living, he said, contributing to both workforce shortages and limited housing supply.
Valley Field Days will also include heavy equipment demonstrations, opportunities for attendees to interact with contractors and a family-friendly “Kid Zone” featuring games, bounce houses and other activities.
Balch said the event is intended to create a space where the construction industry, housing organizations and the public can connect in a hands-on setting, something that is not often seen.
The event will serve as a combination of community gathering, workforce awareness effort and demonstration of the trades, he said, offering a practical look at one of Vermont’s most persistent challenges.
Organizers say the goal is to show how collaboration between builders and housing advocates can contribute to solutions, while also encouraging more people to consider careers in the trades.
Balch said he hopes the event will help demonstrate how the industry can play a direct role in addressing the state’s housing needs while building a stronger workforce for the future.
