MONTPELIER,  Vt. – Vermonters now have the opportunity to purchase a new Lake Champlain Quadricentennial commemorative license plate that can be displayed over front plates for two years.

The official Quadricentennial commemorative plates, “Vermont Celebrates Champlain,” are being sold online through Vermont Life magazine and at various retail outlets  for $25. The special plate, approved by the Legislature last spring, may be  placed over front plates of Vermont cars now through June 30, 2010. A limited  edition of numbered license plates are expected to be available by early  fall.
 
“In 2009, the  Lake Champlain Quadricentennial will be a remarkable opportunity to celebrate  Vermont’s fascinating history and encourage economic activity across the  state,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “The commemorative plate will serve as a  special keepsake to mark this historic milestone of Samuel de Champlain’s  exploration of our region.”
 
Next year will  mark the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of  the lake that now bears his name. Celebrations will kick off on Dec. 31 at  First Night Burlington, followed by a series of special events, cultural  exhibits and educational programs that will take place throughout the  Champlain Valley and beyond in 2009.
 
The Lake  Champlain Quadricentennial Commission is working with Vermont Life magazine on  product development and sales. In addition to the Quadricentennial license  plate, other Quadricentennial products available for purchase include  t-shirts, tote bags, hats, mugs, pins and more. Products are available at www.vermontlifecatalog.com

“Much like the  state’s bicentennial license plate in 1991, we are confident that the  Quadricentennial plate will be a very popular item here in Vermont,” said  Bruce Hyde, chair of the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. “Our hope  is that all of the Quadricentennial products will appeal to people who are  passionate about Vermont and Lake Champlain.”
 
To order a Vermont Celebrates Champlain license plate or other Quadricentennial product, call Vermont Life at 1-800-455-3399 or visit www.vermontlifecatalog.com.
 
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Editors: To  download a high-resolution image of the Vermont Quadricentennial license plate, visit www.celebratechamplain.org/plate

For more information contact: 
Erica Houskeeper, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
802-828-0528, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it