There’s always a lot happening in the Blackstone Valley. Below is a list of upcoming events and things to know in the region.
Open House Snack Pack fundraiser
GLOCESTER – The Inner You Counseling Center will hold an open house to celebrate their new location at 712 Putnam Pike, Glocester, with face painting, sidewalk chalk, Allie’s Donuts and more from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 7. Bring a canned good to support the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack program for a chance to win a gift basket.
Project for Public Spaces
LINCOLN – To support the growth of downtown and town centers, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will welcome Ethan Kent from Project for Public Spaces to the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln on Thursday, Sept. 26.
During Kent’s more than 20 years with Project for Public Spaces, his efforts have been integral to the development of placemaking as a transformative approach to economic development, environmentalism, transportation planning and design.
He has traveled to 60 countries and more than 900 cities to advance the cause of placemaking and public spaces. According to a release on the event, Kent has led a broad spectrum of placemaking efforts, providing comprehensive public engagement, user-analysis, planning and visioning for high-profile public spaces on six continents.
The free presentation and workshop will begin with registration and a networking reception at 8:30 a.m.
Register here.
Plant a tree
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is teaming up with the Arbor Day Foundation , the RI Tree Council, and the RI Nursery and Landscape Association to give away 1,000 trees as part of the State’s Energy-Saving Trees Program. Now in its ninth season, the program helps Rhode Islanders save energy and lower their utility bills by strategically planting trees on their property.
Trees play an important role in cooling streets and homes, noted a release from DEM on the program, filtering air, and reducing stormwater pollution. The trees distributed under the Energy-Saving Trees Program are approximately four to six feet tall and will be distributed in three-gallon containers for easy transport. The Rhode Island Tree Council will provide planting and care instruction to homeowners – as well as guidance on how to maximize energy-savings. When planted properly, a single mature tree can save $30 annually in heating and cooling costs.
Registration opened on Tuesday, Sept. 3 and is required in order to reserve a tree. Recipients must be Rhode Island residents. Trees go fast, so early registration is recommended. Register for the program here.
Trees can be picked up during one of the following pick-up events:
Saturday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. – noon, Westerly Public Library/Wilcox Park, 44 Broad Street, Westerly
Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m. – noon, RI State Parks Headquarters, 1100 Tower Hill Road, North Kingstown
Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. – noon, Mt. Hope Farm, 2050 Metacom Ave., Bristol
Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. – noon, RI Tree Council Headquarters, 2953 Hartford Ave., Johnston
For questions about the Energy-Saving Trees Program, contact Lou Allard, Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator in DEM’s Division of Forest Environment, at 222-2445, ext. 2056, or email him at Robert.e.allard@dem.ri.gov.
Win meat
WOONSOCKET – Two Woonsocket organizations will be holding separate meat raffles and the proceeds will benefit the 2019 Autumnfest celebration.
The first meat raffle takes place on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Club Lafayette at 289 Aylsworth Ave., Woonsocket from 6 – 8 p.m.
The second meat raffle will take place on Sunday Sept. 8, at St. Joseph Veterans Association, 99 Louise St., Woonsocket from 1 – 4 p.m.
Music and beer
WOONSOCKET – The Autumnfest Steering Committee and the Rotary Club of Woonsocket have also announced the lineup of entertainment that will be performing in the Rotary Beer Tent during Autumnfest over Columbus Day Weekend starting Friday, Oct. 11.
You must be 21 or over to enter the Rotary Beer Tent.
Friday, Oct. 11:
7 – 11 p.m.: Tigerlily – dance/rock/party/Top 40, high energy
Saturday, Oct. 12:
1 – 5 p.m.: Colt & The Coyotes – folk & blues band
6 – 10 p.m. Witzend – Top 40 rock
Sunday, Oct. 13:
1 – 5 p.m.: Mic Drop – party band
6 -10 p.m.: Groove Division – funk, R&B & pop
Monday, Oct. 14:
2 – 6 p.m.: Scott Fowler & Southbound – country & southern rock
Autumnfest is a Family-Friendly Celebration now entering its 41st year. Autumnfest is held Every Columbus Day weekend at World War II Memorial Park off Social Street in Woonsocket.
