Charlestown Seafood Festival Returns To Ninigret Park

CHARLESTOWN, RI — Rhode Island's three-day seafood extravaganza is back, promising live music, fireworks, a car show, rides and amusements, on-site camping, and a beautiful shoreline setting.

And of course, fresh seafood to die for.

The 36th annual Charlestown Seafood Festival is set for August 6, 7 and 8 at Ninigret Park. Long story short, if you like food, you should go.

Lobsters and lobster rolls, fried and steamed clams, stuffed quahogs, scallops, oysters, fried fish and chowder are just the tip of the iceberg. Cajun crawfish and farm-raised alligator are also on the menu. Fish tacos, anyone? For those who prefer, hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, spiral fries and other fair staples are easy to find.

Admission is $10 for adults, and children 10 and under are free. Food will be offered by dozens of vendors. Parking is free, but people are asked to make a $2 donation to benefit the Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program and the Peace Dale Fire Department.

Festival hours are Friday, Aug. 6 from noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday Aug. 8 from from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Photo courtesy Poland Media Group

Here are some of the basic rules: RV camping is allowed, but there are no hookups. Pets are not allowed at the festival. The festival takes credit cards for admission, but ATMs will also be available, because not all vendors take plastic. No outside alcohol is permitted, but there are beer and wine tents at the festival. Outside coolers are not allowed. People are invited to bring a folding chair or a wagon.

Friday from noon to 4 p.m. there’s a $25 rides special. Outside of that, you'll have to buy ride tickets.

The three-day event attracts close to 50,000 people, but last year it was canceled becuase of the pandemic. The event is run by the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce.

"Rhode Islanders have long appreciated their closeness and connection to the Atlantic Ocean,
Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, the coastal salt ponds and beautiful estuaries of Southern
Rhode Island," the Chamber said. "The seafood industry, seafood dinning and all our coastal resources are an integral part of who we are and what we do."

The Charlestown Seafood Festival has been named a “Top 100 Event in North America” and listed as one of 10 Best Summer Seafood Festivals in the Northeast.