BURRILLVILLE – Soaking up the sun at the Fountain Square Spring Splash festival in Pascoag, residents of Burrillville and visitors meandered along the street, checking out merchandise, munching on food, and stopping to listen to music or chat with friends. Pascoag Main Street was crowded with smiling people at the second annual event sponsored by the Burrillville Redevelopment Agency, Bravo Brewing Company and area businesses.
One cause of the happy faces were the characters “Gaston” and “Maurice” greeting passersby. The characters, played by actors James Laurent and John Charette, respectively, are from the upcoming play Beauty and the Beast from the Rhode Island Stage Ensemble at The Assembly Theater on East Avenue.
“It is a lavish production, and from director Chris O’Neill. We’ve been working on it since February, and we’re ready to entertain the people,” said Laurent, who was busy entertaining people on the street, as was Charette.
Charette said the street festival was a great event, adding, “It’s nice to see the village show its character.”
Kevin Stockwell, a volunteer firefighter in Burrillville, was also pleased with the street festival.
“I love that it gets people in town trying new businesses,” said Stockwell. “That’s good for the community – to see what’s out here, to support local business, and to stop going to big box stores.”
He said the organizers of the event, “should do one in spring, summer, fall, and winter, and bring in more local vendors and others.”
The crowd at the festival was “the best turnout of the last couple of years,” said Rae Atchue, owner of Mindful Aesthetics on Main Street.
“I love that our community comes out. And that the street is shut down,” Atchue said. Her business offers a menu of services such as waxing, skincare, eyelash/brow, facials and tattoos.
Local Tommy Indelicato said of the street festival, “It’s great. Very family-orientated and safe for the kids.”
Children’s activities included painting by Magical Henna Art and the Boys Scouts Inflatable Archery Range.
“We love the community. We love that they do this; it brings neighbors together,” said Alissa Simoneau who was accompanied by her family, including children and a baby, all from Glocester.
The festival “is wonderful. A great idea. They should do this more often,” said Richard Ferruccio of Burrillville.
““It brings the community together, young to old,” said Ferruccio’s companion Denise Marfeo. “The ages don’t always have the opportunity to mix together.”
Marfeo was enjoying the variety of music, and the duo liked the concept of trying eating establishments new to them, such as Bravo Brewing Company and Thai Wok Street Food.
The people in Pascoag were certainly feasting, whether munching on kettle popcorn or devouring what appeared to be the festival’s lone roasted pig.
Meanwhile, youngsters were playing in the Jumpolozza, DJ WiseVlad was spinning the tunes, and the Liberty Farm pair of horses were resting as their carriage driver waited for passengers in the July-like 80 degree day — a day that seemed to bring sunshine into the faces in the crowd.
I sure do love/miss this little town. Someday I’ll move back…hopefully still upright and able to partake of all this fun…. Once a Bronco – Always a Bronco!!! ❤❤❤