R.I. Historical Society Benefit Will Celebrate State???s Amusement Parks
???Midway Memories??? to Feature Carousel Exhibit, Penny Arcade Games, Themed Party
(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) ??? Ask any Rhode Islander over a certain age, and they???ll tell you about weekends at Rocky Point. Some will reminisce about their favorite horse on the Crescent Park Carousel or wax nostalgic about dancing the night away in the Alhambra Ballroom. Others will share a story about how their grandparents met during a company outing to Vanity Fair.
Amusement parks have captured imaginations ??? and hearts ??? for more than 150 years. On May 10, the Rhode Island Historical Society will celebrate these legendary Ocean State destinations at its Spring Forward ??? Think Back: Midway Memories benefit gala.
Attendees can show off their skills on vintage arcade games from Spring Lake; view Caserta and Bell???s photography exhibit A Living Museum: The Looff Carousel; and sample fare from Pranzi Catering, The Catering Gourmet, B&M Catering, Cozy Caterers, Emery???s Catering, Tom???s Market, Sin, Bottles Fine Wine, Narragansett Beer, Del???s Lemonade, and Yacht Club Soda, all included in the $50 general admission. Patron tickets ??? which include a 5:30pm VIP prosecco and small bites reception with a sneak preview of the evening???s offerings ??? are $150.
As part of the festivities, the RIHS will recognize the Hon. Roger Begin for his lifelong commitment to inspiring Rhode Islanders to learn about and celebrate their history and culture. There will be more special guests and surprises throughout the evening.
The event will be emceed by I Heart Media radio personality and amusement park enthusiast Steve Scarpetti.
???Whether your destination was the ballroom or the bumper cars, the frozen lemonade stand or the fastest roller coaster you could find, few places in the world have managed to combine family fun, glamorous romance, regional delicacies, and thrill rides the way these dreamlands of the past could,??? said RIHS Executive Director C. Morgan Grefe, adding:
???Even just planning this party has been fun, so I know the night itself will be magical. Our hope is that everyone has a blast while supporting our mission to make Rhode Island history more accessible to residents and visitors alike through our collections preservation, educational outreach, and public programs.???
The lead supporter for ???Spring Forward ??? Think Back: Midway Memories??? is the Amica Companies Foundation.
Generous sponsors include Bottles Fine Wine, Bank of America, Mandel & Tracy LLC, Esten & Richard Agency Inc., Dominion Energy, Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, AAA Northeast, Van Liew Trust Company, Brewster Thornton Group Architects, Narragansett Beer, and AB Bernstein.
And Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Jennifer Baker, Dr. Winifred E. Brownell, Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Calandrelli, Dr. George M. & Mrs. Betsey Goodwin, Dr. Kathleen & Mr. Barry Hittner, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Logan, Mr. James P. Loring, Mr. & Mrs. Frank & Elizabeth R. Mauran IV, Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Cathi Sloan, and Dr. Kathy & Dr. Luther Spoehr.
Please visit SpringForwardThinkBack.com for tickets. For more information, please contact Shawn Badgley at (401) 331-8575 x134.
Note: On May 3, 6:30pm, at the Aldrich House (one week prior to ???Spring Forward ??? Think Back: Midway Memories???), there will be a free public event featuring a panel of amusement park experts, collectors, and industry leaders. Participants include John Bateman, General Manager of the Spring Lake Arcade and Fantasyland; Donna Houle, Special Projects Manager at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council; Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, author and Providence Journal contributor; George LaCross, blogger and Rocky Point expert; and Ed Serowik, longtime caretaker of the Crescent Park Carousel. Free registration is suggested here.
What: ???Spring Forward ??? Think Back: Midway Memories???
When: Thursday, May 10, 6:30pm (5:30 pm VIP reception for patrons)
Where: Aldrich House (110 Benevolent St., Providence)
Admission: $50/general admission ticket; $150/patron ticket at SpringForwardThinkBack.com