Locals and tourists alike will find no shortage of things to do this Fourth of July weekend in Rhode Island. Fireworks, parties, and parades are planned across the state beginning Saturday, July 1st.
For traditionalists, there will be fireworks at various locations — from North Kingstown Town Beach, to Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. The annual Drum and Bugle Corps Competition takes place in Cranston and features competitors from across the country. The town of Bristol boasts the oldest continually running Fourth of July celebration in the country, marking 232 years this year.
For the more off-kilter, the annual Ancients and Horribles parade steps off for the 91st time in Glocester. The annual parade pokes fun at local and national politics with homemade floats.
Here is a brief list of other holiday weekend events.
July 1st
Pawtucket – Fireworks after the baseball game, from McCoy Stadium
North Kingstown – Fireworks at 9pm on the Town Beach (10 Beach St)
Glocester – Live music begins at 6pm at Glocester Memorial Park, with fireworks at 9pm
July 2nd
Jamestown – Music in the town square at 7:30, then fireworks on East Ferry Beach at 9pm
Block Island – Music on Town Beach at 7:30, then fireworks at 9pm
Smithfield – Festivities at Bryant University – The campus opens at 6pm, the U.S. Navy Band performs at 8pm, then fireworks at 9pm
Cranston – The Drum and Bugle Corps Competition at 6pm at the Cranston Stebbins Stadium (box office opens at three, tickets are between $20 and $40)
Pawtucket – Fireworks after the baseball game, from McCoy stadium
July 3rd
Bristol – Fireworks at Bristol Harbor, at 9:30pm
Cumberland – Festivities begin at Tucker Field at 5pm, with music at 6:30pm and fireworks at 9pm
East Providence – Festivities begin at 6pm at Pierce Memorial Stadium, with fireworks at sundown
Warwick – Fireworks at Oakland Beach seawall, around 9pm
North Providence – Festivities begin at 6pm at Notte Park, with fireworks at 9pm
Scituate – Festivities begin at 5pm at Hope Park, with fireworks at sundown
Pawtucket – Fireworks after the baseball game, from McCoy stadium
Woonsocket – Festivities begin at 7pm at Barry Memorial Field, with fireworks at 9pm
July 4th
Block Island – Parade at the Veterans Park, begins at 11am
Cumberland – Road race at 9am, Parade at 11am, Concert at 1pm, on Arnold Mills Road
Narraganset – Festivities begin mid-day at the town beach, with a concert from 5-7, and fireworks at sundown
Providence – Fireworks at India Point Park, at dusk
South Kingstown – Festivities begin at 5pm at Old Mountain Field, with fireworks at dusk
Westerly – Fireworks at Misquamicut State Beach at dusk
Bristol – The parade begins at 10:30am, it starts at the corner of Chestnut and Hope Street
Glocester – The Ancient and Horribles Parade begins at 4pm in the Putnam Pike Chepachet Village
Newport – Fireworks show begins around 9:15, with best viewing along Newport Harbor, facing west
Portsmouth – Fireworks at Escobar’s Farm, at 9:30pm