The Fools Block Party is back for 2025! In the wake of budget cuts and funding challenges, BCA announced that the 18th annual Festival of Fools, a three-day celebration of busking, music, and street performance, would be paused for this year. The Burlington business community rallied and led by the owners of The Café HOT. crowdsourced a fundraising campaign to bring a smaller version of Festival of Fools to downtown Burlington this summer.

With the support of our amazing local business community, we’ll fill the streets of downtown Burlignton with foolish fun on Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2. The Fools Block Party will bring exciting entertainers and marvelous musicians to the Church Street Marketplace and City Hall Park for free, family-friendly fun. Save the dates and stay tuned for the full lineup of Fools!

The door is still open for businesses and community members to make a donation and get in on the fun of supporting the Fools Block Party and seeding the future of this beloved event.