Editor’s note: The below mentioned Pumpkin Festival has been postponed to Sunday, Sept. 17.
Daffodils
Members of the North Smithfield Garden Club and the North Smithfield Heritage Association will once again be planting thousands of daffodil bulbs on yards, street sides and public spaces in town, and is inviting residents to join them by planting some of their own.
The groups are selling two types of daffodil bulbs: Dutchmaster yellow at a cost of $20 for a bag of 50; or Ice Foliies, a white daffodil with a yellow cup, at a cost of $26 per bag of $50. Any extra donations received will be used to plant the flowers in public spaces.
For questions or to order your bulbs, contact Ann Lilley at jslilley@yahoo.com or (401) 556-0853.
Grand re-opening
The Fernandez family, local officials, and store team members will hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies marking grand re-openings of the three Brigido’s Fresh Market locations this month, including an event this week at the store in Slatersville at 900 Victory Highway. The event will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, followed by savings and raffles all week long with prizes including a 50-inch television, Boston Red Sox tickets and more.
According to a press release, the store will also begin recognizing special groups in the community with 10 percent off their shopping order on certain days year-round, with Tuesdays for teachers, Wednesdays for seniors and first responders to receive discounts every day.
Originally established by Augusto Brigido in 1943, the three stores that make up Brigido’s Fresh Markets were recently purchased by independent family grocers Mike and Melissa Fernandez. The stores have since joined Allegiance Retail Services, a retailer-owned grocery co-op, resulting in a more diversified product line and promotional program. In addition to the traditional grocery items, new lines of organic and natural foods will be offered, there will be expanded dairy and prepared food sections, and an island of imported meats and cheeses, according to the new owners.
Road changes
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has announced that bridge demolition this week will require closure of the Route 146 South service roads, from Route 99 to Route 116, Sunday-Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and alternating lanes on I-295 at Route 146, and on Route 146 North and its service roads during the same time period. The westbound lanes on Sayles Hill Road East, from Route 146 to Woodland Road, will also be closed for road construction, Wednesday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Overnight alternating lane closures on both directions of Route 146, from Route 99 to Route 146A, are also planned for traffic signal relocation, Sunday-Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and road construction will necessitate daytime alternating lane closures on both directions of Route 146, from Route 146A to the Massachusetts line, and on Route 146 South at Sayles Hill Road, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Travelers are instructed to follow signed detours during all closures.
The Great Pumpkin Festival
North Smithfield’s annual Great Pumpkin Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of North Smithfield High School. The event, which typically attracts thousands of visitors, will feature live entertainment, vendor booths, food and free activities for families and attracts thousands of visitors. In 2022, the festival had nearly 100 booths, which included family-friendly activities, food, DIY crafts, local small business retail and non-profit vendors.
Town meetings
The North Smithfield Town Council will hold a joint meeting with the Municipal Building Review Task Force on Monday, Sept. 11 starting at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall at 83 Green St. The agenda is here.
The North Smithfield Special Education Local Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the North Smithfield High School library at 412 Greenville Road. The agenda is here.
The North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Service Board of Directors will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 starting at 6:30 p.m. at 1470 Providence Pike. The agenda is here.
The North Smithfield Zoning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 starting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall at 83 Green St. The agenda is here.
The North Smithfield Planning Board will hold a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 14 starting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall at 83 Green St. The agenda is here.
