Smile, Woonsocket!

Updates, Events, and More

August 2025

Greetings!

Help us spread the News!

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Here is what is going on in the city for the Month of August:

• Friday, August 1, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
• Tuesday, August 5, 4:30-7:30pm - National Night Out at World War II Park
• Friday, August 8, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
• Monday, August 11 - Victory Day Observed, City Hall is closed
• Friday, August 15, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
• Thursday, August 21, 6-8pm - I <3 Woonsocket at the Honey Shop
• Friday, August 22, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
• Saturday, August 23, 10am-1pm - Backpack give-away, Woonsocket Middle School
• Saturday, August 23, 6-10pm - Twilight on the Blackstone, Tickets needed
• Thursday, August 28, 2:20-3:30pm - Groundbreaking at the Cass Ave Community Center
• Friday, August 29, 6pm - Movie in the Park at WWII Veterans Memorial Park

Soak Up the Last Drops of Summer with Parks & Rec!

From crafty creations and hands-on activities to live entertainment, basketball clinics, and Movies in the Park—we’re making August count! The Woonsocket Parks & Recreation Department is pulling out all the stops to pack your calendar with fun.

Whether you're 5 or 105, there’s something for everyone. So grab your sneakers, your lawn chairs, and your summer spirit—we're not letting go of summer without a good time!

Woonsocket Under Construction

Big things are happening in Woonsocket! Construction is moving quickly on the new concession stand at the athletic field—and we’re just getting started. Join us for the official Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Woonsocket Multi-Purpose Community Learning Center at Cass Park on Wednesday, August 28th from 2:30-3:30 pm. This innovative project is made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, as part of the Governor’s Community Learning Center Municipal Grant Program. It’s more than just bricks and mortar—it’s an investment in education, community, and the future of Woonsocket. Come celebrate this exciting new chapter with us!

Photos of the Concession Stand construction by James Partridge of Rowse Architects.

Visit the Woonsocket Farmers Market

There’s no better way to support local and eat fresh than by visiting the Woonsocket Farmers Market, held every Tuesday from 3-6pm at 25 John A. Cummings Way.

Each week, you’ll find a vibrant mix of local farmers, bakers, and small businesses offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to delicious homemade goods. Whether you’re picking up ingredients for dinner or just enjoying the community vibe, the market is a great way to connect with neighbors and be healthy. The Woonsocket Farmers Market accepts WIC, Senior Coupons, SNAP and Bonus Bucks!

State Investments in Woonsocket

Governor Dan McKee, Chair of the Rhode Island Commerce Board, announced that the Board awarded $10.6 million in incentives to support business growth, job creation, and local municipalities and developers. Here are the projects that were funded in Woonsocket:

• NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley ($150,000) Improvements to the Millrace District in Woonsocket through wayfinding signs, site amenities, and public art.
• 162 Main Street ($75,000) Environmental assessments, infrastructure improvements, demolition activities, and architectural and engineering studies to 162 Main Street, which will contain 45 residential units and commercial lease space.
• The Millrace District ($295,000) Site-specific environmental oversight, investigation, and remediation of an unregistered underground storage tank.
• Woonsocket Façade Revitalization Project ($175,000) Exterior improvements to historic buildings in the Main Street corridor from Court Street to South Main Street. 

The Millrace Kitchen and Event space on the corner of Bernon and South Main Streets was the 1st development in the Millrace District and has become an arts epicenter. Millrace will offer 70 units of affordable housing and commercial and community space. Millrace is a perfect example of how historic, unused buildings can be converted into new, affordable homes and spaces for businesses and the community to thrive!

Yard Waste - Here's what to do with it.

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 5th!

Join us for National Night Out, a fun-filled evening that brings the community together to build safer, stronger neighborhoods! This nationwide event is all about connection—between neighbors, local organizations, and our first responders. Come out for free food, music, games, and family-friendly activities, plus a chance to meet the people who help keep Woonsocket safe. It’s a great way to celebrate community spirit and show some local love!

Woonsocket ROCKS... Literally!

Families painting rocks at the Levitt AMP Summer Concert Series. Look for a #WoonsocketRocks table at community events such as the summer concerts or at National Night Out or make your own at home!

Keep your eyes peeled—you just might spot a colorfully painted rock hiding somewhere around the city, tagged with #WoonsocketRocks! This feel-good scavenger hunt is a creative partnership between the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative and the City of Woonsocket, and everyone’s invited to join the fun!

Here’s how it works:

🎨 Paint a rock (get as artsy, silly, or inspiring as you want!)

✍️ Add #WoonsocketRocks

🙈 Hide it somewhere in Woonsocket

🔍 If you find one, you can keep it OR re-hide it—but don’t forget to snap a pic and post it on social media with the hashtag and location!

Let’s spread some color, kindness, and community spirit—one little rock at a time. Because let’s face it: Woonsocket really rocks. 💚

Meet Jim Lathrop – Our New Finance Director!

Jim Lathrop has joined the team at City Hall as our new Finance Director, bringing with him a calculator, a love of spreadsheets, and enough experience to balance a budget in his sleep. He’s a CPA with a Master of Public Administration from NYU, and he's held finance director roles across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, so he knows his way around a city ledger. When he’s not crunching numbers, Jim’s out sailing, curling, riding his motorcycle, or enjoying life as a proud dad and self-declared foodie. He just returned from a trip to France with his daughter where he had the chance to practice his pronunciation of bonjour before coming to work in Woonsocket! His favorite movie is Bull Durham, which proves he appreciates both baseball and well-timed one-liners. Jim’s already diving into Woonsocket’s history, and our finances, and we’re thrilled to have him on board!

The 2025 legislative session brought several key victories for local government priorities, with a range of bills officially becoming law. Here's a snapshot of what passed and how it supports communities across the state:

• Lateral Transfer Reimbursement (House 5950 / Senate 849) - Ensures municipalities are reimbursed when trained public safety officers laterally transfer to other departments.
• Payday Lending Reform (House 5042A / Senate 229A) - Reforms payday lending practices by capping interest rates at 36% APR and eliminating the loophole that allowed payday lenders to charge 260% APR.
• Solar Taxation Clarification (House 5967 / Senate 439) - Provides clearer guidance on how solar energy systems are taxed, offering consistency for local assessors.
• School Bus Safety Enforcement (House 5421 / Senate 568) - Improves enforcement tools to catch and penalize drivers who violate school bus safety laws.
• RI Infrastructure Bank Enhancements (House 6252 / Senate 1070) - Supports local investment through expanded project financing tools.
• Regional Vocational Schools Support (House 5292 / Senate 937) - Strengthens regional vocational education systems.
• Public Records Administration Clean-Up (House 5451 / Senate 742) - Streamlines and updates public records procedures.
• Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Updates (House 5558 / Senate 913) - Improves contractor accountability and licensing standards.
• Precinct Cap to 3,500 Voters (House 5517 / Senate 513) - Raises the cap on precinct size, giving local election officials more flexibility.
• 120-Day Temporary License (House 5882 / Senate 397) - Extends temporary licensing options to keep services running smoothly.

These wins represent strong collaboration between local leaders, legislators, and advocates to support smarter governance, safer communities, and sustainable local development.

Pictured from left to right: Rep. Stephen Casey, Senator Brian Thompson, Senator Melissa Murray, Rep. Bob Phillips, Rep. Jon Brien.

Need a ride to a medical appointment? Veterans in the greater Woonsocket area can get free transportation by calling American Legion Post 85 at (401)766-7585. This amazing program has 14 friendly, vetted drivers ready to get you where you need to go. Know someone who wants to volunteer and be a hometown hero? Contact Post 85 to join the crew!

Meanwhile, with summer flying by (how is it halfway over already?!), now’s a great time to look ahead to your student’s future. The Veterans of Foreign Wars are offering incredible scholarship opportunities through the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests—together awarding nearly $2.4 million nationwide!

The deadline is October 31, 2025. If you need help with the application, reach out to Alan Cote at cotealan@hotmail.com. Because in Woonsocket, the UVC supports our vets and our future leaders!

169 Main Street | Woonsocket, RI 02895

(401)762-6400