Photo: Pawtucket Calendar, Demi Pita, photographer
The City of Pawtucket will host its annual Pawtucket Arts Festival, featuring an exciting lineup of returning events and some new surprises in store. Beginning August 29th and running through September 7th, residents and guests are invited to celebrate the city’s arts and culture community at locations throughout the city.
“This time-honored tradition honors our city’s vibrant and diverse arts community,†said Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “With many of our fan-favorite events returning, as well as some new and innovative additions, we invite residents and visitors to join us for this fun, family-friendly celebration.â€
The festival kicks off on Friday, August 29th, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with Pawtucket Gallery Night. Taking place at galleries and breweries throughout the city, Gallery Night will feature the imaginative works of local and national artists, alongside the creative tastes of local distilleries and breweries.
On Saturday, August 30th, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, enjoy the 24th Annual RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival at Festival Pier (21 Tim Healey Way, Pawtucket). The event includes boat races, Taiwanese entertainment, games, kids’ activities, food trucks, and vendors.
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More on the Dragon Boat events:
The 24th Annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival is free to attend though donations are being accepted at the gate. Free parking and shuttles are located at 100 Main Street, Pawtucket and 167 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket. This signature day-long event along the Pawtucket River is presented by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and sponsored by Luke Charitable Foundation, Quality Rental, City of Pawtucket, Taiwan Economic & Cultural Office, Hello Taiwan, and Phantom Farms Brewing.
Organizers of the festival have partnered with Phantom Farms Brewing to create a dragon boat beer for this year. “Paddles Up†is an easygoing lager brewed for warm days on the water with a light malt sweetness. This limited-edition craft beer will be presented as a prize to the winner of each dragon boat race. It will also be exclusively available in their taproom and during the official RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races After-party on August 30th from 4 – 6 PM at Phantom Farms Brewing, 30 Martin Street, Cumberland.
In addition to the Dragon Boat Races, Festival Pier will offer the family-friendly Taiwan Day Festival showcasing Asian culture. We’re excited to welcome back the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe to share with us another celebrated performance! Known for their balancing skills and lively entertainment, they wowed spectators last year and are certainly a “must see†when coming to the festival.
The dragon boat races continue to use the colorful fiberglass Taiwanese-style dragon boats gifted from the Republic of China (Taiwan) and uniquely incorporates the skill of flag-catching in each race. The course length is 200 meters long on the Pawtucket River, with three boats racing at a time. Spectators line the river and fill the grandstand to watch these riveting sprint races. Both organized club teams from around the northeast and community-based teams compete in these races.
The festival also has a great selection of Asian food trucks, vendors, the Taste Of Taiwan, a visit from Rhode Island FC’s mascot – Chip, and interactive activities for children and families. Also featured is the extremely popular Chinese Dumpling Eating Contest. Contestants can sign up the day of the event at the registration tent at the entrance of the festival.
More information about this unique event can be found at bvtcri.org/dragonboats
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Also on Saturday, August 30th, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, guests are invited to Songwriters at Slater Mill, featuring Allison Rose and J. Michael Graham.
On Sunday, August 31st, the 6th Annual Kretcheu Cape Verdean Festival will take place at Festival Pier (21 Tim Healey Way, Pawtucket) from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, and will celebrate the Cape Verdean culture with food, music, and artistic expression.
The popular
Pawtucket Empanada Fest takes place
Sunday, August 31st, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at 150 Main Street, with tickets available for purchase through
Eventbrite. The empanada judging runs from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, with ten local restaurants participating. The ticketed festival coincides with a free community block party featuring additional food vendors, live music, and cultural performances.
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Part of the Empanada Fest will be a Pop-up Gallery Sunday, August 31st to share a taste of the artwork and encourage people to visit the full exhibit at City Hall this month. Toba Weintraub, Chair of the City Gallery Committee. Miriam Plitt is Chair of the Pawtucket Commission on Arts and Culture, the group that oversees the Pawtucket City Gallery, located on the second floor of City Hall. The Pop-up theme is: “Let’s Get Down to Business: The Art and Culture of the Business†– and celebrates the locally operated business whose product focuses on Arts and Culture. The exhibit highlights for-profit business that are creative in their product and advertising. Their products are available locally, for some, their market reaches beyond Rhode Island to national and international customers. They have all found a welcoming home in Pawtucket, and are a part of the economic foundation and drive of the city. Pawtucket businesses part of the exhibit are:
- Collette Travel
- Rosebud Florist
- Amy Page DeBlasio (APD)
- Mirror Image
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On Thursday, September 4th, the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative invites the public to celebrate its 25th Anniversary with an evening of art and prizes. The event will be held at The Guild (461 Main Street, Pawtucket) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Bring the kids to
Mayor’s Movie Night on
Friday, September 5th, from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Enjoy a summer night under the stars with a free, outdoor screening of “Guardians of the Galaxy†at Centreville Bank Stadium (150 Taft Street, Pawtucket). While this is a FREE event, we ask that you please register through Eventbrite.
On Saturday, September 6th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday, September 7th, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, the 9th Annual Healthy Living Community Event will take place at Slater Park in Pawtucket. This free, family event includes art projects, face painting, prizes, games, bouncy houses, a unicorn corral, and much more.
The festival concludes with the ever-popular
Slater Park Fall Festival on
Saturday, September 6th, and Sunday, September 7th, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. This open-air market highlights over 100 artisans, crafters, and creators of original items. Featuring food, fun, and entertainment for the whole family, the event culminates with Pops in the Park, a special outdoor performance by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, on Saturday, September 6th, followed by fireworks at dusk.
The Festival is sponsored by generous donations and the corporate sponsorship of Pawtucket Teachers Alliance, Centreville Bank, and Bristol County Savings Bank. For a full list of sponsors,
click here.
