Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)

Over 2,000 fans attended the 8th annual Rhode Island Folk Festival at Rose Larisa Park in East Providence Sunday, August 28, enjoying over 40 musical acts on three stages.

The state’s musical talent was on full display all day long along with food trucks, crafts vendors, and a “Young Folks” tent where kids were able to try out the tools of the trade at an “Instrument Petting Zoo.”

The festival has seen a dramatic increase in turnout from its modest beginnings in Providence in 2014. Organizers plan to return to the East Providence location next summer.

Check out some photos from the event from Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams, WUN contributor Gary Alpert, and photos submitted by Joe and Hope McDonald.

  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
  • Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Gary Alpert)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo: Ken Abrams)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Hope McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Hope McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)
Rhode Island Folk Festival (Photo submitted by Joe McDonald)

Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams writes about music, the arts and more for What'sUpNewp. He is also an Editor and Writer for Hey Rhody Media. Ken DJ's "The Kingston Coffeehouse," a roots/folk/rock radio show every Tuesday, 6-9 PM on WRIU 90.3 FM. He is a former educator in the Scituate, RI school system where he taught Social Studies for over 30 years. He is on the board of the Rhode Island Folk Festival and Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), a non-profit that brings diverse musical acts to...

Gary Alpert is a contributor and photographer for What's Up Newp. Having been diagnosed with a profound hearing loss at the age of 2, Gary has have always witnessed the world around him with a heightened sense of sight. While hearing aids offer him a world with sound, he continues to experience the world with a visual edge. With a camera in hand, he hopes to show you what he sees.