East Providence Heritage Days Ends 40 Year Run

“It is with a grateful heart that the Board of East Providence Heritage Days Inc. announces the conclusion of our flagship event, The Annual Heritage Festival.” And with that social media posting on Sunday night, February 26, 2023, over 40 years of a popular summer festival ended. The announcement, while a shock to many, came as just a mild surprise to those who followed the event closely. “We’re thinking out our mission,” long time Heritage Chairman Clarence “Junior” Butler told the Reporter in a brief conversation a couple weeks before the news broke. “It has been extremely difficult to keep this going at a level that people have come to know,” said a subdued Butler. “Since its inception in 1981, we have strived to bring arts and culture to our community and beyond,” continued the Heritage Days statement in late February. The event was held under the direction of the East Providence Recreation Department from 1981 and became incorporated in 2007 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. “The past four decades have been an extraordinary learning experience for all of us. In celebrating ethnicity, we know that we are more alike than we are different."

In the early years of the summertime event, under the leadership of then Recreation Director, Joseph Crook and his staff, Heritage Days grew to become “the social event” of East Providence each year. Except for when the event was held at the old East Providence High School, the event was held at City Hall briefly until eventually Pierce Stadium was transformed into a weekend of food, music, art and crafts, storytelling, antique car shows and something for everyone. Large crowds filled the football and baseball fields and the entire complex. A highlight was always which nationally known bands would perform on a big stage as well as some local musicians. Until 2007, the city helped with some expenses, but from 2007 on, Heritage Days was run by volunteers and a non-profit group. Many sponsors would help. The committee also donated funds to help with Pierce Stadium’s restoration and other costs.

As it got more difficult to attract quality vendors and big-name entertainers, the admission price grew steadily through the years. As some in the city perceived the cost as too high, the number of attendees started to drop. Several years ago, the Reporter met with the group’s Board of Directors and listened to the suggestions to improve attendance. The added publicity didn’t help enough. As the opinions on admission costs grew, the committee tried at least one year with no cost – free admission. But quality entertainment and vendors became harder to bring in and the attendance numbers weren’t there.

As the word circulated that the event was over, many expressed their sadness and appreciation to the committee. “Thank you to all those who worked so hard every year to put on this event. For those of us that were around for the very first and watched it grow year after year, it will be a fond memory. Thank you Alba (Curti) and company for your dedication,” wrote Valerie Perry.

“In my 28 years of employment with the city of EP, there was nothing I was more proud of than being involved with the hard-working dedicated people on the committee who were committed to bringing a family fun event to our city,” said long time Pierce Stadium guru Joe Medeiros.

“Thank you, Alba Curti, Joe Crook, the EP Heritage Days board and volunteers for your dedicated work in hosting this annual event over the last 40+ years. Thank you for the memories,” wrote Laura McNamara.

In November of 2022, Heritage Days Inc. was named a “2022 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by Great Nonprofits, the leading website for community recommendations of charities and nonprofits. “We are honored to be named a 2022 Top-Rated Nonprofit,” said Alba Curti, Secretary/Treasurer of EPHD Inc. at that time. “We are proud of our accomplishments this year and for the past 40 years in bringing art, culture and ethnic awareness to our community and to all of RI,” added Curti.

“East Providence Heritage Days Inc. is a great example of a nonprofit making a real difference in their community,” said Perla Ni, CEO of Great Nonprofits, “Their award is well-deserved recognition not only of their work, but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the many outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience working with their organization.”

The group's web site notes that "Proceeds from these activities are used to sustain the corporation's work as well as to benefit other non-profits. Throughout the years EPHD has provided funding to the following non-profit organizations:
Crossroads RI
Big Brothers of RI
The Women's Center
American Brain Tumor Association
Emergency Communities
Lauren Zerembka Memorial Scholarship Foundation
East Bay Community Action Program
Builders Helping Heroes
American Red Cross Haitian & Japanese Relief
East Providence Recreation Department Summer Programs
Hope & Faith Drive LLC
City of East Providence-Pierce Memorial Field Restoration

BOARD OFFICERS
Clarence Butler, Jr., Chairman
James McKivergan, Vice Chairman
Alba Curti, Secretary/Treasurer
Diane Sullivan, Recording Secretary

DIRECTORS
Kim Carpenter Brown
Rebecca Chace
Kelly Costa
Onna Moniz-John
Mike Sisto
David Tessier
Tony Vieira

MEMBERS IN MEMORIAM
Audrey Partridge, Chairman
Sandra Soignoli, Director
Samuel J. Abbood, Chairman
Peter Holmes, Director
Harry Mutter, Treasurer

The Reporter News Magazine group (East Providence, Seekonk, Rehoboth) also offers our sincere appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Heritage Days volunteers. We were glad to play a small part through the years as a friend and supporter. A job well done!

(photos relating to this story were from the Heritage Day media site)