9 Things to Know About This Year’s PVDFest
A look ahead into what you can expect at the return of Providence’s signature arts celebration this weekend.
PVDFest, the Creative Capital’s free signature outdoor arts-and-culture-centric festival is back for a seventh turn — but it’s going to look a little different this year. The biggest change, perhaps, comes down to the timing: the festival’s organizers — which include the Office of Mayor Brett Smiley, Providence’s Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism, and FirstWorks — made the decision last spring to push the three-day celebration from its normal June calendar designation to the second weekend of September. While it may have been a controversial move at the time, with some businesses disappointed to lose the guaranteed early summer foot traffic and others relieved to have the break before Rhode Island PrideFest descended on the city, many are now looking forward to what is sure to be a thrilling send-off to the season. Still, whether you are a PVDFest newbie or a long-time fan, there are a few things you may want to note before attending. Keep reading for the rundown.
1. New Location, Who Dis?
The good news: You don’t have to scour Downcity for parking or watch helplessly as your Uber driver fights for their life on the way to Kennedy Plaza. The not-as-good news: You don’t get to party in Downcity or Kennedy Plaza. However, the new festival location, 195 District Park, makes for a pretty solid — if not better? — backup choice with its expansive lawn space, water views and proximity to the pedestrian bridge. Find a full map of the area complete with points of interest, accessibility and services here. And if you’re still worried about parking (note: there will be street closures and the South Street Landing Garage may be your best bet), or getting to the East Side in general, the organizers have come up with a handy transportation guide here.
2. R.I.P. Open Containers
Pour one out (please not literally) for the former free rein of Westminster with pineapples full of rum in hand. Yet while there is an open container ban throughout the footprint of this all-ages event, the Guild will be on site with a designated Beer Garden area (must be 21+ to enter). Mayor Smiley told WPRI that the decision came down to wanting to place an emphasis “back on the arts, back on the performances, back on the experiences that families and residences can have.” He also pointed out that there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the surrounding areas that will welcome festival-goers for a drink.
3. Get the Party Started
PVDFest is kicking off its three-day celebration with an Opening Night Party on Friday, September 8, from 7–9 p.m. on the District Park Main Stage. Hosted by Barbara Morse Silva and Mario Hilario, the ticketed event will feature a sashing ceremony for the 2023 Parade Grand Marshals, an unveiling of the limited edition PVDFest 2023 commemorative poster designed by Julio Berroa, and show stopping performance by local singer and songwriter Empress, plus food and a cash bar. It’s also going to be the place to be if you’re interested in mingling with local artists and community leaders. Ticket sales are divided into three tiers: Headliner tickets include admittance, a signed commemorative poster and two complimentary drink tickets for $100; Festival Fan tickets include admittance and one complimentary drink ticket for $50; and Community Culturist tickets include admittance only for $35. Learn more and purchase your tickets here.
4. Hail the Headliners
PVDFest has always been praised for highlighting local talents and this year is no different in that regard, with notable acts including salsa singer-songwriter EhShawnee and the hip-hop forward Chachi Carvalho and the International Players on Friday, Flawless on Saturday (learn more about the local rapper in our profile here) and the Afrika Nyaga Drum & Dance Festival on Sunday. However, they the festival also has one major national addition to this year’s lineup: Mavis Staples, Grammy lifetime achievement recipient and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King will take to the main stage from 6–7:15 p.m. on Saturday. You can familiarize yourself with not only these artists but also more featured acts by checking out the official PVDFest 2023 playlist on Spotify here.
5. WaterFire Collabs
Visitors can browse and shop from a variety of local artists there at the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington and Steeple Streets from 6–11 p.m. This outdoor artisan fair will showcase some of the great artwork created in Rhode Island and offer visitors the opportunity to support the local arts economy by purchasing work by Rhode Island-based artists. “WaterFire is excited to join forces with PVDFest and the City of Providence to bring a day-long celebration of community on our riverfront and showcase the absolute best Providence has to offer,” says Barnaby Evans, Creator, Executive Artistic Director and CoCEO of WaterFire Providence.
Additionally, following Staples’ performance Saturday evening, a full WaterFire lighting will illuminate the Providence River at dusk with eighty-five fire braziers. “I am thrilled to welcome WaterFire to PVDFest this year,” says Mayor Smiley. “PVDFest and WaterFire are two of Providence’s biggest attractions and beloved local traditions, and I am excited to bring them together for a full day celebrating our artistic heritage and vibrant community.”
But that’s not all. Origami Master Andrew Anselmo will be creating art throughout the evening at Market Square, and beginning at sunset, visitors can find A Silent Soapbox living statue at the bottom of the Washington Street Bridge and Canal Walk. Ten31 Productions also plans to illuminate the World War Monument in nearby Memorial Park. The Starry, Starry Night installation will also return to Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge — festival goers can add their light to the night by dedicating a luminaria candle lantern. Food fairs will also be open on Washington Street, College Street and Canal Walk. Some vendors include Kettle Korn Express, One2Taco&More, Full House Q, Saugy’s, the Incredabowl Food Company, Scoop T’s Ice Cream, and more. Plus, Trinity Brewhouse will be serving up local brews and wine from 6–11 p.m. at two pop locations (the corner of Canal and Steeple Street, and the corner of Canal and Washington Street).
6. Emphasis on Creativity
As mentioned earlier in this post, PVDFest 2023 is all about uplifting the vibrant local arts community. Multiple art installations will be set up throughout the festival grounds (again, see the map for coordinates) — most notably the large, illuminated and inflatable Grove piece by the Rumford-based design studio Pneuhaus. The innovative is meant to highlight PVDFest’s mission of bringing people together by mimicking the look of a tree’s underground root system.
7. Parade and Statue Unveiling
Sunday’s PVDFest Parade will step off at 12:30 p.m. from the CIC and conclude with a special Edward Mitchell Bannister statue unveiling (learn more here) around 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Park. For more timely happenings throughout the festival, see the full schedule here.
8. Food Truck Village
The festival’s various performers may have to be okay with sharing the spotlight because Providence’s famous culinary scene is also set to take center stage throughout the weekend. More than twenty local vendors will serve up delicious fare for all appetites at the Food Truck Village, from authentic BBQ and Dominican delights to Mexican Street Food and sweet treats. The village will be open along South Water Street from 5–8 p.m. on Friday, and in the District Park from 12–7:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 12-6 p.m. on Sunday. Attendees can expect food trucks like Atomic Blonde Ice Cream, Big Dog Eats, Friskie Fries, Hometown Poke, Ja Patty, Kona Ice, Masa Taqueria, Presto Strange O Coffee, Shuckin’ Truck RI, Twisted Ts and more.
9. Artisans Market
How can you have an arts festival without artisans? The answer is you can’t. Dozens of independent artisans and makers curated by some of Providence’s favorite market managers will join this year’s festival for a weekend of shopping along the Providence River. “Providence is known around the country for its makers, designers and innovators,” says Mayor Smiley. “I am excited to be welcoming so many of them to this year’s festival and showcasing their talents to our many festival goers.”
Curated by Monica Martin, co-founder of Juicy Market PVD, and Spocka Summa, founder of the Anti-Robot Club and the Marketplace at Farm Fresh RI, Saturday’s South Water Street Markets will be held from 12-6 p.m. Sunday’s markets will be curated by the award-winning Providence Flea at last from 12-3 p.m. and Haus of Codec from 12-6 p.m. “We are proud to have a network of more than 250 artists from across Rhode Island, and we are super excited about our partnership for the second year in a row with PVDfest, which gives artists a platform at one of the biggest events of the city,” says Haus of Codec Executive Director Julio Berroa. “Our artists get to connect, share and sell their works with a completely fresh audience. This year’s waterfront location at the 195 District Park is bound to be an even more refreshing venue and we hope to see you there!”
For more information about this year’s PVDFest, visit pvdfest.com.
