Track 15 Turns Its Plaza Into a Three-Day Harvest Fest

Track 15 has found a use for nearly every recognizable October activity except apple picking, and it’s putting most of them on the plaza October 16-18. The three-day Harvest Fest takes over the outdoor space at Union Station with live music, pumpkin painting, local makers, seasonal drinks, kids’ activities, and Halloween movies after dark. Add a full WaterFire lighting on Saturday and the Patriots game on Sunday, and the weekend starts to look like a fairly concentrated dose of fall in downtown Providence.

Friday brings one of the festival’s more unusual pours. Moniker Brewery will host a Bierstacheln, or “hot pokies,” session, a German practice that involves plunging a red-hot iron rod into dark lager to caramelize the foam into what organizers describe as a beer brûlée effect. Heidi Farmer & Jon Tyler featuring Scott McCue perform from 5:30-7:30pm, while Dolores serves tamales and West of the Moon offers tarot readings. Kids can paint pumpkins and make crafts before a family-friendly Halloween movie starts after sunset, with blankets available for anyone settling in on the lawn.

Saturday trades hot beer pokers for creepy crawlies. Roger Williams Park Zoo brings its Creepy Crawlies program to the plaza from 1-3pm, followed by a kids and family costume contest at 4pm. Dozens of vendors fill the artisan market, while carved pumpkins from the zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular add some familiar October scenery. A full WaterFire lighting begins at 6pm, extending the day’s festivities into downtown Providence after dark.

Moniker’s seasonal beers and new fall drinks from Bar Romolo will be available throughout the weekend, along with pumpkin painting and family activities. On Sunday, the artisan market returns for one more day as guests vote in the pumpkin-painting contest and enter giveaways. The Patriots game takes over TVs throughout the food hall and plaza before Halloween movies wrap up the weekend. Track 15 Harvest Fest runs October 16-18 at 1 Union Station in Providence. Visit Track15RI.com for event updates and more information.