PVDFest, once a beloved and vibrant arts festival in our city, is now facing some tough times. Last weekend, as we all know, was a bit of a letdown, thanks to unexpected rain and some controversial changes made by Mayor Brett Smiley. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what went wrong and why there's a growing call to bring back the festival's original champion, Jorge Elorza.Unpredictable Weather and Mayor Smiley's ChangesTo be fair, some things were beyond anyone's control. Torrential downpours on a festival weekend? That's just bad luck. However, Mayor Smiley made some significant changes to PVDFest, like shifting the timing, location, and cracking down on alcoholic beverages outside of designated areas. These changes signaled early on that this year's festival wouldn't be the same one we've cherished for the past decade.A Different PVDFest, but Not for the BetterThis year, PVDFest felt different alright, but it certainly wasn't an improvement. The Friday night gathering on the I-195 land, although well-lit, felt emptier compared to previous years. Saturday, despite its beautiful weather before the afternoon storm, had the vibe of an upscale farmer's market rather than the festival it once aspired to be.Issues Behind the ScenesBehind the scenes, there were plenty of grievances. Food truck owners found the layout chaotic, resulting in longer walks for festival-goers and higher prices. Other vendors suffered losses due to weather-related damage. The artist lineup seemed disorganized and lacked the promotion of previous years, leaving talented artists like local rapper Flawless Real Talk performing to small audiences.A Community Gathering Gone AwryPVDFest used to be a magical event, bringing together people from every corner of our city to share ideas, culture, and experiences. This year, that magic was missing.Mayor Smiley's ResponseMayor Smiley defended his decisions, citing the unpredictable weather and stating that some residents enjoyed the festival. He also allowed block parties, but the festival's move from downtown dampened their impact. Smiley expressed concern that businesses near City Hall didn't see benefits from the festival and hinted at potential changes for the future.The Missing Ingredient: Jorge ElorzaOne idea has been floated—bring back Jorge Elorza. Not necessarily as a paid hire, but as a permanent chairman of the festival. Elorza's tenure as mayor was marked by his deep care for PVDFest. He traveled to other festivals to gain inspiration and envisioned PVDFest as more than just music and art. He saw it as a platform for discussions about the future of our city.Unpredictable Weather and Mayor Smiley's ChangesTo be fair, some things were beyond anyone's control. Torrential downpours on a festival weekend? That's just bad luck. However, Mayor Smiley made some significant changes to PVDFest, like shifting the timing, location, and cracking down on alcoholic beverages outside of designated areas. These changes signaled early on that this year's festival wouldn't be the same one we've cherished for the past decade.A Different PVDFest, but Not for the BetterThis year, PVDFest felt different alright, but it certainly wasn't an improvement. The Friday night gathering on the I-195 land, although well-lit, felt emptier compared to previous years. Saturday, despite its beautiful weather before the afternoon storm, had the vibe of an upscale farmer's market rather than the festival it once aspired to be.Issues Behind the ScenesBehind the scenes, there were plenty of grievances. Food truck owners found the layout chaotic, resulting in longer walks for festival-goers and higher prices. Other vendors suffered losses due to weather-related damage. The artist lineup seemed disorganized and lacked the promotion of previous years, leaving talented artists like local rapper Flawless Real Talk performing to small audiences.A Community Gathering Gone AwryPVDFest used to be a magical event, bringing together people from every corner of our city to share ideas, culture, and experiences. This year, that magic was missing.Mayor Smiley's ResponseMayor Smiley defended his decisions, citing the unpredictable weather and stating that some residents enjoyed the festival. He also allowed block parties, but the festival's move from downtown dampened their impact. Smiley expressed concern that businesses near City Hall didn't see benefits from the festival and hinted at potential changes for the future.The Missing Ingredient: Jorge ElorzaOne idea has been floated—bring back Jorge Elorza. Not necessarily as a paid hire, but as a permanent chairman of the festival. Elorza's tenure as mayor was marked by his deep care for PVDFest. He traveled to other festivals to gain inspiration and envisioned PVDFest as more than just music and art. He saw it as a platform for discussions about the future of our city1: What is PVDFest, and why is it important?PVDFest, short for Providence Fest, is an annual arts and culture festival in our city. It's important because it showcases our city's creative spirit, brings communities together, supports local artists and businesses, and fosters a sense of unity and belonging.2: What were the recent changes to PVDFest, and why were they made?Recent changes included shifting the timing and location of PVDFest and implementing restrictions on alcohol consumption outside designated areas. These changes were made to address various logistical and public safety concerns and to reinvigorate the festival.3: How did the weather impact PVDFest last year?Last year, PVDFest experienced unexpected and heavy rainfall, disrupting some of the festival's activities. While weather is unpredictable, it did affect the overall experience.
