Photo by Tim Calabro, The Randolph Herald The Midnight Capers wow crowds in the family tent at last year's Randolph New World Festival. The festival returns again this year on Labor Day Sunday, September 6 from Noon to Midnight. Once again Randolph's Main Street will be the place to be Labor Day weekend as the Chandler presents its 17th annual New World Festival on Sunday September 6. From noon to midnight the center of town will be alive with family activities and traditional - and occasionally not so traditional - Celtic and French Canadian music and dance presented on five all-weather performance stages.

The 2009 festival is dedicated to fiddler Jerry Holland. This giant in the world of Cape Breton fiddle music died in July after a battle with cancer. Fiddler Ashley MacIsaac notes that Holland was an inspiration for a generation of Cape Breton musicians. MacIsaac and other young Cape Breton fiddlers would get Holland's books of Cape Breton fiddle tunes "and dig through them like they were the Bible".

Jerry's indomitable spirit and the breadth of his contributions to the world of Cape Breton music were powerfully demonstrated at last year's festival as it drew to a close with an emotional performance with Irish guitar player extraordinaire John Doyle. Two years ago, Holland had been diagnosed with the cancer that ultimately claimed him. This first joint performance was an hour of intense musical discovery, and 600 captivated listeners had the privilege of listening in.

Jerry Holland's impact on people in the Central Vermont area was enormous. Fellow Cape Breton fiddler and teaching partner Beth Telford says, "Jerry was not only the finest friend a person could have, but an example of the kind of human being and teacher and player that I would aspire to be. He gave selflessly to his teaching and his students. He had enormous patience, no matter what level of player he was teaching."

Jerry will be honored by a special closing performance in the Music Hall featuring young Cape Breton musicians and colleagues.

This year's New World Festival is also an official Lake Champlain Quadricentennial event, recognized for its promotion of the understanding of Vermont's French heritage. Festival-goers will appreciate fine performances by an array of Quebecois musicians including venerable fiddler Claude Méthé and Dent-de-Lion, Les Poules à Colin, Réveillons!, and Les Batinses.

New World Festival fans will welcome the return of John Doyle and Gadelle, a four-member, all-woman, traditional French Acadian band that wowed audiences last year with their high-energy and fine musicianship. The dynamic Scottish band Cantrip again brings their masterful interweaving of fiddles, pipes, guitar and bouzouki.

Performers this year also include Hot Flannel, Long Time Courting, Trio 7, Jeremiah McLane, David Surette, and Sheefra. Peter and Mary Alice Amidon and Adina Gordon will call traditional dances. Randolph's own No Strings Marionette Company will entertain children of all ages in the family tent, and Midnight Capers brings their Morris dancing to Main Street.

Over the course of its 16-year history, this family-friendly festival has earned a passionate following among both patrons and performers. More than one band has said, "This is our favorite festival!" because of its, intimate connection with audiences, cheerful volunteers, and superb venues. Pipers, fiddlers, accordionists, drummers, guitarists, step dancers, puppeteers, and dance callers have and give a great time.

The Festival store is a favorite destination, offering performers' CDs, including some hard to find anywhere else. The Food Tent provides a rich variety of international offerings including Vermont beers and wines.

Performances in Chandler Music Hall and Bethany Church are augmented by impromptu performances in the Sessions Tent, participatory activity in the Dance Tent, and a Family Tent with storytelling, marionettes, creative activities, music, and dance by young fiddlers and dancers.

Inside the Chandler Gallery and on the streets, Vermontmade jewelry, prints, foodstuffs, instruments, and fabric arts will be for sale, along with traditional crafts from around the world.

For a complete listing of performers, vendors, ticket, lodging and travel information, visit www.NewWorldFestival.com.

Recognized eight times by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as one of their Top Ten seasonal events, the festival was conceived 17 years ago as a community spirit-builder after Randolph suffered three devastating downtown fires. Now an annual event, it is run entirely by 150 enthusiastic community volunteers under the artistic direction of the New World Festival's music coordinator Kevin Dunwoody. Ticket prices have been level-funded again this year, and discounted advance tickets are available online in an effort to keep the festival family-friendly and affordable.

The New World Festival enjoys generous support from the Vermont business community. The lead sponsor for all of its 17 years is Randolph National Bank. The bank is joined by Gifford Medical Center, The Three Stallion Inn, Vermont Technical College, Vermont Law School, Casella Waste Management, National Life, Rain or Shine Tent Company, Ben and Jerry's Foundation, Inner Traditions. The Delegation of Québec and Hydro-Québec also contribute for the furtherance of French Canadian culture in New England. The Festival received a generous Community Arts grant from the Vermont Arts Council, a program made possible by public funds received from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Vermont State Legislature.

All festival net proceeds go to support programming for youth at Chandler.

All tickets are available at the gate on the day of the festival. Advance tickets are available online or by visiting area merchants before August 31. Free admission to the New World Festival can be earned by volunteering for three hours. Call 802- 276-3808 if interested.

No pets, s'il vous plait.