PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island officials are welcoming an expected 100,000 people to the city for an arts and music festival.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed spoke at City Hall on Friday to kick off “PVDFest.”

The event runs through the weekend and features local and international artists and musicians.

Elorza says there will be over 500 artists, 13 stages, 30 food trucks and 11 local arts organizations downtown on Saturday, the “showcase day.”

The Democratic mayor stressed the festival is free and accessible to everyone.

He says he hopes people will come to see Providence transformed into a stage and a canvas.

Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, says the arts strengthen and unify communities.

A street theater group and drummers performed at the kickoff.