March 29, 2024

Annual Flag Display in Riverside

Capobianco: "Get your Flags Ready"

Posted

Although no longer a city councilwoman, Tracy Capobianco continues her effort to keep the annual Memorial Day parade route in Riverside festooned with American flags. After a family trip through Agawam, Massachusetts, the rural patriotic New England town, she crafted the idea to mirror Main Street in Agawam which was lined with flags. "It looked fabulous and I thought it would look terrific in East Providence," Capobianco said back in 2014.

"I met with folks at a Riverside Renaissance movement meeting. We had discussed sprucing up the square and I shared my idea of flags with them in hopes we could put them in Riverside Square." Her patriotic notion was well received and American flags began popping up all over Riverside. The tradition continues today.

Capobianco credits others with helping and in particular, resident and city employee Jim Miller. This year Capobianco and Miller met and were glad that donated flags from last year remain in good shape. "I'm glad that the donations last year allowed us to purchase high quality flags and we won't have to raise funds this year. It's a go, we're ready," she said.

Capobianco wants to remind everyone to put up their own home flags in conjunction with the Memorial Day season. Miller donates his time to attach the donated American flags on poles along the parade route and the idea has spread a bit throughout the city as more American flags are visible from Riverside through Rumford.

"I'm just glad that this tradition can continue. I think it adds pomp and circumstance to the annual parade. Thanks to all who take part," she added. The parade generally steps off from the grounds of the closed Oldham School on Bullocks Point and continues to Turner Avenue to Willett Avenue ending at the American Legion Post.

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