Woonsocket Prepares To Celebrate 125th Birthday

Woonsocket Prepares To Celebrate 125th Birthday

Get ready for the party of the year! Thursday night, August 29, join in a festive celebration of Rhode Island’s northernmost city, as Woonsocket hosts a 125th Birthday Celebration along Main Street. The block party will take place from Monument Square to Market Square and will be a true community event hosted by citizens, historians, and local businesses.

At this birthday bash, guests can look forward to nine entertainment stages, a variety of musical entertainment, artists, car shows, motorcycle shows, military shows, concessions, food tents such as Taste of Woonsocket, kids' amusements and ethnic foods.

Word on the street is that the main attraction for the celebration will be a new art installation in Monument Square, but the details are being kept under wraps by Anniversary Committee Co-Chairman Albert Beauparlant and local artist Ron Deziel.

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Woonsocket, the Indian name for “thundermist,” has a long and interesting history. The area known as Woonsocket was first settled in the late 17th century, when early settlers farmed the land and utilized the power of the Woonsocket Falls. New settlers arrived around 1830 from surrounding towns and Europe, as well as large numbers of French Canadians. In a short time, Woonsocket became a bustling, industrial and ethnically diverse community. Today manufacturing still dominates Woonsocket's economy. Woonsocket's central location and easy accessibility makes the city an ideal location for business development and residence.

More about the city’s block party birthday celebration is available by calling City Hall at 401-762-6400 or going to http://www.ci.woonsocket.ri.us/.