Cake Cutting at Ciro's Raising Funds for City's 125th Celebration in August

Tonight's 125th Anniversary Cake Cutting Ceremony for the City at Ciro's Tavern, a fundraiser for Woonsocket's Aug. 29 birthday celebration, has drawn a lot of attention.

Matt Moylan, managing partner at Ciro's, the oldest tavern in the city (its liquor license dates back to 1893), said they're expecting about 500 people tonight on Woonsocket's 125th birthday. "We actually had to expand our permit to the outside," Moylan said. About 350 tickets (available for a $10 donation) had been sold by Tuesday. Tickets are also available at the door.

Tonight's party runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include complimentary Hors d'oeuvres, entertainment provided by the Adam Go Quartet, and cake. 

Proceeds will contribute to the budget for the main 125th anniversary event - a block party Aug. 29 from 4 to 11 p.m. The event will take place between Market Square and Monument square, with street acts, kids activities and amusements, said Moylan, a member of the celebration committee along with Linda Plays at Mayor Leo Fontaine's office and Al Beauparlant, who was chairman of Woonsocket's centennial 25 years ago.

There will nine stages of entertainment, including a car show, bike show, military show and a Taste of Woonsocket food tent.

The budget for all of that is still being worked out, Moylan said, but tonight's fundraiser, the first of four, (Christopher's Restuarant and Vino's Restaurant will also host as-yet unannounced events, and the Museum of Work and Culture will host a historic Woonsocket before and now slideshow) will get the celebration committee's funding rolling. 

Meanwhile, Ciros staff and a few hundred guests have their sights set on slices of anniversary cake.