Fools Block Party, Church Street Marketplace and City Hall Park, Burlington Credit: Luke Awtry

Fools Block Party, Church Street Marketplace and City Hall Park, Burlington, Saturday, August 2:

I was shocked when news broke in February that Festival of Fools, Burlington City Arts’ annual three-day street performance celebration, had been canceled this year. Through the generosity of a list of local businesses longer than my word count, the festival was revived over the weekend as the two-day Fools Block Party. Though scaled down, it still had it all. High-flying, trash-talking, body-ruining feats of strength and agility? Check. The juggling of unsafe things, the balancing of unnatural things, and asking audiences for help with unsafe and unnatural things? Check. Clowns, tumblers and contortionists? Check, check and check! The musical acts were few but mighty, highlighted by Woody Keppel‘s Hokum and the Russian Strongman act. In City Hall Park, BCA’s Twilight Block Party eased revelers into the evening with a mellow set by folk duo Cricket Blue, followed by an absolute rocker of a set by indie band Robber Robber. Clearly, BCA is not fooling around when it comes to giving the people what they want.

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This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2025.

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Luke Awtry took the long way to becoming a professional photographer, with a path through music, technology and engineering, and he remains active in each. His first Seven Days assignment was on Town Meeting Day in March 2018, and he has since supported...