BURRILLVILLE – A festival featuring live entertainment, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, demos, foods and more is set to take over Harrisville next weekend, for a two-day event organizers say you won’t want to miss.
The Burrillville Arts & Crafts Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, on the grounds of the Assembly Theatre at 26 East Ave.
First time Festival Director Lisa Bevilacqua was a volunteer in the beer tent in 2021, and was asked by the previous organizer, Veronica Huguenin, to take over.
Now, Bevilacqua is running the show, tasked with putting on a community event in keeping with a Burrillville tradition that dates back more than 50 years.
And she says that in 2022, the Burrillville Arts & Crafts Festival is on track to be “epic.”
Huguenin, who revived the event in 2014 after a five-year hiatus, is now involved as a consultant.
“She has been a huge help getting me started,” said Bevilaqua.
Vendors, as always, are a huge part of the lineup, and in 2022, the festival will feature an impressive variety of crafters and artists, who work in a vast array of mediums to create handmade items including embroidery, pottery, soaps, jewelry, crochet, wood furnishings, candles, wreaths, tumblers, pet items, clothing and paintings – just to name a few.
“We have such a variety this year,” Bevilacqua said. “We sold out and have a waiting list.”
For visitors, there will be rock painting with local “Rock Father” Roger Boubenierre, a service dog company with a four-legged companion in tow, and on Saturday 11:30 a.m., a demo by Burrillville-based Village Martial Arts. The sprawling festival extends across the road to the town gazebo, where acoustic music will include sets by Generations Unlimited, Real Carpentier and Missy Ducharme.
There will also be entertainment on the main stage, with bands playing throughout the afternoon. Whiskey Knights will open that stage Saturday with a set from 2 to 4:30 p.m., followed by Jailbreak playing from 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday night’s laser light show is always a festival highlight, and on Sunday, Tuckers Creek kicks off the lineup at 11:45 a.m., followed by Headsmack from 3 to 5 p.m.
This year’s event will also feature a beer tent sponsored by Bravo Brewing Company, and food trucks including Dinolicious, Sunnyside on the Street, La Carreta Authentic Mexican, Alien Ice Cream & Hot Dogs, and Mosseman’s Kettle Corn.
The fun begins at 10 a.m. both days, and It all wraps up Sunday evening at 5 p.m.
Bevilacqua noted that to date, she’s done much of the planning work herself, dedicating some 50 plus hours a week to the task.
“I’ve still got things to tie up but I’m getting it done,” she said.
On the day itself, she’ll need more hands on deck, and while some volunteers – including local Boy Scouts – have come forward, more are still needed. Those who might be able to commit to a few hours to help make the festival a success are asked to contact the director via Facebook, or text her at (401) 481-0940.
“Everyone should come and see what we have pulled together,” Bevilacqua said. “It will be one to remember. It’s going to be spectacular.”
