Mayor Elorza Invites Providence Residents to Celebrate Fourth of July

Free live music and fireworks display to highlight annual Independence Day Celebration in India Point Park on July 4

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Providence Tourism Council are pleased to announce the City’s annual Independence Day Celebration will be held at India Point Park on Thursday, July 4^th beginning at 7:00 pm (rain date July 5). The event will feature family-friendly activities, live entertainment and a fireworks display. This event is free and open to the public.

“The City’s Independence Day Celebration has become a signature summer event, attracting residents and visitors from all over the region to India Point Park,” said Mayor Elorza. “We hope you’ll come down for this free, family-friendly event at an iconic public space in Providence and enjoy one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks displays around.”

The featured performers of the City of Providence’s Independence Day Celebration will be The American Band, which will take the stage at 7:00 pm.

Based in Providence, The American Band is a symphonic concert band comprised of more than 50 adult musicians from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Their repertoire is both versatile and traditional with works ranging from classical to popular, marches and operatic overtures to modern works. The band has a long and colorful history extending back to 1837, making the American Band one of the oldest continuously active bands in the United States.

At 2:00 pm, singer/songwriter Brianna White, Madeline and Avi Jacob are also scheduled to perform.

Visitors to the Independence Day Celebration will be able to enjoy their favorite flavors of the Ocean State with a food truck corral showcasing over 12 local food vendors. Children and adults are encouraged to bike to India Point Park where they can park their bicycles securely for free with Bike Valet operated by Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition between 5:30pm and 10:00pm near the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School. The 2019 Independence Day celebration is made possible with support from the City of Providence, Providence Tourism Council. Additional sponsors of the celebration include the City of Providence Parks Department, GoProvidence.com, the City’s Eat Play Learn Initiative and Lite Rock 105.

The City working closely with our public safety agencies to ensure that this year’s event is fun and safe.

Spectators are asked to be aware of their surroundings. If you see a suspicious person, object or vehicle in the park, please report the sighting to (401) 272-3121 or notify nearby law enforcement personnel.
Do not store or leave any personal items, backpacks, or packages unattended in the park.
Bags may be subject to random search.
No fireworks of any kind are allowed in the park.
No open flames of any kind are allowed in the park.
No drones.
Per the regulations of the Providence Parks Commission, dogs, skateboards and open flames/grilling will be prohibited in the park.
Expect delays when leaving after the fireworks.
The public is strongly encouraged to access the park by the India Point Park Walking Bridge located at East and Wickenden Streets.

The City will also be observing the following traffic plan to ensure easy access in and out of India Point Park on July 4:

There will be restricted parking along India Street and it will be closed after 8:00am from Newport Ferry Landing to the I-195 off-ramp.
South Main and India Street will be ONE-WAY (South then West) from Point Street along South Main under the I-Way Bridge underpass West to the Hilton Garden Inn (Gano Street).
Exit 2 (India Street/Gano Street) off I-195 East will be closed from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Customers of the Hilton Garden Inn will be allowed to enter from Gano Street.
No stopping will be allowed on Route 95 or Route 195. The Rhode Island State Police will be posted on the highway.
Passengers on the Providence-Newport ferry should allow additional time for parking. Check their website for more information about this service.
Ferry customers will only be able to access the ferry dock by taking South Main Street. Boats are permitted in the bay, but safety regulations will be strictly enforced, including requiring navigational lights, life jackets, and a 200-yard security zone around the fireworks barge. For more information on boat safety laws, please visit:

www.boated.com/abc/abc_specific_images/pdfs/ri_law.pdf.