French Canadian Music, Celtic Music
Featured at Festival Sunday

FESTIVAL! The 14th annual New World Festival brings musicians from all over New England and Canada to Randolph Sunday. (Herald / Bob Eddy)

The 14th annual New World Festival takes over Randolph's Main Street Sunday Sept. 3, 2006, from noon to midnight, in what has become one of Vermont's most popular festivals.

The musical traditions of the Celtic peoples—the Scotch, English and Irish—are closely related to those of the Franco-Americans in Canada. The blend of these two dynamic cultures is the intoxicating New World Festival mix that brings audiences back year after year.

The event is all-weather and accessible

Once again, more than 50 performers from New England, the British Isles, and Quebec will offer both traditional and up-to-date Celtic and French-Canadian music.

Once again, the dance tent will be filled all day for dancing, led by the music of topnotch bands and instructed by some of New England's best dance callers.

The New World Festival, always held on Labor Day Sunday, also celebrates the rebirth of a Vermont community. It was born as part of a remarkable civic rebirth after three fires in Randolph's historic downtown (circa 1870).

A large crafts area takes over part of the Gallery at Chandler, with a variety of jewelry, prints, foods, instruments, glass art, and weavings.

Food and drink have been a big part of the New World Festival from the start. (The pies from the Episcopal Church are reason enough to attend!)

Vermont micro-brews are available, and a local bottled water company, ClearSource Inc., serves its delicious refreshment. Audiences eat and drink at convivial tables while listening to the music.

Musicians and visitors alike comment consistently on the friendly atmosphere of the New World Festival.

"Its just the best we ever played at," said Cape Breton fiddling legend John Campbell after two visits.

The Randolph National Bank has been sponsor of the Festival since its inception.

Other generous sponsors include Gifford Medical Center, HydroQuebec, the Lamson-Howell Foundation, Rain or Shine Tents, Vermont Technical College, Anichini of Tunbridge, ClearSource, Inner Traditions/Bear & Co. of Rochester, Merrill Financial Communications, Robert Williams Associates of Pittsfield, and National Life of Vermont. Both the Canadian Consulate in Boston and the Delegation of Québec contribute tot he Festival because of its role in bringing French Canadian culture to New England audiences.

Its also funded in part by the Expeditions Program of the New England Foundation for the Arts.