James Montgomery
Get ready to welcome the sixth annual Broadway Street Fair on Saturday, Oct. 14. Starting at noon, rain or shine, fair-goers will be met by artisan and maker vendors, merchants, nonprofit groups, entertainers, local bands and food vendors. As with previous years, this event is free and open to the public.
“We have over 100 vendors already, but are hoping for closer to 150,” said organizer Debbie Bailey.
This year’s musical program brings the added excitement of American blues legend and local icon James Montgomery, who will headline the Old Colony House stage with his renowned All Star Blues Band. Also, look for the Bristol Fife and Drum Corps marching near the Colony House.
Other confirmed acts include The Winehouse Project, Newport favorites, We Own Land, Z-Boys, Lee Ross, Muddy Ruckus and Dopey Lopes and the Up All Night Band.
Mainstages will be set up at both Equality and Washington Square parks for live music, flanked by food trucks, and a “Sister City Stage” at City Hall will have a variety of multi-cultural performances.
Sidewalk chalk art spaces will be set up in Washington Square. Doodlers and artists are all welcome to join in the fun. Chalk will be provided. Professional artists can reserve a space by emailing BroadwayStreetFairNpt.com.
At the City Hall stage, there will be special performances to highlight the culture of Newport’s sister cities, including Shimoda, Japan; Kinsale, Ireland; Imperia, Italy; Ponta Delgada, the Azores; Skiathos, Greece; and St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Each year, nearly 15,000 people take a fall stroll along Broadway, Newport’s historic Main Street and major artery into the city, and celebrate the diversity that the city is known for.
The fair will begin on “Rainbow Crosswalk,” near Equality Park, and extend into Washington Square, where folks will find their inner artists doing chalk art and kids paint parties with Mermaid Masterpieces in the square. A live, outdoor art gallery, “Paint in the Park,” is in the works with artists invited to bring an easel and stool to create fresh, new works, along with displaying previous works for purchase.
The event is adding more youth and art-focused activities at Washington Square as well, along with touch-a-truck or police cruiser. Bailey said they also hope for a harbormaster boat.
“We are planning lots of activities throughout Washington Square down to Thames Street so fair-goers can stroll the event and head from there into town for the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival,” Bailey said.
It is strongly encouraged that guests walk, bike or take the bus to the fair. For those that do intend to drive, note that Broadway will be open to pedestrian traffic only. No parking will be available on Broadway.
This year’s fair is being brought to the public through the efforts of Newport This Week, A-1 Roofing & Construction, Teri Degnan Real Estate and Consulting LTD, Virgin & Aged, Up All Night Productions, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, Balanced Input Audio, generous support from The Rhode Island Foundation Community Grant and many more local businesses.
Visit broadwaystreetfairnpt.com to volunteer or to sign-up for chalk art or “Paint in the Park.”
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