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State of Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

Past Heritage Festivals

Rhode Islanders celebrated the establishment of the Rhode Island Heritage Commission with great fanfare on September 18, 1977 at the Rhode Island State House. The documents and videos below capture the evolution of the Heritage program from the inaugural Commissioning Ceremony through the 2024 Heritage Festival.

Commissioning Ceremonies of the RI Heritage Commission (1977)
program

Experience the vibrant cultural performances from past Rhode Island Heritage Festivals on our YouTube channel!

46th RI Heritage Festival (2024)

46th RI Heritage Festival Program.pdf PDF file, about 5

46th RI Heritage Festival's Participants' Links.pdf PDF file, less than 1

45th RI Heritage Festival (2023)

45th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, about 5

45th RI Heritage Festival's Participants' Links.pdf PDF file, less than 1

44th RI Heritage Festival (2022)

12pmedited

1pm performers

2pm performers

3pm performers

4pm performers

44th Heritage Program PDF file, about 2

44th RI Heritage Festival's Participants' Links.pdf PDF file, less than 1

2021 RI Heritage Month's Virtual Celebration

Trailer: 2021 Rhode Island Heritage Month's Virtual Celebration

2021 RI Heritage Month's Virtual Celebration Flyer PDF file, less than 1

2021 RI Heritage Month's Participants' Links PDF file, less than 1

2020 RI Heritage Month's Virtual Celebration

Week 1 of RI Heritage Month 2020 photos of particpants — Week 1

Week 2 RI Heritage Month multiple photos of participants — Week 2

Week 3 of RI Heritage Month 2020 photos of participants — Week 3

week 4 RI heritage month multiple pictures of people singing and dancing — Week 4

2020 RI Heritage Month's Virtual Celebration Flyer PDF file, less than 1

2020 RI Heritage Month's Participants' Links and Demonstration Directions PDF file, less than 1

41st RI Heritage Festival (2019)

man and woman on stage Angela Sharkey and Kobi Dennis — Event MCs' Angela Sharkey and Kobi Dennis

Mercedes Montiero Family — Mercedes Monteiro Tribute

Colombian Dance Group girls with dolls — Colombian School of Traditional Dance

Brown University's Korean Dance Group DAEBAK — DAEBAK - Brown University's K-Pop dance group

multicultural models pose for group photo — Our 1st Multinational Fashion Show

African jewelry and clothes Lady “E” Sewing Services & Mett Essentials — African Jewelry & Clothing

Bolivian dancers — Fraternidad Folklorica Boliviana

Venezuelan woman stand with flag at table — Venezuela Subcommittee

41st Heritage Festival Program PDF file, about 1

40th RI Heritage Festival (2017)

RI State House with Flags — Rhode Island State House

Award presentation with flowers and three women — Award Presentation by Elena Calderón Patiño to Mercedes Monteiro

Group of indigenous men sitting in a drum circle — Eastern Medicine Singers

Laotian Community Center of RI Dancers in traditional costume — Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island dancers

Puerto Rican Subcommittee tent — Puerto Rico Subcommittee

african hats and jewelry table — Haiti Subcommittee

40th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

39th RI Heritage Festival (2016)

Asociacion Ecuatoria Table — Asociación Ecuatoriana de Rhode Island

lady with colorful dress — Latin American Dancer

middle eastern belly dancers — Beledi Dance Company

three latino people — Colombia In RI, Arte Latino of New England, and Venezuela in RI

Chinese women dancers — Phoenix Performing Arts

Ginny Fox and Kobi Dennis — Ginny Fox of Peace Flag Project and MC Kobi Dennis

39th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, about 3

38th RI Heritage Festival (2015)

Ghana woman singer

falun dafa table

latino group with decorations

irish dance group

Colombian Dance Group in field

38th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, about 1

37th RI Heritage Festival (2014)

Chinese Flag and people in parade

37th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

36th RI Heritage Festival (2013)

Peruvian dance group

36th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, about 2

35th RI Heritage Festival (2012)

group of girl dancers

35th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

34th RI Heritage Festival (2011)

c holding flags

34th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

33rd RI Heritage Festival (2010)

India children group photo with mini flags of India

33rd RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, about 3

32nd RI Heritage Festival (2009)

Serbia Subcommittee

32nd RI Heritage Festival Progam PDF file, less than 1

31st RI Heritage Festival (2008)

group photo of dancers

31st RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

30th RI Heritage Festival (2007)

Turkish heritage group

30th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

29th RI Heritage Festival (2006)

Korean dance group

29th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

28th RI Heritage Festival (2005)

Mexican dancers with sombrero hats

28TH RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

28th Heritage Festival's Photographs PDF file, about 1

27th RI Heritage Festival (2004)

costumed dancers

27th RI Heritage Festival Program PDF file, less than 1

25th RI Heritage Festival (2002)

flag parade 2002

25th Heritage Festival's Photographs PDF file, about 2

3rd RI Heritage Festival (1979)

audience watching festival

1st RI Heritage Festival (1977)

people gathered on the RI state house lawn