Pascoag event returns with a splash September 28

BURRILLVILLE – Businesses in Pascoag will once again spill into the street in celebration of the village’s growing vitality at a community event to be held on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The Fountain Square Fall Splash returns to Pascoag Main Street bringing live entertainment, food and drink, games, activities and more to the village center. The event will feature all of the neighborhood fun visitors have come to expect over the past two years, from special offerings from area businesses to life-sized puppets roaming the street, plus some new additions including a giant bubble maker and a magician.

“Excitement is building,” said Jim Langlois, chairman of the Burrillville Redevelopment Agency. “It’s amazing.”

The event was started in spring of 2023 as a way to unveil Fountain Square – a small park in the village built by the agency that features a replica of the fountains once used to water horses passing through. With participation by the village business community, organizers hoped to highlight their success in the revitalization of Pascoag, from a popular brewery, to new walking paths, bars and restaurants.

The event was an instant hit and the agency went to work planning a second event last fall. A third “splash” was held in June with growing participation from businesses, organizations and vendors, both in and out of Pascoag.

As the village prepares to once again shut down the roadway for a fourth street party, Langlois said the event has continued to grow.

“We’re getting more requests from businesses that want to be involved,” he said. “In the beginning, we were just keeping this tight to the Pascoag community businesses.” Now, “As long as there’s no direct competitive threat we don’t mind.”

On Saturday, Liberty Farm will return with horse-drawn carriage rides and Rich Polseno & The Low Tides will perform on the patio in front of Bravo Brewing Company, with DJ Bats playing tunes between sets. Area food trucks including The Sticks, Dinolicious and Not Your Average Popcorn will join Pascoag restaurants including Cow’s Tail Deli, Thai Wok Street Food and George’s Pizza, offering guests plenty to chew on while enjoying the scene. There will be demonstrations and information tents, along with fun activities by groups including Sandtastic Art, offering kids a chance to create sand art.

Traffic will be closed so visitors can stroll the roadway with a purchase from Elayna’s outdoor Tiki bar and pig roast, or a doughboy from the Pascoag Fire Department. The Big Nazo characters joined the spring event, and will return to once again mingle with crowds.

“They couldn’t wait to come back,” Langlois said of the life-sized puppets. “They wanted in.”

New attractions at the event will include Mike’s Mega Bubbles and Alakazan Entertainment, providing a balloon artist and magician.

With all the new additions, space for the growing gathering will expand to Gonyea Park on High Street, where several vendors will set up booths.

Langlois estimated there will be between four and eight new vendors, along with every business on Main Street participating, and new entertainers. Fellow agency member Mark Thompson has joined on to serve as co-chairman and help with planning.

“It’s become too big for just me,” Langlois said.

Asked if planning has become easier as he approaches the fourth “splash,” Langlois said, “Yes and no.”

“We know what we’re doing, but the event is growing,” he said.

To minimize encounters with crowds on foot, there will be no bicycles, scooters or skateboards allowed at the Fall Splash, with signage posted.

“That will be enforced,” Langlois said.

A shuttle will run to and from the RIPTA bus stop every 15 minutes.

“We’re hoping the weather is good, and we’re hoping for a good turnout,” Langlois added.

The Fountain Square Spring Splash will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 along Pascoag Main Street from 4 to 9 p.m. The rain date for the event is Sunday, Sept. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Editor’s note: The above article initially stated the wrong date in one iteration and has been corrected.