The East Providence
eporter R
AUGUST 2013 Volume 9, no. 8
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Serving the Community and Businesses of East Providence
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BACK TO
SCHOOL ARE YOU READY? See page 38...
The Coney Island of the East Coast
Crescent Park, Vanity Fair, Boyden Heights, Hunts Mills
By Bob Rodericks “For anyone over 50 years old that grew up in East Providence, their best memories run down the Crescent Park Midway. At least once every summer, a night comes along where I dream of riding the Flying Fish one more time”, says Don Gregory. Gregory, a 1979 EPHS graduate, grew up and still lives in Riverside. He enjoys reliving his childhood memories from Riverside and Crescent Park. Perhaps not many “younger” residents of East Providence today realize that the city once was called the Coney Island of the East Coast. In fact there were four major amusement parks in the city. Three of the parks Crescent, Boyden Heights and Vanity Fair, were along the Riverside waterfront. A fourth, and lesser known park was at Hunt’s Mills in Rumford. Crescent Park was Rhode Island’s second park and was opened as an amusement park in 1886. During this time frame much of the Riverside area became a resort town featuring many summer homes along the Narragansett Bay or Providence River. Riverside was a destination for many vacationing families. Steamboats and trains from Providence and many other areas brought thousands of visitors to the shores of East Providence. continued on page 8...
Save This Date September 26th, 2013
Save our Carousel! The Crescent Park Carousel Commission is sponsoring a return of a highly successful event on Thursday, September 26th from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. “Our annual ‘Wine and Food Tasting Event’ is approaching soon. Get your tickets early! 2013 ticket prices can be obtained by writing to Tracy Johnson at the carousel office at carouselclerk@ cityofeastprov.com. Tickets and further information can also be obtained from any carousel commission member. more info. on page 22...
Boat rides from the pier at Crescent Park.