Charlestown Rhode Island

What: Financial Town Referendum
When: Monday, June 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail

Monday, June 1, is the annual Financial Referendum on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The June 1 vote is on the municipal services portion of the budget; the Chariho portion was approved by voters on April 7.

When: Saturday, June 20 from 10 am to 4 pm (Rain or Shine)
What: Cross’ Mills Public Library will host its biennial garden tour
Why: Summer is coming and the gardens are beautiful!
Cost: Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the Library or online

When: Saturday, May 23, from 8am to Noon
Where: St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 15 East Beach Road, Charlestown

Hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, mixed containers, vegetables, and herbs.

When: Saturday, May 16 from 10 am to 2 pm (Rain date is May 17)
Where: 4891 Old Post Road, Charlestown ( across from Ninigret Park)
What: An opportunity to connect with the local emergency medical services (EMS) team and see what they do every day to serve the community

When: Sunday, May 17 at 9am
Where: Meet at the South Farm Preserve parking lot off of Old Coach Road
What: Join with the Charlestown Conservation Commission to help them maintain this beautiful property.
Owned by the Town of Charlestown since 2002, this 87 acre property was purchased with a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management open space grant and Town Open Space Bond funds.

When: Saturday, May 16 from 9 am to Noon
Where: Meet at the Ocean House Marina, 60 Town Dock Rd, Charlestown
Who: The Coastal Pond Management Commission is sponsoring this event
Coffee, refreshments, garbage bags, gloves, and boat shuttle service will be provided.

Parade on Old Post Road on Sunday – CANCELED
When: Sunday, May 24 at 1 p.m.
Where: Starts at the South Kingstown line and ends at Charlestown Liquor Store

Parade in Carolina on Monday – CANCELED
When: Monday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Starts at the Richmond-Carolina Fire Station and ends at St. Mary’s Church in Charlestown

When: Thursday, May 21, from 6 pm to 7 pm (Rain Date: Thursday, May 28)
Where: Carter Preserve Western Trailhead, 931 Kings Factory Rd, Charlestown
Registration: Preregistration is required for this walk – link to register in post

A Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) walk focuses on understanding nature through Indigenous perspectives and ecological knowledge.

The Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island announce their 26th Annual Amateur Photo Competition to highlight the beauty of the five refuges that comprise the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Amateur photographers are encouraged to enter their existing refuge color photos or to take new ones. Photos and a $10 entry fee per photo must be received by September 8, 2026.

What: Budget Public Hearing on the 2026–2027 Charlestown Municipal Budget
When: Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m
Where: Charlestown Town Hall
The purpose of the public hearing is to present the Town Council’s proposed municipal budget to the voters and to hear their questions and comments.

Charlestown resident and Narragansett Tribal member Thawn Sherenté Harris ran the 2026 Boston Marathon on April 20, to honor his great uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a two-time winner of the Boston Marathon. Harris, 47, ran the marathon in under four hours, which is an impressive time.

On April 27, the Town Council appointed Holly Eaves to represent Charlestown on the Chariho District School Committee. Holly earned an advanced degree in education from the University of Rhode Island and also has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Like Donna Chambers, Holly is an education professional.

The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council has an opportunity for an independent contractor experienced in social media and event planning. The work and compensation is described in detail in the post.

Town Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke placed the resolution in this post in honor of Donna Chambers on the April 27 Council meeting agenda, where it was read and approved by all the members. Donna, a long-time Charlestown member of the Chariho School Committee, passed away on March 11, 2026.

When: Saturday, May 16 at 10 am
Where: Meet at the parking lot next to Mini-Super
What: A guided bicycle tour through the Historical Cross Mills Village
Cost: Free
Register: Pre-registration is required – link to register in post

Participants will stop and visit several historical locations, buildings, and cemeteries along the route.

When: Friday, May 1 at 7 pm
Where: Charlestown Elementary School Gymnasium
What: An evening of History, Storytelling and Community
Cost: Free
Register: Pre-registration link in post

Enjoy an historical play presented by students of the Chariho School District. Play will be approximately 45 minutes long.

When: Saturday, May 9, 8:00 am to Noon (come early for the best selection)
Where: St James Parish Center, 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown
Cost: Free parking and admission
This Plant Sale features flowering annual plants, houseplants, herbs, and perennials from members’ gardens. There will also be Mother’s Day gifts. Again this year there will be a soil-testing table run by URI Master Gardeners; please bring a cup of your soil for analysis.

When: May 7 to May 28
Where: Cross Mills Library (4417 Old Post Rd, Charlestown) and guided hikes at Canonchet Brook Preserve in Hopkinton and Mill Pond Preserve in Charlestown
What: Writing About Place is a collaborative community series featuring four writing workshops and two guided hikes focused on observing, experiencing, and writing about the landscapes around us.

When: Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Ninigret Park
What: Free activities for the whole family. Vendors and organizations offering earth friendly information and education.

Voters Passed the Chariho budget during Tuesday’s referendum. Charlestown voted 579 in favor to 102 against. Total District voters voted 1741 in favor to 1324 against. Thank you to all who voted!