Westerly Neighbor Day 2026

Date and Time

Sunday May 17, 2026
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM EDT

Sunday May 17, 2026
9 am to 2 pm

Location

Westerly Town Hall Steps and Wilcox Park

Fees/Admission

The event is free and open to the public, no preregistration required.

Contact Information

Charisse Duroure Morrone, Westerly Multicultural Committee
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Description

The Westerly Multicultural Committee (MCC) invites the community to come together for Neighbor Day on Saturday, May 17. This year's theme is Honoring the Diversity of Westerly’s Forgotten Patriots. This family friendly event will be located on the Wilcox Park Esplanade during the Garden Market Fair from 9am to 2 pm. Individuals and families of all ages are welcome to come by and join members of the Westerly Multicultural Committee and DAR in conjunction with the Westerly 250th Commission for educational and fun activities.

In 1775 the 1^st Rhode Island Regiment was a largely white Continental Army Unit. By 1778, facing severe manpower shortages, the Colony integrated the regiment with volunteers, making it one of the most integrated military units in American history. The 1st Regiment included white, black, and indigenous people from the area.

Event Highlights:
📍 9:00 am –2pm Wilcox Park

Educational Activity: Visit displays with the names of area veterans of the Revolutionary War, where they are buried locally, histories of important individuals, maps of key battles, and more.
Scavenger Hunt: Test your knowledge of the park and the diverse group of Rhode Island Revolutionary soldiers who fought for our freedom from the English.
Children’s Activities & Music: Participate in Revolutionary Era Children’s games, practice your artistic skills, and enjoy the music of Frank Pendola, along with selections from the musical Hamilton.

Neighbor Day was established in 1993 by then-Town Council President Mary Jane DeMaio, who recognized Westerly’s growing cultural diversity and worked to create a celebration that encouraged residents to get to know their neighbors. The tradition began with a ceremony on the steps of Town Hall, honoring veterans, good neighbors, and those who had passed in national tragedies. Over the years, businesses hosted open houses, and neighborhoods gathered in the community.

This year, we carry forward Mary Jane’s vision by embracing both our shared home in Westerly and the diverse journeys that brought us here. Whether your family has been in Westerly for generations or you are new to town, Neighbor Day is a chance to connect, share, and celebrate together.

Join us for a day of reflection, creativity, and connection. Let’s celebrate the beauty of where we come from and the community we have built together in Westerly!

Contact:
Charisse Duroure Morrone
📧 cdmorrone@gmail.com | 📞 (401) 225-2601

The Westerly Multicultural Committee is a town committee dedicated to celebrating the full cultural richness of our community. By embracing the traditions and values of the many groups that make up Westerly, we strengthen the bonds between us and harness the benefits of diversity in our town.