Memorial Day 2024: Parades, memorials and events around RI honor those who gave their lives
Many Rhode Island communities honor the people who gave their lives for their county with parades and ceremonies on Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 27.
It looks like the weather will cooperate with outdoor plans for at least the early part of the weekend. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday should be mostly sunny with a high of 77 in Providence; Sunday looks mostly cloudy with a high near 78; Monday looks mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and a high of 72.
(By the way, Legal Sea Foods, which has a restaurant at Garden City Center, Cranston, is offering active military and veterans a free bowl of chowder on Memorial Day, dine-in only.)
Since Memorial Day honors those who died in service, flags should be flown at half-staff.
More: How should the American flag be property displayed? We found out.
Here’s a look at the parades and ceremonies happening around Rhode Island this weekend:
All weekend
Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. (There will be a special ceremony for Rhode Island’s Gold Star Families to place the boots representing their fallen loved ones at 6:30 p.m. on May 24).
Where: Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport.
What to know: “This memorial is a living tribute honoring the sacrifice that our men and women in uniform make in support of our nation. The boots featured in this memorial each represent a U.S. service member killed in the more than two decades of conflict known as the Global War on Terror," said Dee DeQuattro, founder.
The memorial includes more than 7,000 boots adorned with flags and name placards representing the lives of the U.S. service members killed in action after 9/11 in the Global War on Terror. The exhibition has been seen by tens of thousands of visitors since its inception. Service members are alphabetized by state, allowing individuals to locate friends, comrades and loved ones.
Sunday
Charlestown Memorial Day Parade
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Starting at Old Post Road and Ridgewood Road, traveling west along Old Post Road to King Tom Drive.
What to know: Observances will be held at Cross' Mills Baptist Church, Cold Brook and immediately after the parade at the Naval Airfield Memorial at Ninigret Park.
Exeter's 49th Annual Memorial Day Parade
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Along Route 102 from Sunderland Road to Exeter Public Library
What to know: A ceremony and celebration with food trucks, balloon animals and face painting at the library will follow the parade.
Hope Valley Wyoming Fire District Parade
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Starting at the Hope Valley Wyoming Fire District and ending at the YMCA on Main Street in Hope Valley.
What to know: The fire district will have its entire fleet of fire trucks in the parade along with others from various surrounding towns. Several local businesses have also signed up to participate.
Monday
Annual Barrington Memorial Day Ceremonial Events and Parade
When: 9 a.m.
What to know: The event will start with a 9 a.m. wreath ceremony at Victory Field Memorial Gate, followed by a 9:30 a.m. parade kickoff from Barrington High School to Barrington Town Hall with a formal ceremony and speaker at the Town Hall lawn.
East Greenwich Annual Memorial Day Parade
When: 10 a.m.
Where: The parade will step off from Academy Field and wind through the Hill and Harbor District via Mawney Street. It will then continue to First Avenue (Route 401) for a brief wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial at the corner of Cliff Street. The parade will then proceed north on Main Street to the Town Hall for closing ceremonies to conclude at about 11:00 a.m.
What to know: Closing ceremonies will include a recitation of the Gettysburg Address by Cole Middle School student Eben Byler and a fly-over by the 143rd Airlift Wing, stationed at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station.
East Providence American Legion Post 10 Memorial Day Parade
When: 10 a.m.
Where: At Oldham on Old Bullocks Point Avenue.
What to know: Snacks will be provided to kids after the parade.
RI Veterans Memorial Cemeteryobservances
When: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m.Where: Vietnam Memorial area at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter.
What to know: Various dignitaries are expected to speak. Gold Star families may be in attendance.
Lincoln Memorial Day Parade
When: 10 a.m.
Where: The parade starts at Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Ave., heading down Smithfield Avenue and concluding at Chase Farm.
What to know: There will be a post-parade celebration with food trucks and live music.
Hope Valley Wyoming District
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Hope Valley Wyoming Fire District Station 1, 996 Main St., Hopkinton.
The Strewing of Flowers, Newport
When: 10 a.m.
Where: VFW Post 406 at Storer Park, Washington Street, Newport.
What to know: The Strewing of Flowers is a traditional maritime ceremony to remember and honor those lost at sea in service to our nation. Veterans, active military, their families and the public are invited to join the post, reflect on the peril experienced by those serving at sea and those lost due to conflict and accident. As part of the ceremony, attendees will be asked to participate by casting flowers into Newport Harbor to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
VFW Post 406 & American Legion Post 7 Memorial Day Ceremony at Newport City Hall
When: Noon
Where: Newport City Hall
What to know: The gathering is held at City Hall because its lawn hosts monuments remembering those who lost their lives during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
North Kingstown Memorial Day ceremony and parade
When: 9 a.m.
Where: Civil War Memorial at Historic Town Hall, 80 Boston Neck Rd.
When: 10 a.m.
Where: The parade starts on West Main and Phillips streets, through Wickford Village to Tower Hill Road to Grand Army of the Republic Memorial to Elm Grove Cemetery for an 11 am commencement of closing ceremonies.
North Providence parade and celebration
When: 1 p.m.
Where: North Providence High School, east on Mineral Spring Avenue, north on Douglas Avenue, ending at John A. Notte Jr. Park with celebration with hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and lemonade
Pawtucket Memorial Day Celebration
When: 11 a.m.
Where: The Veterans Amphitheatre, corner of Roosevelt and Exchange.
What to know: Members of the Pawtucket Veterans Council will be speaking, as well as Mayor Donald Grebien. Attendees will include members of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp from William E. Tolman High School. Two students from Charles E. Shea High School will sing.
VFW Post 5390 ceremony and reception
When: 11 a.m.
Where: 822 Anthony Rd., Portsmouth
South Kingstown Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
When: 10 a.m.
Where: The parade will start on Holly Street in Wakefield, proceed south onto Main Street and conclude at Saugatucket Park on High Street.
What to know: Following the parade, a memorial ceremony will be conducted at the Veterans Monument at Saugatucket Park on High Street, at 11 a.m.
If you know of an event that should be added to this list, email jperry@providencejournal.com with the information.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Memorial Day events 2024: Parades and ceremonies around the state
