GNAT-TV Hosts Hats Off To Summer June 3, 2026, a Fundraiser Support Local Access to Information and Community Voices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACTS:

Tammie Reilly, Executive Director, GNAT-TV: 802.362.7070, tammie@gnat-tv.org

Marc Harrington, Director of Advancement, GNAT-TV: 802.362.7070, marc@gnat-tv.org 

Manchester, VT – June 3, 2026 – At a time when local news and community storytelling are increasingly difficult to sustain, GNAT-TV is bringing people together for an evening that directly supports keeping that work alive. Hats Off to Summer – A Celebration of GNAT-TV takes place Wednesday, June 3 at 6PM at the Inn at Manchester Event Barn.

The event serves as a fundraiser for GNAT-TV, a nonprofit community media center working to keep local information accessible at a time when coverage is increasingly limited. GNAT-TV provides coverage of local government meetings and community events, produces original programming including candidate interviews and in-depth conversations, and offers hands-on media education for youth and adults. The organization also gives community members the tools, training, and platform to create and share their own content. Proceeds from the evening help ensure that community members continue to have access to reliable local information and a platform to share their own stories.

Community media doesn’t happen on its own,” said Marc Harrington, Director of Advancement at GNAT-TV. “It takes people, equipment, training, and time to show up consistently for this region. This event is a great way to experience GNAT-TV and show your support, while sustained giving is what keeps the community work going long after the evening ends. Together, event attendance and ongoing support help keep local information accessible, community voices visible, and programs thriving year-round.”

GNAT-TV will also present its 2026 GNATTY Award for Community Impact to Shawn Harrington of the Manchester Historical Society in recognition of his dedication to preserving and sharing local history and his ongoing collaboration with GNAT-TV to bring those stories to broader audiences. Through partnerships that have strengthened organizations including the Manchester Historical Society and Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL), Harrington’s work has helped preserve and amplify the stories that shape the region.

“History isn’t just a collection of dates or old documents; it is the shared thread that weaves our various villages and towns into a single community,” said Shawn Harrington. “Our local heritage doesn’t stop at a town line or belong to any one organization. It belongs to all of us, and it’s a privilege to work alongside partners like GNAT-TV to ensure these stories are heard and preserved for the next generation.”

“Hats Off to Summer is really about bringing our community together,” said Tammie Reilly, Executive Director of GNAT-TV. “It’s a chance to enjoy a great evening of music, food, and connection while celebrating the role community media plays in keeping us informed and engaged, essential work that needs community support now more than ever.”

The evening will feature live music from Shermtone and The Bonfire joined by special guest Maxine Linehan, hors d’oeuvres featuring products from Vermont Salumi, 5 Generations Creamery, and Champlain Valley Creamery, taco truck by Haystack Catering, and desserts generously donated by The Crooked Ram and pastry chef Alli Ford. The evening will also include a presentation of the 2026 GNATTY Award for Community Impact, a silent auction, and a cash bar. Attendees are encouraged to dress in casual summer cocktail attire, with hats welcomed as part of the theme.

Tickets are $125 if purchased in advance and are available for $150 afterwards.

This event is sponsored by J.K. Adams, Brook Valley Appliance, At Home Senior Care, Crooked Ram/Bondville Bodega, Vermont Salumi, 5 Generations Creamery, Champlain Valley Creamery, Farmers and Cooks Craft Meats, The Village Community Acupuncture, and all of our generous local program underwriters.

For more information, visit https://gnat-tv.org/fundraiser-event/.

About GNAT-TV:

GNAT-TV is a nonprofit community media organization dedicated to serving the towns of Southern Vermont. GNAT-TV distributes local content on Comcast Cable Channels 1074, 1084, 1094; at gnat-tv.org, on YouTube, Roku, FireTV and Apple TV. GNAT-TV provides residents with the tools and resources to create and share media content that reflects the diverse voices and stories of our local communities. As a leading voice for community media, GNAT-TV helps foster a stronger sense of connection, engagement, and civic responsibility across the region. Learn more at: gnat-tv.org