Everything you need to know about Governor's Bay Day
It's not an official holiday, but Governor's Bay Day has become a Rhode Island beach-season tradition and it is coming up again this Sunday.
On Bay Day, parking in the lots at eight Rhode Island state beaches is free, as are RIPTA bus rides to Narragansett. And for three days you can fish in saltwater without a license.
"Bay Day is about having fun and I invite all Rhode Islanders to take advantage of the opportunities we're offering to have fun here in the Ocean State," Governor Dan McKee said in signing an executive order announcing the 34th annual Bay Day celebration this week. "But it's also a reminder of how lucky we are to have Narragansett Bay as our state's most iconic natural resource – and how important it is that we protect it."
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What is Bay Day?
Governor's Bay Day is intended to draw attention to the importance of Rhode Island's ocean environment and to encourage people to go to the beach or a shoreline park to have fun.
It is almost always the last Sunday in July.
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Who held the first Bay Day and why?
The first governor to hold a Bay Day was Republican Ed DiPrete in the summer of 1989, shortly after the Greek oil tanker World Prodigy ran aground on Brenton Reef off Newport.
The tanker spilled 300,000 gallons of home heating oil into the water, some of which drifted on an east wind into the mouth of Narragansett Bay.
The World Prodigy spill happened just a few months after the much larger Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska triggered weeks of horrific scenes of marine wildlife covered in black ooze.
The Rhode Island tourism industry and elected officials worried the spill would frighten visitors away, and they dreamed up Governor's Bay Day as a kind of beach carnival to convince people it was safe to go back in the water.
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In addition to free parking, the early Bay Days featured concerts at state parks and a sand sculpture contest.
The first winner of the sand sculpture contest was a Cranston man who, according to Journal archives, "created a dinosaur devouring five nude maidens."
The headline act at the 1990 Bay Day at Scarborough State Beach was The Buckinghams.
Where can I park?
You might have to get there early to get a spot, but parking on Sunday will be free at:
• Charlestown Breachway in Charlestown
• East Beach in Charlestown
• East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown
• Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly
• Roger W. Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett
• Salty Brine State Beach in Narragansett
• Scarborough North State Beach in Narragansett
• Scarborough South State Beach in Narragansett
Where do I catch the bus?
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Route 66 (URI/Galilee) Express Beach Bus will go fare-free on Sunday for trips to and from South County beaches. Service to the beach will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Three buses make the trip from the northern part of the state to Scarborough, Salty Brine and Roger Wheeler around 9 a.m. One starts from Central Falls, another from Woonsocket (stopping at Exchange Terrace in Providence) and a third from North Providence stopping at Cranston City Hall and Exchange Terrace in Providence.
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Can I fish on Bay Day?
Yes, Bay Day includes free saltwater fishing from Friday, July 28, through Sunday, July 30.
Typically, a permit is required for fishing.
What does Bay Day cost?
It depends on the weather, but the Department of Environmental Management estimates on a sunny day it will lose $97,800 in beach parking fees that would be collected on a normal Sunday, according to agency spokesman Michael Healey. RIPTA anticipates forgoing $216 in bus fares to provide free beach service on Bay Day.
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Were there any years with no Bay Day?
Like almost everything else, Bay Day was canceled in 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID.
Is there a hashtag?
Yes. It's #GovBayDay
— panderson@providencejournal.com
(401) 277-7384
On Twitter: @PatrickAnderso_
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: A guide to RI Governor's Bay Day 2023
