All of America feels a swell of pride on the 4th of July. But the small town of Bristol, RI is particularly proud of that. Bristol residents had the longest continuous run of August 4th fireworks in the United States – for 222 years. That distinction earned Bristol the nickname “America’s Most Patriotic Town.”
Every year since 1785, the town and its residents have consistently paid their tribute. Not the war, not the Great Depression, nor the threat of the storm destroyed the event. Attending the Bristol, RI parade is a tradition of hundreds of families in Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, generation after generation. The parade and related events now draw a crowd of about 100,000 people each year.
In America’s bi-centennial in 1976, the parade was watched by a crowd of more than a quarter of a million people. The normal population of Bristol, RI is 23,000.
According to the Bristol Fourth of July Committee (which has about 100 members, 23 of them living) this year’s parade will begin at 10:30 p.m. If you want to get a good seat, you are advised to arrive before 8:00 p.m. There would be even more advantages in the light. A committee is made up of volunteers who put in a thousand hours to collect all the circumstances of the event, as well as the main parade.
A Drum and Bugle Corps Competition was part of the 18-year celebration. Top Drum and Bugle Corps from across the United States and Canada are now competing for top honors. As with most celebrations in the city, it’s a spectacular show. Not just one beauty pageant, but two. One for Miss Fourth of July and one for Little Miss Fourth of July. In addition, there is a formal ball, an essay contest, a photo contest, and a button contest.
Adding to the fun and excitement is Fireman’s Field, live concerts, swag, the Orange Derby Derby, vintage silly games and frequent dinners and clambakes. Several charity events have a focus among the new swimmers in the parade this year whose riders will be cutting hair as they ride. The hair was collected for “hair of love” which provides hair and scalp to poor childhood cancer patients.
Twenty-two floats, twenty-three bands (from Edinburgh, Scotland) and various ministers, colonial marches, and pageant winners will all salute freedom for two hours. Classic and vintage will also be prominently similar. To see the full rundown of events and people visit the July4thbristolri.com website.
Rhode Island Representative Patrick Kennedy is expected to be part of the parade. Kennedy, along with city and state officials, also helped a local Brazilian exchange student to extend their Visa a week. to allow him to experience the American tradition. The student has seen the Brazilian “Carnival” parade many times, but this will be the first 4th of July Parade in Bristol.
Attendees will certainly have a spectacular file show on the evening of July 3rd.
