Memorial Day 2019: Rhode Island Parades And Events

Across the state, communities are honoring the fallen this Memorial Day, holding parades, memorial services and more. The annual Gaspee Days festival also runs during the holiday weekend, and Operation Stand Down will once again place approximately 7,000 boots and flags in Fort Adams State Park for their "Boots on the Ground" memorial.

For the first time, the memorial will be held at Fort Adams State Park, on display for the public from Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27. The free event is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as a concert by the Governor’s Rhode Island National Guard 88th Army Band on Sunday evening. More information on the memorial is available on Operation Stand Down's website.

Rhode Island's Gaspee Days officially run from May 18 to June 2, with the annual Arts and Crafts festival taking place over Memorial Day weekend. The festival is located on Narragansett Parkway in Warwick from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day except Monday, when it will wrap u at 4:30 p.m. Musical acts are scheduled to play each afternoon. For more information or to find a list of vendors, visit the Gaspee Days website.

Cranston is once again hosting a Memorial Day carnival at Mulligan's Island at 1000 New London Ave. from Thursday to Monday. The carnival kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Ride tickets cost $1 each, 25 for $20 or 40 for $30. There will also be unlimited ticket wristbands for sale each day for $25 during certain hours.

• Thursday: Wristbands available between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., good until the end of the night.
• Saturday and Sunday: Wristbands available between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., good until 6 p.m.
• Monday: Wristbands available all day, good until close.

Memorial Day Parades: May 27

• Lincoln: Chase Farm, 667 Great Rd. Post parade celebration at Chase Farm to follow.
• South Kingstown/Wakefield: Downtown Wakefield, from Holly Street to Main Street, ending on High Street. Step-off at 10 a.m.
• Little Compton: At the Commons, step-off is at 10 a.m.
• North Kingstown: Ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Civil War memorial at 80 Boston Neck Rd. Parade begins at 10 a.m. The route will go along West Main, Brown, and Phillips Streets through Wickford Village and onto Tower Hill Road before ending at the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial in Elm Grove Cemetery. Closing ceremony expected to begin at 11 a.m.
• Westerly: Parade begins in Pawcatuck, Connecticut at 9:30 a.m. and ends in Wilcox Park.
• North Providence: The first-ever memorial 5k and fun run will be held before this year's parade. Kid's Fun Run begins at 11:30 a.m., ahead of the 5k at 12 p.m. Parade steps off at 1 p.m. from North Providence High School.
• East Greenwich: Parade steps off at 10 a.m. from the Swift Gym and Community Center on Pierce Street.
• Riverside, East Providence: Parades steps off at 10 a.m. at Crescent Park Carousel, then travels north along Bullocks Point Avenue onto Turner Avenue and then right onto Willett Avenue before ending at the Riverside American Legion Post #10 at 830 Willett Ave. around 11:15 a.m.
• Barrington: Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. at Park Avenue and ends at Evergreen Cemetery, where a remembrance ceremony will be held.
• Bristol: Memorial ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at the North Burial Ground on Hope Street, followed by a parade along Hope Street at 10:30 a.m.
• Warren: A ceremony will be held at the Vietnam Memorial at the corner of Market Street and Kickemiut Road on Sunday morning at 9. On Monday, a memorial ceremony will be held at the town wharf starting at 7:30 a.m.

Are we missing any local parades or celebrations? Let us know in the comments, and we'll add them to the list!