Bristol Fourth of July Parade
bristol fourth july parade bristol fourth july celebration officially known military civic firemens parade founded nationally known fourth july parade bristol rhode island parade part oldest independence day celebration united state america annual official historic celebration patriotic exercise established rev henry wight first congregational church veteran revolutionary war later rev wight parade continue today organized bristol fourth july committee festivity officially start june flag day beginning period outdoor concert soapbox race firefighter muster independence park celebration climax july oldest annual parade united state military civic firemens parade event draw people rhode island around world elaborate celebration give bristol nickname america patriotic town bristol fourth july celebration beginning patriotic exercise founded fourth july celebrated every year bristol since date although parade canceled several time year july fall sunday parade held monday th buddy cianci providence longestserving mayor long controversial history bristol parade parade rule stipulated elected federal state bristol town official invited participate mayor providence invited spite providence mayor buddy cianci marched parade every year election violation rule parade organizer sent letter censuring parade bristol town council explicitly voted ban cianci parade year cianci running governor j joseph garrahy sitting governor welcome march bristol police chief vowed arrest anyone caused disturbance record spectator showed parade waiting see would happen end ciancis helicopter touched colt high school official backed face overwhelming crowd support cianci received bigger cheer guest day pleading contest charge assault cianci skipped parade clown dressed prison uniform carrying ball chain mocked absence cianci caused controversy marching front parade marshal prompted parade chairman comment cianci rude doesnt deserve invited back cianci marched small army police including police rescue boat trailer bicycle patrol police officer squirting spectator water rifle proved much parade subcommittee unanimously disinvited cianci parade cianci skipped returned shouting cheer despite indicted time federal corruption charge ciancis last appearance sitting mayor conviction instead riding usual horse cianci walked time frequently stopped fan along route take photo shake hand new providence mayor david cicilline marched parade accompanied modest contingent predecessor rhode island teaparty association applied enter parade float featuring representation british ship beaver ransacked colonist dressed native american boston tea party staffing float helen glover radio personality providence ri–based whjj bristol fourth july committee ejected rhode island teaparty association float parade permanently banned future parade distributing pocket copy declaration independence u constitution bill right along parade route handout prohibited parade ground people especially child running float get pose danger attendance parade reportedly much lighter usual due bad weather tropical storm arthur parade ended abruptly pm sudden thunderstorm marcher included rhode island congressional delegation front line including senator jack reed sheldon whitehouse rep jim langevin david cicilline former providence mayor buddy cianci gubernatorial candidate gina raimondo also attended estimated people attended parade michael rielly becomes bristol official town crier gerry macneill retires position year early january bristol fourth july committee voted shorten parade route mile two mile order clear road make easier first responder react event emergency another reason given longtime drum corp threatened drop route long revised route would begin st parade july said return traditional parade route outcry public complaint rhode island attorney general committee voted one week later restore longer route parade held reduced format due coronavirus pandemic parade marcher wore mask mostly rode automobile instead walking foot spectator consisted small group dozen rather usual throng thousand concert series longest traveled award held organizer wanted keep celebration local scale parade returned full slate event monday july july sunday though fewer marching band parade returned full strength two year pandemicrelated scaling back patriotic exercise speaker oldest tradition given notable person chosen speak starting chief marshal high honor given bristol resident starting hattie brown award award presented annually worthy bristolian demonstrates spirit community service exhibited late hattie brown starting visiting ship u navy ship present celebration starting drum bugle corp around country fourth july ball formal affair complete cocktail grand march dinner dancing button contest child bristol compete design official button parade winner given bond march parade longest traveled award given person traveled longest distance return bristol pageant miss fourth july little miss fourth july official parade rule pageant winner allowed participate parade pageant winner miss rhode island excluded rule intended minimize commercialization parade ancient horribles parade official bristol fourth july celebration website official souvenir book parade glenn beck put constitution away glenn beck program glenn beck july helen glover interview regarding controversycite web c maint postscript link