This weekend, Woonsocket Patch takes a closer look two city events - the Bye-Bye Summer Fiesta and a Stadium appearance by Destination Truth Host Josh Gates - for your weekend planning purposes.
On Friday, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., show up at River Island Park for the 7th Annual Bye-Bye Summer Fiesta, an open-to-all celebration of the city's diverse cultures sponsored by the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition.
Often, said Victor Ramos, assistant executive director of the WPC, the event brings out about 200-250 people from Woonsocket and area towns like Burrillville, North Smithfield and Smithfield.
This year Ramos expects the free event to draw more than usual, thanks to a few extra attractions. Chief among them is the RI National Guard's climbing wall, nicknamed, "GOLIATH", a bounce house, refreshments, pizza, music and information tables set up by many local agencies.
Another interesting element is the return of the Youth Iron Chef competition, which pits teams of young people around a table of raw, healthy dinner ingredients they'll have 15 minutes to assess. At the start signal, the teams will be timed on their effort to use the ingredients to prepare a health meal for four people for $10. Youth can still create a team to enter into the Iron Chef Competition by calling 401-766-3342.
The competition was created last year with the help of the Environmental Justice League of RI, Ramos said. They can't make it this year due to a prior obligation, but Ramos said they've learned enough from last year to run the contest solo.
Josh Gates visits Stadium Theater Saturday Night
If you're looking for something more intellectual and Saturday-oriented, Stadium Theater welcomes Josh Gates, host of SyFy's show Destination Truth, starting at 8 p.m.
Gates, a man who camped out at the world’s worst nuclear accident at Chernobyl, and recovered a "Yeti" footprint in the Himalayas, is sure to have a story or two to tell one lucky audience.
Online tickets for the Gates appearance are $26 or $31.
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