Rhode Island is the smallest state in the whole of the USA, and though not actually an island, it crams in over 400 miles of glorious shoreline, with plenty of cliffs, caves and coves. Inland, the state provides even more, with villages, farmlands, cities and vineyards. And there’s entertainment aplenty, with lots of fun events and festivals all year around.
Providence Boat Show, with over twenty years of history, is a nautical extravaganza, filled with hundreds of boats of various models, types and sizes. The event also features lots of gear and equipment, so it’s perfect for those looking to get their hands on the newest sailing gadgets. Other attractions and events include fishing challenges, seafood seminars, cookery classes, movie screenings, water sports demonstrations and themed photography. So with a program this varied, you don’t have to be a sailor to find something here that’ll float your boat!
Music is very much a huge part of the Rhode Island festival scene, and both Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival are legendary events in the US musical calendar. Names who have played at these events include the iconic likes of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and loads more. While the jazz festival is the oldest in the states, the folk festival has almost sixty years of heritage, so both have storied histories and a huge number of avid devotees. Both take place for three days and are full to the brim with some of the world’s best tunes. Music fans – take your pick… or treat yourself and try out both!
Rhode Island International Film Festival is one of the best international film festivals in the USA, and delivers top-quality flicks from domestic, foreign and upcoming filmmakers, along with panels, seminars and discussions. The event has a great reputation for kick-starting the careers of many innovative and unique filmmakers, and names associated with the festival include Zach Braff, Blake Edwards and Danny Trejo. The festival prides itself on delivering unusual and ground-breaking cinema in an accessible and approachable fashion, so it’s a great event both for casual fans and avid aficionados.
Other Rhode Island festivals include more music and film, alongside other offerings of parades, flowers, food, fairs and much more. It may be small, but Rhode Island crams plenty of fun into every last inch!