Memorial Day observances slated around the Valley
With meteorologists prognosticating thunderstorms on Saturday evening and an allday soaker slated for Sunday, it’s very likely that Mother Nature will rain on the Blackstone Valley’s Memorial Day holiday.
Despite the dreary and inclement conditions, though, there are enough events scheduled over the holiday weekend to allow people to remember and pay respect to the men and women who served and, in some instances, paid the ultimate price for their nation.
In Central Falls, Mayor James A. Diossa will host the city’s first-ever Memorial Day ceremony at the recently-opened Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of Hunt and Illinois streets. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
Central Falls Police Chief Col. James J. Mendonca, who is also a veteran, co-chairs the event with City Council President and fellow veteran Robert Ferri and has arranged for the Central Falls Police Honor Guard to present the colors.
Taps will be played by former Central Falls resident Al DeAndrade.
“It is important to honor and thank all who have served our great country for the sacrifices that they have made,” Diossa said in an email. “I am glad to be able to host this event at our new Veterans Memorial Park which was dedicated this past November. Our Central Falls residents deserve a place to honor our soldiers and veterans every single day.”
“It’s exciting to know that the park will be adorned with over 300 American flags that the public may take to proudly display not only on Memorial Day, but throughout the year,” Ferri said. The 300 flags were donated by Fierlet Korzen of Post 79 of Central Falls.
In Woonsocket, the United Veteran’s Council and the
City of Woonsocket invite guests to the annual Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m. The event will be held at the United Veteran’s Council Armed Forces Park on Davison Avenue. For more information, contact Director of Human Services Linda Plays at 401-767-9282.
In Lincoln, the Memorial Day parade on Monday morning stages at Keefe Funeral Home on Higginson Avenue at 10 a.m. before stepping off at 11 a.m. The parade travels north on Higginson Avenue before turning onto Walker Street, traveling east to Chapel Street, merging with Great Road, and continuing west to the conclusion at Chase Farm.
The post-parade celebration at Chase Farm, located at 667 Great Road, with food trucks, live music, and photo opportunities with assorted costumed characters, is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.
In North Smithfield, the town’s Memorial Day parade will commence from the parking lot at 900 Victory Highway at 10:30 a.m. on Monday morning. The parade route will continue down North Main Street to Town Hall, where a wreath will be laid for those town residents who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Just over the border in
Blackstone, the Memorial Day parade and fireworks display is scheduled for Sunday, weather permitting. The parade forms at noon at the John F. Kennedy/Augustine F. Maloney elementary school complex at 200 Lincoln St. and steps off at 1 p.m. The parade continues onto Mendon Street and then Main Street before turning onto St. Paul Street and concluding at the the Town Municipal Center. A ceremony will follow the end of the parade in front of the Municipal Center.
Then, from 2 to 9:30 p.m., there will be a fair at Roosevelt Park behind the Municipal Center. The fair includes food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and amusement rides. The day-long festivities conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free.
The committee will make a decision early Sunday morning if the parade and event in park will still take place. In the event that inclement weather causes the entire event to be canceled, only the fireworks will be moved to Monday night. Check the “Blackstone Memorial Day Parade and Celebration” Facebook page for updates if cancellations are made.
In Pawtucket, the Pawtucket Veterans Council will be holding a Memorial Day ceremony to commemorate those local residents who gave their lives for their country. The ceremony will be held at the Pawtucket Veterans Memorial at the corner of Exchange Street and Roosevelt Ave. at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 28.
In East Providence, the Memorial Day parade hosted by the American Legion starts at 10 a.m. at Crescent Park Looff Carousel in the Riverside section of the city, 700 Bullocks Point Avenue. Little League teams will meet at the Carousel at 9:30 a.m.
Also in East Providence, the Cape Verdean Progressive Center at 329 Grosvenor Ave. will hold a Memorial Day remembrance and a status update will be provided on the Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Project. The program starts at 2 p.m. and there is a $10 entrance fee at the door. Refreshments will be included.