EVENT SPONSORS

PARKING
Note that parking for Summer Pops is not in any way controlled by event organizers, the Chorus of Westerly, the Library, or the staff of Wilcox Park. However, we strongly recommend you come early to find a place to park. 

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Performers and patrons can park in these locations on performance day. All parking facilities noted are FREE and are approximately a 3-10 minute walk to Wilcox Park. Allow extra time for parking.
 

1. Washington Trust parking garage (enter off Broad Street)

2. Washington Trust parking lots on Main Street

3. In the parking lots near the train station INCLUDING the very large new lot on Canal Street (just near the train underpass across from Hilltop Cafe) near the south end of Friendship Street.

4. Most area side streets just outside the center downtown area UNLESS they are marked 'no parking'.

Parking in these lots is at your own risk, first come, first serve, and spaces are not guaranteed to anyone. The Chorus does not control or own any of these lots or any of the parking for this event, so please do not contact us with parking related issues. You can talk with WPD officers if you have any issues.

 

Accessible parking 

Limited handicapped/accessible parking will be available on Grove Avenue, Broad Street, across from the Westerly Town Hall and extending to the Westerly Public Library, as well as parking areas in front of the United States Post Office and in other areas throughout town. This parking is first come, first serve and spaces are not guaranteed to anyone.

 

Street Closures

Grove Avenue and Wilcox Avenue will be closed to all vehicular traffic as of 5 pm on June 24th (June 25th if the rain date is needed). Exceptions will be made for those needing handicapped parking until all spaces are filled. Other motorists will be detoured onto Newton Avenue or other adjacent streets.

 

PARKING RESTRICTIONS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.

 

Please note no bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or similar riding devices are permitted in the park. Dogs are also prohibited in the park for the event. 

 

At the conclusion of the event, all vehicular traffic will be delayed for approximately ten minutes to fifteen minutes to allow pedestrians to freely return to their vehicles. Motorists on Railroad Avenue heading south will be directed onto Canal Street in a westerly direction. Motorists on Canal Street heading east will be directed onto High Street in a northerly direction in order to alleviate the congestion in the Downtown Westerly area. Officers and/or traffic control signals will control all other traffic.

 

What happens if it rains?

Every reasonable attempt will be made to offer Summer Pops as scheduled on Saturday evening, June 22, however, we realize this is summer in New England and are aware that rain can always be a factor. Forecasting models shift every 12 hours with varying predictions, which means the weather can change quickly. 

Given that, we ask that you please be aware and understand that we cannot make a decision on postponing the concert early. No decision on postponing the concert - should it be necessary - will take place until the actual performance day (Saturday) at 12 pm or later, when the forecast is much more clear. And, even on that day, our decision whether or not to go forward may not be made until the very late afternoon.

Updates on the concert would be posted on our Facebook page, our website, and our voice mail. But if you do not see news of a change, things are on as scheduled.

For a variety of reasons, we only have one rain date available to us to attempt the performance - Sunday, June 25th. So any decision to move to Sunday and attempt the performance there would also be weighed by the forecast for the rain date as well. We are, of course, very mindful of our audience, but also of the hundred or so volunteers, the nearly 300 performers, community partners, and patrons who may be in attendance at the event. Be assured that any decision we make is not made lightly at all. It is a difficult decision and if you are not hearing communication of us, please know we are working our hardest to provide you with updates regarding this performance.

 

If we unfortunately are unable to perform on either June 22 or June 23 due to weather, sadly, we would have to cancel this year's performance and look toward Summer Pops '25 on June 21, 2025, as there is no possibility of assembling our performers again this summer. There would be no one more disappointed than us if this happens, as we have been preparing for this show for a long time. But, it is always a possibility with a live outdoor event.

Summer Pops is a completely free event for the community presented by the Chorus of Westerly - and we love to present it. Our organization annually raises every dollar to make this beloved free community event happen. This year, the expense to produce the concert is well over $120,000. A delay by one day typically is a $15,000 additional expense to our organization. We care about our community a great deal, and we are doing the best we can to bring you this event. 

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Any additional concerns and questions can be directed to our office at 401-596-8663.