There’s nothing quite like a Rhode Island Fourth of July Parade. Whether you’d like to get decked out in a patriotic costume, or just enjoy some nationalistic music, there’s a Rhode Island Parade to provide your ultimate Fourth of July experience.

The 226th Bristol Parade will no doubt be “A Unique American Experience” and is expected to attract tens of thousands of patriotic Americans who have come to enjoy the oldest Fourth of July Parade in the country. The event will begin at 10:30am and will follow the usual route down Hope Street, with its red, white and blue center traffic line. But be sure to plan ahead, the roads will be closing at 7:00am!

The Arnold Mills 4th of July Parade and Road Race has been a Cumberland tradition for over 80 years, and this year the theme will be “America—Our Home”. The Road Race begins at 9:00am, at the North Cumberland Fire Station. The Parade begins at 11:00am travelling down Nate Whipple Highway from the North Attleboro Line and ending at the Arnold Mills historic village center. The event will be followed by a “Concert on the Green” at 1:00pm.

Founded in 1927, Chepachet’s nationally known Ancients and Horribles Parade is a Rhode Island favorite, with floats that feature traditional patriotic messages as well as satire. The event is an exciting mix of comedy and national pride, and is sure to be a blast. The parade will begin at 4:00pm and will follow the usual route down Putnam Pike.

The Block Island 4th of July Parade will start at Legion Park at 11:30am and will end at the statue of Rebecca in Old Harbor. This is a great way to celebrate the 350 years of Block Island History and attendees can expect lots of live music and terrific floats!

The Snug Harbor Parade in South Kingstown will be led by the Snug Harbor Volunteer Fire Co., who are eager to show off their new 2011 fire engines and rescue boats. This is a parade made for “small town America,” with friendly locals and antique cars; a real “community” event. The parade starts at 6:00pm at Gooseberry Road and Hartford Ave., and a Reviewing Stand will be at the Snug Harbor Marina.

Happy Fourth of July, Rhode Island!

The 4th of July is the unofficial kickoff to the summer in New England. While some of our celebrations have historical significance, most people look for the annual fireworks displays to cap off the day. You’ve most likely got the cookouts covered, but if you’re looking for the “rocket’s red glare and bombs bursting in air” to schedule around the hot-dogs, we’ve compiled a list of the locations throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts lighting up the sky. Here’s what we have.

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