If there was an official day for celebrating all things RI, what activities would you include, and why?

Submitted by andylion t3_z1i9h3 in RhodeIsland

I recently had a conversation with a friend about how Rhode Islanders don't have a lot of state pride. On the one hand it makes sense, as there are a lot of things that RI could be doing better (roads, schools, govt accountability, littering, etc.), but then it occurred to me that maybe there's a feedback loop, and if people took more pride in the state we'd put more time and energy into making things better.

So my thought is this: what if there was a day (say April 25th) where Rhode Islanders get together to celebrate all the fun/awesome things about Rhode Island. Here's what I've come up with:

  • A hot weiner race where contestants see how many hot weiners they can fit on their forearm while navigating an obstacle course.

  • Oyster shucking.

  • A boat race where eight teams of rowers go from Gaspee Point, around the Bullocks Point light house and back to shore where they must then eat super spicy chicken wings.

  • Alternatively, a 30 mile rowing race from Providence to Newport.

  • An Eldritch/Cosmic Horror short story competition.

What would you like to see added? What about Rhode Island are you genuinely proud of? How would you celebrate it?

Edited for formatting (because I can never seen to get it right)

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Comments

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sporkemon t1_ixbagwg wrote

a know-a-guy competition, where contestants are given an objective and tasked with calling people they know to accomplish the goal. challenges might include getting a low number vanity plate from the dmv, pushing through your restaurant's liquor license application with the town, getting your congressman to write a letter talking about how great your kid is to brown (the kid won't get in), etc. anything that makes you say "hey, I know a guy!" is fair game.

also, naming all 39 incorporated cities and towns in rhode island. you'd think it'd be simple, but it's hoddah than you think! bonus points for putting them on a blank map at the same time.

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RandomChurn t1_ixcehgd wrote

Nah: the reason why native RIers don't appreciate what a rare gem this state is, is because they never leave! (I mean, even Boston is too fah!)

Seriously though: lots of native RIers don't ever move away so they just have nothing to compare it with.

I moved here after living all over the US and in five other countries. And I've been here ever since, and I really love it here ❤️

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listen_youse t1_ixcmga8 wrote

Best Rhode Island accent tournament.

Cops and firefighters get their own league.

Bonus rounds for immigrants who learned English with a Rhode Island accent.

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andylion OP t1_ixcrp75 wrote

Replying to RandomChurn (#613,625)

I'm also someone from out of state who lived here for about a decade, left, and then came back. I don't know if I can say that I love RI...but it's a hell of a lot better than a lot of other places.

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the_falconator t1_ixdtypx wrote

Complain about the state but also refuse to leave the state for any reason

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Fun_Sun1095 t1_ixfcv66 wrote

Del’s drinking contest. The winner is the person who drinks the most without getting brain freeze. No straws allowed.

It would also be cool to highlight the jewelry industry that was so prevalent in RI back in the day.

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