Blackstone Valley Tourism Newsletter - May 2017
The Blackstone Valley Explorer has started its scheduled weekend tours. Midweek school groups occupy the vessel’s time.
With a grant from The Ocean State Charities, the Tourism Council has purchased an underwater Remote Operated Vehicle for its tour groups to experience onThe Explorer. The ROV is highly technical, battery-powered, includes a camera on board and is steered by an iPad. Passengers onboard have the ability to operate the ROV technology and research the bottom of the Blackstone River.
The St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center is now open for Sunday tours.
Twin River Casino in Lincoln broke ground on their new hotel, which will be open in the spring of 2018.
The new Blackstone Valley Visitor Guide is being distributed throughout the Blackstone Valley and other areas of the state.
The Blackstone Valley Heritage Golf Tournament is taking place at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Burrillville on June 12. There is still time to sign up as an individual golfer or a foursome.
Jeanne Boyle, formerly City Planner in East Providence is now the Director of Commerce for the City of Pawtucket. Welcome, Jeanne.
The Pawtucket Red Sox and the City of Pawtucket are hard at work building support for a new stadium situated at the Apex property in Pawtucket; they need all the support they can gather at this important stage. The stadium would be the key to unlocking the stagnant development along the riverfront and downtown.
The Mayors of Cumberland, Pawtucket and Central Falls and their planners are working collaboratively to increase the viability of success of the street they share: Broad Street. It has been a very successful endeavor and the economies of working together are evident.
The Tourism Council last month worked on a Blackstone Valley Familiarization Tour with our state’s new advertising and public relations team.
Michael Tamburro and Joyce Hindle-Koutsogiane have been elected to the William Blackstone Society. They will be inducted September 28th at the Tourism Council’s Annual Dinner.
Blackstone Culinaria, our food experience tours, in June and July are at A&W in Smithfield, Monte Cara in Pawtucket, McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket and Crepe Corner in Smithfield.
We are hoping the room tax legislation is held in its current form into next year. A House Bill introduced by Representative Carson is suggesting the same.
The Fourth of July Arnold Mills Parade in Cumberland is celebrating its 91st year in 2017. The Ancients and Horribles Independence Day Parade in Glocester is celebrating its 91st year.
Robert Billington, President
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
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Joan Loos, Tour Development
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
401-724-2200
The Republican-led House is advancing legislation to provide military aid for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific. The House is expected to vote on four separate bills over the weekend after passing a critical threshold in the rules committee Thursday with the help of Democrats. The move has inflamed conservatives who are against additional aid to Ukraine and have threatened Speaker Mike Johnson's job over the issue. 
