Looking for plans for the long weekend? Here are 10 events and festivals happening in RI

Katie Landeck, Providence Journal
·5 min read

Looking for plans for the long weekend?

We've got some ideas for you. If you're looking to mark Columbus Day by eating some Italian food in one of the best Little Italys in the country, there's the Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival. If you want to go in the opposite direction and push back on the culture of consumerism, check out the Pronk! 2023 Indigenous People’s Day Celebration. Do you want to look at some giant pumpkins, there's a festival for that too.

For details on those events and more (sandcastles! art festivals! comedy festivals!), scroll through the list to find something for you:

Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival

People line Atwells Avenue in Providence to view the 2014 Columbus Day Parade on Federal Hill.
People line Atwells Avenue in Providence to view the 2014 Columbus Day Parade on Federal Hill.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, through Monday, Oct. 9

Where: Atwells Avenue, Providence

What to know: There’s a parade on Sunday, games and rides for the kids, and live entertainment, but the star of this festival is the Italian food. If you like it, this festival is a must. The opening ceremony with the award presentation will be at noon on Saturday and the parade will be Sunday at 11 a.m.

More information: federalhillprov.com/festivals/columbus-day-weekend-festival/

Indigenous People's Day: Want to learn more about Rhode Island? Here are 12 spots to learn about Indigenous culture

Scituate Art Festival

Stacey Graham, of Chepachet, works on a painting in her booth at the 2018 Scituate Art Festival.
Stacey Graham, of Chepachet, works on a painting in her booth at the 2018 Scituate Art Festival.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Village Green, on Route 116, North Scituate

What to know: More than 200 artists, craftspeople and antiques dealers come to show their wares at this annual open-air market. Get a treat from the food court (which supports nonprofit organizations) and browse while listening to some live music.

More information: scituateartfestival.org

Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition 

The Atlantis Rising competition will feature elaborate sand sculptures, like this one from 2022, at Misquamicut State Beach over Columbus Day weekend.
The Atlantis Rising competition will feature elaborate sand sculptures, like this one from 2022, at Misquamicut State Beach over Columbus Day weekend.

When: Friday, Oct. 6, doors open at noon; Saturday, Oct. 7, Sunday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Oct. 9

Where: Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly

What to know: Now in its second year, this competition brings artists from all over the world to create elaborate sand sculptures that you have to see to believe, with everything from giant octopuses to Pinocchio. In addition to the sculpting, there are pirate lessons for the kids, music, food and more. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children.

More Information: southcountyri.com/atlantis-rising/ 

Autumnfest

From left, Matthew, Karleen and Marie Desautell take a ride on the Cliff Hanger at Autumnfest in 2019.
From left, Matthew, Karleen and Marie Desautell take a ride on the Cliff Hanger at Autumnfest in 2019.

When: Friday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 40 Snow St., Woonsocket

What to know: With fair rides, a parade on Monday morning and fireworks on Sunday night, this is a big festival. There’s something for everyone at this family-friendly event.

More information: autumnfest.org/

Indoor things to do: Need a spot in Rhode Island where kids can burn off some energy? Try these places

Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh Off

Giant pumpkins vying for top honors sit on pallets at the 2017 Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers' annual weigh-off. This year's will take place Oct. 7 at Pasquale Farm in Richmond.
Giant pumpkins vying for top honors sit on pallets at the 2017 Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers' annual weigh-off. This year's will take place Oct. 7 at Pasquale Farm in Richmond.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, noon to 8 p.m.

Where: Pasquale Farm, 421 Kingstown Road, Richmond

What to know: This competition is heading toward the 3,000-pound mark as farmers bring their giants in to be weighed. Beyond photo opportunities with some truly ginormous pumpkins, there’s pumpkin smashing, hay rides, food and other activities for the family.

More information: sngpg.com/pdfs/SNGPG_Weighoff_2023_Flyer.pdf

Pronk! 2023 Indigenous People’s Day Celebration

The Pronk! festival, featuring musicians, performers and artists, will take place Oct. 9 in Providence.
The Pronk! festival, featuring musicians, performers and artists, will take place Oct. 9 in Providence.

When: Monday, Oct. 9

Where: Dexter Park, Providence

What to know: Get loud! Pronk is an “activist + outdoor justice + music+ arts festival” that features brass bands, percussion, musicians, performers and artists to reclaim the streets by occupying public space and pushing back on mainstream culture and consumerism. It’s free and family-friendly.

More information: sites.google.com/view/providencehonk/about?authuser=0

Applefest

Steere Orchard is just one of the spots having fun events this weekend. Their Applefest is Sunday and Monday.
Steere Orchard is just one of the spots having fun events this weekend. Their Applefest is Sunday and Monday.

When: Sunday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Steer Orchards, 150 Austin Ave., Greenville, RI

What to know: An annual celebration of the fall harvest, Steere Orchards has been hosting Applefest for 18 years. Pick your own apples in their orchard, and enjoy free hayrides, live music, food trucks and a little bit of shopping at vendor booths.

Rogue Island Comedy Festival

Rogue Island Comedy Festival returns to the stage with nine shows.
Rogue Island Comedy Festival returns to the stage with nine shows.

When: When: Thursday, Oct. 5: 6 p.m., 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6: 6 p.m., 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct 7: 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m.;Sunday, Oct 8; 7 p.m., 9 p.m.

Where: Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center in Newport, Ragged Island Brewhouse in Portsmouth, Diego's Cantina in Middletown

What to know: For the fall show, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival has nine shows planned, with Dan St. Germain, Kelly MacFarland, Neko White, Heather Shaw, Ray Harrington as headliners. Tickets are sold online in advance of the show. Tickets are $30 per show.

Wakefield's Oktoberfest

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, noon to 11 p.m.

Where: The Contemporary Theater, 327 Main St., South Kingstown

What to know: Get in the spirit of the season in downtown Wakefield, and join the Oktoberfest celebrations. There will be live music, including Dudemanbro, Ravers, and Purple Honey, as well as street performers, children’s activities, character appearances, staged shows, and dancing. And it wouldn't be Oktoberfest without a beirgarten. Tickets are $10 and children 12 and under are free. Rain date is Oct. 14.

Newport Festa Italiana: Monument Ceremony

The statue of Christopher Columbus, at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Bellevue Avenue in Newport, is unveiled in this photo from Oct. 12, 1953.
The statue of Christopher Columbus, at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Bellevue Avenue in Newport, is unveiled in this photo from Oct. 12, 1953.

When: Monday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m.

Where: Columbus Monument, Memorial Boulevard at Bellevue Avenue in Newport

What to know: The final event in the Newport Fest Italiana season, on Columbus Day the 70th annual celebration of the Columbus Day monument will take place in Newport. The one-hour ceremony will include a history of the statute, acknowledgment of descendants, presentation of the wreaths and a burial of a time capsule.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 10 Columbus Day Weekend festivals and events happening in Rhode Island