Black Ships Festival 2017: Opening Ceremony At Touro Park: Photos

NEWPORT, RI — The mayor of Hakodate City, Japan, and the president of the Naval War College were among the dignitaries who spoke Friday at the Black Ships Festival opening ceremony. On Saturday, more events are coming to Touro Park, including a presentation on Samurai stick fighting, Japanese children's games, a tea ceremony and arts and crafts. In the afternoon, at Long Wharf, some of the Taiko drummers preview their noon performance Sunday at Cardines Field. They're at the mall at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Then at 6:30 p.m., it's off to the gala at Rosecliff. The festival wraps up Sunday.

Courtesy Photo Caption: Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley, president, U.S. Naval War College, gives remarks at the 34th Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. Presented by the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, the festival is an educational and entertaining cultural exchange that honors Commodore Matthew C. Perry and the establishment of friendly trade relations between the United States and Japan in 1854. Perry, a Newport native, negotiated the treaty and brought the two countries together as trading partners for the first time in history. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released

Courtesy Photo Caption: Toshiki Kudo, mayor, Hakodate City, Japan, gives remarks during the 34th Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released

Courtesy Photo Caption: Capt. Dennis Boyer, commanding officer, Naval Station Newport and Ryo Nakamura, chief administrative officer, Toray Plastics (America) Inc., take part in a wreath-laying ceremony during the 34th Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released)

Courtesy Photo Caption: Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley (left), president, U.S. Naval War College, talks with Japanese navy Rear Adm. Koji Manabe (right), commander, Japan Training Squadron, before the start of the 34th Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released.

Courtesy Photo Caption: Rokuichiro Michii, Consul General of Japan, gives remarks during the 34th Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, Rhode Island. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released

Cover Photo Caption: Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley, president, U.S. Naval War College and Japanese navy Rear Adm. Koji Manabe (right), commander, Japan Training Squadron, take part in a wreath-laying ceremony during the 34th Annual Black Ships Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.

Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released