Final Community Bonfire to Honor Volunteers Thursday Night

Narrowly missing the stormy weather window predicted for Friday, Middletown's Community Bonfire Thursday night will light up Second Beach for the third and final time this summer.

The town's Parks and Recreation Department is saving the best for last—using the pre-Labor Day Weekend celebration as the opportune time to recognize town volunteers this year. The town's Helping Hands volunteer corps is organized through the Parks and Recreation Department and provides volunteers for a number of causes around town, such as shore clean-ups and working with seniors.

"There's one (bonfire) left. It's a great event for the community and for the volunteers to be recognized," said Middletown Parks and Recreation Director Timothy Shaw."After this one, there won't be another bonfire until Thanksgiving."

The Parks & Recreation Department Second Beach bonfires, which are free and open to the public, have become a big hit among families this season. About 75 people came out from all over Aquidneck Island several weeks ago on a Wednesday night and previous events held on Fridays nearly doubled that crowd.

This week's bonfireis set to go 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Beach lot parking for the event is free and the public is invited.

In addition to the massive 12-foot wide entrenched bonfire, the town Parks and Recreation Department and other organizations like the Substance Abuse Task Force typically provide fun activities for the kids, such as face painting, coloring booths, and games. And, by the end of the night, the firefighters often let those kids (and adults) who've stayed until the very end hold the fire hose to help douse the big fire. The beach concessions stand also remains open to the public for the night.

The town's final Summer Community Bonfire will take place 7:30 to 9:30 pm Thursday, September 2 with a ceremony to honor town volunteers. After that, Middletowners will have to wait until Thanksgiving to catch the next blaze.

For more information, please visit the Middletown Parks and Recreation Department web site or call (401) 847-1993.