The Newport County Chamber of Commerce, working with the City of Newport and Broadway Chamber member businesses, is investing in the 29^th Annual Aquidneck Island National Police Parade, to extend the parade route to include the newly redesigned Washington Square. 

Continuing the parade route through lower Broadway will bring increased spectators and foot traffic to lower Broadway businesses, and also showcase the results of the improvements to Washington Square.

“The chamber is excited to be a part of the revitalization of Broadway and Washington Square,” said Jody Sullivan, Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber has worked for years with the City of Newport to improve the business environment on Broadway.  One of the measures taken by the Chamber to ensure the prosperity of this area was the 2005 Broadway Improvement Study in which the Chamber partnered with Newport Collaborative architects to identify necessary improvements, and hosted a workshop for Broadway merchant.  Broadway has continued to flourish over the last two decades, and the Chamber is proud to bring additional exposure to the lower Broadway merchants by extending the Police Parade.

The 29th Annual Aquidneck Island National Police Parade will take place on Sunday, May 6, at 11:50 a.m.

The parade begins at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 317 West Main Road, Middletown and continues south into Newport.

Thousands are expected to line the streets to watch this year’s parade.  One of the highlights of the parade is the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, which perform will at the reviewing stand in the newly redesigned Washington Square.  This will be one of the best locations for spectators to view the parade. 

Anyone interested in further information regarding this year’s parade as well as highlights of previous parades, including photos, may visit www.policeparade.org or the Aquidneck Island Police Parade Facebook page.