By Mike Rego
EAST PROVIDENCE — The eighth edition of the East Providence Arts Council’s “The Looff” Festival, held Saturday, Aug. 13, on and around the grounds of the Crescent Park Carousel and Larisa Park continues to be a shining light of the summer community calendar and once again “was an incredibly successful event,” according to organizers.
Visitors were greeted not only by 100 vendor booths including artists, makers, authors, community partners and sponsors, but guests were also treated to the most diverse entertainment lineup “The Looff” has ever offered.
“There was truly something for everyone,” said Arts Council Chair Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon. She continued, “The East Providence Arts Council is committed to putting on this festival at no expense to the public, and to making it a truly unique event in the state. We aim to create an experience that is inclusive, fun, warm, and exciting. The success of our festival this year was due to the extraordinary work of the EPAC committee and our generous sponsors.”
An added attraction this summer, after being close three years for repairs, was the recommissioning of the historic festival namesake Charles D. Looff Carousel.
“We were also delighted that the carousel was able to reopen just prior to our event. It truly made for an extraordinary day,” Cahoon added.
— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne shot the accompanying gallery of photos.