Green Mountain Outlook

Ludlow — Having survived the torment of being as a gawky kid, I’ve been dogged by Valentine’s Day and its sappy overtones ever since. Even as a grown man, I fulminate against the schoolish popularity contest aspect of this ancient holiday, no doubt missing all the fun and romance. Oh, well. I can still hear the fading voices of the kids in the schoolyard—”So, how many Valentines did you receive?” Love it or leave it, Valentine’s Day remains a big deal with the ladies, married and single.

Funny that the sentiments of that old adage, “always a bridesmaid, never a bride”, might equally apply to the male sex today, but with a logical twist—”always a bachelor, never a groom”. But at Okemo Mountain Resort this past Valentine’s Day, the focus was on the single ladies.

Okemo’s hilarious “Running of the Bridesmaids” held on Valentine's Day had a lot of takers­.

Women arriving at the Okemo ticket window wearing formal attire, such as bridesmaid’s dresses, wedding gowns, prom dresses or even mannish tuxedos, were able to purchase a lift ticket for only $59.

Both straight and gay women joined in the fun; thus, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that “bridesmaids” nowadays defy yesterday’s stereotypes.

Each appropriately attired woman at the ticket window also received a coupon for a free order of chicken wings at the resort’s Sitting Bull grog shop, too.

“Everyone focuses on the romantic side of Valentine’s Day. What about all those skiers and riders who aren’t in a romantic relationship?” said Sarah Ebbott of Okemo. “We wanted to do something fun for all those people who are always in the wedding party, but never make it to the altar themselves.”

With discounted tickets in hand, the wedding party attired ladies met on the slopes above Ludlow for the official Running of the Bridesmaids. It wasn’t much of a serious race, but that was the point; watching the event for the sheer fun of it was worth the lift-ticket price.

“My girlfriend and I couldn’t resist,’ said Tanya Deem of Ludlow. “This was more fun than Halloween.”

Deem’s friend, Susan Harding of Chester agreed.

“We both put on our bridesmaids gowns we wore at a friend’s wedding in New York last summer,” Harding said.

At the conclusion of Okemo’s Valentine’s Day fun, the apres bridesmaids looked far more together and fun-loving than those shrinking violets of yesteryear.

Hey, Okemo, here’s an idea: how about next year combining wedding parties­? A bestmen versus bridesmaids event is bound to provide Vermont’s Cupid some needed overtime.