The festivities officially start on June 14, Flag Day, beginning a period of outdoor concerts, soap-box races and a firefighters' muster at Independence Park.

[6] In 1984, after pleading "no contest" to a charge of assault, Cianci skipped the parade; a clown dressed in a prison uniform, carrying a ball and chain, mocked him in his absence.

[7] Instead of riding his usual horse, Cianci walked this time, and he was frequently stopped by fans along the route to take photos and to shake his hand.

[7] The Rhode Island Tea-Party Association applied to enter the parade with a float featuring a representation of the British ship Beaver, which was ransacked by colonists dressed as Native Americans in 1773 at the Boston Tea Party.

Such handouts are prohibited at the Parade on the grounds that people (especially children) running up to floats to get them pose a danger.

[8] Attendance at the 2014 parade was reportedly "much lighter than usual" due to bad weather from Tropical Storm Arthur.

[10] Michael Rielly becomes Bristol's official Town Crier after Gerry MacNeill retires from the position after 23 years.

[12] After an outcry from the public and a complaint to the Rhode Island Attorney General, the committee voted one week later to restore the longer route.

[14] The concert series and "Longest Traveled Award" were not held, as organizers wanted to keep the celebration local in scale.