Woonsocket Connect Newsletter

Updates, Events, and MORE!!!

October 2026

"The Mill Town Circus"

The Mill Town Circus rolled into Woonsocket in September, bringing the city’s remarkable

history to life under the big top! Through acrobatics, comedy, music, and storytelling,

the show celebrated Woonsocket’s rich past, from its important role during

World War II to its surprising impact on the history of baseball.

Have a picture of Woonsocket you want to feature as a photo of the month? SEND it to us!

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Here is what is going on in Woonsocket for the Month of October:

• Saturday, 10/3, 2:30pm - Mean Girls Trivia, Harris Public Library, 303 Clinton St.
• Saturday, 10/3, 3-5pm - Community Cleanup, Train Depot, 1 Depot Square
• Sunday, 10/4, - Voter Registration Deadline
• Sunday, 10/4, 9am - Vets for Pets Motorcycle Run, Post 85, 870 River St.
• Monday, 10/5, 7pm - City Council Meeting at City Hall, 169 Main St.
• Thursday, 10/8, 6-8pm - Candidate Connections, Elks Lodge, 380 Social St.
• Monday, 10/12 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day - City Hall Closed
• Wednesday, 10/14, 7pm - School Committee Meeting, Hamlet Middle School
• Thursday, 10/15, 2:30pm - Adult Book Club, Harris Public Library, 303 Clinton St.
• Thursday, 10/15, 6:30pm-8:30pm - Hispanic Heritage Celebration, 84 Social St.
• Saturday, 10/17, 8am-12pm - City Hall Open
• Saturday, 10/17, 2pm - History Book Club, Harris Public Library, 303 Clinton St.
• Wednesday, 10/21, 3-6pm - BVPC's Trunk or Treat, 285 Main St. (back parking lot)
• Monday, 10/19, 7pm - City Council Meeting at City Hall, 169 Main St.
• Friday, 10/23, 5-9pm - Halloween Dance Party & Movie, Cold Spring Park
• Sunday, 10/24, 4:30-6:30pm - Trunk or Treat, American Legion Post 85, 870 River St.
• Sunday, 10/24, 6-9pm - Adult Halloween Party, St. Ann's, 84 Cumberland St.
• Saturday, 10/25, 10am-2pm - BVPC's Drug Take Back Day, CVS, 1054 Cass Av.
• Wednesday, 10/28, 7pm - School Committee Meeting, Hamlet Middle School

Have an event you would like featured in our newsletter and website? Submit it HERE.

Autumnfest Returns October 9 - 12!

Autumnfest Hours:

Friday 10/9 6pm-10pm

Saturday 10/10 10am-10pm

Sunday 10/11 10am-10pm

Monday 10/12 after parade-6pm

One of Woonsocket’s favorite traditions is back! Autumnfest, Northern Rhode Island’s largest festival, brings together live music and entertainment, amusement rides, delicious food, artisans and local businesses, family activities, fireworks, and plenty of surprises throughout the weekend. And, of course, the celebration culminates with the Autumnfest Parade with Grand Marshall Garrett Mancieri on Monday, October 12!

This year, the fun starts early with Friday night festivities followed by full festival days Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Autumnfest reopens following the parade. Whether you come for the music, the food, the rides, the fireworks, the parade (or all of the above!) Autumnfest is the perfect way to celebrate fall and the incredible community spirit of Woonsocket.

Mark your calendars and come celebrate Autumnfest 2026!

Stay Warm This Winter With LIHEAP

As the weather cools down, help is available to keep your home warm this heating season. Applications and renewal forms for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now available for the upcoming season starting in October.

To be considered for assistance, you will need to complete an application or renewal form and submit the following required documents:

• Signed LIHEAP Application
• Proof of Identity
• Proof of Energy Expense
• Proof of Residence
• Proof of Income

Don't wait until the cold sets in! Apply early to ensure your coverage. Reach out to Community Care Alliance today to submit your application or learn more.

Income eligibility for the LIHEAP program

Candidate Connections:

Meet the People Running to Represent You!

Want to meet the candidates without sitting through another long forum? Candidate Connections puts a fun, interactive spin on civic engagement with a speed-dating-style event designed to help Woonsocket voters connect directly with local candidates. Attendees will rotate among tables for brief, face-to-face conversations, giving you the chance to ask questions, hear directly from candidates, and learn more before heading to the polls.

When: October 8, 6-8pm

Where: The Elks Hall, 380 Social St.



The event includes a FREE dinner, cash bar, and voter information and resources. Space is limited to the first 200 attendees, so come hungry, bring your questions, and get connected!

Did you know?

Woonsocket has 25,983 registered voters, but only 14% voted during

the September Primary!

Fall Fun with Woonsocket Parks & Recreation!

Mark your calendar for the 13th Annual Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, October 17, from 1-4 p.m. at Bernon Park. Woonsocket families can enjoy pumpkin picking and decorating, bounce houses, a petting zoo, music, photo opportunities and more. Children ages 12 and under can receive a free pumpkin while supplies last.

Then get those costumes ready for the 11th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Dance Party & Movie in the Park on Friday, October 23, from 5–9 p.m. at Cold Spring Park! This free night of Halloween fun will feature music, games, a costume contest with prizes, snack trucks and a movie under the stars.

Feeling sporty this October? Grab those sneakers for Youth Basketball! Registration is coming soon for youth ages 6-17, and you can sponsor a team if you're interested. Please contact Liz for more information: ekerrigan@woonsocketri.gov.



From movies and pumpkins to costumes, dancing, and plenty of family fun, Woonsocket Parks & Recreation keeps finding new ways to bring our community together!

Woonsocket’s Food & Beverage Economy is Growing!

Here’s another sign of economic progress in Woonsocket: revenue from the City’s local meals and beverage tax has increased 68% over the last five years with a significant increase over the last year!

Under Rhode Island law, a 1% local tax is collected on taxable meals and beverages, with that revenue distributed quarterly to the City. In FY 2021, Woonsocket received approximately $594,000. Today, that revenue has grown to more than $1 million annually.

That growth reflects increased economic activity in Woonsocket’s food and beverage sector, and means additional revenue coming directly back to our community.

So when you grab dinner, meet friends for coffee, or try a new local restaurant, you’re not just supporting a Woonsocket business, you’re helping support the City, too!

Fall Cleaning With Eco Depot Collection Day

Ocean State Media is Love Bombing Woonsocket!

Have you noticed? Ocean State Media has been love bombing Woonsocket with some seriously great stories lately! Their team has been spending time in our city, highlighting our local businesses, interesting people, historic places, and the exciting things happening throughout the community.

From Main Street businesses such as Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining and Timeless Antiques & Collectibles to conversations with people on the street, their coverage is helping RI see more of what makes Woonsocket unique. We love seeing Woonsocket get the positive attention it deserves! There are so many good stories to tell and we’re glad Ocean State Media is helping tell them!

Save the Date!

Cass Park Community Center Ribbon Cutting Monday, November 2, 10am

It’s almost time to open the doors!

Join us on Monday, November 2 at 10 a.m. for the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Cass Park Community Center.

This incredible new community resource will bring together education, workforce development, health and wellness, technology, and community programming all under one roof. Come celebrate this exciting investment in Woonsocket’s future and get a first look inside!

Woonsocket Situation Table

The Woonsocket Situation Table is a multi-agency collaboration of local human service, health, education and criminal justice professionals that meets Wednesday mornings to address situations where an individual or family is at a significant risk of harm. The team develops an action plan to reduce the risk and works with the individual and their family to connect them with services and supports in the community. The City of Woonsocket is a proud member of this collaborative.

169 Main Street | Woonsocket, RI 02895

(401)762-6400