5 Things To Know Today: May 30 (Memorial Day)

What It Is: Memorial Day (see the Wikipedia entry here) is a national holiday in observance of the men and women who died while serving in America's military. Originally established to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War, the day is now one of general remembrance of all fallen military personnel.

In Johnston Today: Beginning at 9 a.m., the Rhode Island Street Rodding Association will hold its 22nd Annual Automotive Extravaganza to benefit Johnston Little League. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee is $10.

Also, at 9:45 a.m., the hosts a ribbon cutting for the new outdoor gazebo and patio at Pell Manor on Plainfield Street. Memorial Day observances are scheduled.

Parades Nearby: The ProJo.com website's list of parades and observances includes these area events for today:

• Foster: Parade scheduled to start at 8:45 a.m. at Center and North Roads and finish at the town memorial at the Eddy Building. Speaking program to follow.
• North Providence: Parade scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at North Providence High School and finish at Gov. John A. Notte Park, Douglas Avenue. Memorial Service in upper parking lot to follow; festival scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. at Notte Park.
• Scituate: Parade to form at 10 a.m. and start at 10:30 from the corner of Institute Lane and Danielson Pike (Route 6), proceeding to the Old Historical Congregational Church.
• Smithfield: Police and fire honor guard to present colors at 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial inside Deerfield Park, Deerfield Drive, Greenville.

Gaspee Arts & Crafts: The annual kick-off to Gaspee Days — which culminate the weekend of June 11-12 with a parade and burning of a replica of the Gaspee — is the Arts & Crafts Festival, scheduled to run today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the village of Pawtuxet on the Cranston/Warwick line.

First Indy 500: All of the marketing leading up to yesterday's Indianapolis 500 mention that it's the Centennial Year for the big race. It all started on this date in 1911, when Ray Harroun completed 500 miles in a time of 6:42:08 at was then the hair-raising average speed of 74 mph. (from Wikipedia)