Save This Weekend for Autumnfest and Don't Forget the Sports

WOONSOCKET, RI -- When the parade kicks off at 9:30 Monday morning, the Bay State's Dartmouth High School Marching Band and Color Guard will be one of the highlights.

Dartmouth's the headline band this year, said Linda Plays. She's the chairwoman for the Autumnfest Parade, which celebrates its 38th annual this weekend.

"They are one of the premiere parade bands in Massachusetts," she said, and noted for eight of the past 10 years, Dartmouth High has won the New England Scholastic Band Association Division 5 Championship.

The parade steps off from Diamond Hill Plaza on Diamond Hill Road, Woonsocket. The rest of the route goes down Diamond Hill Road, turns left on Social Street and ends at the entrance to World War II Veterans Memorial Park.

But a lot of the fun happens over the weekend with the dodgeball tournaments Saturday and Sunday's Tug 'o War. Also Saturday, the city dedicates the new Little League field at World War II Veterans Memorial Park.

The field is named for Woonsocket native and Hall of Famer Napoleon Lajoie, according to Blake Collins, in the mayor's office. The ceremony is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, right after the Autumnfest opening ceremony.

The kids break it in fast with an inaugural game against Gloucester.

“Our earlier dedication plans were postponed due to inclement weather," said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, "but we are fortunate to have a perfect setting during Autumnfest to share the story of our City’s baseball legend with the masses that congregate in Woonsocket this weekend.”

But Little League could become a staple at Autumnfest, according to Jeff Gamache, Autumnfest Committee Chairman and emcee of the field dedication.

“It’s great to activate this space in the park with a beautiful new ball field and be able to incorporate that
into a spectacular weekend," he said. "I hope that we can build upon this year’s dedication and game and feature Nap Lajoie and the Little League at Autumnfest for years to come.”

Here's the rest of the schedule:

Saturday, Oct. 8: Dodgeball Tournaments

9 a.m. start (for ages 10 through 13);

10:30 a.m. start (for ages 14 through 17);

1 p.m. start (for ages 18 up).

Games end at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 9

MEGA War (Tug O’ War)

Weigh-in from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Competition begins at 1:00 p.m.