As the year marches on, we find ourselves staring down a monumental occasion of which I’m not sure I’ve fully processed the significance. There’s a lot to unpack around the 250th anniversary of America – a lot to celebrate, a lot to reflect upon, and many lessons we can hopefully take to heart. But this isn’t the forum and, honestly, I’m not qualified to do any of that unpacking. Having said that: you don’t need a PhD in History or Political Science to know that at a time when we should be able to come together and celebrate as a nation, we find ourselves instead divided in ways that makes this momentous occasion feel more fraught than festive.
Like many of my generation, I grew up reading, watching, and digesting the works of Anthony Bourdain. As with many things in life, I didn’t realize how much he meant to me until he was gone. After his passing I realized his works provided shape to how I look at the world. Given the aforementioned divisive state of our nation, it may seem odd to point out my reverence for a man quoted as saying, “Assume the worst. About everybody”. However, what I always admired about Anthony Bourdain, and what I find myself looking towards today, was his dedication bridging cultures through food. Whether he was in the former Belgian Congo tracing the roots of Heart of Darkness, exploring the aftershocks of the Vietnam War in Southeast Asia, or simply visiting Ozarks and the Rust Belt of the US, Bourdain understood that food, and especially communal gatherings built around food, bridged cultural divides and forged common bonds.
All of this preamble brings me to the whole point of this blog post: The Round Up, the community gathering that was stewarded for so many years by the Sweet Spot. Yet another touchstone in my life that was perhaps taken for granted; something else I didn’t realize quite how much it meant to me until it was gone. Beyond being full of fun, laughter and delicious food, these weekly summer gatherings were an opportunity for the broader Valley community to gather and celebrate the joys of Summer in Vermont. And, on a more personal level, as a transplant, The Round Up was instrumental in making the Valley feel like home.
I know I’m not the only one who has felt this loss which is why I’m so thrilled to be able to write to you and share that we’re hosting The Round Up Revival: a community gathering of food, music and fun. This is all made possible thanks to the support and partnership of Sugarbush, and our community sponsors Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Barr Hill, Mad River Distillers, Mad River Glen, Mad River Lodging Group, Bob’s Roofing and Painting, and The Bee App.
The whole shebang kicks off July 2nd, just in time for the 250th celebration of the 4th of July. Is the Round Up Revival the solution to putting aside our differences and celebrating? Probably not, but it feels like a pretty good start; an opportunity for our diverse community to come together, and remember that even if we disagree on some things, we’ve got more in common than we do apart.
Thanks to these sponsors:
Sugarbush
Moore Building + Design
Lawsons
Mad River Distillers
Barr Hill
Bob’s Roofing
Mad River Lodging Group