Editorial: Too big for its britches

Posted 1/31/25

It was the Facebook post heard around the world. Despite the Fourth of July Committee’s best effort at deploying the “sandwich” method of bad news delivery between slices of …

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Editorial: Too big for its britches

Posted

It was the Facebook post heard around the world.

Despite the Fourth of July Committee’s best effort at deploying the “sandwich” method of bad news delivery between slices of enthusiasm and excitement, the overwhelming majority of residents seem to have turned their nose up at the filling.

For the few residents who like the idea of the concert series moving to Roger Williams University, and the majority who don’t, there is no denying that this change has been years in the making. When the crowds grew too large to continue holding the concerts at Colt School, in 2007, they were moved to Reynolds School, then Independence Park, then back to Colt before moving back to Independence in 2010. At some point, organizers determined to grow the event required the annual rental of a proper concert stage (the Bristol Town Council signed off on that cost, nearly $60,000, at its last meeting.)

Bigger bands, food trucks, and bigger crowds followed. And according to the boots-on-the-ground experience of the police officers and the committee members who secure and put this event together every year, the event has outgrown its venue.

The committee wants to keep delivering the entertainment value that those who frequent the concerts have come to expect, they want to concerts to continue to be a free community event, and they want it to be accessible to all — including first responders, when need be. That was not the case last year, and the Bristol Police Department recorded multiple instances of people leaving because Independence Park was packed beyond capacity, accessibility was impacted, and people did not feel safe. So with the advice and counsel of public safety, the Fourth of July Committee made a decision based on information, not emotion.

The public backlash was immediate, and in many cases completely out of proportion to the plotline, which remains: “free community concerts to be relocated to larger, more accessible space.”

Disappointment is understandable. Verbally assaulting committee members (online and in real life), vague accusations that somebody is being “paid off”, and efforts to organize blockades of the venue (seriously?) are not rational reactions.

It’s not clear that this story is over; there is an effort to raise the money to pay for the security apparatus that public safety officials say would be necessary to leave the concerts downtown, but given that existing fundraising efforts still result in a shortfall (a $12,000 loss in 2024), it’s a steep hill to climb. But until it’s resolved, let’s all remember that nobody wants the 240th to be a successful celebration more than the volunteers who organize it and the public officials who are trying to keep it safe for all.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.