R.I.'s 46th Annual Heritage Festival

Rhode Island's 46th Annual Heritage Festival
Saturday, September 21, 2024

WaterFire Arts Center
475 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02908
12:00 to 5:00 pm

"Explore the world through art and music!"

Join in a lively celebration of our state's rich cultural heritage! WaterFire Arts Center will be filled with culture, music, and dancing from around the world.

This extraordinary festival unites the cultural richness and creative expressions of Rhode Islanders. Explore cultural exhibits, witness visual art, and engage with craft demonstrations showcasing traditions from around the globe. Experience the magic as dancers and musicians from different ethnicities grace the stage throughout the day. Indulge in a culinary journey with food trucks offering a delectable array of traditional foods and drinks for purchase. Families can enjoy free face painting, arts, and crafts in the children's area.

Discover the world right here in Rhode Island – where cultural connections come alive!

Admission to this family-friendly event is FREE.

Program Schedule:

⭐ 11:50

The RI Heritage Festival kicks off with a Flag Parade around the building.

⭐ 12:00

Opening Remarks: RIHPHC Executive Director Jeffrey Emidy

Welcome: Lt. Governor Sabina Matos

Land Acknowledgment: Silvermoon Mars LaRose

Emcees: Angela Sharkey and Kobi Dennis

Ahlyha Nicole Bright – Singing the National Anthem

Tia Alexi Roberts, Nizhoni Spears, and Jennifer Weston - Jingle Dress Dance

Fraternidad Folklorica Boliviana - Dance Group

PADAM - Kuchipudi, Indian Classical Dance Group

Lydia Perez and Youruba 2 - Puerto Rican Drum Group

SGTV Applebaum Bavarian Folkdance Group

⭐ 1:00

Nazeli Armenian Dance Group - Dance

Rhode Island Black Storytellers

Dance BFF - Bollywood Dance

Arte Latino of New England - Storytelling

Azama Dance Group - Middle Eastern Dance

French American School of Rhode Island - Singing

⭐ 2:00

The Colombian American Cultural Society – Dance

RI Swedish Heritage Association – Swedish Folk Songs

Quisqueya In Action Folklore Dance - Dominican Dance

Rhode Island Tamil Sangam and School - Dance Group

Medalit Scott and Luis Paredes - Carnaval of Arequipa Dancers

⭐ 3:00

Aftab Dance Group - Iranian Dance

Arte Latino of New England - Storytelling

Kelley School of Irish Dance - Dance

Morenada Boliviana San Bartolome - Dance Group

Seoyon Kim - Korean Harp

⭐ 4:00

Napua O' Polynesia - Dance

Rhythm Nation Dance Company - Filipino Dance Group

Ecuador Sumag Llacta - Dance and Musical Performance

India Association of Rhode Island - Dance

Falun Dafa Association of New England - Meditation Instruction

Please contact Donna Alqassar (401)222-4133 for details.

View our event Accessibility Statement.

The 2024 festival is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

We would also like to thank our sponsors, United Way of RI, Amica Insurance, Coastal1 Credit Union, Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, Women and Infants/ Urogynecology, Navigant Credit Union, and Tri-County Community Action Agency for their support.

RI's 46th Heritage Festival Participants List

The Rhode Island Heritage Festival is coordinated by Donna Alqassar, RI Heritage Commission Coordinator, in conjunction with the support of Jeffrey Emidy, RIHPHC Executive Director, Kobi Dennis and Angela Sharkey, Festival Emcees, ATR Treehouse, Luminous Creative Agency, Let's Party RI, and WaterFire Arts Center.

The RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission would like to thank the following sponsors, people, and groups for their help and support:

Rhode Island State Council on the Art for awarding us a Project Grants for Organizations through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

RI's 46th Heritage Festival Sponsors

⭐ Platinum Sponsor

United Way of RI

⭐ Gold Sponsor

Amica Insurance

Coastal1 Credit Union

Neighborhood Health Plan of RI

Women and Infants/ Urogynecology

⭐ Silver Sponsor

Navigant Credit Union