As a landmass right in lake Champlain, Ralston is no stranger to the act of fishing. However, as such an isolated landmass, regulation becomes difficult; while we can assume the population of Ralston would be responsible while fishing, a lack of guarantees means that Ralston could land in hot water if the lake were to suffer from overfishing.
Enter: A dedicated home for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Instead of having a Ralston dedicated Fish and Wildlife department separate from the state government, direct cooperation results in not only maintaining a healthy ecosystem but also allows for easy access to things like hunting licenses without requiring long drives to and from the other nearest public facilities. The building will be established in the populated area of ward 3, placing it close to both populated areas and the large forest on the east side of the island.
Ralston would benefit greatly from incorporating an Annual Canoe Race around the island, both as a tourist attraction and as a recreational way to bring the community together once a year. Ralston’s main attraction is how it is a small island surrounded by water, which makes a recreational race around the island very plausible and unique, because most other islands are far too large to accommodate a race of that scale. Not only this, but Ralston could also hold events prior to the race where the community can come together to build and decorate their own canoes, which highlights the creativity of the town and the pride they have in their community. This could be for all age groups, or it could be separated into junior and senior events to make the competition more fair.
To make watching the race entertaining, there could be stations set up around the coast of the island for residents to set up camps and watch as the racers go by, whilst also having cameramen on boats following and recording the racers to go on live television for those that are unable to attend the race in person. Prizes for the race could include something physical like a trophy, or memorial like being able to name an attraction or tourist spot in Ralston.
The Ralston Storytelling Festival serves as a gathering for residents of all ages to listen, share, and participate in storytelling of all kinds. The festival has story contests, exhibitions of the city’s artifacts, and booths where aspiring authors and storytellers can make their stories known. This initiative is not only a place for entertainment, but education and community pride. This festival serves as a celebration of Ralston’s past, and exploration of its future.
This festival is hosted in the Ralston Amphitheater, on the third weekend of June every year, and is a celebration of stories meant for everyone.
Summer Day Camp: City Hall is proud to announce their partnership with Ralston Elementary School to bring the children of Ralston a brand new day camp to attend during Summer vacation. It runs for the month of July, with. camp hours set between 9 AM and 1 PM, and is going to be held at Ralston Elementary School.
During the day, kids will rotate through different activities like arts and crafts, playing games in the gym, time on the playground or baseball diamond, and a surprise “special” activity that changes each day. Certain days of the week will also be dedicated to field trips to places such as ECHO in neighboring Burlington. Sign ups are done at City Hall and are now open to Ralston citizens only, but will open to non-citizens at a later date.
In the town of Ralston, a tight knit community that supports locals, it makes absolutely no sense to have an art museum that looks like a pretentious “modern art” holding cell. It is a complete eyesore that exists in ward 2 and should be replaced with an art gallery featuring local artists and built to look like it actually belongs in this town. This proposed art gallery will be made to look like the surrounding architecture but with a public graffiti wall on its front for locals to paint on, this wall will be cleaned once each season as it will allow more people to paint on it. Photos of previous graffiti walls will be featured in the gallery. Each season is also when the pieces within the gallery will be changed and flyers will be put up to advertise free spaces for local artists to display their art work in the gallery. There will be a 5 dollar entry fee as this place would need funding to stay open.
The Ralston City Arcade, located by the Figley Cinema in Ward two, will satisfy all of your entertainment desires! We offer a wide variety of entertainment from retro arcade cabinets to laser tag and even go-karts! This will be an ever-expanding attraction that will drag you in. We also offer food options so you can eat and get right back into the action. We plan to host events during the warmer months and have half-off token prices on Tuesdays! Having a birthday party? Come to the Ralston City Arcade, where all you have to do is book your party with us, tell us your child’s preferences, and we will cover the rest. This will serve as a comfortable and fun place where kids get to have fun and parents get to be kids again! For the future, we plan to expand with ziplining, escape rooms, laser mazes, and more! So come on down to the Ralston City Arcade where everyone gets to have fun!
The Ralston City Theater serves both the local thespians of Ralston and the general public by performing productions of musicals and plays, hosting local musical events, and other live performances. The Ralston City Theater hosts yearly field trips for the Ralston Elementary School, allowing students to experience live theatrical events. The Ralston City Theater is run by a skilled team of professionals and administrators and aided by our generous volunteers and supporters! The Ralston City Theater hosts yearly and monthly events, such as the August Dance Off, the monthly Improv Night, and the Ralston’s Kids’ Take Over. These events bring life and laughter to our city, showing exactly what Ralston has to offer in the world of live performance. Our theater is open to all kinds of shows! Anyone who wants to put on a performance only has to fill out our application form with the appropriate information, and our administrative team will review it.
The Ralston Legal Wall has become a thriving hub for street artists, locals, and visitors alike. The wall provides a designated, legal space for graffiti and mural art, transforming what was once a neglected concrete stretch into a vibrant, ever-evolving outdoor gallery.
This initiative emerged from the need to provide young, creative individuals with a positive and legally sanctioned outlet for their expression. Ralston, traditionally known for its family- oriented atmosphere, recognized that community also includes those on the margins. By embracing their talents and giving them a voice, the city took a bold step toward inclusion and innovation.
The Ralston Legal Wall serves multiple purposes. It gives graffiti artists a platform to showcase their work without fear of punishment, while also reducing illegal tagging throughout the city. The space is maintained through a partnership between the city, local businesses, and community volunteers, ensuring it remains clean and welcoming.
Initially, there were substantial hurdles. Public concern over graffiti promoting crime made community buy-in difficult. City officials faced zoning restrictions and liability questions, while skeptics feared increased clean-up costs. Today, the wall attracts photographers, art lovers, and even school field trips. It rotates themes quarterly, inviting artists to contribute to evolving community conversations—ranging from local history to social justice to pure artistic expression. More than just paint on a wall, the Ralston Legal Wall is a bold statement: art belongs to everyone.
The Ralston Block Party has grown to be a well-liked tradition that unites neighbors and citizens for a full day of festivities, food, music, and fun. Each summer, Ralston’s West Lake Avenue, Lake Street, Nailor Memorial Park, and Ralston Municipal Pool are closed off to traffic and transformed into a lively festival area. The streets are lined with neighborhood shops, food trucks, artists, and entertainers that provide everything from live music and games for all ages to handcrafted goods. The block celebration is a lively reminder of the Ralston community’s resilience and warmth. Families set up lawn chairs along the sidewalk and park, children play in the park and municipal pool, and community groups host booths to share their services. The nightly performance by local bands is followed by a breathtaking fireworks display that illuminates the night sky. In addition, there are food drives, charity giveaways, and events that benefit local nonprofits. The family-friendly celebrations come to an end as the sun sets, and the focus switches to the adult after-party. This portion of the celebration is intended to help the adults relax and continue the fun. Guests may enjoy a night of dancing, laughing, and music at the after-party, which includes themed dance floors, live DJ performances, and a selection of creative beverages. After the day’s events, it’s the ideal chance for adults to relax, bond, and enjoy the sense of community. The after-party, which provides a bright, dynamic setting to cap off a day full of happiness and connection, has grown to be a crucial part of the block party custom. Our town’s sense of pride and belonging is greatly enhanced by the Ralston Community Block Party. Everyone has the opportunity to rejoice together, make new friends, and catch up with old acquaintances, regardless of their background. This custom exemplifies what makes Ralston unique: a dedication to culture, community, and making happy memories with one another.
Welcome to the Ralston Life center and gym. An athletic club made to improve the lives and well-being of the citizens of Ralston, Vermont. This facility is locally owned and operated making it a substantial force for Ralston’s economy. The Ralston Life Center is a perfect place to gather, the center includes a full gym and fitness classes for members to enjoy. Take advantage of the center’s smoothie bar to recharge after an intense workout, or even unwind in either our private or public pool, or our expansive spa. The outdoor sections are open rain or shine. In case of bad weather there is a specially designed barrier that will come out. Our center is the pinnacle of clean all the way down to the energy used to power the place. The center uses geothermal and solar power. This place promotes health, wellbeing, and most importantly community.
Ralston, Vermont's "Green Island" City 