As part of its ongoing dedication and support of the community, BankRI recently served as the presenting sponsor of the hugely-popular Festival Fete in East Greenwich during the first weekend in September. Beautiful weather helped to attract more than 10,000 Rhode Islanders across the two-day event.

“Festival Fete is an incredible community initiative; one that supports local artists and businesses,” said Steven M. Parente, Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Banking, Bank Rhode Island. “So many within our arts community depend on these festivals to generate sales and grow their businesses, and we’re extremely pleased to help play a role in their success.”

Festival Fete festivals are one-of-a-kind events that feature an extraordinary collection of more than 100 Contemporary American Craft artists, strolling entertainment and children’s crafts. Along with these exhibits, the festival also features an opportunity for attendees to express themselves creatively through a specially-designed community art project.

At this year’s event, the community, along with local artist Lisa May Tobin, created a large robot using flexible plumbing tube, corrugated cardboard and layered paper-mache.

“We at Festival Fete are proud to have BankRI as a sponsor and advocate of the arts and community,” said Jennifer Neuguth, Festival Fete Organizer. “The East Greenwich Art Festival is a free event attended by thousands of people that simply could not have been held without BankRI’s generous support and active role.”