Opening Ceremony

Fri., August 14th, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Rockwell Park, Bristol

Witness the colorful Opening Ceremony honoring Commodore Perry's legacy and the historic Treaty of Kanagawa; this features speeches, a wreath-laying ceremony, and a patriotic performance by the Bristol Police Color Guard. In 2025, speakers included:

Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island;
Christopher Roy, President of Toray Plastics (America), Inc.;
Rosa De Castillo, Director of Community Affairs and Outreach, Rhode Island Governor's Office;
Linda Ujifusa, Rhode Island State Senator;
Yasunori Kobayashi, on behalf of the mayor of Yokosuka.

At 6:00 p.m., a taiko drumming performance dramatically opens the festival.

Free Event

Open to Public

Business Casual

Opening Ceremony

Fri., August 14th, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Rockwell Park, Bristol

Fri., August 14th, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Rockwell Park, Bristol