Bristol merchants planning more downtown fairs and festivals

Business group adds multiple State Street fairs to its regular lineup of events

By Christy Nadalin
Posted 4/3/21

The Bristol Town Council enthusiastically approved an events schedule proposed by the Bristol Merchants Association (BMA) at their regular meeting last Wednesday night. Local favorites like the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Bristol merchants planning more downtown fairs and festivals

Business group adds multiple State Street fairs to its regular lineup of events

Posted

The Bristol Town Council enthusiastically approved an events schedule proposed by the Bristol Merchants Association (BMA) at their regular meeting last Wednesday night. Local favorites like the Halloween Walkabout, Holiday Preview (which was held, but very scaled down in 2020), and the Snowflake Raffle (which was live online) will be back, subject to state COVID protocols at the time.

Emboldened by the success of the State Street Fair held last September, which was held under Department of Health guidance and with their assistance, the organization requested permission for a total of five fairs to be held on the westernmost block of State Street, between Hope and Thames streets, on Saturdays from April through October, each with a slightly different theme. They are:

• April 17: State Street Crafts Fair and Farmers Market

• May 15: Spring State Street Arts Fair

• Aug. 21: State Street Food and Folk Festival

• Sept. 18: Fall State Street Arts Fair

• Oct. 9: State Street Harvest Festival and Crafts Fair

The other events, longtime fixtures on the Bristol Merchants’ calendar, include the Halloween Walkabout, which will be held this year on Sunday, Oct. 24; the Holiday Preview, which will be held Friday, Nov. 19; and the Snowflake Raffle, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 19.

“We’re trying to do additional events to get more people into town this year, building on the success of last year’s State Street Fair,” said Zach Rivers of the BMA. “We got great feedback from that event, and we are really hoping to boost the downtown economy and bring people into town.”

Council Chairman Nathan Calouro thanked the group for coming for approval so early in the season with their complete schedule. “I commend them for coming to us so early, with all the events upfront to allow one and done (approval),” he said. “Everybody knows what's going on, and it allows us to plan better.”

Councilor Tony Teixeira raised concerns about safety and street closures and was assured by Chief of Police Kevin Lynch that they are building a comprehensive security and operations plan for all downtown events this summer season.

“I’m just excited to see these events happen this year,” said Councilor Tim Sweeney.

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.