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Mapping the Old North End Ramble
Wander through the side streets of Burlington, Vermont’s Old North End, and you’ll catch a hint of something weird, wooly and wonderful lurking below the surface; a boldly painted house here, a matter-of-factly antlered man there. You might wave an occasional hello to Birdman on his Rastafarian bicycle cart, bedecked in feathers and local legend. On one day a year, however, the Old North End (O.N.E.) gives itself permission to let its freak flag fly. Now in its 10th year, the event is a testament to the core strength of the local arts movement and its support from the community.
Local businesses and artists begin planning months in advance. Celebrants are guided by a specially designed map that allows them to “ramble” through over forty sites in the neighborhood. As 2010-2011 Ramble Coordinator and current Ramble Board Member/Volunteer Darshana Bolt explains, “The Old North End is an extraordinary confluence of the arts, community, music, games and activities, crafts, delicious local food, bikes, and an ever-changing, delectable menu of events that celebrate the creative life and exuberance of Burlington’s Old North End.”
An Artistic Community
The O.N.E.’s artistic community is integrated into a rich cultural milieu of transplants, refugees (about thirty percent of the O.N.E.’s public school population is international), and local Vermonters in this thriving yet lower-income side of town. More than any other part of an otherwise slightly tony New England college town, the Old North End feels more like an old-fashioned neighborhood with a touch of urban grit.
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Founding The Ramble
The Ramble was created in 2004 by co-founders Heather Driscoll and Lee Anderson, based on the simple concept of creating a completely community-driven event that would shine a spotlight on the creativity, diversity and pride of the Old North End. Organizers made a map, told residents “anything goes” and proclaimed it a smashing success. The Ramble has grown in size and organization since its inception, employing yearly coordinators since 2010 in addition to its volunteer board members. While retaining its spontaneous nature, the Ramble asks businesses, artists and musicians to register in order to reserve space and be placed on the map. Anderson, owner of local scene hub Radio Bean Coffeehouse and adjoining international street food café ¡Duino! (Duende), also started the Precipice music festival, a 3-day music and art extravaganza on the shore of Lake Champlain featuring nearly 70 Vermont-based acts. This past July 27th, the Ramble segued into the Precipice via an Epic Bike Ride to the festival gates, with reduced rates for Ramble attendees.
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A Ramble On Through
Ramblers are issued a hand-drawn, time-based map that begins with a good old-fashioned Field Day (complete with arm wrestling and baby races!). From there, it meanders through a Garden Party, the Hill Climb Bike Challenge (including unicycles), wellness events, art shows, and over to a New Orleans-style street party on tiny 1-block Decatur St. There is also free yoga, live music at nearly every stop, Queer Kickball, a variety of African music events at North End Studios, and food specials at local cafes, including Mawuhi African Market- where you can also catch a performance by Elvis Presley! If you are lucky, you might also catch Burlington’s bike-based mobile greeting card company, on the move all day. Along the way, stop into Eunice’s Airy Verandah for voodoo tarot poetry and a “Stanley” whisper contest and swing by a party in a psychotherapy office. As the sun begins to set, a parade commences as Ramblers perk up their ears and stream into the street, lured by the strains of a rag-tag brass band (with this year’s lead Pied Piper in, what else? Hot pants!) toward the lake for a party that lasts until the wee hours.
So for one day a year, put on your brightest red robe, unfurl your wooliest beard, strap on your gas mask and drum set, take off everything but your hot pants and cowboy boots, and march to the improvised beat of Burlington’s scruffy heart.
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