BURRILLVILLE – In its third year, Pascoag’s Fountain Square Spring Splash is much more than just a street fair – offering village businesses a chance to take over the roadway to show off their wares.
According to organizer Jim Langlois, chairman of the Burrillville Redevelopment Agency, the event has become something of a homecoming, where locals gather with visitors from across the region to celebrate and encourage the successful revitalization of a once-blighted area of town.
“We have this energy and synergy right now,” said Langlois of organizers. “We’re all working toward a common cause of making Pascoag a better place.”
The “splash,” named after the fountain and surrounding park in Pascoag that was christened by the agency in the event’s first year, will kick off once again on Saturday, May 31, as Pascoag Main Street is closed to all but foot traffic, and dozens of local businesses and organizations set up shop in the road. From restaurants peddling food and libations to those strolling by, to giant costumed puppets, demonstrations and live music, the event has attracted growing crowds to the bustling village.
The bi-annual gathering is held in collaboration between the agency and local business owners, with a popular brewery serving as the main sponsor. After a brief winter closure caused by flooding from the building’s sprinkler system, Bravo Brewing Company is back in full force, with its homemade brews and outdoor patio serving as a fitting centerpiece to the fun.
And local brews are just the start of what the Splash has to offer.
The fun will kick off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, with DJs set up at two locations at each end of the street. Pascoag Hose Company will open up the fire station to offer doughboys and touch-a-truck, and life-sized puppets from Big Nazo will mingle with visitors donning new costumes. The Rhode Island Stage Ensemble will participate – likely with characters from an upcoming production at the Assembly Theatre – and Tree of Life carving will offer demonstrations of its chainsaw magic.
Liberty Farms will offer horse-drawn carriage rides from Bravo, where DJ WiseVlad will be spinning tunes until southern rock band Bootleggers takes the stage around 5:30 p.m., to Gonyea Park, where DJ Bats will keep the party going. Returning activities and entertainment this year will include Sandtastic Art, Mike’s Mega Bubbles, The Magic of Russ Desimone and Alakazam Entertainment.
“We have all of our usual vendors,” said Langlois. “We have some new vendors coming in as well.”
Local sporting teams including the Burrillville Lacrosse Boosters Club and Burrillville Patriots Youth Football will hold raffles and raise funds for their organizations, while bars offer street drinks from tables and makeshift stands. This year, the open alcohol area has been expanded to include the fire station as well as the outdoor space by Cow’s Tail Deli, which now its own has liquor license.
“There’s new ownership so they’re pretty thrilled about being part of their first Fountain Square Splash event,” Langlois said.
As usual, all of the area businesses will participate, with Elayna’s bringing out a 350-pound roasted pig – a big hit with visitors at past events.
In addition to the local restaurants such as Thai Wok Street Food and George’s Pizza, locally-owned food trucks will also join the fun, including Dinolicious and Not your Average Popcorn.
The event will also offer guests a preview of things to come on Main Street as two yet-to-open businesses makes their debut in Pascoag: New Leaf Coffee Bar and Homemade Healing.
“They’re going to be opening up shop later this year and they want to participate,” said Langlois of the newcomers, adding that Brigido’s Fresh Market will also be a first time participant in 2025. “They wanted to be involved, and we’re happy to have them.”
No parking will be allowed on Pascoag Main Street starting at noon, but guests are welcome to find on-street parking elsewhere in the area, and the town will supply a minibus, running from a parking lot at Hauser Field to Sayles Avenue throughout the day. The High Street parking area will be handicap only, but visitors are also welcome to use municipal lots, including the Pascoag Post Office. Main Street will be pedestrian only starting at 3 p.m., closed to anything on wheels including bikes, skateboards and roller blades.
“We’re excited to be able to do it again,” said Langlois of the tradition, started in 2023. “It’s become one of the premiere events in the town.”
Asked why the splash events have been so popular, bringing out hundreds of visitors in both spring and fall, Langlois said, “I think people are encouraged by what has happened in downtown Pascoag.”
“People feel that it’s a safe place to come again. They think, ‘we can go here and have a good time,'” he said, adding that the Town Council, the Department of Public Works and the police department have also played a major role behind the scenes. “We’re very happy to say we’ve had no incidents. The people who’ve attended are very respectful of our event and we hope that continues.”
The Splash, Langlois noted, allows his agency to show off progress in the village – a growing source of community pride.
“Pascoag was kind of a run down place for many years,” he said, noting the Redevelopment Agency spent four years planning before they took action in the area, rehabilitating some buildings and demolishing others to make space for new ones, all while actively courting new businesses.
“I think that it’s noticeable,” said Langlois of the progress, pointing out that it can be difficult to find parking along the main drag in Pascoag when the weather is nice. “The businesses are full. We’ve turned it around. We’ve turned the corner.”
The agency’s work has also included construction of three pedestrian bridges along a riverwalk, where nature mixes with progress offering sights such as people enjoying food on decks overlooking the waterway.
“We’ve made it walkable, which people really seem to enjoy,” he said.
“Everybody wants to be involved,” he added of the village energy. “Let people come and explore, and check it out.”
The Fountain Square Spring Splash will take place on Saturday, May 31 from 4 to 9 p.m. along Pascoag Main Street. The rain date for the event is Sunday, June 1 from 2 to 7 p.m.
