Chafee Signs Bill for Bristol Fourth of July License Plates

On July 4, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee signed on a bill sponsored by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. and Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. to create special license plates that will raise funds for Bristol’s Fourth of July parade. 

According to a release, the governor brought the bill (2011-H 5378 A, 2011-S 1075) with him to Bristol so he could sign it during the festivities, just before he marched in the 226^th annual parade.

“These plates will not just be a source of funding for the parade, but will also be a source of pride for our very patriotic community. I hope people all over Rhode Island who come to the parade will support and promote it with these plates, and I’m sure they will be popular here in Bristol,” said Rep. Gallison.

The red, white and blue plates, which will be decorated with stars, stripes, a parade logo, and the message “America’s Oldest Fourth of July Celebration,” will cost drivers an additional, one time fee of $40. Half of that fee will go to the state and the other half will go to the parade committee to fund the celebration. 

“This was the perfect way to make a great celebration even better,” said Sen. Felag. “This year the parade was blessed with perfect weather and a fantastic patriotic spirit, and it was made even better by knowing that future celebrations will have a new source of funding from these beautiful license plates.”

An initial order of 900 plates are required before the state will begin printing them. The plates are currently only available for passenger cars with plates consisting of five digits or less, but the committee is working toward getting the plates for six digit registrations. For more information and an application, visit the Bristol Fourth of July Committee's website. The first 900 plates must be purchased through the committee, not the DMV.