Bristol Fourth parade Photos: ‘What it means to be an American’

Parade on Hope, High streets on Tuesday concludes 232nd annual Fourth of July celebration

Briana Francis, 22, begs the Carolina Crown to stay and play in front of the Judges Couch on Hope Street during the 232nd Bristol Fourth of July Parade on Tuesday.

Photos by Richard W Dionne Jr

Town Crier Michael Rielly

Patrick Luce

Korean War veteran Thomas Daly was honored during Patriotic Exercises.

Mt. Hope High School Band horn player

Patrick Luce

Nyla Accardi, 2, from Bristol gets a shaded ride to the parade.

Patrick Luce

Sean Collins, 10, of Portsmouth, shows his patriotic pride.

Patrick Luce

The Bristol Police Color Guard marches under the flag on Hope Street Tuesday morning.

Patrick Luce

Margeaux Gagnon

EastBayRI.com · Wednesday, July 5, 2017 12:46 pm

By Patrick Luce pluce@eastbaynewspapers.com

BRISTOL — Tens of thousands of visitors were treated to the sounds of energetic musical performances, the sights of beautifully designed floats and the exhilarating feelings of cannon blasts proclaiming our country’s independence as the 232nd annual Bristol Fourth of July Parade wound down Hope and High streets Tuesday.

While it’s difficult to get an actual count of spectators, Fourth of July Committee General Chairwoman Donna Falcoa said she thought it was an even larger crowd than last year.

“I certainly didn’t see any empty spots along the route,” Ms. Falcoa said after the parade, her last as chairwoman, wrapped up on High Street. “It was absolutely wonderful; we had great chief marshals, great bands. My favorite part was watching the chief marshals’ faces when the bands stopped to play for them.”

Chief Marshals Lisa Sienkiewicz and Gail Parella took in the parade from the review stand across from the former Reynolds School on High Street after having led the parade throughout its 2.5-mile journey.

“To be able to share the Bristol Fourth of July, to share that with our family, just brought so much more meaning to what it means to be an American,” Ms. Sienkiewicz said.

“Patriotic exercises really touched me. It was very emotional,” Ms. Parella said. “Just hearing stories of veterans and the history of the Fourth of July and our independence.”

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica}

Security was strong throughout Monday and Tuesday as the Bristol Police Department staffed extra patrols, and state and federal law enforcement officers added to the ranks. Soldiers carrying heavy machine guns could be seen all around town, and a large military vehicle was seen driving around Thames Street Monday night. The security seemed to keep people in line as no major disturbances disrupted the celebration. Bristol Police made just four arrests Tuesday, for disorderly conduct on Hope Street, assault and disorderly conduct on Thames Street just after midnight Tuesday, an outstanding warrant, and driving under the influence on Thames Street just after 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Keywords

Bristol Fourth of July