Bristol's 225th Fourth of July Celebration

Bristol's 225th Fourth of July Celebration

Looking for a historic, fun way to spend your Fourth of July weekend? What better place to go than the oldest Independence Day celebration in the country – right here in Bristol, Rhode Island! In fact, Bristol loves the Fourth so much, they have already been celebrating the holiday for a month  - they crowned their annual Miss and Little Miss 4th of July in May, and had their 61st Annual Orange Crate Derby for Bristol kids in early June. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of celebrating to do – This year will mark the town’s 225th Fourth of July Celebration, including a variety of festivities that span the whole weekend. Patriotic fun for the whole family! 


Music On The Water

4th of July Concert Series, varied times, free, Independence Park, Thames St. Every night features an array of different performers.
July 2: Bristol County Chorus, 6:30pm, Michael Dimucci, 7:45pm
July 3: New Era Jazz Band, 6:30pm, Mixed Emotions, 7:45pm
July 4: Matty B, 6:30pm, United States Army Concert Band, 8pm

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Ships In Harbor

Every year as part of the Independence Day celebration in Bristol, a visiting ship sets up in Bristol Harbor. This year the USS SQUALL (PC 7), a 179-foot-long US Navy Ship, will be in port. Tours run on July 2 from 12-3:30pm, and July 3-5 from 10am-4pm.

Drum Line

It doesn't get more all-American than this. Friday, the 2010 Drum and Bugle Corps Competition features top Drum and Bugle Corps from the United States and Canada. In its 22nd year, it's one of the highlights of Bristol's 4th of July celebration. 7pm at Mt. Hope High School, 199 Chestnut St, 253-0445.

Kid Fun

Give the kids some move-around time on Saturday, at Spot the American Flag at the Audubon Environmental Education Center, a state of the art natural history museum and aquarium. See if you can spot ten American flags in the exhibit hall! Find them all and receive a special Fourth of July sticker to take home. 1401 Hope St (245-7500), 9am-5pm, free.

Fancy Dance

Clean up on Saturday evening and don your best dancing shoes for the Fourth of July Ball, a festive evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing, all in celebration of Independence Day. Field House at Roger Williams University, 1 Old Ferry Rd, 253-3401, 6pm-midnight, $75.

And Yes. THE PARADE.

If you have never been, now's the time to go. If you've been before, now's the time to go. It's the 225 anniversary, and it doesn't get more historic than that. NOTE that this year the Bristol Fourth of July Parade is on Monday, July 5, and starts from the corner of Chestnut St and Hope St at 10:30am. It winds its way along the classic red-white-and-blue median stripe, and ends on High Street, between State and Bradford. 


It's great from any corner, but for a posh seat, consider booking a spot at Linden Place's Fourth of July Parade Picnic. Located at 500 Hope St, directly on the parade route, you'll get reserved bleacher-style seating, plus tables and chairs under the shade of the historic home's Linden trees. $60 for adults, $45 for children, includes continental breakfast and a picnic lunch, and supports ongoing restoration of this town landmark. 253-0390. 

Top photograph Richard Benjamin