[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Santa and Mrs. Claus are delivered to the front lawn of Warwick Central Baptist Church by WFD ladder truck during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Santa and Mrs. Claus are ushered into the Central RI Chamber building for photos during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

WARWICK, RI — A wintry chill necessitated hats and blankets for 2024’s Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival as crowds enjoyed food, music, vendors, kids crafts and parade capped by a WFD hydraulic ladder-delivering Santa & Mrs. Claus.

It’s just the second Apponaug Winter Festival, which Mayor Frank Picozzi and the Warwick Tourism department launched in 2023 intending it as an annual attraction.

Cheryl Gobin and Olivia Guenet were enjoying the strolling part of the morning with respective two-year-olds, Sofia and Olivia.

“So far, so good,” Cheryl said of the festival, from the center of a fur-lined hood.

Nearby, Joslyn Clemm and Jamie Thibault, tending the Greenwood Credit Union table outside the Central RI Chamber of Commerce, were similarly girded against the chill.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Cheryl Gobin and Olivia Guenet with respective two-year-olds, Sofia and Olivia, during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

Further down the sidewalk, Lauren Slocum, president of the Central RI Chamber, said the day so far had been, “Good. Busy. It’s nice to see the community come out.”

Inside Warwick Library’s Apponaug Branch, Diane Iacono, library manager, led kids and parents through crafting activities. Back outside, Samantha St. Pierre, with her daughters Macy, 2 and Layla, 4, were waiting bundled in a plastic wagon for the parade to start. The trio, who live a few streets away from the annual block party festival, were able to walk over for the morning.

Macy and Layla are fans of Apponaug’s architecture, Samantha said, particularly City Hall. “They call the City Hall the castle,” she said.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Joslyn Clemm and Jamie Thibault, tending the Greenwood Credit Union table outside the Central RI Chamber of Commerce during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Warwick Library's Apponaug Branch Manager Diane Iacono, led kids and parents through crafting activities. At left, mom Meghan and sons Elijah, 6 and Gabriel, 3 follow her instructions. — [CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Warwick Library’s Apponaug Branch Manager Diane Iacono, led kids and parents through crafting activities. At left, mom Meghan and sons Elijah, 6 and Gabriel, 3 follow her instructions.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Foam snow is projected across the front of City Hall during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Linda Harr and Virginia Tonning bundle up with an elevated view waiting for the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024. The pair were there to see Hannah Tonning, 10 and Hazel Tonning, 8, march in the parade with Girl Scout Troop 18. — [CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Linda Harr and Virginia Tonning bundle up with an elevated view waiting for the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024. The pair were there to see Hannah Tonning, 10 and Hazel Tonning, 8, march in the parade with Girl Scout Troop 18, and Troop Leader Sonia Tonning.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Warwick Girl Scout Troop 18 in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Joe Fish and daughters Layla, 12 and Joleah, 8, with mom, Alexis, not picurted, during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Mayor Frank Picozzi waves to the crowd in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Samantha St. Pierre with Macy, 2, and Layla, 4, waiting for the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Providence mounted police in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Scott Elementary kids and staff in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Hoxie Elementary kids and staff in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Members of the Warwick City Council in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Yuletide witches in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Warwick Firefighters in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Cub Scout Pack 1 in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Apponaug Babe Ruth Baseball in the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Food trucks between City Hall and Apponaug Library during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Eager crowds lined Post Road waiting for the parade during the Rolling, Strolling Apponaug Winter Festival Dec. 7, 2024.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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