20 Things Most Rhode Islanders Have Experienced

Coffee Milk

Coffee milk is Rhode Island’s official state drink. In 1993, coffee milk and Del's Lemonade duked it out in the State House for the top honor.

RI's most famous coffee milk brand, Autocrat Coffee, arrived on the market in the 1940s.

Autocrat is based in Lincoln.

Buddy Cianci

As one of the longest-serving "big city" mayors in United States history, Rhode Island experienced Cianci's ups and downs for over 21 years.

Now twice-convicted Cianci is once again back in RI's spotlight.

Will Cianci reclaim his title as the "Prince of Providence" in the fall?

Del's Lemonade

Del's Lemonade was founded by Angelo DeLucia, who brought over his father's recipe from Italy.

The first Del's was sold from a cart in Cranston in 1948. In the earlier years of the company, DeLucia began to use "Del's Trucks" to cover more mileage. "Del's Trucks"  are still used in addition to storefront locations and sidewalk carts.

Del's competed with coffee milk over the title of RI's state drink and lost in 1993.

Bristol Fourth of July Parade

Established in 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade is the oldest Independence Day celebration in the United States.

The event draws over 200,000 people from Rhode Island and around the world.

Bristol's nickname is "America's most patriotic town".

Cranston Western Little League

Cranston Western Little League is one of the largest and most successful leagues in Rhode Island and New England.

The league has won three of the last five Rhode Island state championships.

In 1996, Cranston Western won the state and region championships before heading to Williamsport for the Little League World Series and won the U.S. Championship.

Caught the Brass Ring at Crescent Park Carousel

Attempting to catch the brass ring at Crescent Park  was even more fun than the carousel itself.

Landing the ring in the clown's mouth garnered you both a free ride and a favorite childhood memory.

Pawsox Game

The longest baseball game in history was between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings in 1981.

The game lasted a record 33 innings and took more than eight hours over two different days to complete.

Hot Wiener

A hot wiener is a RI favorite.

The best joint is Olneyville New York System, which was founded in 1946.

Debated Whether Calamari Should Be Official RI Appetizer 

The debate concluded in June when Governor Lincoln Chafee signed legislation recognizing Rhode Island Calamari as the state’s official appetizer.

Looking for the Big Blue Bug on Route 95

Can you find the Big Blue Bug?

This giant termite mascot is 928 times the size of an actual termite.

The statue is 9 feet  tall and 58 feet long, and weighs a whopping 4,000 pounds.

RI Philharmonic "Pops in the Park"

Who needs Boston when you have the RI Philharmonic at Slater Park and Narragansett Town Beach.

Saw the Tall Ships in Newport

The Tall Ships first sailed into Newport in 1976 during the Bicentennial.

The event featured a race from Bermuda to Newport.

Yawgoo Valley 

Yawgoo Valley is the only skiing resort in Rhode Island. It is located on a hill in Exeter, south of Providence and opened in 1965. 

The resort was billed as "as Rhode Island's first chairlift served ski area."

Yawgoo's facilities include a limbing wall, water park, winter snow tubing and skiing, and golf course.

Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep

Every year at Trinity, the theater spins a new vision on this classic play.

A Really Good Clam Cake

The beginning and end to a great summer is eating the perfect clam cake.

Once you find your favorite clam cake joint, you'll always come back for more.

First Night Providence

If you haven't yet rang in the New Year at First Night Providence, what have you been doing all these years?

The Ability to Say and Spell Indian Words like Misquamicut

Due to the influence of Native Americans early in our state's history, Rhode Islanders know the spelling and pronunciation of many of these native words.

Complained About Being Stuck in Traffic for 5 Minutes

A favorite activity of RI drivers, besides complaining about those Massholes up north, is telling anyone who will listen about the traffic they were stuck in on the way to work.

Gaspee Days

Rhode Island was the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain.

The smallest state in the union showed their revolutionary side by setting fire to the Gaspée, a British customs schooner.

Warwick celebrates the anniversary of the burning of the Gaspée with a parade and a reenactment.

Prom at the Biltmore

Many Rhode Islanders enjoyed their prom at the Biltmore.