Burton owners open home for Fall Bash

Burton owners Jake and Donna Carpenter once again opened their home in the hills of Stowe, Vermont for Burton’s annual Fall Bash on Saturday.

More than a thousand people attended the party, including some retailers from North America, Europe and Japan, employees, team riders, friends of Burton and family friends. Many also came to lend their support to Jake, who is in the midst of treatment for testicular cancer.

The rain and muddy conditions did not dampen the fun at the party, which is both a kid and adult nirvana.

For kids, there were pony rides, face painting, special play areas, and access to the Carpenter family play room, which includes an indoor soccer rink, foosball, pool and ping pong tables and a full-sized Pacman game. There is also a skateable tunnel that connects the play area to the main part of the house.

Kids also had their own buffet with macaroni and cheese, hotdogs, hamburgers and the kids’ staple – Goldfish.

For adults, the fare included a huge selection of gourmet appetizers, including duck confit on basil pesto crostini, a dinner buffet with fresh roasted pulled pork and garlic mashed potatoes, and a dessert table with an array of pies and cookies, including an especially delicious caramel apple pie.

The Itals performed in the family’s garage, as did Z-Trip, and the large selection of microbrews on tap also proved popular.

The Fall Bash is the annual party that kicks off Burton’s winter season.

We’ll have more stories from my visit to Burton headquarters this week, including interviews with senior Burton executives.

Editor’s note: Shop-eat-surf pays its own travel expenses on reporting trips.