From the Mayor’s Office:
Mayor Elorza Invites Providence Residents to Celebrate Fourth of July
Family programming, bike parade, live music and fireworks display highlight Independence Day Celebration in India Point Park on July 4
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Providence Tourism Council are pleased to announce the City’s annual Independence Day Celebration will be held at India Point Park on Monday, July 4th beginning at 4:30pm. This expanded event will feature family friendly activities, a bike parade and valet, live entertainment, and a fireworks display. This event is free and open to the public.
“The City’s Independence Day Celebration is a highlight of the summer season here in Providence,” said Mayor Elorza. “I look forward to joining visitors and residents from all of our neighborhoods at India Point Park to celebrate the Fourth of July at this family-friendly, free event and our signature fireworks display.”
The City of Providence’s Independence Day Celebration kicks off at 4:30pm with a festive line-up of family-friendly programming. Some of the highlights include: Circus Dynamics who will be performing magic shows, the Rhode Island Black Storytellers who will be sharing their special blend of performance-based story-telling, puppeteer Marc Kohler will amaze with his many creations and the K-Rob BMX Stunt Team will present a BMX demonstration.
Children and adults are encouraged to bike to India Point Park and participate in Mayor Elorza’s 1st Annual Independence Day Bike Parade. Residents from all neighborhoods are encouraged to join 6:00pm at Providence City Hall as the bicycle–train weaves its way through Downtown Providence picking up more cyclists at India Point Park by the playground at 6:30pm. Participants can park their bikes for no cost at the event’s bike valet.
Guests can enjoy their favorite flavors of the Ocean State with a food truck market presented in partnership with FoodTrucksIn.com.
Local Latin Rockers Santa Mamba will kick off the main stage festivities beginning at 8pm followed by a spectacular fireworks display over Narragansett Bay at 9:15pm. Immediately following the fireworks display the crowd is encouraged to stick around and dance the night away with a very special guest performing on the main stage.
[alert type=”muted”]The rain date will be July 5, 2016.[/alert]Additional sponsors of the celebration include the Department of Parks and Recreation and GoProvidence.com.
We are working closely with our public safety agencies to ensure that this year’s event is fun and secure.
- Spectators are asked to be aware of their surroundings. If you see a suspicious person, object or vehicle in the park, please report the sighting to (401) 272-3121 or notify nearby law enforcement personnel.
- Do not store or leave any personal items, backpacks, or packages unattended in the park.
- Bags may be subject to random search.
- No fireworks of any kind are allowed in the park.
- No open flames of any kind are allowed in the park.
- Per the regulations of the Providence Parks Commission, dogs, skateboards and open flames/grilling will be prohibited in the park.
- Expect delays when leaving after the fireworks.
- The public is strongly encouraged to access the park by the India Point Park Walking Bridge located at East and Wickenden Streets.
The City will also be observing the following traffic plan to ensure easy access in and out of India Point Park on July 4:
- There will be restricted parking along India Street and it will be closed after 8 a.m.
- South Main and India Street will be ONE-WAY (South then West) from Point Street along South Main under the I-Way Bridge underpass West to the Wyndham Hotel (Gano Street).
- Customers of the Wyndham will be allowed to enter from Gano Street.
- No stopping will be allowed on Route 95 or Route 195. The Rhode Island State Police will be posted on the highway.
- Boats are permitted in the Bay but safety regulations will be strictly enforced, including requiring navigational lights, life jackets, and a 200 yard security zone around the fireworks barge. For more information on boat safety laws, please visit: uscgboating.org
They probably should have mentioned it is a family-friendly event.