Family fun, bike parade, live music and fireworks display highlight
Independence Day Celebration in India Point Park on July 4
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Providence Tourism Council are pleased to announce the City’s annual Independence Day Celebration will be held at India Point Park on Tuesday, July 4th beginning at 7:00pm. The event will feature family fun, a bike parade and bike valet, live entertainment and a fireworks display. This event is free and open to the public.
“The City’s Independence Day Celebration is a highlight of the summer season in our Creative Capital,” said Mayor Elorza. “I look forward to joining visitors, residents, and their families at India Point Park to celebrate the Fourth of July for live music and our signature fireworks display over Narragansett Bay.”
Children and adults are encouraged to bike to India Point Park and participate in Mayor Elorza’s 2nd Annual Independence Day Bike Parade. The Parade kicks off at 6:00PM from Providence City Hall and the bicycle train will weave its way through Downtown Providence picking up more cyclists at India Point Park by the playground at 6:30PM. The bike parade will make its way along the shoreline and end at the stage. Participants (and those who biked to the Park) can park their bicycles securely for free with Bike Valet operated by Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition between 5:30pm and 10:00pm near the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School.
The City of Providence’s Independence Day Celebration main stage kicks off at 7:00pm with a performance by Soraiya, one of the City’s up and coming singing sensations. Eleven-year old Soraiya Marines, who goes by her first name, has performed live for audiences at PVDFest, the Dominican Festival of RI, and a Providence College Friars basketball game. Her interest and talent for singing was noted early on when her family held monthly karaoke nights. At the age of six, she began participating in school performances and talent shows. This is the second time that Soraiya will appear at the City of Providence Independence Day celebration; she performed the National Anthem in 2015.
Immediately following Soraiya’s performance, the Navy Band Northeast will take the main stage. Established in 1974, Navy Band Northeast is based on board NAVSTA Newport and is one of 11 official U.S. Navy bands worldwide, providing musical support for military ceremonies, recruiting, morale and retention programs, and community relations. Under the direction of Lieutenant Gregory Fritz, this group of 35 professional Navy musicians supports more than 300 engagements annually throughout an 11-state area of responsibility, performing regularly for high-ranking military and civilian dignitaries, Navy Recruiting, public outreach and awareness efforts, and partnership in education programs throughout the Northeast United States. The primary components of Navy Band Northeast: Marching and Ceremonial Bands; popular music group, Rhode Island Sound; brass quintet, Top Brass and woodwind trio, Crosswinds. Other units consist of various smaller protocol ensembles: Solo Pianist; Solo Guitarist; Jazz Combo, solo Vocalist and solo Guitarist. All ensembles perform a wide range of music from patriotic, classical, contemporary, big band swing, country, and the latest top-40 hits.
Visitors to the Independence Day Celebration will be able to enjoy their favorite flavors of the Ocean State with a food truck corral showcasing over 15 local food vendors.
The rain date will be July 5, 2017.
The 2017 Independence Day celebration is made possible with support from the City of Providence, Providence Tourism Council. Additional sponsors of the celebration include the Department of Parks and Recreation, GoProvidence.com, the City’s Eat Play Learn Initiative and Lite Rock 105.
We are working closely with our public safety agencies to ensure that this year’s event is fun and secure.
- Spectators are asked to be aware of their surroundings. If you see a suspicious person, object or vehicle in the park, please report the sighting to (401) 272-3121 or notify nearby law enforcement personnel.
- Do not store or leave any personal items, backpacks, or packages unattended in the park.
- Bags may be subject to random search.
- No fireworks of any kind are allowed in the park.
- No open flames of any kind are allowed in the park.
- Per the regulations of the Providence Parks Commission, dogs, skateboards and open flames/grilling will be prohibited in the park.
- Expect delays when leaving after the fireworks.
- The public is strongly encouraged to access the park by the India Point Park Walking Bridge located at East and Wickenden Streets.
The City will also be observing the following traffic plan to ensure easy access in and out of India Point Park on July 4:
- There will be restricted parking along India Street and it will be closed after 8:00am from Newport Ferry Landing to the I-195 off-ramp.
- South Main and India Street will be ONE-WAY (South then West) from Point Street along South Main under the I-Way Bridge underpass West to the Hilton Garden Inn (Gano Street).
- Exit 2 (India Street/Gano Street) off I-195 East will be closed from 3:00pm to 11:00pm.
- Customers of the Hilton Garden Inn will be allowed to enter from Gano Street.
- No stopping will be allowed on Route 95 or Route 195. The Rhode Island State Police will be posted on the highway.
- Passengers on the Providence-Newport ferry should allow additional time for parking. Check their website for more information about this service.
- Ferry customers will only be able to access the ferry dock by taking South Main Street.
- Boats are permitted in the Bay but safety regulations will be strictly enforced, including requiring navigational lights, life jackets, and a 200 yard security zone around the fireworks barge. For more information on boat safety laws, please visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/