by Kelly Devine

Sunday may end up being the best day downtown in 2025. Thank you to everyone who made the parade celebrating the University of Vermont (UVM) Soccer Team’s 2024 Division 1 championship such an unforgettable event. Here’s to hoping 2025 brings many more days like this one.

First and foremost, a big shout out to the UVM Soccer Team, whose hard work and talent led to their win in overtime and this historic achievement. Thanks also go to Coach Rob Dow for leading the effort. Your perseverance and passion have brought immense pride to our community, and we are thrilled to celebrate your success.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to the University of Vermont Athletic Department, the City of Burlington, and Eastrise Credit Union for helping to create such a fantastic celebration. The coordination and effort that went into organizing the parade did not go unnoticed, and it truly made for a memorable day.

To the thousands of community members who came out to celebrate—thank you! Your energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering support created an atmosphere that was nothing short of electric. Part of the fun was bumping into so many friends and colleagues – I’ve missed that.

There is something special that happens when our downtown is full of people, it’s part of the magic. Downtown is home, it’s our community living room. Events like this remind us of the joy and connection that come from gathering there. It was truly heartwarming to witness such a strong sense of community pride. This celebration was a testament to what makes Burlington and UVM so special—our ability to come together and celebrate. And what better place to do that than the Church Street Marketplace.

The Church Street Marketplace has received numerous awards over the years, recognizing it as one of the best public spaces in the country. It has been named one of the Great Public Spaces in America by the American Planning Association and has received accolades for its pedestrian-friendly design, economic impact, and cultural significance. Church Street remains a cornerstone of our community’s identity and success.

On Sunday we saw the Church Street Marketplace in its best light. We were reminded of why we, 50+ years ago, invested so much in creating this amazing public space. We can’t afford to lose such a treasure. We need to work together to ensure it remains vibrant and thriving for years to come. Let’s make sure we can celebrate, gather, and connect on Church Street again and often.

And why wait, this weekend Church Street is hosting the Sweet Stroll and Mother of All Sales, next weekend Burlington is host to the Penguin Plunge. I hope to see you there.

Author is Executive Director of the Burlington Business Association.