New Bedford Roots and Branches Festival Returning Bigger Than Ever

Indoor and outdoor locations in downtown New Bedford will be backdrop for the third annual New Bedford Roots and Branches Festival on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19.

Organizer Lauren Pusey stopped by Townsquare Sunday to share the robust schedule of performers and new additions to this year's event.

"The festival starts with a contradance on Friday the 18th at 6:30 (p.m.)," Pusey said. "It's a fun way to start the weekend. We're bringing in a caller, Paul Wilde, and an old-time band to do the dance thing."

The contradance is being run in conjunction with the New Bedford Summer Sound Series. Following the contradance at Custom House Square, spectators can walk up to the Purchase Street Stage and enjoy the music of NB Rude Boys.

All of the entertainment both Friday and Saturday is absolutely free.

"We really had to hit the ground this year with fundraising and sponsorships," Pusey said. "We worked really hard to make sure we kept this event 100 percent free."

"We went from nine stages to 13 this year and will have at least 65 performers during the festival," she said. "While most of the performances will be acoustic, we've added some electric bands on the schedule, along with dance bands, poetry, a puppet theater, ethnic dancers and a parade, so there is definitely a lot more to see."

Pusey said the culminating event will be held at Gallery X and involve the stories of six immigrants who have come to this country, using moving, panorama art to tell those stories.

"It's going to be amazing," she said.

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