We welcome you to join us for our 40th year honoring the ongoing special friendship between Rhode Island and Japan.

With more than 4,500 attendees expected again this year, it’s one of the Ocean State's most enjoyable free, family-friendly events. Handicap accessible.

Experience fun at our Cultural Marketplace Fair filled with arts, entertainment, martial arts, food, one-of-a-kind shopping, kid's crafts & Cosplay Costume Contest - all with a distinctly Asian twist.

Schedule

Independence Park on Thames Street is transformed into a Japanese-American Cultural Center. Experience family fun at our 40th Cultural Marketplace Fair filled with arts, entertainment, martial arts, food, one-of-a-kind shopping, kid's crafts & Cosplay Costume Contest - all with a distinctly Asian twist.

Come spend a few hours at the festival and enjoy a day outside in beautiful Bristol with your friends and family. The Black Ships Cultural Marketplace Fair showcases Japanese performers, food trucks, artisans, and community groups where you will find one-of-a-kind arts and delicious craft fair eats.

?ONGOING ACTIVITIES and DEMONSTRATIONS

Arts and Crafts Tent  

11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Origami, Calligraphy, Tanabata (star festival), children’s crafts and games, Henna tattoos, Koma Play (top spinning) Kimono, Manga,  singalongs, and Kendama (ball and cup) contests. There will be singalongs and many other activities for all ages to experience.  

The Japanese Consulate of Boston, Friends of the Rogers Free Library, Classical High School Japanese Language Students in Providence, and many volunteers will join us to celebrate the summer in Japanese style.  

In July Japanese children celebrate Tanabata, the star festival, by writing a wish on a paper streamer and hanging it from bamboo branches. You may write your wishes in English or in Japanese. Someone will help you to write in Japanese if you don’t know the language yet.  Tanabata originates from the Chinese tale that two stars, the lovers (Vega and Altair) meet once a year, over the milky way.  How romantic!!!

Ohisama Tent

Ohisama means sunshine in Japanese. There will be many amazing Japanese items such as stickers and games under this fun tent. Be prepared to be surprised!!!!

Sencha Tea Ceremony / Ogasawara Ryu Senchado.

Master teacher, Mrs. Eri Pace from Eri’s Tea House will show the way of tea.  Mrs. Pace will guide you to the authentic way of making ice green tea from Gyokuro leaves.  The guests will learn how to receive the ice green tea, and will learn how a simple tea gives you a refreshing, yet calming experience in your mind.   

Demonstration Times: 11:15am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm

Bristol Garden Club Tent  

Ikebana and the beauty of plants from Japan and the world.  Ongoing Kokedama demonstrations and selling Kokedama plants.

The Dragon Boat, Black Stone Valley Tourism

Take a picture in front of the colorful Dragon Boat.  For sure this means Good Luck will be on your way.  

STAGE PERFORMANCES

Time for each performance may change.  

11:00am Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo(Center Circle)

Witness the unity of spirituality and physical discipline of Samurai. The arts of swordsmanship dating back to the Samurai era has been practiced at present time in the USA.

11:00am Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England (Flag Stage)

The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!

?11:15am Koto Performance (Center Circle)

Acclaimed international musician Sumie Kaneko plays the koto, a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument and the national instrument of Japan. Although many people think of it as an ancient instrument whose music has not changed for generations, in fact it is a vibrant, living tradition.

11:45am Dance by Classical High School Dance Group, “OKAZE.”   (Flag Stage)

OKAZE is the popular dance group for K-pop and J-pop at many school events.  Big applause to the young dancers for their artistic fast movement.

12:00pm Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England (Flag Stage)

The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!

12:30pm JAPAN PARADE!!  Chiho, Izumi from OHISAMA, & Friends from Roger Free Library (Center Circle - Flag Stage)

Join the parade with your mask, Uchiwa (Japanese fan), a streamer, or anything you think is JAPANESE!!  Cosplayers, too. Join the parade to show off your costumes.  Ohisama means sunshine in Japanese.  For sure this parade brings a lot of spark to all of you.  You are very lucky if you get playfully bitten by the lion!!!

?J Pop by Izumi (Flag Stage)

Izumi’s powerful performance in Anime costumes attracts so many fans from all over the world.

Tanko Bushi / Kurofune Bushi (Center Circle)

Japanese summer folk dance from the south Kyushu island.  Follow the person in front of you for this unique circle dance to make more friends just like they do in summer in Japan.

1:00pm The Navy Band (Flag Stage)?

The Navy Band supports the Navy’s mission by providing music for community events with their return to the Black Ships Festival. A real showstopper!

2:00pm Cosplay Contest for Children 12 and Under (Center Circle)

Gather around, children!!  Time to march in your costumes and masks.  Great prizes will be given for three Best Cosplayers for their creativity, craftsmanship, and performances.  Dress up with your pup for the Pet Costume Award. Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times. Owners/Handlers are responsible for the actions of their pet. It's the Black Ships Festival’s cutest event!

2:15pm Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England (Flag Stage)
The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!

2:30pm Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo (Center Circle)
Witness the unity of spirituality and physical discipline of Samurai. The arts of swordsmanship dating back to the Samurai era has been practiced at present time in the USA.

3:00pm Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England
The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw that summons people to seek out its source!

?Food Trucks and Booths

Baba Sushi

Boru Noodles

Del’s Ice Cream

Hometown Poke

Matilda RI Empanadas/Pastelitos

Sweet Treats by Grammie

Yagi Noodles

?Vendors

Bead Yourself  

Bristol Garden Club

Coral Anchor RI

Dragon’s Bounty

Eri’s Tea House

Jacqueline Drake Art

Jade Sisti Fine Arts

John Dunn

Ohisama Club (sale of sticker tattoos)

R Golden Designs

Robert Foley Books

Sassy Sparkles $5 Jewelry

Trick My Ride

WSJ Pottery

Community Booths

Japanese Arts and Crafts, Games - Experience Japanese Summer Tent

Friends of Rogers Free Library

Classical High School

Counsel General of Japan

Japan America Society of RI

Dragon Boat - Black Valley Tourism Council

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation

Date: August 12, 2023

Time:
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Location:
Independence Park; 419-459 Thames St, Bristol, RI 02809

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