Bristol’s Historic 4th of July Parade Marches On Despite Fireworks Cancellation
So, here’s the latest from Bristol, Rhode Island — a place proudly known for hosting the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in America. Even though the town had to make the tough call to cancel this year’s fireworks due to a severe weather squall, the spirit of the 4th is still very much alive. Town Administrator Steven Contente announced that safety concerns and storm damage led to the cancellation. Crews have been hard at work clearing roads and restoring power, especially after power lines were knocked down during the storm. Still, there’s some good news: the iconic 4th of July parade is still happening as planned.
That’s right — the 240th edition of Bristol’s Military, Civic, and Firemen’s Parade will go on, continuing a tradition that dates all the way back to 1785. Imagine that — this celebration began just a few years after the United States declared its independence. It all started with Reverend Henry Wight, a Revolutionary War veteran, who organized the first Patriotic Exercises in town. Since then, it’s grown into a massive, community-wide event that brings together locals and visitors from far and wide.
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This parade is more than just a show — it’s a heartfelt display of history, pride, and patriotism. The town even has its own official Town Crier, Michael Rielly, who keeps tradition alive by ringing his bell and declaring the start of events. His grandfather held the role for 15 years, and now he proudly carries the torch.
Even though fireworks are off the table this year, the parade is still the heart of Bristol’s Independence Day celebration. Floats, marching bands, military honors — it all stretches along a 2.5-mile route through town. And the festivities aren’t just limited to one day. Since June 14th, Bristol has been buzzing with concerts, contests, and community events — all building up to the big parade on July 4th.
This year, the USS Billings, a modern littoral combat ship, is docked in town as part of the tradition that began in the early 1900s, when the U.S. Navy started sending ships to Bristol for the holiday week. The sight of a Navy vessel in the harbor, paired with the red, white, and blue decorations lining the streets, paints a picture of true American celebration.
So while we may miss the boom of fireworks over the harbor this year, the heartbeat of the holiday — Bristol’s historic parade — will still march on, just like it has for 240 years. And honestly, that’s what really counts.
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