Home Nonprofit & Education Art & Culture Fall forward? Smiley says September best for PVDFest

Fall forward? Smiley says September best for PVDFest

By

Christopher Allen

-

09/10/2024

smileyPVD — MAYOR BRETT P. SMILEY speaks during a media briefing Sept. 4 in the run-up to PVDFest. / PBN PHOTO/CHRISTOPHER ALLEN

PROVIDENCE – In the aftermath of this year’s PVDFest, Mayor Brett P. Smiley says he remains open to changes to the city’s premier arts and cultural event. Smiley on Monday told Providence Business News that PVDFest has “never been identical year to year,” and vowed to incorporate public opinion into any discussion of future modifications.

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1 COMMENT

KRCSAM 09/12/2024 At 12:47 pm

PVDFest should be in June. It’s the perfect time to be creative and party in the streets to celebrate our community’s awakening after are long winter slumber. Smiley needs to learn how to listen to the community he represent or he needs to go. He does not understand our city at all. So smart yet totally tone deaf.

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PROVIDENCE – In the aftermath of this year’s PVDFest, Mayor Brett P. Smiley says he remains open to changes to the city's premier arts and cultural event. Smiley on Monday told Providence Business News that PVDFest has "never been identical year to year,” and vowed to incorporate public opinion into any discussion of future modifications. “We change because we get feedback or because of new circumstances," he said. But he sees no reason to shift the popular celebration, held this year Sept. 6-7, from this month going forward. “The community spoke loud and clear about bringing it back downtown. And I was happy to listen,” he said. “But we feel good about the move to September.” Since the 2023 change from June was made, Smiley's administration has consistently argued that it gives the city a needed economic boost after Labor Day and better prioritizes local artists and businesses in a traditionally quieter month. Smiley said that many business owners he has spoken with agree. “They think this is a nice addition to September for the purposes of business activity in the city,” he said. After much of last year’s PVDFest was lost due to severe weather, leading to a grant program in partnership with R.I. Commerce Corp. to reimburse vendors for lost revenue, some people blamed the debacle on the decision to move the date. Smiley pushed back against this assertion. "It was a very pleasant and comfortable time to enjoy the festival," he said. “But you can’t control the weather." Meanwhile, debate over when to hold PVDFest in 2025 may heat up again in the coming months. Providence City councilor Miguel Sanchez, long an outspoken opponent of the move, said he is now fielding messages from many community residents who want to see a return to June. No stranger to “uncomfortable conversations with members of the administration,” Sanchez said time will tell. “The team did a really good job this year,” he said. “But I think there is still a strong desire among a large [percentage] of the community to move it back to June. It's something to be discussed.” Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com.