5 Reasons to Attend the Hope Street End of Summer Block Party

The Hope Street Block Party Stage in 2019. Courtesy of the Hope Street Merchants Associations / Ampersand Creative Co.

After an unfortunate rain out forced it to cancel its original August date, the Hope Street Summer Block Party is back and ready to close out the season with a bang on Sunday, September 15. A collaboration between the Hope Street Merchants Association and Ampersand Creative Co., this free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and extend across several blocks along Providence’s Hope Street. Vehicle traffic will be prohibited from Rochambeau Avenue to Fifth Street from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow for a quarter-mile of uninterrupted fun.

Need more convincing? Here are our top five highlights to look forward to.

1. Shop a huge selection of small businesses. In addition to all of the great shops that Hope Street is known and loved for, you can expect tons of local pop up vendors including including makers, artists and vintage dealers. (think the likes of who you’d find at Ampersand Creative Co.’s Good Trade Makers Market and Little City Thrifty Vintage Market).
2. Enjoy food from more than twenty-five local restaurants and food trucks. There’s of course Hope Street staples like Wara Wara, Ivy Tavern, Hope Street Pizza, Seven Stars Bakers and so many more, but the event will also feature local favorites like  JA Patty, Ming’s Asian Street Food and Anna’s Vesuviano, just to name a few!
3. Sip while you shop and stroll. You’ll be able to purchase drink tickets that you can redeem for beers and hard seltzers from Narragansett Beer and Moniker Brewery, as well as craft cocktails from the Industrious Spirit Company and Topo Chico. Because this event is open container, you can take your beverage with you wherever you go throughout the event. All bar proceeds will “benefit the Hope Street Merchants Association’s mission to support the small businesses of Hope Street through programming and street beautification projects all year long.”
4. Music galore. DJ Greenwood Hifi will spin tunes throughout the day while a number of live local musicians, curated by the Parlour Providence, will perform on the main stage (see: Sharks Come Cruisin, I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying and more). See the full performance schedule here.
5. Family-friendly street performers and activities. Enjoy street performances by Big Nazo, the Providence Drum Troupe, the Extraordinary Rendition Band, RI Kung Fu Club and more. Meanwhile, the New England Revolution MLS soccer team will be on hand with their mascot, Slyde and a giant accuracy-kick game for kids and adults of all ages; Ricky Rainbow Beard will provide interactive youth activities in the family tent; Ampersand Creative Co. will organize a book swap; Gather Glass will be giving live glass blowing demonstrations; and Full Range Fitness will host a range of fitness activities.

Big Nazo performers march down Hope Street. Photo courtesy of the Hope Street Merchants Association / Ampersand Creative Co.

For more information and a schedule of events, please visit hopestreetpvd.com.