The Gaspee Days Committee has announced that Patrice Wood of NBC Channel 10 News with be the Grand Marshal of the 53rd Annual Gaspee Days Parade.

“This is always a fun celebration,” Wood said in a statement. “As the fourth great-granddaughter of infantryman James Wood of Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, who fought for our freedom, I am honored to be asked to lead this historic and esteemed parade.” 

For 53 years, the communities of Historic Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, Cranston, and many around the state of Rhode Island, have celebrated Gaspee Days as a nod to America’s “First Blow for Freedom” against Great Britain during the revolutionary era. The Gaspee Days Parade is the culmination of a month-long series of community events run by the all-volunteer Gaspee Days Committee to commemorate the burning of H.M.S. Gaspee back in June of 1772. The parade, along with many other Gaspee Days activities bring together people from across several local communities in Warwick and Cranston, to celebrate their pride in our State’s place in history.

“The popular Gaspee Days weekend and parade are a time-honored tradition enjoyed by all and I am delighted to be a part of this outstanding tribute to all of our courageous patriots,” Wood said.

Chairpersons of this year’s parade share in Wood’s passion for the local community and its history.

“Having grown up in Warwick, the Gaspee Days Parade has been a part of our lives for many years,” says Steve Miller, Parade Chair alongside his wife, Tracey Miller, who have worked in tandem to make this year’s parade even more spectacular than ever.

“We are excited to share this tradition with Patrice, as we have always admired the role she plays in contributing to the local community. She has been a staple of our local news for almost 40 years now and what she has accomplished placing foster children in adoptive homes through ‘Tuesday’s Child’ proves her commitment to community, an ideal we like to live by as well,” adds Tracey Miller, the other Chairperson of the parade. “Little did we know that Patrice had ancestors dating back to the revolutionary war, which only makes us more confident we made the right choice in who should lead our parade!”

The anticipation for yet another parade bringing together community and history is apparent. Gaspee Days is just around the corner and all those involved are proud to share the exciting news.

The parade will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. in Historic Pawtuxet Village through Cranston and Warwick.