Watchemoket Square Day will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014

This year’s Watchemoket Square Day will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. It is a celebration of Watchemoket Square’s past, present and future. Indoor and outdoor activities will take place on or near Warren Avenue in the City. The event is open to the public with plenty of free parking and no admission charge. Visit www.watchemoketsquareday.com or the Watchemoket Square Day Facebook page for updates and information about the event.

The East Providence Historical Society will be hosting walking tours about the early families who settled in The Square and their homes and buildings. Presentations about the City’s current waterfront development are scheduled, along with free boat rides. A Farmers Market has been added to this year’s activities. If you would like to participate in the Farmers Market as a vendor, please contact Paul Pliakas at Liberty Tax Service, (401) 572-3644.

The event opens at 10:00 a.m. with a parade beginning at East Providence City Hall and will feature classic cars and vehicles en route to the Classic Car Show at Hot Rides, Inc. The car show is from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will feature activities for children including a bounce house, food and face painting. Anyone interested in participating in the parade or car show should contact Ken Andrade, owner of Hot Rides, at 401.435.4444.

There will be lots of fun activities for kids and adults throughout the day. Breakfast or lunch specials will be served at the local establishments and food trucks.

Visit the Watchemoket Square Day Information Booth hosted by the East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce for maps, schedule of events, T-shirts and more.

Watchemoket Square Day Parade Route
Parade begins at 10:00am at East Providence City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue
Taunton Avenue East to South Broadway
Turns right onto South Broadway
Turns right onto Warren Avenue
Travels to Waterfront Drive
Turns left and heads toward Tockwotton on the Waterfront
Turns around on Waterfront Drive
Ends at Hot Rides, Inc., 30 Veterans Memorial Parkway

There will be lots of fun activities for kids and adults throughout the day. Breakfast or lunch specials will be served at the local establishments and food trucks.

History of Watchemoket Square
Watchemoket Square (pronounced Watch-uh-Mocket or Watch-Moe-ket) began near Bold Point and was used by the Wampanoag Indians to cross the Seekonk River to what is now Providence. Watchemoket is an Indian word meaning the proximity of the river and the tidal marsh… with the feel and smell of the area.

In the early years of East Providence, which was then known as Rehoboth, Massachusetts, the site was the best place to cross the river. In 1793, John Brown of Providence built a bridge from Fox Point (Providence) to Bold Point. In 1885, an iron bridge was built which led to development in the area; including an inn followed by over one hundred businesses. By 1906, Watchemoket Square became the central business district of East Providence and covered approximately nine acres of land in the central section of the town.

For more information about the Second Annual Watchemoket Square Day, visit the Watchemoket Square Facebook page or contact the East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce, 401.438.1212 www.eastprovchamber.com.

2014 Watchemoket Square Day Schedule of Events

10:00am – 10:45am (time approx.)Watchemoket Square Day Parade

Steps-off at East Providence City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue

10:00am – 2:00pm NEW! Farmers Market featuring local retail and food vendors, non-profit organizations and more!

Location: Waterfront Drive across the street from Tockwotton on the Waterfront, 500 Waterfront Drive

10:00am – 3:00am Watchemoket Square: A Family Affair exhibit

Location: Tockwotton on the Waterfront, 500 Waterfront Drive

11:00am – 3:00pm   Classic Car show

Location: Hot Rides, Inc., 30 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence

11:00am, 11:45am, 12:30pm 1:15pm Free Boat Ride Tours hosted by East Providence Historical Society and Village on the Waterfront.

Location: East Providence Yacht Club, 9 Pier Road

Narrated tour by East Providence city planner, Jeanne Boyle. Very limited seating available. Advance reservations required by calling East Providence Historical Society at 401.438.1750

11:00am and 1:00pm Historic Walking Tours of Walnut,Cross and Summit Streets hosted by East Providence Historical Society. One hour tours leave from Gilmore’s Flower Shop, 76 Taunton Avenue.

12:15pm, 1:15pm and 2:15 Presentation on East Providence Waterfront District: A Look at Where We Are and Where We Are Going

Location: Tockwotton on the Waterfront, Theater Room, 500 Waterfront Drive

William Fazioli, chairman of the East Providence Waterfront District Commission, will present a 20-minute overview of the origin and role of the East Providence Waterfront District Commission; along with a summary of notable developments that have taken root in the District since inception in 2004. There will also be a lively discussion of what to expect in the District over the next 3-5 years.

Narrated Boat Tours

11:00 AM, 11:45AM, 12:30PM,1:15 PM : Boat Tour with City Planning Director Jeanne Boyle. Boats leave from East Providence Yacht Club – 9 Pier Road

This year’s 45-minute tours will head north to Phillipsdale, the newly designated Historic District in East Providence. Learn about plans for this area from city planner, Jeanne Boyle. This is an area which has a lush beauty of its own. Seating is limited and by reservation only for these free tours. Contact the East Providence Historical Society now to make a reservation. Phone: 401.438.1750

Walking Tours of Walnut, Cross and Summit Streets

Hosted by East Providence Historical Society

Leaves from Gilmore’s Flower Shop, 76 Taunton Avenue (corner of Taunton and Walnut Streets) This area was generally platted in the 1880’s, a perfect time for the Queen Anne style in grand or cottage versions. There are still many examples of this whimsical style on these streets, built by professionals and business owners who wanted to show they had made their mark. The high bank of the Seekonk River was a perfect place to settle with The Square handy for shopping, commerce and entertainment.

For information about previous WSD walking tours of Fourth through Sixth Streets, the Potter/School/Purchase Streets and the I-195 relocation, a copy can be downloaded on the Historical Society’s Web site: at www.ephist.org.

New This Year!

A Farmers Market has been added to this year’s activities. Food, items from assorted vendors, and Watchemoket Square Day T-shirts will be available for sale, as well as information from non-profit organizations. The Market will be open 10:00am – 2:00pm and located across the street from Tockwotton on the Waterfront (500 Waterfront Drive.) If you would like to be a vendor, contact Paul Pliakas, Liberty Tax Service, at (401) 572-3644.