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