Benedict Arnold, are you sorry yet for your traitorous actions, lo, those 200-plus years ago?

You imagine he would be. We, after all, are still making him pay, in reputation and in effigy.

It wasn't long after the Norwich-born Arnold's ignominious turncoat-ery that New London folks began a little tradition that involves burning him in effigy. Hey, he did lead the Sept. 6, 1781, burning of New London.

The New London-based Flock Theatre revived that ritual, with the annual Burning of Benedict Arnold Festival, which returns Friday.

This year's festival starts with a 4:30 p.m. performance of a play written by Charles Traeger about Arnold's raid on New London and Groton, and the show begins at the Hempstead Houses and travels to the Shaw Mansion. After that, there's a 6 p.m. parade — dubbed "The March of the Traitor" — from the Shaw Mansion down Bank Street. At 6:30 p.m., there is a gathering on the Waterfront Park, with beer and food from Dev's on Bank. Marvelous Liars provide live music at 7 p.m., the burning of Benedict Arnold happens at 8 p.m., and The Silks wrap up the evening with an 8:30 p.m. concert.

Burning of Benedict Arnold Festival, 4:30-9 p.m. Friday, downtown New London; (860) 443-3119.