September 4, 2023
Randolph, VT — The 31st Annual New World Festival hit the streets, tents, and halls of Randolph, Vermont yesterday. Oh! Randolph, you continue to dazzle.
Morris dancers made a splash, along with fiddlers, bagpipers, guitarists, and cloggers who graced several stages along Randolph’s main street with energy and enthusiasm, captivated and cheered on by followers from near and far.
From Scotland to Quebec, traditional and contemporary music and dance abounded. A futuristic marionette show enchanted kids and families. It all made for a wonderful, family-friendly afternoon and evening.
A large raven constructed of heavy brown cloth perched on its stand at the ready to be donned by a street dancer later in the day.
I recommend adding the New World Festival to your list of must-do, must-see, must-experience Upper Valley events every year.
Oh, and you should know that Randolph has exemplary maple creamies at Sweet Scoops on North Main Street — open most days. Just in case you have a craving!
Dave Celone usually writes from the northern fringes of the Upper Valley, where he’s vice president of alumni relations and development at his alma mater, Vermont Law and Graduate School.