Carol Anne Costa: Ancient, Horribles and Happy 4th!
Thursday, July 03, 2014
I reside in Northern Rhode Island and I work on the East Bay, so to say I have the best of both worlds is true. Being in and around Bristol and Warren at the time of the 4th is a treat to behold. There is no shortage of red, white and blue as people plan feverishly plan for annual visitors and get ready to take in the parade with all of its historic traditions. There is no question that a local spirit and energy reverberates through the entire East Bay. The Bristol Fourth of July Parade is the granddaddy of them all, combining pomp, personalities, and oh yes, the politicians; they always provide a gauge of the electorate’s feelings, as election season gets in full gear.
But, it is my home town of Glocester where I learned about 4th of July celebrations, as I attended so many Ancient and Horribles Parades in my formative years. Chepachet Village transforms itself into a truly American original and the memories are rich. The parade is long, irreverent, satirical, snarky, quirky, homegrown, and just plain independent. There is nothing better than being nonconformist on the celebration of our nation's birth. Where else can you find parade divisions of kids on tractors, homemade floats, flatbeds filled with folks impersonating politicians, and real ones too? The first amendment is in full view in Chepachet on July 4th. If you’ve never been, it is a must see.
American as Apple Pie
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Fourth of July in Little Rhody escorts in summer, clambakes, baseball, and celebrations of all kinds. But more, it is a reminder of our nature to act for the common good. This summer alone has witnessed the rewards of action and organizing. The strong, loud, and effective pushback on the plans to cement in the Davey Lopes Pool reaped rewards. As I write on this column on a 90 degree day many Providence kids are frolicking in the newly filled swimming facility. The independent nature of the people provides a chance to channel the spirit, to bring change, and to observe the power of the wrath of the governed. The activism, grassroots organizing, and solid media coverage combined to drive a cause and get results.
The tolls and gantries on the Sakonnet River Bridge are history, done, finito, in large part to the efforts of the people. The nearly 5 million dollars in toll taking equipment is looking for a new home, bye bye tolls.The Sakonnet Bridge controversy again demonstrated the power of the people.
The poignant wisdom of a businessman led the way to elimination of the estate tax cliff. The new leadership team at the RI House heard the case due to the clarion call of John Hazen White. He stormed the brigade and made a difference as he seized the rebellious nature of our history. It seems that the master lever is finally in our rear view mirror and before long; the term and the practice will be a page in a political science book, chronicled as ancient history. The elimination of the master lever was a long time coming and it was through protests, pointed testimony and intense political pressure things changed for the better. There are no better examples of the Spirit of 76 thans these, to name only a few.
Don’t rain on our parade
Like the past, there is always a naysayer, a wet blanket, and a pessimist. I am sure the colonials had their share with which to deal, but given my liberty, they clearly made the right choices. It is so much easier to sit down and acquiesce to the whims of the powerful. But, it is in the voices that create the groundswell that gain volume and heft that truly bring change, force compromise, and embody a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
So, as Arthur churns off the east coast lurking to ruin holiday parties everywhere, we say, no way Arthur! We are Rhode Islanders. We will pack our lunches, load our families into the car, bring our rain gear, and we will celebrate. The 229th year of the Bristol Parade, and the 88 years of The Ancient and Horribles will march on, and we will wave our flags and honor our nation's birth. In spite of our troubles we can and will work together to make RI better. I wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!
Carol Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently the Executive Director of the Warren Housing Authority. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocal, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.
Related Articles
- Carol Anne Costa: Can Rhode Island Emerge from its Funk?
- Carol Anne Costa: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad March
- Carol Costa: Hamlet in the State House
- Carol Anne Costa: Is Lockdown in Suburbia the Sad New Normal?
- Carol Costa: Facing Down the Opioid Abuse Monster
- Carol Anne Costa: Guess Who’s Coming to the State of the Union?
- Carol Anne Costa: Have A Coke and A Big Glass of Intolerance
- Carol Anne Costa: I Heart My Farmer…And So Does the Farm Bill
- Carol Anne Costa: When Students Soar, We All Benefit
- Carol Anne Costa: Memorial Day—A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
- Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard Summer Concert Series Returns for the Season
- Carol Anne Costa: The Devil is in the Details
- Carol Anne Costa: Rhode Island Has Desperate Need for Change Agents
- Carol Anne Costa: Memorial Day - In the Shadow of a Fractured VA
- Carol Anne Costa: Contradictory Conservatism, the New Politics
- Carol Anne Costa: That’s What He Said
- Carol Anne Costa: Off You Go - You Are Not Alone
- Carol Anne Costa: The Senate Cannot Hide from Reality
