PARADES WE’VE PARTICIPATED IN
WICKFORD MEMORIAL DAY/VETERANS
Over the years, many Hillman family members have participated in either the NORTH KINGSTOWN/
WICKFORD MEMORIAL Day Parade or the VETERANS Day Parade. Some marched as part of school bands, others with scouting groups, while others may have joined that parade with their dogs as part of the “dogs of Wickford” contingent. To the left is a photo of Megan M in the Wickford Veterans Day Parade in 2011.
I believe Bob, Bev, Norma, Karen, Russ, Catherine, and Molly all participated either with middle school bands or the North Kingstown High School band. I believe Molly and Megan marched with their Girl Scout troops as did Catherine and I. Catherine participated one year – although I can’t remember the affiliation/group she was with – as a clown. Jim and I participated one year in support of saving the Seabee Theater (ultimately unsuccessful).
NEWPORT ST. PATRICK’S
Way back around 1980, I participated in the NEWPORT ST. PATRICK’S Day Parade. Rhode Island Junior College had a float, which had been built by the theater’s scene shop (so, Jim Knott). Below is a picture of the float being prepped on-site in Newport. I can’t identify anyone in the photo but I think Jim’s truck is just behind the float.
Below is another photo of the float underway. I remember the “rainbow” – I made the coins for the pot of gold.
PROVIDENCE COLUMBUS
When Catherine was in pre-school/kindergarten she took baton twirling lessons and marched in Providence’s Columbus Day Parade with that group. The flyer that came home from pre-school promised baton twirling would help her gain friends and win scholarships. Both those things happened but I know the difference between correlation and causation.
Incidently, I don’t know that she can still twirl a baton.
In addition to the parade participate reflected in group clues, Jim has participated in the Wakefield Firefighter’s Memorial Parade and Warwick’s Gaspee Days Parade (see next group) as well as a few others I’ve lost track of over the years. He participated in these parades as a member of the Shrine Band or similar community band.
PARADES WE’VE ATTENDED
GASPEE DAYS
I don’t know if other family members ever attended Warwick’s Gaspee Days Parade but I did go at least one time – with Michaela when she was a baby. As noted above, Jim was in the parade, most likely with the Shrine Band.
CRANSTON CHRISTMAS
I have no memory of this parade but Norma mentioned it just the other day. Apparently this parade was held in Garden City in Cranston (not sure of what the actual name of the parade was) and when my family (the siblings) attended, the outing was completed with a visit to Sweenor’s Candies.
I don’t know if we actually got chocolate or if we just went to see the jumping Santa Claus (which I do vaguely remember) that was part of their Christmas window display for years.
NK TRICENNIAL
In 1974 the town of North Kingstown celebrated its tricentennial with a number of festive events. A highlight for me was the parade (reported to have had 100,000 spectators) held on July 21st. Below are a few photos I took from my vantage point on Boston Neck Road near Fairway Dr.
MACY’S THANKSGIVING
I believe only members of the Nickelson family have attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Below is a photo of Molly and Megan from their more recent outing to the parade.
THIS JUST IN: Matt and Lindsay attended the Krampus Parade in Salzburg this week.
FESTIVALS WE’VE ATTENDED
CHILDREN’S BOOK
Lincoln School in Providence has held the RI Festival of Children’s Books & Authors for over three and a half decades. I haven’t attended in years but for a few years running it was attended by several members of the family. Below are some photos from the early-mid 90s of family members with book characters and one with an author.
HOT AIR BALLOON
The Nickesons and the Knotts attended the Glens Falls Hot Air Balloon Festival in New York (late 80s?) and I believe more family members attended the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival when it was held in Usquepaug or later at URI. One of these days I’m going for a ride in one of these.
Below is a photo I believe taken at the Glens Falls Hot Air Balloon Festival.
SLEEPY HOLLOW HERDING DOG
I don’t know the actual name of this festival* but it was held in Sleepy Hollow, NY and it showcased herding dogs. Sarah, Catherine and I went one year and were really impressed with the dogs. I also remember Catherine being very interested in the weaving demonstration, spending a lot of time trying out the mini looms set up for the public.
Below is a photo taken at this festival.
*Last minute internetting tells me this might have been the Sheep-To-Shawl Celebration/Festival.
WICKFORD ART
I’m not a fan of the current Wilson Park location for the annual WICKFORD ART Festival but admit the parking and level terrain offered by that location are improvements that the “village” location never seemed to be able to overcome. Below is a photo from the 2017 festival, one of the last held in the village before the move to Wilson Park in 2021.
What other festivals have family members attended? I thought of the Scituate Art Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Rhythm and Roots Festival and NEFFA (New England Folk Festival Association). NEFFA holds a huge dance festival each spring which I have attended. In addition, Catherine, Michaela, and Piper have all attended at least once.
Any others near or far?
CHRIS! IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY TODAY!
CHRIS! IT IS/(WAS) HIS BIRTHDAY (NOV 29)
LANDED HERE AS A SEABEE
HE’S GOT AN EMMY
18-WHEELER’S WERE HIS GAME
Chris’ birthday was November 29th – the day this puzzle was scheduled to be published. I hope he had a great day.
The rest of the Chris “clues” shouldn’t need explanation but I’ve added a few photos just in case.
2 responses to “November 29, 2025 – Puzzle Discussion”
My father-in-law also marched in the Newport St.Patricks Day Parade. He was in a bag pipe band. I’ve attended the Danbury Parade.
Annette and I use to go to the Situate Festival every year. Haven’t been in awhile. Also I went to a hot air balloon festival in Vermont. I think Burlington.
And of course the only one I got Chris’s birthday!
I remember that about your father-in-law/St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newport.
I was definitely thinking of you and Annette with the Scituate Art Festival. I think I went once, maybe even with you two.
I didn’t know about you attending the balloon festival in VT. Catherine has asked me to come up for it but the last few years just haven’t worked out.