Your RI Columbus Day Weekend 2017 Guide: Festivals, Parades & More!

In Rhode Island,  Columbus Day Weekend is  packed with countless festivities for locals and visitors to enjoy. As the day fast approaches, join us in taking a look at some of what Columbus Day Weekend 2017 (CDW) has to offer!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6:
While technically the major CDW events kick-off on Saturday, October 7, there’s no harm in getting the party started early!
Friday night is the start of Woonsocket’s Autumnfest. Held over CDW since 1977, this famous weekend long event is an opportunity for attendees to enjoy the spirit of Northern Rhode Island. Taking place at the World War II Veteran’s Memorial Park, Friday night’s kick-off will offer: local mouthwatering food, a beer tent, live music, midway rides, sporting events, arts and crafts, tons of bargain-filled vendors, entertainment and more! Autumnfest continues through Columbus Day on the 9th.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7:
On Saturday even more events come out to play! While you can certainly start your day off at Autmnfest (it’s in full swing on Saturday – with fireworks at night), there are many other fun options!
In Providence, the Federal Hill Commerce Association will put on its annual Columbus Day Weekend Festival Oct. 7-9. The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday at noon across from DePasquale Square. The festival includes: food, rides for kids, music and vendors that will sell arts and crafts, T-shirts, hats, toys and more.
North Scituate will be abuzz with art (and thousands of people) when it dives into its 51st annual Scituate Art Festival at 10 a.m. on Saturday! Each year (since the late 1960s), they have been known for featuring 200 juried art and craft exhibitors, select antique vendors, a food court offering regional specialties, live musical entertainment and a huge art/craft/antique raffle! This fun and popular holiday event will continue through Monday.
As part of the ongoing Newport Festa Italiana, there will be a free festival at Touro Park in Newport from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with music by Calabria Bella.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8:
If you’re looking for a fun time for a good cause, at 8 a.m. St. Eugene’s Craft & Car show will be held in Chepachet on a field that has been known for decades as the “The Field of Dreams”, and has played host to over 50 of New England’s finest craft vendors and over a million dollars worth of Classic & Antique vehicles for the past eight years. Featuring Rhode Island’s greatest doughboys, clam cakes & chowder, sundaes, cones and assorted pastries. ALL money raised goes directly to St. Eugene’s Parish Food Pantry to help feed those in need.
Don’t miss the Federal Hill Commerce Association’s annual Columbus Day Weekend Festival’s parade rolling down Atwells Ave in Providence at 11am on Sunday!
Also today is the 2017 Westerly-Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade. Known as the oldest Columbus Day parade in the state, it is the only one that passes through two states (Rhode Island and Connecticut) when it takes a jaunt across the river to Pawcatuck. As usual, the parade will blast off at 1:10 p.m. from Westerly High School, winds through town, crosses the Canal Street Bridge, and ends up in front of Town Hall.
And remember the previously mentioned Autumnfest? Their fireworks spectacular at 9 p.m. (ish) is not the be missed!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 8:
It’s the big day! Autumnfest, Columbus Day Weekend Festival and Scituate Art Festival all continue to bring the fun for families. One big highlight to look out for today is the Autumnfest parade! This enjoyable yearly march rises bright and early at 9 a.m. on Diamond Hill Road in Woonsocket. Join the parade as it winds its way along Social Street to the park!
Looking for more? Check out our Oktoberfest Guide and our Events Calendar!
Have a look: