2018 Gaspee Days: Guide To The Big Weekend In Pawtuxet

If you're not from Rhode Island, you may have missed the story of the H.M.S. Gaspee. The Gaspee was a British ship used to crack down on colonists who were smuggling goods up and down Narragansett Bay. It was not an easy mission. Chasing after the Hannah, a smuggling boat, the Gaspee hit a sandbar and was stuck. Angry colonists saw their opportunity and burned the British ship, an act that helped start the American Revolution. The Boston Tea Party, it should be pointed out, came a whole year later. Rhode Islanders have reenacted the 1772 Gaspee burning for decades.

Pawtuxet Village hosts the celebration this weekend. The events start at Trinity Episcopal Church with an ecumenical service. The music and ceremony is followed by a 5K and then a parade. Saturday is packed with people to see, things to do and food. There's more fun on Sunday. Finally, the burning of the Gaspee gets a reenactment Sunday, June 10 at 4 p.m. in Pawtuxet Park, on the Warwick side.

The Weekend Schedule

Saturday, June 9

Ecumenical Service, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 139 Ocean Ave., Cranston

The non-denominational service includes readings and the West Bay Chorale.

5K Gaspee Days Race, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Broad Street at Chiswick Road, Cranston

The race, in memory of Allan and Edna Brown, starts in Cranston on Broad Street at Chiswick Road, travels into Warwick, turns back and ends at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet.

Gaspee Days Parade, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Narragansett Parkway, Warwick

The 2-mile long parade has a little of everything, including a chance to dodge the Shriners in their miniature cars. It's been an ongoing event since 1965.

Colonial Encampment, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Pawtuxet Park, Warwick

Meet the re-enactors for a glimpse at how the colonists lived. The Pawtuxet Rangers, the volunteer colonial militia, will be participating.

Sunday, June 10

Colonial Encampment, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pawtuxet Park, Warwick

Meet the re-enactors for a glimpse at how the colonists lived. The Pawtuxet Rangers, the volunteer colonial militia, will be participating.

Sunday in the Park, 12-4 p.m., Pawtuxet Park, Warwick

Live music, children's games, Colonial reenactments, the raffle drawing and more. Picnic baskets and blankets are encouraged.

Burning of the Gaspee, 4 p.m., Pawtuxet Park, Warwick

The canon starts it all off.

Getting There

From points south: On Interstate 95 northbound, take exit 14 (Route 37, Warwick) to Post Road (Route 1A) North for 3 miles to Pawtuxet Village.
From points north: On I-95 southbound, take Exit 16 (Route 12) to Park Avenue. Stay on Park for 1.2 miles to Broad Street. Turn right for Pawtuxet Village.
From points west: From Interstate 295 take Route 37 East (Warwick) to Route 1A to Pawtuxet Village.

Parking

There's some free parking on the side streets.

For parking lots:

Warwick: Pilgrim Senior Center, Pilgrim High, and Wyman Elementary School.
Cranston: William Hall Library on Broad Street.

File Photo Credit: Maureen Umehara, Patch Poster