September 26, 2026…
East Burke Village was hopping on Saturday, September 26th as folks from near and far gathered to celebrate the 37th Annual Burke Fall Festival. The festival is hosted by the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce which estimates that about 1,500-2,000 people come to the village to enjoy the many offerings of the event.
One of the highlights each year is the presentation of the Burke Citizen of the Year award. The Burke Chamber presents this award to a community member who flies under the radar while quietly giving back to the community through volunteerism and other efforts that benefit residents and visitors. The award is always a surprise for the winner.
This year, Burke Chamber President, Burton Hinton and Chamber Board Member, Peggy Clay surprised Susan Pierce with the 2026 Burke Citizen of the Year award. Pierce was recognized for decades of volunteering for various New England and Northeast Kingdom organizations that promote conservation efforts as well as respectful and inclusive use of shared lands.
Regionally, Pierce has volunteered with the Connecticut Chapter of NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association), IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association), Mount Agamenticus Conservation Program in Maine, and Tarheel Trailblazers in North Carolina. She has served on the board of the Manchester Land Conservation Trust in Connecticut.
Pierce lives in Burke and has serves on the board of the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition and has served on the board of One Burke. She volunteers with several local organizations including Kingdom Trails and Adaptive Sports Partners which helps people with disabilities get out on the trails and enjoy the variety of outdoor recreation the State has to offer. Pierce also organizes the Women’s Ride Wednesday Mountain Biking Group which welcomes women of all biking abilities. In this role, she also makes it a point to support local businesses by ending the outings with a post-ride gathering at a local pub or restaurant.
Said Clay upon presenting the award, “When we think about what makes someone a great citizen, the people who make the biggest difference are the ones who simply see something that needs to be done and say, ‘I’ll help’. This year’s recipient is one of those people.’
‘She has spent years helping create opportunities for people to get outside, connect with one another, enjoy our incredible landscape, and feel like they are part of something bigger.’
‘Her contributions to our community go far beyond simply volunteering her time. She helps build community. She advocates for the places we love and the outdoor spaces that make the Northeast Kingdom such a special place to live. And, perhaps most importantly, she does all of this without looking for recognition. She just keeps showing up, putting in the work, and making things better.”
Upon receiving the award, Pierce gave a simple “thank you” and wished everyone a great day at the festival.
After reflecting upon the award, Pierce said, “I am so honored to have been chosen for the award. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this amazing community where so many people truly care about their neighbors and are willing to step up and help out again and again.’
‘Being a volunteer with Adaptive Sports Partners and organizing Women’s Ride Wednesdays for the past few years has been incredibly rewarding. Helping someone tackle a goal, overcome a fear or just try something new makes it so worthwhile. A smile is a powerful message.”
In addition to her family and friends, several organizations who have benefitted from her efforts including Kingdom Trails and Adaptive Sports Partners were present at the festival to cheer her on as she received the award.