Falling for PVD Fest

You may have noticed something major missing from our coverage of festivals and fairs over the summer. This issue is full of info, but no mention of PVDFest. What happened?

No, rumors of its cancellation are not true. The eponymous festival, one of the biggest outdoor events of the year in the city (perhaps second only to PRIDE in outdoor attendance) is not going away, it’s just moving to September. Sept 8 – 10, a rejiggered PVDFest will take place. This gives it space so it doesn’t compete with PRIDE and Juneteenth celebrations, and makes it easier for the city’s hoards (and we mean that in a good way) of collegians to attend. The reimagined fest will center on the area around the new pedestrian bridge and the adjoining park spaces. 

“For PVDFest’s ninth year we are planning an exciting celebration of our local artists and artisans that drive our Creative Capital. This year, Providence’s signature arts festival will take place on the Providence waterfront in District Park,” said Director of Art, Culture, and Tourism Joe Wilson Jr. “We are thrilled to announce that this year we are partnering with WaterFire to create an experience you will not want to miss, culminating in an exciting live performance on the waterfront Saturday night. This innovative twist on the festival we all love exemplifies Providence’s commitment to integrate arts and culture into community life and establish the city as a global destination for the arts.”

PVDFest is also a long-standing collaboration with arts-forward non-profit FirstWorks, which primarily arranges the visiting performers and spectacles. “FirstWorks looks forward to partnering once again with the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism to create indelible memories through the artistry of PVDFest,” said FirstWorks Executive Director Kathleen Pletcher. “Festival-goers this year can expect astonishment as we activate the stages of Providence’s waterfront with world-class artists and awe-inspiring spectacles. PVDFest is a cultural touchpoint that brings [together] people from all over the world.”