Warwick, RI — There will be a Memorial Day Parade in Warwick at 9 a.m. despite the rain, albeit a much diminished one.
Tony Rodrigues of the Warwick Veterans Council said that the decision to cancel the parade was made at 7 a.m. as rain forecast for the morning began to downpour.
“A lot of people were canceling anyway,” Rodrigues said.
Though floats and marchers will not step off at  9:15 a.m. from Bishop Hendricken Parking Lot, 2615 Warwick Ave. as planned, Rodrigues said they will take a float they have from Fall River dedicated to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier along the intended route instead.
“That’s going to be about it, because everything else is canceled.”
The parade route travels down Warwick Avenue along West Shore Road to Warwick Veterans Memorial High School.
“Thank you to everybody who was going to particpate and the people who helped it get going,” Rodrigues said.
The third day of the Gaspee Day Arts and Crafts Festival has also been cancelled due to rain.
Original story: 5 a.m.:The Warwick Memorial Day Parade will take place rain or shine, according to Councilwoman Camile Vella-Wilkinson, a Warwick Veterans Council member, so parade participants and spectators are in for a wet morning.
Step off time is 9:15 a.m. at Bishop Hendricken Parking Lot, 2615 Warwick Ave. The parade route travels down Warwick Avenue along West Shore Road to Warwick Veterans Memorial High School at Warwick Veterans Mem. Park.
The Memorial Day Ceremony will begin when the last group marches past the Reviewing Stand and ends with the playing of “Taps.”
All veterans are welcome to walk in this parade.
Though the day is a holiday devoted to honoring and remembering servicemen and women who’ve died in service to the country, many spend the day caring for the graves of family regardless of service, particularly at Pawtuxet Memorial Park, 100 Harrison Ave.
The Weather Channel forecast for the day predicts a 100 percent chance of rain, so dress accordingly and pack some towels.
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 [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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