Outsider's Guide to Bristol Parade

For tens of thousands of people, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade is a familiar friend. For everyone else, it can be intimidating. If you’ve never been, you’re worried about the traffic, where to park and what to do once you get there. You needn’t be. The parade is easily accessible – if you know what you’re doing. Let this guide help you.

Getting there by car

Unless you live in Bristol or travel by boat, there are only two ways to drive to the parade: from the north or from the south. Most people come from the north, but that’s a mistake.

The two routes from the north – Routes 136 and 114 – are both clogged early in the day. The parade starts at 10:30 am, and by 8:30 am, both those roads are bumper to bumper for miles.

The secret – shhh, don’t tell anyone – is to arrive from the south, over the Mt. Hope Bridge. Drive to Fall River, take 24 South and get off at the Portsmouth exit for the Mt. Hope Bridge; or travel over the Jamestown and Newport bridges to get to the same place.

This route has surprisingly less traffic, and most years you can drive right over the bridge, past Roger Williams University and start looking for a parking spot. The good news is that you’re just about a mile from the parade route at that point.

Getting there by bike

If you like the idea of biking to the parade (we highly recommend it), then you’ll want to travel from the north so you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of the East Bay Bike Path.

Where you leave your car depends on how far you want to bike. If you want a long ride, park anywhere near the Bike Path in East Providence. Barrington also has two good parking areas, the Barrington Shopping Center on Route 114 and a new park-and-ride near the first bridge on Route 114.

If you’re traveling with young children, you’re going to want to get closer. Just expect to sit in slow-moving traffic for a while, but eventually you can find a place to park in Warren. Now you’ve cut the biking distance down to just a few miles.

If you’ve got young, inexperienced bikers with you, keep an eye on them. You won’t be the only ones riding along the path and there are numerous intersections. Just ride slowly and cautiously and you’ll enjoy one of the East Bay’s best-kept secrets.

Parking

The simple rule is you can park anywhere as long as you don’t block a driveway or intersection or trespass on private property.

If you’ve driven over the Mt. Hope Bridge, bear right onto Route 136 North. You can turn left onto any side street that looks inviting and you’ll be within a mile of the route. If you pass the Bristol Police Station, you’ve gone too far.

Note that you’ve also arrived toward the south end of the parade route, so you’ve got more time to get there. The parade steps off at 10:30 am in the north end of town, and the lead cars don’t arrive at The Lobster Pot restaurant or High Street until about an hour later.

What to bring

Keep it simple, because whatever you bring, you’ll be carrying in a hot sun. Make a short checklist:

• Blanket
• Chairs (if you don’t mind carrying them)
• Sunscreen
• Water or other cold beverages (alcohol is prohibited on the route)
• A good attitude

Where to watch

If you’ve never been to the parade, try High Street. This historic street runs beneath a canopy of majestic trees, providing loads of shade. This stretch of the route is mostly residential, so expect large gatherings of family and friends in front yards, and many of the homeowners will have the sidewalk and grass lining the route covered with their own blankets and chairs. But you can usually find patches of open space along High Street, especially if you get there early.

If you want more of a party atmosphere, head for the mouth of Bristol Harbor, near  coffee shop and  Restaurant.

Once you’re there

Don’t drink alcohol, brings pets or shoot fireworks. And no silly string.

Other than that, it’s simple: enjoy the oldest, continuous Fourth of July celebration in America.