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Smile, Woonsocket!
Updates, Events, and More
July 2025
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Photo of the Month
"Ribbon Cut, City Shines" by Chris Curtis
Have a picture of Woonsocket you want to feature as a photo of the month? SEND it to us!
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Hello Margaux,
Help us spread the News!
Hey Woonsocket! You’re already in the know - reading up on city happenings, upcoming events, and all the cool things going on in our corner of the world. But guess what? Good news is even better when it’s shared! So go ahead - forward this to your friends, nudge your neighbors, or shout it across the fence. Let’s get everyone signed up for the Smile, Woonsocket Newsletter and make sure no one misses out on what makes our city shine.
Sign up, share, repeat. Because in Woonsocket, we celebrate community!
Here is what is going on in the city for the Month of July:
- THE SPLASH PARK IS OPEN!!!
- Thursday, July 3, 4:00pm - City of Woonsocket Independence Day Celebration
- Thursday, July 10, 11-3pm - Summer Reader's Celebration Day at Harris Library
- Friday, July 11, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
- Sunday, July 13, 2-6pm - Sunday Funday Car Show at St. Joe's
- Wednesday, July 16, 11-1pm - Veteran's Cafe, dining for veterans, at St. Joe's
- Thursday, July 17, 6-8pm - I <3 Woonsocket - Canoeing at Cold Spring Park
- Friday, July 18, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
- Tuesday, July 22 - City Hall will light up teal to support World Fragile X Day
- Friday, July 25, 6-9pm - Levitt AMP Woonsocket at River Island Park
| | Stay Safe During Heat Waves | | | | |
Summer is heating up so it's time to take extra care to stay cool and safe. Heat waves can be dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, and people with health conditions. Here are some quick tips to beat the heat:
✅ Stay Hydrated: Drink water often, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
✅ Keep Cool: Stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day (usually 11-4 PM).
✅ Dress Light: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and a hat if you're outside.
✅ Check In: Look out for neighbors, friends, and family, especially seniors or those who live alone.
✅ Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, headache, or heavy sweating. If someone shows signs of heat stroke (confusion, loss of consciousness, high body temp), call 911.
✅ Don't forget your pets: provide plenty of water and shade. Never leave them in a parked car!
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Woonsocket Under Construction
Our city’s getting a facelift! From smoother streets to upgraded sidewalks and shiny new infrastructure, there’s a lot going on beneath those hard hats. Progress might make a little noise, but it sure looks good when it’s done!
Here's our latest list of construction projects:
- The new athletic complex at Cass Park
- The community center at Cass Park
- The new animal shelter
- Water meter upgrades
- Coming soon: Bridge Replacement!
| | Construction at the new athletic complex | | | |
Music Moves at the Levitt Summer Concert Series
Friday nights at Woonsocket’s River Island Art Park have been too much fun to miss! The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Summer Concert Series—presented by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, the City of Woonsocket, and the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative—brings an electrifying lineup of free, family-friendly shows every Friday, 6-9pm, from June 13 to August 22, 2025. These concerts fill downtown Woonsocket with vibrant rhythms, delicious food trucks, an on-site Ciro’s Tavern bar, youth activities, and a rotating cultural spotlight during a special intermission. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend: with a blanket or lawn chair, your loved ones, and music under the stars. This series is free and open to everyone.
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Volunteer Appreciation:
the Clean Team!
City resident Bruce Daigle heard the call to action: people living in encampments needed help cleaning and disposing of trash. So he assembled a group of volunteers, solicited donations, and worked hand-in-hand with people living in the encampments. In just a few weeks, the Clean Team has collected over 250 bags of trash! We want to thank Bruce along with Nancy & Ray Benoit, John Guevremont, Jeannine Giguere-Gagnon, Don Hogue, Mark Vinceguerra, Dan Ruiz, Joe Rogers, Cassie Agredo, and John Daigle for their time and effort!
| | | Fragile X Syndrome Awareness | | | | |
We received the following heartfelt letter from a mom in our community. We love when residents are engaged in our city!
I’m reaching out to ask if you would please light City Hall in teal blue for one night in July, in honor of World Fragile X Day. This global awareness day is on July 22, and buildings and landmarks around the world light up teal to show support for families like mine. I truly hope you’ll join us - it really means a lot. If you are asking "What is Fragile X Awareness?" That is exactly why you should participate in World Fragile X Day. Too many people are completely unaware of it, yet it is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability in the world. We need people to be aware. My son has Fragile X syndrome. Before his diagnosis, I had never even heard of it - and I’ve come to realize that’s true for so many families. I am trying to do all I can to raise awareness to help other families so they don't feel lost and alone like I did. Last year 585 locations in 18 countries lit up for this event!
| | Make Sure to License Your Dog! | | |
Did your pup get their license this year? Dog licenses were due May 1st, and just like a trip to the vet, they’re an annual thing!
Cost: Just $5 for peace of mind (and a law-abiding tail-wagger).
Good news: Since 12/13/24, Woonsocket has gone digital with online dog licensing through OpenGov! It's easy, fast, and paper-free. Just follow these steps:
- Create an account (you’ll need an email) or log in if you already have one
- Click “Dog License”
- Complete the form & upload your dog's rabies certificate
- Next year, you’ll get an email reminder to renew
Heads up: If your email changes, be sure to update it in the portal so you don’t miss your renewal reminder. The City Clerk’s Office will no longer send renewal notices by mail—it's all digital now!
No computer at home? No problem! There’s a self-service kiosk at the City Clerk’s office to help you out. So let’s keep tails wagging and licenses current!
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Cash and Penelope
Photo by Lynne Lyons courtesy of the
Friends of the Woonsocket Dog Park Facebook Group
| | Fantastic Food on Front Street! | | |
Carlos and Stephanie,
owners of La Placita Kitchen with their chefs
at June's I <3 Woonsocket event!
| | Have you visited Front Street lately? You can find two hidden gems with amazing food, fun atmosphere, and wonderful owners. Check out Mito Japanese Steak House and La Placita! Mito is located at 754 Front Street and offers an amazing menu of Japanese and Chinese cuisine and is owned by Vincent and Kim. They also have an all you can eat fresh sushi bar for only $30! Want to have a party? They feature a banquet room with a full bar and plenty of seating. Across the street from Mito, you will find La Placita Kitchen and Bar located at 719 Front Street. Owners, Carlos, and Stephanie has transformed the old Champs Diner into a welcoming, good vibes, family friendly atmosphere that serves traditional Spanish breakfast, brunch, and dinner. You can sit at a table inside or out as well as at the bar. A Ribbon Cutting will be coming soon! | | La Placita at the Senior Center! | | In June, the ribbon was cut for La Placita at the Woonsocket Senior Center! With the help and vision of board member and city council member, Valerie Gonzalez, Aging Well, Inc. has expanded space and programming to welcome more people. As Ryan MacLeod, Executive Director of Aging Well, Inc. stated perfectly: "It is about community and connection. La Placita isn't changing who we are. It's about building a longer table and inviting more seniors in. We're adding. We're growing. We're reaching more seniors at risk of social isolation." | | | | | Meet George Lewis - a new addition at Woonsocket City Hall! George officially joined our team on April 11th as the Interim Tax Assessor. With 8 years of experience in Boston and Brookline, he brings plenty of knowledge and a great sense of humor to the job. Since moving to Woonsocket in 2022, George has fallen in love with our city’s culture, community spirit, and hometown pride He’s traveled to 5 countries… and has proudly gotten lost in at least half of them! George wants you to know his door is always open! If you have questions, concerns, or just want to put a face to the name, stop by and say hello! He’s here to help and happy to assist. | | Keep Your Voter Information Up-to-Date! | | Board of Canvassers Manager Giana Savastano greets residents with a dice roll civics pop quiz at Woonsocket Pride! | | |
Did you know?
Woonsocket has
25,574
registered voters
as of June 23, 2025!
(+33 from last month!)
| | Introducing the New United Veterans Council, Greater Woonsocket’s Website! | | |
There is a brand-new website for Woonsocket veterans, designed to serve as a hub for veterans, their families, survivors and supporters of veterans. The website provides a space where you can stay updated with a calendar of events and find valuable resources. As summer is here, the United Veterans Council of Greater Woonsocket will reconvene on September 11th, at 7 PM, at St. Joe's. Attendees can stay to enjoy snacks, sandwiches, or pizza after. The UVC warmly invites all veterans interested in joining any of the veteran organizations that make up the United Veterans Council to come and learn what we do as an organization. This will also be a great opportunity to meet leaders of the different Veteran Organizations that make up the Council. The UVC is here to help with veteran claims and guide you to an accredited veterans’ representatives.
| | Scan this code to learn more and sign up for the Veteran's Banner Tribute Program. | | Parks & Rec Programs & Events | | | |
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