PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — PVDFest is back this weekend and making its return downtown.

The festival will be held on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. In response to a rained-out festival last year, the city is holding Sunday as a rain date.

Earlier this year, Mayor Brett Smiley announced the festival would move back to the downtown area after a one-year stint at 195 District Park. He said the feedback from the community was “consistent,” adding that he heard the criticism about moving the event “loud and clear.”

Streets will come to life with local and global performers, including Italian aerialists, an all-women’s salsa group, and hip-hop and R&B performers.

There will also be block parties and artists showing off their crafts, as well as a food truck village.

Smiley told 12 News that what is most looking forward to this year will be the mural battle in Burnside Park. Two teams will create and complete a mural in real time and festivalgoers can vote on the winner.

Public safety officials are readying what Smiley expects will be tens of thousands of visitors to flock to downtown this weekend.

The festival comes on the heels of a violent couple of days in the capital city. The mayor said those were isolated incidents.

“There’s no reason to believe that there’s anything targeting a public event or the festival in general, and our public safety plan is as complete as it could be,” Smiley said. “This is an all-hands-on deck moment for the Providence Police. It was before and it will be either way.”

Alexandra Leslie contributed to this report.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.