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Council clears Black Ship Festival permits; police ask to relocate a tent for sight‑lines
Summary
The council approved permits for the Japan America Society of Rhode Island’s Black Ship Festival and related event items, with a staff request that the police coordinate tent placement to avoid obstructing Franklin Street sightlines.
The Bristol Town Council voted July 23 to combine and approve event permits for the Japan America Society of Rhode Island’s Black Ship Festival and several related items, including 1‑day dancing/entertainment licenses and a flag display at Independence and Rockwell parks. The council also noted a police recommendation about tent placement and asked organizers to work with the police to relocate the tent to preserve sightlines.
Laura McNamara of the Japan America Society of Rhode Island described the festival as the “40th annual Black Ship Festival,” with activities Friday evening, Aug. 22, including taiko drummers at Rockwell Park (5:30–8 p.m.), and a Saturday cultural marketplace in Independence Park on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The council combined multiple agenda items (d9–d12 and f1) and approved them on a single motion, following staff recommendations and a request to work with police to reposition event infrastructure for safety.
Councilors said the motion would include following staff and police guidance on tent placement and logistics. The clerk and organizers will coordinate a walk‑through to settle placement before the event. The motion carried by voice vote. The council also confirmed that the permit as moved included display of the flag at both park locations and that organizers met the stated requirements for the permits.
