(This story was originally published on May 2nd, it has been updated to include traffic impact information)
The 2018 Aquidneck Island National Police Parade will be held on Sunday, May 6th.
The National Police Parade is one of only a handful of parades of this type around the country outside of Washington D.C., according to organizers.
This year’s event will include 80 marching units and will honor the 133 Officers that lost their lives in the line of duty in 2017.
“For the second year in a row, the greatest loss of Officers in the Line of Duty was by gunfire. As we look back on the year past, we recognize that violence continues to grow at an astonishing rate. It is this somber reminder that has us join as a community to remember the fallen each May on Aquidneck Island and to work to overcome these hard facts” the Parade’s website states. “These Officers gave the ultimate sacrifice this past year in service to their Community and their State. Please join the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade on Sunday May 6th, 2018 as we pay tribute to all our fallen Law Enforcement Heroes”.
The Parade will begin at 11:30 am sharp in front of the Hampton Inn on West Main Rd with a small opening ceremony and a step off at 11:50 am.
The parade will proceed southbound on West Main Rd into Newport and ends at the reviewing stand located in Washington Square. Delays should be expected along the parade route between 10:30 am. and 2:30 pm.
For more information, visit www.policeparade.org.
Traffic Impact
Traffic flow and parking in Newport will be affected by the 2018 Aquidneck Island National Police Parade, which kicks off at 11:50 AM on Sunday, May 6, 2018. The Newport Police Department has shared the following information regarding the parade’s impact.
Traffic will be congested in the Lower Broadway, Washington Square area from about 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Parking will be limited. The parade participants will begin staging on West Main Road at 9:00 AM so it is recommended that people coming to Newport approach from either Memorial Blvd or Connell Hwy to America’s Cup Ave.
The two best routes into the city with available public parking are:
- Westbound on Memorial Blvd, right onto Bellevue Ave (northbound),
left on Church St and right into the Waterfront parking lot (situated
between Church and Mary St). - Farewell St south to America’s Cup Ave and right into the Gateway
parking garage.
Parking is prohibited on the following streets from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed:
- Broadway from Admiral Kalbfus to Washington Sq. south (both
sides) - Touro Street from Thames St to Spring Street
- Charles Street and Duke Street
City ordinances (open containers of alcohol in public, noise violations, etc.) will be strictly enforced along the parade route. Questions regarding thispress release can be directed to Sgt. Jonathan Cortes 845-5717