Puppet show comes to Hardwick

Two Members of Vermont Vaudeville, Justin Lander and his wife Rose Friedman, travel New England putting on puppet shows year round. Starting today and for the next two Saturday's, they'll be back home in Hardwick.

As you approach Main Street in Hardwick, in front of the lone blinking traffic light. Modern Times Theater is putting on a show, A Punch and Judy Puppet show.

Puppet shows are one of the oldest forms of entertainment, dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. Punch and Judy shows originated in England.

This show will feature Mr. Punch celebrating his birthday. He's more than 350 years old.

"My favorite time of day is show time, because the rest of the time I'm packed up in a box. It's not very much fun, but I love to do the show. I have such a good time. I love making kids laugh. I love making them screen. I love catching the parents off guard and making them laugh too," Mr. Punch said.

Hardwick natives, Justin and Rose, have been doing these puppet shows since 2007.

"We love to go all over the state, but we really love to perform right here. It's really exciting to have people come from far away to see a show in Hardwick, which is not usually the way it goes. You're supposed to go to Burlington or Montpelier or the other big cities to see shows," Rose said.

There will be three shows in Hardwick: today, next Saturday and the following Saturday. They start at 2 p.m. There's a suggested donation of 7 dollars.