Third annual We HeART Fall River Festival celebrates power of arts and culture on May 13

FALL RIVER — It's once again time to show some love for the city.

On Saturday, May 13, the third annual We HeART Fall River Festival will take place in downtown Fall River from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This family-friendly event is free to attend and will take place on the south side of the Government Center, along Sullivan Drive, and include vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, arts activities, and community resources.

The annual community festival invites attendees to come together in a unified celebration of the power of the arts and culture to make a difference and to change our lives and our city for the better.

This event is presented by the Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition and Viva Fall River, in partnership with The City of Fall River, The Narrows Center for the Arts, and the Fall River Farmers & Artisans Market, with support from the Mass Cultural Council and the Fall River Cultural Council.

Schedule of events:

Makers' Market on Old Second Street, pedestrian walkway located between Third Street and Sullivan Drive. Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A nod to the maker spirit of the city, this market will showcase 40 of the area's "artrepreneurs," offering a variety of items for sale. From original artwork and hand-made décor to body care, jewelry and clothing, this market is the perfect place to get a unique gift for Mother’s Day and support a local artisan.

A full vendor list can be found at www.fallriverartsandculturecoalition.org/we-heart.

Local band Roots Run Wild will also perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Makers' Area.

Fall River Eats Food Truck Area

The event will include a diverse array of local food truck favorites, including What’s Up Cupcake, Green Jar Cocina, Pop's Mobile Brick Oven Pizza, JQ Cheesesteaks, and Del’s Lemonade Somerset. The area will also showcase two of the city’s small businesses, Mario’s Lebanese Bakery and Hong Meas Restaurant, which will be serving their signature cultural food.

Live entertainment

Fall River’s creative and talented community will take center stage on Sullivan Drive with performances from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.:

• 11 a.m.: BMC Durfee High School Jazz Band

• 11:20 a.m.: 8 & One Dance Company

• 11:40 a.m.: SouthCoast Creative Arts Lab musical performance

• Noon: Fall River YMCA Family Zumba

• 12:20 p.m.: Artistic Dance Studio

The headlining musical performance will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. The Narrows Center for the Arts presents Colby James and the Ramblers. People are free to bring chairs or blankets to watch the performance.

For the second year, Troy City Brewing will be onsite selling their local craft brews from noon to 4 p.m. Ages 21 and older only.

All ages activities

Come and explore the best activities and organizations that the South Coast has to offer! Learn more about what's going on in your community and engage in free kids' activities, art projects, giveaways, and lots of fun things to do.

• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Meet Mario from Super Mario Bros.

• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Citizen for Citizens Grocery Giveaway

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Face painting

• Live Art by John Almeida

• Free photo booth with Fun Fotos to Go

• Chalk art with Wendy

• 1 to 3 p.m.: Big bubble fun, magic with Professor Tony Baloney

Local community and arts organizations will also host craft and art activities at their tables.

Participating organizations include: Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County; Children's Museum of Greater Fall River; Department of Children and Families; Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition; Fall River Arts Project; Fall River Comprehensive Treatment Center; Fall River Deaconess Home; Fall River Public Library; Fall River YMCA; Mass Audubon; People Incorporated; SER-Jobs for Progress Inc.; SourceHub; South Coast Creative Arts Lab; Southcoast Health; and The Trustees.

More information about the event can be found at www.fallriverartsandculturecoalition.org/we-heart and on Facebook at bit.ly/WHFR2023.

We HeART Fall River is part of SouthCoast Spring Arts, a 10-day celebration of the place and presence of the arts in our communities.

Visit southcoastspringarts.org for more information on events around the SouthCoast, from Wareham to Fall River.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Third annual We HeART Fall River Festival set for May 13