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Pomham Rocks Lighthouse “Shines” During
Bristol, RI Fourth of July Parade
By Don Doucette
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The 2009
Bristol Fourth of July Parade Committee of Bristol, Rhode Island
recently invited the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Parade Team and
parade float to participate in our nation’s oldest continuously running
Fourth of July parade celebration.
All went well as this unique opportunity |
Photo by Don Doucette
The stunning Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
float being prepared for its debut
in the
Bristol July 4th Parade
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provided a great
deal of public exposure toward informing the general public of our recent
and ongoing restoration efforts of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse in East
Providence, Rhode Island.
Our chapter’s mission goal was more than compensated with this singular
public event as we were informed that as many, if not more than, one hundred
thousand people could personally view this parade in Bristol, not including
countless thousands of television viewers.
Bristol is a charming historic and popular bayside community situated in the
East Bay section of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. The Bristol
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Photo by Don Doucette
(L to R) Volunteers Nate Chace & David
Kelleher proudly lead the Friends
of
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse parade
float
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Parade is a
perfect event at which to showcase our Pomham Rocks Lighthouse float in
that Pomham is a Bristol neighbor with a common Narragansett Bay
heritage.
Our Pomham
Parade Team members concur that our group received a most favorable
reception by the gathered public and especially the candid and delighted
reactions |
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of children who seemed captivated by our
“little lighthouse on wheels” with the evidence being observed in their
wide-eyed comments with tiny fingers pointing at the appealing lighthouse
float throughout the parade route.
The “frosting on the cake” for the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse during
this past Fourth of July in Bristol was the renewal of a kindred friendship
with a fellow light keeper – Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri who
stepped from the curb during the parade with a warm handshake and greeting.
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Few words were
spoken at that moment as time did not allow, but we knew instinctively
and remembered the historic evening of July 30, 2006 when Governor
Carcieri was that evening’s official Pomham light keeper and we, who
were gathered for the Pomham relighting ceremony that warm July evening
at the Save the Bay campus in Providence, were the collective keeper’s
family.
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Photo by Don Doucette
Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri
waves to the Pomham Rocks volunteers
seconds before warmly shaking FPRL
chairman Don Doucette's hand
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Together, we gathered around Governor Carcieri as he engaged the ceremonial
switch which turned on once again the red signal light in the Pomham lantern
across the Bay and hence, that steady red light will shine to guide the way
during every evening for countless years to come.
As for the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse and our loyal Parade Team,
this was truly an extra special 2009 Fourth of July celebration.
About the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Float…
The float is a replica of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse; the last remaining
lighthouse in East Providence, which is located 800 feet off the shoreline
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Photo by Don Doucette
FPRL volunteers work on preparing the
float for its first-time showing in the
Bristol July 4th Parade
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in Riverside. The float is an impressive sight at 11’4”
tall, 8’ wide and 20’ long, and features the lighthouse, its tower, with
a steady red light, accompanying oil house, a flagpole, the distinctive
tree that exists on the island, rocks and fence border. The float was
entirely constructed by Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse volunteers. |
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It takes a TEAM effort to
"bring' the offshore Pomham Rocks Lighthouse to the community...
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(L to R) David Kelleher, Susan
Charbonneau, Chris Allen, former Providence mayor, and local radio
personality, Buddy Cianci and
Dani Medeiros
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Photo by Don Doucette
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Photo by Don Doucette
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Rob Charbonneau decorates the
pick-up truck that "escorted"
the beautiful Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
float along the parade route
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(L to R) FPRL volunteers Anne Greene and
Mary Chace showing their love of country and Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
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Photo by Don Doucette
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Photo by Don Doucette
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Nancy Doucette enjoys
a picture-perfect morning for the
July 4th parade
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(L to R) With flags in-hand, Judy de
Perla and Laura McNamara were ready for Bristol's 2009 July Fourth
Parade
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Photo by Don Doucette
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Photo by Don Doucette
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(L to R) Chris Allen
and David Kelleher find -- and enjoy, some cool shade before the parade
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(L to R) David Kelleher, Dani Medeiros,
Bob Charbonneau, Carlene Joiner and Susan Charbonneau were part of a
great showing of volunteers for FPRL's successful team effort during the
2009 Bristol July Fourth Parade
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Photo by Don Doucette
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Posted: July 2009 |
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