What a year it has been for tourism and hospitality in Rhode Island and Blackstone Valley. A year that challenged how we interacted with others. It was a year that made us take a hard look at the inequality and injustice around us. It was also a year that showed compassion, resiliency, creativity and collaboration as we all adapted to new ways of doing business under a pandemic 

Before this all happened, Pawtucket managed to be the only Rhode Island city to hold a St. Patrick’s Day parade, though with fewer people in attendance. Also Rhode Island Spirits in Pawtucket, celebrated its first anniversary before the governor closed down restaurants and bars. 

As the virus spread, large annual events such as Blackstone River Theatre’s Summer Solstice Festival, Fourth of July celebrations, the Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival, Cumberlandfest, Autumnfest and even our Blackstone Valley Polar Express, all cancelled. 

Through it all we carried on. As the year comes to a close, we would like to highlight some of the other businesses and attractions that adapted and survived.

As restaurants moved to take-out and curbside pick-up, we supported them by moving our Culinaria program to a virtual one with Culinaria Live. They also became creative with outdoor dining from summer into winter with igloos, “bring your own blankets” and heaters. 

Museums such as the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket went virtual with its education programs. 

Chepachet turned its annual Fourth of July Ancient & Horribles Parade to Fourth of July decorations along Main Street, while Cumberland continued its Fourth of July tradition with a drive by parade and virtual road race.

Some theaters such as  Mixed Magic Theatre and Burbage went virtual. Community Players celebrated 100 years of theater with posts on social media. 

Concerts and musicians, too, went virtual with Livestream Quarantine. We offer a special thank you to Tammy LaForest, Heidi Nirk and Kelley Lennon for their virtual concert event to support our programs. 

Blackstone River Theatre (BRT)  with Russell Gusetti at the helm kept spirits up with Facebook posts, getting work done on its space and livestreaming its annual homecoming concert in November.

Eventually it Became about “Take it Outside”

From the summer months into fall as state and local parks reopened and the weather got nicer, folks took it outside from hiking and biking to apple picking in the Valley.

Construction along the bike path continued throughout the pandemic with extensions in Market Square, Woonsocket and further development at Slater Mill in Pawtucket. 

Blackstone Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone began work on trails and created a turtle-shaped rain garden at its home, Sycamore Landing, along the river.

State Ballet of RI built an outdoor stage and showcased its dancers as well as other local musicians and entertainers. 

Mixed Magic took its turn with outdoor theater at its amphitheater at Lorraine Mills. Fitness studios such as Woods Yoga and Shri Yoga moved classes to parks or parking lots.

The Pawtucket Art Festival downsized with free, yet ticketed, events. 

Drive-in theaters saw a resurgence. The Rustic Tri View in North Smithfield extended its season through to November, by showing movies, as well as hosting graduations and some virtual concerts.  

The drive-In concept took hold with other events including the Pawtucket Parks & Recreation Concert Series and the recent rooftop drive-in movie series sponsored by the newly opened Waffle Hive restaurant at Still-on-Main.

McCoy Stadium, which would have hosted the final season of the Pawtucket Red Sox, instead provided space for food and milk distribution to those in need and hosted graduations for Pawtucket Schools.

Hearthside House in Lincoln utilized its grounds for outdoor movie nights including a showing of “Meet me in St. Louis” to reinvent its 1904 World’s Fair Exhibit.  

Instead of conducting indoor tours, the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park stationed rangers outdoors at Slater Mill in Pawtucket and the Captain. Wilbur Kelly House Museum in Lincoln to provide information about the Valley’s historical significance. 

The Tourism Council used the Explorer for a Halloween-themed Swamp Scare and Search for Santa boat rides from Central Falls Landing.

Hope & Healing found in Art

Art galleries went virtual and had smaller openings. 

Art turned up on windows on Main Street in Pawtucket. New murals turned up on buildings highlighting the Valley’s historic and natural resources. 

Riverzedge Arts in Woonsocket used art to highlight the issues of the day with a drive-through outdoor exhibit that was both creative and emotional.

Collaborations

We joined forces with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park on a series of “A Sense of Place” videos. 

We collaborated with our regional tourism partners to support local businesses and attractions with a  100 Ways to Buy Local.

As we head into 2021, we are working on another collaboration with Providence-Warwick and Convention Bureau and Warwick Tourism to spread some happiness with Joy Rides, a series of getaways close to home to shake off the winter blues. 

No matter the challenges, we will strive to support the Blackstone Valley as we move forward into 2021. View Video