Five Can't-Miss Events of the Week: Aug. 6–12

Seafood, Foo fun, reggae and more great events in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island isn’t called the Ocean State for nothing. Celebrate the bounty of the sea at the Charlestown Seafood Festival, an event where when you “see food” — pun intended — you will most definitely want to eat it. Lobstah, chowdah, steamahs and more will be on hand for consumption and an array of activities and rides will keep you entertained between chow-downs. Don’t forget the fireworks show on Saturday, August 8 at 9 p.m.! The festival will go on rain or shine, but if there is a shower on Saturday, the fireworks will be held on August 9 at 9 p.m.

The Details: Aug. 7–9. Fri. noon–11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Adults $8, children ten and younger free. Donation to park $2. Ninigret Park, Park Lane, Charlestown, charlestownrichamber.com.

 

AS220’s Foo Fest is an excuse to fool around to the best of your abilities. Art installations, creative activities, an Anarchist Book Fair and family-friendly events lure diverse crowds to this zany and colorful block party. Plus, bands with music spanning across genres — think rock, hip hop and even the slammers of Providence Poetry Slam — will come together to form the soundtrack of what it means to have fun in the capital city. Headlining acts include Deerhoof, Death Vessel and the Low Anthem. Image by AS220 Media Art's Photobooth, with set design by Dennis McNett and photography by Aaron McLaughlin.

The Details: Aug. 8. 1 p.m.–1 a.m. Advance tickets $7, day-of $10, children ten and younger free. Empire Street, Providence, as220.org.

 

After a fun beach day at Misquamicut or a glam shopping trip in Watch Hill, stick around Westerly for another iconic attraction. (No, we're not talking Taylor Swift.) Glowing orbs of fire light up the Pawcatuck River, creating the perfect backdrop for an evening of community fun. Let the lights guide you through live concerts by Happy and the Moonshine and the Jose Costa Steel Drum Band. The event also includes a number of fun sideshows, including fire juggling, belly dancing, face painting, performances by mythical paper beasts and more. For the best view, catch the splendor from a hayride through the town.

The Details: Aug. 8. 7–10 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Westerly, westerlychamber.org.

 

Ever dreamed of becoming a mover, a maker or a shaker? You’ll get your chance to move, make and shake all sorts of technological and homespun doodads at the Rhode Island Mini Maker Faire, a fun event for both kids and adults that coincides with AS220’s Foo Fest. Build robots with RI Students of the Future, learn the chemistry behind home-brewing with the RI Brewing Society, play the giant Simon Swipe, learn to solder (safely!) with artists from AS220 Lab and speak with the many sage makers of New England in an event that will get your creative gears grinding. Photo by Carolyn Fahm of Greenwich Meantime Photography.

The Details: Aug. 8. 1–8 p.m. Free admission. Pell Chafee Performance Center, 87 Empire St., Providence, makerfaireri.com.

 

Every little thing is gonna be alright at this year’s Reggae Festival at India Point Park. Reggae isn’t just a genre; it is a frame of mind and a way of life. Come live it with an array of jamming bands — including Grammy Award-winning headliner Steel Pulse — plus authentic Jamaican food, beer, tropical cocktails and vendors selling jewelry, clothing and more. For the most reggae among us, there is an all-day Rocksteady Pass that includes dockside seating, a complimentary cocktail and more perks.

The Details: Aug. 8. Gates open at noon. Advance tickets $40, day-of $50, Rocksteady Pass $80, children free. India Point Park, India Street, Providence, riwaterfrontevents.com.