Weekend Best Bets

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and there’s a whole lot of exciting things to do to get in the mood for the upcoming summer.

First off, the state beaches are officially open, so grab your towel and your bathing suit and pack up for the ocean waves.

When you’re done pretending summer has come, shake the sand from your pants and join us at the Trinity Rep for the opening weekend of Motherhood: The Musical. A hilarious representation of what life as a mother looks like, this four-woman show will have you rolling on the floor laughing all night long.

From Saturday to Monday, the Gaspee Days Arts and Crafts Festival is being held at Pawtuxet Park in Warwick. Get a glimpse of the wares from over a hundred different vendors while enjoying live music and a food court, as well as the lovely scenery. Later on Saturday, head back to Providence for the first full-basin Waterfire of the season. Walk around and enjoy the music, the entertainment, and the atmosphere as the 81 water-bound bonfires turn the city into an art installation.

On Sunday, Providence is celebrating something very unique: the Gondolympics. La Gondola Providence is hosting this competition along the Providence River in order to raise funds for the Providence After School Alliance. Come by and enjoy Italian food and music, and cheer for your favorite American gondolier as they compete for awards in racing, relays, and slaloms all afternoon.

Finally, end your Memorial Day weekend with the Providence/North Providence Memorial Day parade on Monday. Almost a mile long, this parade runs along Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence and ends with a huge party and cookout in Governor Notte Park. This holiday party has quite the reputation – don’t miss it.