2024 Parkes Family Reunion

From its beginning in 1636, Rhode Island had the longest name - State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. In 2020 voters approved a constitutional amendment to drop “Providence Plantations”.
The Ocean State is its nickname because you can get to the ocean from anywhere in the state in less than an hour’s drive.
The Rhode Island motto is “Hope”.
Rhode Island is home to Rams (University of Rhode Island), Friars (Providence College), Brown Bears (Brown University), Bulldogs (Bryant University), Hawks (Roger Williams University), and Seahawks (Salve Regina University).
Famous people from Rhode Island include Viola Davis, Debra Messing, Jeffrey Osborne, Rocco Baldelli (Manager MN Twins), Ernie DiGregorio, Meredith Vieira, James Woods, and Joe Mazzulla (Celtics Head Coach).
State bird is the Rhode Island Red.
The White Horse Tavern in Newport is the oldest operating restaurant in the United States.
Newport is home to the first polo field in the US - The Westchester Polo Club. You can still catch matches of the Newport International Polo Series in Portsmouth.
One of the most recognizable Rhode Island icons is a 58-foot long Eastern Subterranean Termite called “The Big Blue Bug” or “Nibbles Woodaway”. When driving through Providence on 95 you can’t miss it. And he dresses for the season!

Things To Do