Gaspee Days returns and here’s the music you won’t want to miss

By ROB DUGUAY

Gaspee Days will return to its regular schedule in 2022, after being unable to occur due to the pandemic. During this year’s arts and crafts festival and block party, there will be a variety of music.

The arts & crafts portion of the event will happen on Narragansett Parkway in Warwick from Saturday May 28 to Monday May 30. In addition to the 100 fine artisans, community groups and nonprofits setting up shop, there will be live music -- with the Rob Davis Band performing on Saturday, D Train performing on Sunday and Sundance performing on Monday. Overall, over 60,000 people are expected to schmooze and explore their way through the event throughout the weekend.

On Saturday evening, the block party will be taking place in Pawtuxet Park adjacent to the site of the arts & crafts festival. It’s only $5 with live music happening all night long along with customized beers from local breweries.

“The Gaspee Days Committee is very excited to be able to hold our annual Block Party once again this year,” said committee president Steve Miller. “In addition to Salter’s Groove and Neal & The Vipers, we look forward to having the RI Bucket Drummers join the festivities this year. We are also super excited to be offering our new ‘Gaspee Brews’ from Moniker Brewery, Apponaug Brewing Company and Linesider Brewing Company.”

Speaking of Salter’s Groove and Neal & The Vipers, both bands are once again excited to be part of this year’s festivities. Salter’s Groove will be kicking the block party off from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Neal & The Vipers concluding the event from 8 to 11 p.m.

“We are very excited to be jamming at the block party again this year,” says Salter’s Groove guitarist and vocalist Sean P. Rogan. “I think I like Gaspee Days better than Christmas. I love seeing so many friends in Pawtuxet Village, at the park, all dancing, drinking and having a great time. We are very grateful to keep getting asked to perform.”

“We are really looking forward to being back to rock the Gaspee Days block party,” said Neal & The Vipers guitarist and vocalist Neal Vitullo. “It’s such a well organized and fun event; it’s the official start of the summer.”

If you and the family are looking to have some fun this Memorial Day Weekend without the hustle and bustle of going to the beach, head over to Pawtuxet Village for Gaspee Days. For information on future events happening later this year, log on to gaspee.com.