Blackstone Valley Tourism Council: Travel, heritage, visitors, visitor center, lodging, dining, tours, Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor, National Parks, Industrial Revolution, historic sites, economic development in Rhode Island

News

FOUNDER OF “RIVERSING at SLATER MILL” TO RECEIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT RIVERS DAY CELEBRATION ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 17

Ray Warner of Pawtucket

Pawtucket, RI-The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will present the 2006 John H. Chafee Rivers Day Award to Ray Warner at RiverSing as part of the Rivers Day Celebration on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 6:00pm in Pawtucket. Warner will be honored for his tireless efforts in establishing RiverSing on the Blackstone last year and this year’s RiverSing at Slater Mill.

The John H. Chafee Rivers Day Award, named in honor of the late John H. Chafee, is annually presented on Rhode Island Rivers Day to an individual who dedicate their efforts in preserving and protecting the Blackstone River as the region’s prime environmental and recreational resource. Senator Chafee served as Rhode Island’s US Senator from 1976-1999 and as its Governor from 1963-1969 and in 1986, Senator Chafee co-sponsored the legislation that created the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Last year, more than 3,000 people attended River Sing sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. Inspired by the Charles River Conservancy and Revels’ RiverSing on the Charles, this year, under the auspices of Slater Mill, RiverSing 2006 will be bigger and better than ever and will again feature over 80 performing groups ranging from individual singers and instrumentalists to large bands and choruses as well as extensive activities and entertainment for children and a special stage for teens. Many of the performers are nationally known and all are from Rhode Island and New England. A major event of the day features choruses singing in call and response back and forth across the river. At least three grand sings will be held, with audience participation on both sides of the river.

About the Award Winner

An architect with over 35 years of experience with historic preservation and adaptive reuse of older buildings, Ray Warner and his wife Ranne designed and developed Riverfront Lofts in Pawtucket. Warner and his wife converted the old textile/jewelry mill into fifty-nine artist live/work condominium lofts. Currently residing at Riverfront Lofts Warner and his wife are working with the Pawtucket community to help make the city a better place to live.

As a singer and musician who has performed with Revels in RiverSing on the Charles which inspired Warner’s conception and development of RiverSing on the Blackstone with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in 2005 and RiverSing at Slater Mill for 2006 as a way to bring awareness of and celebrate the Blackstone River through music and song. Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council says, “Ray Warner’s dedication to the community of Pawtucket and to this wonderful event honoring the Blackstone River has added greatly to the National Rivers Day Celebration on the Blackstone and promoting the Blackstone Valley as well as the City of Pawtucket as a destination place.”

The Rivers Day Celebration will kick off in Central Falls and is hosted by the City of Central Falls, the Blackstone River Watershed Council, Friends of the Blackstone River and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, the day’s events will include free public tours aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer, Fly tying demonstrations by United Fly Tyers of Rhode Island and presentation of Environmental Education Scholarship awards, and announcement of the John H. Chafee Rivers Day Award (a schedule is attached).

For more details on this year’s Rhode Island Rivers Day celebration along the Blackstone River, contact the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 401-724-2200. For more information about RiverSing at Slater Mill visit www.riversing.org .

RIVERS DAY JUNE 17, 2006
CENTRAL FALLS LANDING SCHEDULE

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM United Fly Tyers Demonstration

11:00 AM Welcome

Dave Balfour, Chairman of Board of Directors, BVTC

Patricia McAlpine, Education Coordinator, BVTC

11:10 AM Lt. Governor Fogarty

11:20 AM Larry Mouradjian, Acting Associate Director, DEM

11:30AM Mayor Iwuc, Town of Cumberland

11:40 AM Announcement of the John H. Chafee Rivers Day Award

Award Winner: Ray Warner (to be Presented at RiverSing)

Dave Balfour, Chairperson BVTC Board of Directors

11:45 AM Presentation of Wayne Judd Scholarship Award

Presented to: Patricia McAlpine, Education Coordinator, BVTC for River Classroom Scholarship Fund – By Delaney Assembly #1059 Knights of Columbus

11:50AM Presentation of Environmental Scholarship Awards

Watershed Excellence Award to Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Group

Presented by: Blackstone Watershed Council –

11:55 AM Closing Remarks – Patricia McAlpine, Education Coordinator

12:00 PM – 3:00 pm Free 45 –Minute River Boat Tours on the hour aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer

Rivers Day Info | Back to News

Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
1-800-454-BVTC (2882) Local: 401-724-2200 Fax: 401-724-1342 info@tourblackstone.com