Memorial Day events in RI: Parades, Boots on the Ground for Heroes and more
It's the gateway to summer and the fashion maven's first chance to wear white shoes, but Memorial Day weekend is first and foremost a solemn recognition of the men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedom of all Americans.
Pay your respects by bringing the family to one of the many parades and wreath-laying ceremonies across the state. And then try some of our other suggestions to get into the summertime spirit.
Barrington (barrington.ri.gov/350/Memorial-Day-Parade), Monday, May 26. The day starts with a wreath-laying at Barrington High School at 9 a.m., followed by a parade from the school to Town Hall, where there will be a formal ceremony at 11 a.m. with bagpipers, speeches and another wreath-laying.
Charlestown (charlestownmemorialdayparade.com), Sunday, May 25. At 1 p.m., the parade steps off on Old Post Road at Ridgewood Drive, winding along Route 1A and Route 1 to Narrow Lane. There are observances during the parade at Cross' Mills Baptist Church and Cold Brook; another follows at Charlestown Naval Airfield Memorial at Ninigret Park.
East Greenwich (eastgreenwichri.com), Monday, May 26. Starting at 10 a.m., the parade steps off at Academy Field and winds through the Hill and Harbor District via Mawney Street to First Avenue for a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial on Cliff Street. Closing ceremonies and a fly-over by the 143rd Airlift Wing follow at Town Hall.
East Providence, Monday, May 26. The annual parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Old Oldham School on Bullocks Point Avenue and proceeds to American Legion Post 10 on Willett Avenue.
Exeter (tinyurl.com/4s47e3cn), Sunday, May 25. The town celebrates its 50th annual Memorial Day Parade this year along Route 102, winding from Sunderland Road to the Exeter Public Library. It steps off at 1 p.m., followed by a ceremony honoring veterans and family fun at the library.
Lincoln (lincolnri.gov/275/Lincoln-Memorial-Day-Parade), Monday, May 26. Stepping off from Keefe Funeral Home at 11 a.m., the parade moves down Smithfield Avenue to Chase Farm, where there will be a celebration with food trucks and live music.
North Providence (northprovidenceri.gov), Monday, May 26. The annual event steps off at 1 p.m. from North Providence High School on Mineral Spring Avenue, turning onto Douglas Avenue and ending at Governor John A. Notte Jr. Park with a closing ceremony, wreath-laying and food.
South Kingstown (tinyurl.com/2hwpfad9), Monday, May 26. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. at Holley and Main streets in Wakefield and concludes at the Saugatucket Park Veterans Monument at 101 High St. There, a ceremony will include musical performances, an honor guard gun salute and a wreath-laying.
Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery will host its annual grave-flagging ceremony on Saturday, May 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The effort encourages volunteers and visitors to 'take the flags and go to any section to place the flags at the top of each headstone.' On Monday, May 26, the cemetery will host the annual service to veterans beginning at 1 p.m. Gov. Dan McKee and other dignitaries are expected to attend. Rogers High School senior Grace Rochelle will serve as the keynote speaker, delivering her first-place essay in the VFW Voice of Democracy contest.
Boots on the Ground for Heroes (osdri.org), Fort Adams State Park, Newport. This patriotic display of more than 7,000 boots and flags will be open for remembrance and to honor post-9/11 fallen U.S. service members. Each boot bears the service member's name, photo and biographical information. The event, sponsored by Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, is free and open to the public May 23, 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and May 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival (gaspee.com/events/arts), May 24 to 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pawtuxet Park, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick. Stroll the blocked-off streets around Pawtuxet Park and browse the handcrafted wares of more than 100 fine artisans while enjoying live music, games and fair food. The event is family-friendly and free.
Newport Vineyards (newportvineyards.com), 909 East Main Road, Middletown, celebrates Memorial Day weekend and kicks off its 30th anniversary summer by opening its Tank Patio. On Friday, May 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the area will overflow with live music, free axe throwing on Friday, cupcake pairings on Saturday and the chance to enjoy beer and wine tastings, sangria slushies and treats from the new charcuterie cart or the patio menu.
Rogue Island Comedy Festival (rogueislandcomedyfest.com) runs from May 22 to 25 in locations around Newport. This year's lineup includes Natasha Legerro, Ian Lara, Geoffrey Asmus and more. Ticket prices vary.
Roger Williams Park Zoo (rwpzoo.org), 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Enjoy Breakfast with the Elephants before the zoo opens on Saturday, May 24, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. After a hot meal al fresco, you can join zookeepers to learn about training, feeding and caring for the zoo's herd of African elephants. You'll even help prepare the yard for the day and perhaps watch as an elephant creates a piece of custom art. Later the same day, regular zoo admission allows you to take part in Penguin Palooza (rain date is May 25) from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The new penguin habitat will be ceremoniously opened with penguin-themed activities and treats.
Rhode Island Football Club (rhodeislandfc.com) hosts the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, May 24, at 4 p.m. at its Centreville Bank Stadium, Pawtucket. It's Military Appreciation Day and tickets start at $27.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2025 Memorial Day events in RI: Parades, Boots on the Ground and more
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