All Pawtucket All The Time

 

Cultural Happenings and Destinations March 6-7 Weekend

 

Rhode Island’s Blackstone River Valley leads off the “Ocean State’s” salute to Irish heritage and culture over the March 6-7 weekend, where residents and visitors alike can festively honor Celtic traditions and explore sites that were the proud product of Irish immigrants that settled in the region.

The granddaddy of all St. Patrick’s parades

Saturday, March 6, Pawtucket, RI is the place for Irish eyes to smile, as the city hosts its always popular and gigantic Pawtucket St. Patrick’s Parade, which kicks off Rhode Island’s parade season.

Marchers will step off the parade route at 12 noon, starting at McCoy Stadium, at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Division Street and will follow along South Bend Street, Walcott Street and Main Street and end at Pawtucket City Hall on Roosevelt Avenue.

The RI Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band will be featured along with the dignitaries, bands and floats. The Pipe and Drum Band will be the special performers following the parade at the Pawtucket Arts Armory, 172 Exchange Street, located next to Tolman High School, nearby from City Hall.

For more details on the parade call Pawtucket City Hall at 401-728-0500 or go online to www.pawtucketstpatricksdayparade.com

A lasting legacy to Irish labor

One of the earlier public works projects that helped Southern New England in transporting goods and products during the early to mid-19^th century expansion of America’s Industrial Revolution was made possible by the hard work of early Irish immigrants.

The historic Blackstone Canal was envisioned in the late 1700’s by Rhode Island merchant shipper and entrepreneur John Brown, who wanted a water route from the harbors of upper Narragansett Bay in Providence connecting the farms and early factories of Northern Rhode Island and Central Massachusetts.

By the mid 1820’s over one thousand Irish immigrants settled into the Blackstone River Valley to construct the hand dug waterway and build canal locks, pathways, bridges and related access for canal boats.

Between 1828-1848 the canal was a vital economic development resource for the region. However, because of seasonal weather conditions and the expansion of manufacturing, the canal became obsolete and was replaced by the railroads in the late 1840’s that were a better, faster and cheaper way to move commerce.

 Today, well-preserved portions of the actual canal and towpath are still visible along the original route. One of the best-preserved sections of the Blackstone Canal can be viewed inside Blackstone River State Park, located off Front Street (Route 123) Lincoln, RI.

The canal runs besides the Blackstone River, with the old towpath now revitalized as part of the Blackstone River Bikeway. The park also offers a panoramic perspective of transformed mill villages across the river, along with having the Wilbur Kelly House, showing the history of canal transportation.

For more information on the Blackstone River State Park call 401-723-7892 or go online to www.riparks.com

Captivating jazz and blues music

For others who want to enjoy the Blackstone River Valley’s lively entertainment scene, don’t miss a great weekend of concerts at Chan’s Eggrolls and Jazz, 267 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI.

Chan’s is noted as one of the region’s top performance venues for headliners and up and coming musical artists in jazz and blues.

Friday, March 5, at 8 pm, Joe Moss takes the stage. Saturday night, March 6, at 8 pm, Young Neal &The Vipers will perform. Sunday evening, March 7, at 7 pm, see Chris Duarte &The Bluestones in concert. Tickets for all these weekend shows are $12/person.

For more on these concerts, reservations and upcoming show schedule call 401-765-1900 or visit the website at www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com