Bristol Parade Focus of July 4th

Independence Day has been celebrated big time in Bristol for 226 years. And for most of those years, Barrington residents have simply chosen to participate in that celebration instead of pushing for something separate.

“The town simply has never done much,” said Town Manager Peter DeAngelis Jr., a Barrington native. 

DeAngelis speculated that with Bristol’s festivities, which tend to draw visitors from all over the East Bay, there has been little interest in a separate Fourth of July celebration.

A visit to the Barrington Preservation Society Museum in the lower level of the library also came up wanting for Independence Day information. A look through folders in the society’s archive of photos also came up with nothing.

Of course, the Fourth of July parade will generate a significant boost of traffic on County Road early in the morning and after the parade ends. And the East Bay Bike Path usually gets much more use than normal that day as parade-goers walk or bike or roller blade to the parade.

The police department will pay more attention to those transportation corridors with their holiday patrols. But over the past few years, said Det. Lt. Dino DeCrescenzo, the traffic hasn't been quite as heavy.

As all of the Bristol parades do, the 2011 version will feature lots of patriotism, pageantry and politicians -- with lots of music from marching bands and a host of floats, military vehicles, fire trucks, police cars and plenty of other vehicles as well.

The parade will start promptly at 10:30 am at the corner of Hope Street (Route 114) and Chestnut Street. The 2.5-mile route ends at the Bristol Town Common near High Street.

Obviously, everyone attending the parade wants to a fun-filled, safe and joyous Fourth of July. The Bristol Fourth of July committee urges everyone to follow these rules and regulations, taken directly from the committee’s website:

• Blankets and chairs may not be set up along the parade route before 5:00 a.m., any materials set up before 5:00 a.m. will be confiscated.
• Overnight camping is prohibited.
• Areas along the parade route may not be roped off, taped off or blocked any way with any object.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
• Fireworks, Silly String, "Poppers", streamers, water guns, and projectiles of any kind are prohibited.
• Bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates are prohibited along parade route during parade. Anyone using any such transportation must walk along the parade route with bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates at their side.
• Soliciting along the parade route is illegal unless a license has been obtained from the Fourth of July Committee.

The Fourth of July Committee also offers a few tips you should consider taking:

• Bring cold drinks, hats and sunscreen.
• Shady areas can be the best protection against sun and heat.
• Games and books to occupy your children before the parade begins is a good idea.
• Pets should be left at home.
• First Aid will be available from emergency medical crews stationed along the parade route.
• A viewing section for people with disabilities will be set up at the corner of Hope and Court Streets, across from the Harriet Bradford Motor Inn. Handicap parking will be available across from the Town Hall on Court Street.
• Bleacher seats across from the Reviewing Stand will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are driving into or through Bristol on Monday, you will find various streets closed off beginning at 8 am. Four of those streets, Poppasquash Road, Chestnut Street, Naomi Street and Sherry Avenue, will close at 7 am.

A parking ban along the parade route actually starts Sunday night, July 3.

Parking is “basically anywhere you can find it,” according to the website. “Large lots are open to the public at the corner of Hope and Gooding. Avoid Mt. Hope High School, as the parade forms there and participants will be parking there. If you park on residential streets, avoid blocking driveways. Police will ticket.”

Many Barrington residents will spend at least a few minutes Monday watching the parade on TV. This year, the Full Channel cable TV company that serves Barrington, Warren and Bristol will be broadcasting the parade with a one-hour delay and streaming it live via the internet to your computer. 

Don't bother tuning in to Channels 6, 10 or 12. None of the local TV stations chose to broadcast the Bristol parade this year.