This Saturday, September 26, Black Meadow Gallery and Tattoo and The Underground are putting on Skunk Fest in downtown Randolph. Ska plus punk plus festival. We have been talking about this one for years, and it's finally here. It starts free at 10am with the Punk Flea Market, inside both The Underground and Black Meadow on Pleasant Street. Alternative artists with jewelry, paintings, ceramics, band memorabilia, graffiti art, and Tarot readings. There are fixer demos where you can watch someone repair a thing instead of replacing it. And "Postcards for Treats" is running — a collaboration between Indivisible Randolph, Black Meadow, and a bunch of local businesses, supporting tiny acts of democracy. No ticket needed for any of it. Just walk in. Music starts at 1pm, rain or shine, in a fenced section of the Trillium parking lot. Ten bands, one stage, straight through to 10pm. Local legend Patrick O'Meara and The Problematics open the day. Then Dog Water (Burlington), Vallory Falls (Richmond), and Magic User (Montpelier). The horns take the back half: 2to1Ska (Gloucester, Mass.), Violet Crimes (Burlington), Steppin' Razor Blades (from all over New England), and McAsh (Windsor). Dead Street Dreamers (Rutland) go on at 8. Then renowned New Jersey ska band Hub City Stompers close it out at 9pm — their first-ever Vermont appearance — and send the crowd dancing into the night. Your wristband gets you all ten bands in the designated dance space and a spot to chill at Skunk's Lounge, featuring Bent Hill Brewery. We'll have drinks and snacks on site. For a real meal, please walk downtown and spend it at one of our restaurants. They're a big part of why this town can host a day like this. Wristbands are $30 - $40 online and at the gate. Tickets: https://sevendaystickets.ticketsauce.com/e/skunk-fest-2026/tickets VTDigger ran a piece on the festival and Riley Rae Burridge of Vallory Falls said the thing I'd most want a nervous first-timer to hear: "A lot of people think punk and think like, 'Oh, it's scary. Oh, there's a lot of folks that just look mean, look like they're gonna hurt me.' It is not like that. It is one of the most caring communities in the entire state." That's the day we're building. Come find out. Hope to see you downtown!