Local Traditions

Back to Our Roots: Tradition and the Strength of Local Life

‘Karen and Jay share thoughts on the enduring value of local traditions.’

There are certain traditions in every community that make up the fabric of local life. They are the types of things that may be easy to take for granted. But as you experience them time after time, they become woven into the fabric of the community and give you a special feeling of comfort. Whether it’s community supper that comes around each year at the same time – or it’s the local farmer’s market that gathers every weekend – or the family businesses along the main street that get handed down from generation to generation, these are the things that give life and vitality – as well as a reassuring familiarity to the communities we call home.

Here's one tradition that I really love - the Maple Sugar Festival, celebrated in many of our New Hampshire towns each spring, is a perfect example of a local tradition that creates lasting memories and bonds neighbors together. So many families visit local sugar shacks to watch the age-old process of boiling sap into syrup, sampling fresh maple treats and sharing stories over steaming cups of pancakes and coffee. This annual event not only honors the region’s natural bounty but also brings generations of families together to enjoy a simple pleasure unique to the area.

Another tradition that shapes community life in here in the Granite State is the annual Old Home Day. In towns like Exeter and Hancock, residents and those who have moved away return to celebrate their roots. The festivities often include parades, music, roadside stands with homemade pies, and fireworks, all set against the backdrop of picturesque village greens. These homecomings rekindle old friendships and reinforce that deep sense of belonging that only a small town can foster. Hancock’s event has also included a 5k road race, that I’ve participate in and has been a ton of fun.

In the fall, it’s the excitement of agricultural fairs, like the Deerfield Fair, which dates back to the 19th century. Or how about the great Hopkinton Fair – with all the animal competitions and more. Local farmers exhibit their livestock, craftsmen display their handiwork, and families compete in pie-eating and tractor pull contests. These fairs are more than just entertainment—they are a way for the community – including young people - to showcase its hard work, heritage, and pride, passing down knowledge and traditions from one generation to the next.

Even in the quieter, colder months, small towns in New Hampshire gather for traditions such as the Ice Harvest Festival at Squam Lake. Residents and visitors come together to watch giant blocks of ice cut from the frozen lake, just as they did a century ago. This hands-on experience connects people to the natural world and to each other, reminding everyone that the unique customs of a place help create its charm and resilience. In celebrating these traditions, we are reminded that the heart of any community lies in its people and their ability to come together—making small towns truly special places to call home.

Microbusinesses as the Social Glue of Main Street

Often, it's the little businesses that hold everything together. A barbershop where the same family has cut hair for three generations. A corner bakery where neighbors linger for coffee and conversation. These places have extensive legacies and are anchors of our small communities.

In Hanover, New Hampshire, Walt & Ernie’s Barbershop has been a community staple since 1938. Its current owner, Carol Eastman, took over in 2022 and has maintained the shop’s deeply rooted traditions, even as the location transitions due to planned demolition. The shop has become an institution across generations. One longtime customer shared, “My uncles got their hair cut here, my father-in-law, a lot of family.”

More than a place for haircuts, the shop has long been a space for conversation, laughter, and connection. Even as the business transitions to a new location, it remains a living reminder of how tradition and community can endure through the simplest rituals.

Bake sales are another example of how microbusinesses and pop-up traditions weave communities together. Church basements and school gymnasiums turn into temporary markets where pies and cookies do more than raise funds. They create spaces where stories are shared and neighbors catch up on life. Small as they may seem, these gatherings are threads in the fabric of town identity.

The trust that forms in these places cannot be replicated online.

Shaking hands, sharing food, listening face-to-face. These are timeless rituals. In an age of screens and distance, these humble businesses and events remind us that tradition thrives in the simple act of being together.

Main Street’s smallest enterprises prove a big truth: community is built not only by what we buy, but by where we gather. And in those familiar spaces, tradition continues to pass from one generation to the next.

Small-Town Trades Being Handed Down Across Generations

Some skills take years to master, and in many small towns, those skills are treasures carried forward by hand. Blacksmithing, quilting, woodworking, and sign painting are more than jobs. They are traditions, often passed down through families or apprenticeships. Each generation adds its own chapter, blending respect for the past with the needs of the present and future. In my hometown of Newport, it’s the Stetson family.

In Vermont, the Hatch family has kept blacksmithing alive for over a century. Their forge has adapted from horseshoes to custom ironwork for homes and public spaces. The clang of hammer on steel is the same sound their ancestors once heard. By teaching younger family members, they keep both heritage and livelihood intact.

In Tennessee, sign painters illustrate how trades can pass gracefully from father to son. Brushstrokes are more than technique, they carry values of discipline, patience, and pride in work done well. The craft survives because someone cared enough to teach, and someone else cared enough to learn.

These trades shape character. Young apprentices learn not only how to cut wood or stitch fabric, but how to respect time and honor tradition. These are lessons that transcend the workshop.

When local trades endure, communities hold on to more than skills. They preserve identity. They remind us that the best inheritance may not be money or land, but the ability to make something beautiful and useful with our own two hands.

Local Music, Farmer's Markets, and Good Old-Fashioned Fun

Once upon a time, the town green was where everything happened. Parades, concerts, farmers markets, and holiday festivals all unfolded on the same patch of grass. Today, many communities are rediscovering the magic of these shared spaces, investing in them as a way to bring people back together.

In Keene, New Hampshire, the town common fills with music every summer. Families spread blankets for evening concerts, kids dance barefoot in the grass, and food vendors line the edges. The green becomes a meeting place again, alive with laughter and rhythm.

Farmers markets add another layer. In towns like Hanover, fresh produce and handmade goods draw crowds every weekend. Buying local food is only part of it. The true attraction is the sense of community; chatting with growers, sampling food, and seeing familiar faces. The green transforms into an outdoor living room for the whole town.

Communities are also getting creative. Movie nights under the stars, art festivals showcasing local painters, seasonal fairs; these all keep traditions both old and new alive. Each event builds connection, proving that shared public life still matters in an age of private screens.

The revival of the town green reminds us that joy does not need to be complicated. Sometimes all it takes is open space, shared tradition, and the willingness to gather. These places embody the strength of local life, rooted, welcoming, and full of simple fun.

Sunday Suppers and the Return of the Community Potluck

There is something timeless about sitting down to a meal with neighbors. In small towns across America, potlucks and shared suppers are returning as treasured traditions. Food brings people together, and when everyone contributes a dish, the table becomes a symbol of generosity and trust.

In Durham, New Hampshire, the local Grange hosts a monthly “Community Supper.” Families bring casseroles, breads, and pies. Farmers bring vegetables from the harvest. At the long tables, people from all walks of life sit side by side. Strangers become acquaintances, and acquaintances become friends.

These meals serve more than food. They serve up sprouting connections. Stories are swapped between bites, children run between tables, and elders share recipes from decades past. In these moments, tradition feels alive, woven into both the flavors and the fellowship.

Faith communities often lead the way, opening basements and kitchens to all who want to join. But neighborhood cookouts and farm-to-table dinners are spreading the same idea. Breaking bread together creates common ground. It bridges divides and reminds us of what we share.

The return of the community meal is a return to rhythm. It is a slower pace, a chance to nourish both body and spirit. And in each potluck dish, there is a reminder that local life is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table.

Positive Profile: Buddy and Mike Wood – Father and Son Sign Painters in Tennessee

Buddy Wood is a master of a fading art: hand-painted sign making. Once a common sight on every Main Street, traditional sign painting has been pushed aside by digital printing. Yet Buddy has kept the craft alive, combining old-school technique with a dedication to quality and artistry. His brush carries decades of discipline and pride.

Recently, Buddy began mentoring his son, Mike Wood. What he teaches goes beyond brush strokes. He passes on the patience to get each letter just right, the resilience to start over when the paint does not flow, and the pride of seeing your work displayed on a local storefront. Together, father and son prove that tradition can live on when it is shared with care.

Their work connects them to the community. A hand-painted sign is a story written on wood and paint, a marker of identity for small businesses that want something unique and human. The Woods keep alive a craft that once defined the look and feel of American streets.

Mentorship has made their bond even stronger. By teaching his son, Buddy ensures that the skill will not vanish within one generation. Mike, in turn, brings fresh energy and a modern eye, blending tradition with contemporary style. Their collaboration is proof that crafts evolve while staying rooted.

The Woods embody the spirit of local tradition. They remind us that some things are worth preserving not because they are old, but because they are meaningful. Their story shows how acts of care, mentorship, and dedication keep communities colorful.

Quote of the Week: Local Traditions

“Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can’t even describe, aren’t even aware of.” — Ellen Goodman