The Rhode Island Calamari Festival
Important Notification About the 2021 Event!
By a State Resolution passed in the Senate in 2019, our Calamari Festival is to be held on the first Saturday after Labor Day. This year, that date happens to fall on September 11. For that reason, the Narragansett Town Council did not approve the festival as planned. See you next year on September 10, 2022 for our best celebration ever! Thank you for your continued interest and your support of our hardworking fishermen and their families who are honored in this annual event.
Rhode Island Calamari Festival Gallery
The Rhode Island Calamari Festival is held the Saturday following Labor Day each year at Veteran’s Park in Narragansett. Once called “America’s First Resort,” because of the picturesque coastline, Narragansett is also home to the second largest fishing fleet in New England. The squid that is brought in through the Port of Galilee has an international reputation for its quality. For this reason, we celebrate our “Official State Appetizer” each year while we kick back and enjoy great food, music and historic Narragansett at the Rhode Island Calamari Festival.
Come enjoy one of the last weekends of summer and vote for your favorite calamari offerings as local restaurants battle for top honors in three categories; Best Overall, Most Inventive, and Most Spirited Team.
For those not interested in the tasting portion of the day, we’re sure that between the live music, cash bar, food trucks, shopping and kids activities there will certainly be something that you’ll enjoy!
Do you love fresh local seafood? Do you love to eat? Do you love gathering with friends and family to enjoy the best that Rhode Island has to offer? If the answer is yes to any of these questions than we promise you’ll love the Rhode Island Calamari Festival!
Festival Details
Sat., September 10, 2022 11am-5pm
Admission- $20 per person kids under 12 free. You can purchase tickets online or at the door. The event is tented so it is rain or shine!
Live music, cash bar, vendor marketplace and food trucks 11AM – 5PM
Calamari tasting will run from 12pm-4pm with winners announced at 4:15pm
Past Competitors
Arturo Joes
Coast Guard House
Georges of Galilee
Mariner Grille
Chair 5 at the Break Hotel
Parma Ristorante
The Haversham
The Mews
Dan’s Carriage Inn and Saloon
Live Bands
The Ravers
Dude Man Bro
Chelley, Bill and Dyl
For the Kids
Kids area will feature Princesses Ana and Elsa from 1-3pm, Touch-a-Truck, the Bat Mobile, a model squid net and games sponsored by the South County YMCA!
Parking
A FREE trolley service will be available for festival goers. Trolley parking, also free, will be at Narragansett Elementary School, 55 Mumford Rd., Narragansett.
Pick-ups are starting at 11 with the last drop off back to the school at 6pm. The trolley will run every 15 min and riders will be able to purchase tickets and get their ballots as they ride to avoid the entry lines!
Street parking is also available along Ocean Rd and the North Lot at Town Beach will be open as well.
Our Sponsors
Interested in Being a Sponsor? Our festival draws more than 4,000 guests from all over New England! Are you looking for the best value in advertising around? Contact us today to reserve your space!
Seaside Market Place
Looking to be a vendor for our 2022 festival? Submit the form below to get your application in! To ensure that our guests have the best possible experience and that our vendor partners have a profitable day, we are offering only two booths for each business or merchandise type. These spaces are offered on a first come, first served basis, so don’t delay!
For questions, please contact the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce at 401.783.7121 or email at narragansettcoc@gmail.com.
Food Trucks
Looking to get your truck in front of more than 4000 people? Act soon to reserve your spot! Space and categories are limited, so don’t wait!
Participating Restaurants
Are you looking to increase your business visibility locally and throughout Southern New England at a great value? This is a sure way! Don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity to reach thousands of people and possibly win “Best Overall,” “Most Original” or “Most Spirited Team” Award! We provide the squid, the tasting cups, forks and propane so that you can work your culinary magic! Spaces are limited so reserve your space today!
The Winner’s Circle!
2018 Best Overall
2018 Team Spirit
2018 Most Inventive
2017 Best Overall
2017 Team Spirit
2017 Most Inventive
2016 Best Overall
2016 Team Spirit
2016 Most Inventive
2015 Best Overall
2015 Team Spirit
2015 Most Inventive
