Bristol 4th of July parade kicks off

BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Islanders looking to celebrate the nation's independence lined up early at the Bristol 4th of July Parade on Monday morning.

Well-known as the oldest parade in the country, dating back to 1785, Bristol is celebrating its 226th annual tradition. The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the corner of Hope Street and Chestnut Street.

Patriotic Exercises were held at 8:30 a.m. in front of Colt Memorial School.

Parade attendees will get a rare look at a special piece of history from Ted Williams' era. The F9F Panther jet fighter will be in the line-up of floats. The jet is the same type of aircraft the Red Sox legend flew in combat in Korea.

"This may be the first time that a full-sized combat airplane has participated in the Bristol parade," said Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame President Frank Lennon.

The parade roads in Bristol will be closed to traffic for the duration of the parade - until about 2:30 p.m. Monday.