Dominican festival brings MLB superstar, famed artists and food to Providence

Rhode Island's Dominican festival, the largest of its kind in New England, returns next month, bringing music, dancing and a Major League Baseball superstar to Providence.

Here's everything you need to know.

Where and when?

The celebration takes place on Aug. 7. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Thurbers Avenue and Broad Street, making its way toward the entrance of Roger Williams Park. Live music and other festivities run from noon to 8 p.m. at the park's Temple to Music.

Performers and grand marshals

Retired Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez is among the list of this year's grand marshals, which also includes Miss Rhode Island USA winner Elaine Collado, Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré, Providence Sports & Leadership Director Kennedy Arias, and entrepreneurs Mercedes Mendez and Huascar Montilla.

Performers include Miriam Cruz, a merengue vocalist from Santo Domingo whose career spans four decades. The award-winning artist recently performed at a Lincoln Center event in New York City, and will now bring her music to Providence.

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Also taking the stage will be Karlos Rosé, a Dominican Bachata artist who launched his singing career at age 17 on Dominican TV show "Divertido con Jochy." His 2012 cover of Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" rocketed to the top of Billboard's tropical songs chart.

Salsa artist Shawnee Taveras, known by her stage name, EhShawnee, is also headlining the festival. She has also performed at the Puerto Rican Bay festival in India Point Park.

In addition, the festival will feature "250 youth performers representing summer camps, sports leagues, dance and modeling academies focusing their performances on folkloric and theatrical carnival themes," a press release said.

Traditional food

Festival goers can enjoy a variety of Dominican specialties, including La Bandera, a classic plate of rice, beans and meat. If you're looking for a meatless option, try the moro, a simple dish of rice mixed with beans. To wash it down, vendors will be selling piña coladas and tropical juices.

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Free COVID-19 tests

While revelers are out and about in the warm weather, so is COVID-19, thanks to new variants. Providence Community Health Centers will be on-scene offering tests at no cost for those who want to take an extra step to stay safe.

But the pandemic won't rain on this parade

Marilyn Cepeda, who leads Quisqueya in Action, a nonprofit that organizes the festival, said its mission is to "preserve the art and culture of the Dominican Republic through education."

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If there's one thing that makes Dominicans especially unique, Cepeda said it's their disposition.

"We're people that [are] always happy," Cepeda said. "No matter what bad situation we're in, we are happy people. If you go to our festivals, we're very welcoming. ... It's rare that you see a Dominican having a bad day, and if they are, they make light of it."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence to host Dominican festival with Manny Ramirez as marshal