PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley, FirstWorks Executive Artistic Director Kathleen Pletcher and Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism Director Joe Wilson Jr. today gathered with PVDFest artists and supporters to invite the public to Providence’s signature arts festival this weekend in Downtown Providence.
“We are proud and excited to welcome everyone back to PVDFest to experience the energy and creativity that is uniquely Providence,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, with incredible spectacles, temporary art installations, new permanent public art, and activities and performances around every corner. Join us Downtown for an unforgettable weekend of music, art and culture in our creative capital.”
This year’s festival begins on Friday, September 6 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm in Kennedy Plaza and Burnside Park. The festival continues on Saturday, September 7 from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm in Downtown Providence. A rain date of Sunday, September 8 is held for extreme or inclement weather.
“Now in it’s 10th year, PVDFest has become a tradition that brings Providence to life for the art lovers, families, and other community members who add to our city’s vibrant culture. City Councilors are proud to work in partnership with cultural organizations and city leaders to make celebrations like this possible. We look forward to spending time with visitors and residents Downtown on September 6 and 7 for this free event,” said Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo.
Attendees can view the stage lineup for Friday and Saturday online, and the festival footprint will be activated on Saturday with public art installations, interactive art and maker spaces, delicious food truck offerings, a People’s Parade, artisan markets, cultural heritage programming and more.
“As we mark two decades of FirstWorks as a pioneering non-profit, we proudly uphold our tradition of delivering world-class spectacles with PVDFest 2024, guided by the innovative leadership of Mayor Brett Smiley and our enduring partnership with the ACT team,” said Kathleen Pletcher, Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks, the festival’s founding partner. “This beloved festival embodies our mission to connect art with audiences on a grand scale. As we celebrate a decade of transformative festivals on the plaza, this year’s PVDFest promises to captivate attendees with the breathtaking artistry of Italy’s eVenti Verticali and their awe-inspiring performance, ‘SPHERE.’ From the electrifying all-female salsa orchestra, Lulada Club, to AGONZA’s live mural battle, to the City-Wide Electric Slide, you can expect astonishment around every corner!”
Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation and pack for a full day of festivities and weather scenarios. Transportation updates for the festival weekend are available online. To ensure the festival is inclusive for all, PVDFest is once again partnering with Real Access Motivates Progress (RAMP) and attendees may borrow a wheelchair from the RAMP tent at the corner of Dorrance and Washington Streets.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled about what PVDFest 2024 represents and the continued significance it holds for our great city,” said Joe Wilson Jr., Director of Art, Culture, and Tourism. “Our signature arts, performance and cultural festival is an opportunity to gather, to engage, and to celebrate all that makes our creative capital so vibrant and special. After months of tireless preparation by the City of Providence and FirstWorks teams, we’re eager to share in the extraordinary experience that this year’s PVDFest promises to be—a moment of collective pride for the City of Providence.”
Visit pvdfest.com for more information and find previous festival announcements at pvdfest.com/news.
Sponsors:
PVDFest is made possible in large part by generous sponsors who continue to support Providence’s creative culture year-round, including the City of Providence, Providence City Council, Providence Tourism Council, WM, The Boston Globe Rhode Island, ProvPort , Waterson Terminal Services LLC, WPRI Media Group, Breeze Airways in partnership with Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, North American Crane & Rigging LLC, Rhode Island Energy, iHeart Media, General Dynamics Electric Boat / Buildsubmarines.com, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Dimeo Construction Company, America News, DUNKIN’, Amica Insurance, COX, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, First Bristol Corporation/Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites, Floor & Decor, Johnson & Wales University, Cornish Associates, Fidelity Investments, Paolino Properties, SURV, The Foundry, Withum, Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC, High Output, Trellint, Spin, Half Street Group, Matunuck Oyster Bar, Santander, The Public’s Radio, Hey Rhody Media Co., Rhode Island Monthly, Gather Glass, Insomnia Cookies Downtown Providence, Legacy Collective RI, BankNewport, and Navigant Credit Union.