08/29/2026
Meet the Crew! It’s a Family Affair!
Every year, our tight-knit crew puts their daily life on pause to come together in Providence and put on the Rhode Island Seafood Festival. None of us were event managers before this — but we are now!
Come meet them all Saturday, September 12th from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, September 13th from 11:00am to 5:00pm at India Point Park in Providence.
The Boss
Name: TJ McNulty
Hometown: Patterson, NY
Role within the crew: Founder, organizer, chef enthusiasm officer
Years with Grand Festivals: 16
Favorite part of the festival: When the festival is over and vendors, crew, and patrons alike all say they cannot wait for next year.
The Aussie
Name: Adrian Crawford
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
Role within the crew: Ticketing, marketing, whatever TJ tells him to do
Years with Grand Festivals: 15
Favorite part of the festival: Watching thousands of people come together and enjoy the result of months’ worth of hard work and planning. Plus: Shuckin Truck’s scallop roll.
The Headliner
Name: TJay Kowalchuk
Hometown: Stormville, NY
Role within the crew: Musician, setup, chief vibes officer
Years with Grand Festivals: 15
Favorite part of the festival: Definitely headlining the festival with the greatest band in all the land…the Tallboys!
The Iceman
Name: Kyle Juliano
Hometown: Pelham, NY
Role within the crew: Bar manager, setup, chief financial officer
Years with Grand Festivals: 10
Favorite part of the festival: Getting together with our carnie crew every year and throwing a weekend-long party for Rhode Island. Love you guys 😘
The Mix Master
Name: Lindsey Gratiano
Hometown: Hudson, NH
Role within the crew: Chief inebriation officer, local boots on the ground in PVD
Years with Grand Festivals: 9
Favorite part of the festival: Celebrating and being able to enjoy some of the best local businesses that RI has to offer! We’re seriously spoiled by the food scene in this state!
The Funny Man
Name: Jimmy O’Neill
Hometown: Lake Carmel, NY
Role within the crew: Comic relief dealer, jack-of-all-trades specialist
Years with Grand Festivals: 11
Favorite part of the festival: Hearing the first audible groan from a festival-goer when I misfi