The Rhode Island Calamari Festival
THANK YOU!
Thanks to your support, you have made our comeback event a success and most importantly, incredibly fun! Below are pictures from the day.
We can’t wait to start the planning for 2023!
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THANKS TO ALL Sponsors, Donors, Attendees and Participants for a fabulous Calamari Festival, Cook Off and “Comeback” held on September 10, 2022.
As many of you know, an event like this takes an enormous amount of planning and coordination. Partnerships matter and The Town of Narragansett’s Parks & Recreation, DPW, School, Police and Fire, as is always the case, stepped up to the plate and helped to execute our plan. We could not have done it without their help.
It was hard to choose our Calamari Cook-Off winners, so there they are!
BEST OVERALL | Parma Ristorante
MOST ORIGINAL | Carriage Inn
MOST SPIRITED | Georges of Galilee
These restaurants, along with the other competing restaurants, Coast Guard House, Roy Boy’s Clam Shack, Diego’s of Newport, and Town Dock deserve our admiration for one fantastic, and sometimes frenzied, on-site cooking challenge. These chefs and their helpers proved exactly why they are such valued businesses in Rhode Island! Local Fish Houses, Seafreeze, Ltd., Town Dock, Wild Atlantic Seafood made sure we had 1,500 lbs. of squid to cook. South County Tourism, Phil’s Propane, Washington Trust, Narragansett Beer, Spindrift Spiked Seltzers, Key Real Estate and Flynn Automotive’s generosity ensured that we had propane, a tent and terrific music for all our guests. Our Army of Volunteers, Artisan Vendors, Food Truck Vendors and Tasting Judges…were critical. Special Thanks to our Board members and Tom Tessatorie’s Youth Basketball Team for keeping the grounds clean for us all day. See our Special Day captured in Pictures by Caitlyn Lipschitz from Loverly Photography.
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When: Saturday September 10th, 2022 | 12:00pm-6:00pm
**Please note the Calamari Tasting Tent entrance will be closed at 4pm to allow our attendees in our tent the full tasting experience. Festival fun continues with music food and vendors until 6pm!**
FREE ADMISSION FOR CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER! (Does not include Calamari Tastings)
It’s that time of year again as planning is in motion for our 6th Annual State-Wide Rhode Island Calamari Festival on September 10, 2022. This festival has now grown to be one of Narragansett’s biggest events, serving more than 1,000 lbs. of calamari while drawing in over 3,000+ people from across Southern New England.
Enjoy tastings from RI favorites as well as Live Music and a cash bar with local and fan favorite libations “Under the TENTacles!”
E-updates and E-Newsletter sign-up: CLICK HERE
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Rhode Island Calamari Festival is held the Saturday following Labor Day each year at Veteran’s Park in Narragansett, which is across from the Narragansett Beach and adjacent to the Towers. It is held outdoors where you can not only enjoy some fresh ocean air, but also the scenic view of our Narragansett coastline.
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 while having the chance to sample 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!
Please note:
While we love your furry friends as much as you do, animals and pets are not permitted unless they are certified service animals.
2019 Rhode Island Calamari Festival Gallery
Festival Details
Sat., September 10, 2022 12pm-6pm
The event is tented so it is rain or shine and attendees will have the chance to enjoy Calamari Tasting, live music, cash bar, vendor marketplace and food trucks.
FREE ADMISSION FOR CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER (Does not include Calamari Tastings)
To expedite entering the Festival grounds, we suggest that you purchase your tickets, in advance online due to Calamari tasting tickets are limited in number.
Please note
While we love your furry friends as much as you do, animals and pets are not permitted unless they are certified service animals.
2022 Competitors
Live Bands
Purple Honey | Noon-2pm
Dude Man Bro | 2-4pm
AirPlay | 4-6pm
For the Kids
FREE ADMISSION FOR CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER
(Does not include Calamari Tastings)
Food Trucks
Participating Food Trucks for 2022!
Friskie Fries- the most fantastic loaded fries!
‘Gansett Poke- a Healthy Choice!
Saugy’s- RI ’s Fav
Kettle Korn Express- RI’s Original Kettle Corn!
Dels Lemonade- a RI Staple
O’ Boy Doughboys- Something Sweet!
Parma Ristorante- Sausage & Peppers Sandwiches after 3pm
Milk Caffe- Coffee and Bubble Teas!
Sunset Beach Aquaculture– Lobster rolls, clams, oysters and more!
Looking to get your truck in front of more than 3000 people? Act soon to reserve your spot! Space and categories are limited, so don’t wait!
Parking
A FREE bus service will be available for festival goers.
Guests can park their cars stress-free at the Narragansett Elementary School, 55 Mumford Road, for transportation by bus to and from the festival.
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 3,000 guests from all over New England! All sponsorship levels are still available if you’re looking for the best value in advertising around! Contact us today to reserve your space!
If you would also like to see your banner displayed, please learn more by calling us at 401-783-7121
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Seaside Market Place
OUR APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED AS WE ARE FULL!
Looking to be a vendor for our 2022 festival? Contact us to learn more! 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.
2022 Vendors!
Berkshire Hathaway
Cottage Chic Décor
Copper Fish Sculptures
Crosswynds Traders
ECM Woodcraft
Fashion for Empowerment
MPearl
Napalese Handicrafts
New England Nautical
Ocean State Novelties
Mike Perry Art
Petta Lake Photograph
South County Tourism
Rebekah Major Art
Rhed’s Hot Sauce
Rhode Island Real Estate
Rhode Island Seafood | Dept. of Environmental Management
Sun Struck
T.J. Craft Wood Designs
Upper Farm
Upscaled Treasures
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!
2019 Best Overall
2019 Most Innovative
2019 Best Team Spirit
Honorable Mention
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
Contact Us
Have any questions or comments? Let us know how we can help!