Downtown businesses can now have block parties on 1st day of PVDFest

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A month after Mayor Brett Smiley said he was considering a change to PVDFest, he now says that businesses in downtown can have a block party on the first day of the festival.

Businesses can now apply for a Special Event permit to host block parties and use parking lots during PVDFest on Sept. 8. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 7.

“We want to make this festival something that everyone can participate in and enjoy,” said Smiley. “Whether you’re a small business looking to welcome extra guests to your space, a local artist and curator like Sidy, or a festival-goer — there truly is something for everyone.”

The Afrika Nyaga Drum and Dance Festival, a series of African-culture performances curated by local artist Sidy Maiga, will hit the mainstage on Sept. 10, said Smiley.

“The Afrika Nyaga Drum Festival is a must-see, bringing once-in-a-lifetime performances to our mainstage,” he said.

In June, Smiley said the reason why he initially decided to prohibit block parties at PVDFest was because Providence police don’t have the staffing needed to keep people safe.

Providence’s signature arts festival was moved from downtown to the I-195 Innovation Park. It will be a co-festival with a WaterFire lighting and a headline event.

Also in June, the Democrat said this year’s festival was going to be “much more centered on the art, the performances, the productions” and “less on a street fair vibe.”

PVDFest is free to the public and runs from Sept. 8 through Sept. 10.