When summer arrives in southern Vermont, communities gather outdoors — on blankets and lawn chairs, under open skies, with music, food, laughter, and children running barefoot through the grass. The Bandwagon Summer Series returns this June with exactly that spirit, opening its 2026 season with “Fun Fest for Kids and Kids at Heart” on Saturday, June 13 at the Putney Central School Field.
The afternoon celebration begins when gates open at 2 p.m., with performances and activities starting at 3 p.m. Designed as an all-ages experience, the event combines puppetry, live music, circus arts, community art-making, and student performances into one lively outdoor festival.
Headlining the day are The DiTrani Brothers, whose spirited sound blends Balkan rhythms, early American jazz, and swing into a style all their own. Mixing original music with imaginative reinterpretations of classic tunes, the group brings playful energy and infectious rhythms to the festival atmosphere.
Also taking the stage is Sandglass Theater with “Punschi,” a whimsical hand-puppet performance staged beneath a giant umbrella. Originally created by Sandglass co-founder Ines Zeller Bass and now performed by her daughter Jana Zeller, the show draws from the traditions of German fairground puppetry. Audiences can expect humor, music, and plenty of audience participation in a performance that has delighted generations of children and adults alike.
Adding a distinctly local dimension to the afternoon are performances by the Putney Central School Middle School Modern and Jazz Bands. The student musicians will perform contemporary selections and jazz standards, showcasing the creativity and growing artistry of young performers from the community.
Beyond the stage, organizers have planned a full afternoon of hands-on activities. Guests can try the flying trapeze with NECCA, watch balloon artistry by Doug the Devil Stick Man from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and contribute to a collaborative community art project led by Amber Paris. Local organizations will also host activity and resource tables throughout the venue.
Food vendors for the event include Putney General Store, Taza, and The Blue Pig, with refreshments available onsite. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or fold-up chairs and settle in for a relaxed afternoon outdoors.
The Bandwagon Summer Series has become a seasonal tradition across Putney, Brattleboro, and Bellows Falls, presenting family-friendly outdoor performances from June through September at parks, farms, and ballfields throughout the region. The series features a wide variety of music, puppetry, and circus arts, with dedicated play areas at every event and free admission for children under 12.
Tickets for “Fun Fest for Kids and Kids at Heart” are $28 in advance and $32 at the gate. The event takes place at the Putney Central School Field, 182 Westminster West Road in Putney. Advance tickets and additional information are available at nextstagearts.org.
The event is sponsored in part by The Greenwood School.