The 2018 Newport-Shimoda Sister City Celebration will take place from Thursday, July 12th to Sunday, July 15th with events and ceremonies designed for visitors of all ages. Participants can expect to find a myriad of opportunities to be immersed in cultural and historical activities that bring the Japanese and American lifestyles and history to life.
The Newport-Shimoda Sister City Celebration presented by the City of Newport will mark the 60th Anniversary of the twinning of sister cities Shimoda, Japan and Newport, Rhode Island. This series of cultural and memorial events are designed to commemorate the establishment of the friendly trade relations between the United States and Japan. The celebration honors the contributions of Newport’s native son, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, who negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa between the United States and the Edo Period Shogunate in 1854. This historical event opened Japan to trade with the West and signified the beginning of Japanese-American relations.
OFFICIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
NEWPORT-SHIMODA SISTER CITY CELEBRATION WELCOME RECEPTION
The public is invited to this welcoming event to greet our visiting sister city delegation from Shimoda, Japan at the Edward King House on King Street in Newport. Dignitaries and guests will be treated to live performances of the United States and Japanese National Anthems and a musical welcome from the Newport Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe and Drum Band. A silver and china tea reception will follow the welcoming program along with a display of past gifts given to the City of Newport since the Festival’s inception.
Edward King House – 35 King Street, Newport
Thursday, July 12, 2018
5:00pm
NEWPORT-SHIMODA SISTER CITY CELEBRATION OPENING CEREMONIES
The public is invited to attend the Newport-Shimoda Sister City Celebration Opening Ceremonies at Touro Park on Bellevue Avenue in Newport. This wreath laying ceremony will be in remembrance Newport’s native son, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, and his historic journey to Japan. In addition, the event will commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa which opened trade between Japan and the United States. This ceremony will be conducted by the Commodore Perry statue lead by Newport’s Mayor Harry Winthrop with contributions by American and Japanese dignitaries. The US Navy Color Guard and Navy Band will be in attendance along with the Newport Artillery Company.
Touro Park, Newport, Rhode Island
Friday, July 13, 2018
10:30am
NEWPORT-SHIMODA SISTER CITY CULTURAL CELEBRATION
The public is welcome to experience the sights, sounds and foods of the Sister City Cultural Festival in Touro Park on Bellevue Avenue. Throughout the day, participants will be treated to a variety of cultural opportunities that will include cultural demonstrations, sweet and savory foods, live music and activities for people of all ages. This year’s event will feature a special performance by the Odaiko New England Taiko Drummers.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
NEWPORT-SHIMODA SISTER CITY CELEBRATION SUNSET SOIREE
Celebrating all that Newport has to offer and our continuing friendship with our sister city, Shimoda, Japan, the first ever Sunset Soiree will feature an ONLY IN RHODE ISLAND theme with foods and drink from local vendors, music for dancing and an evening of memory making under the stars by the seaside at the Rotunda on Easton’s Beach. In addition, guests will be treated to a special live performance of the Odaiko New England Taiko Drummer.
Tickets for this summer event are $75 per person with proceeds to benefit the Shimoda Travel Scholarship for Roger’s High School students. This scholarship provides an overseas cultural immersion experience for our local students. Email newportblackshipsfestival@gmail.com for more information or purchase your tickets here.
The Rotunda at Easton’s Beach, Newport
Saturday, July 14, 2018
6:30 p.m.
NEWPORT-SHIMODA SISTER CITY CELEBRATION CLOSING CEREMONIES
This memorial ceremony will feature a wreath laying on the tomb of Commodore Matthew C. Perry by American and Japanese dignitaries. The public is invited to experience this commemorative event.
Island Cemetery, Farewell Street, Newport
Sunday, July 15th
9:30 a.m.
