Little Compton serves up chicken, circus, fireworks display

Display location:LITTLE COMPTON
City:Little Compton
State:Rhode Island
Date:August 1

LITTLE COMPTON — It’s that time again — the mid-summer weekend, this time Saturday, August 1 —when Little Compton throws a chicken barbecue and invites all to the center of town for a full day of fun with fireworks in the evening.

Along with the annual attractions there are new events and changes (For a full schedule, see below.)

Big top circus

After a seven-year absence, the old-time, one-ring, big-top Circus Vidbel is coming back to town, with two shows scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and two on Sunday.

Circus fans will have a chance to watch aerialists, jugglers and “foot jugglers,” clowns, acrobatic horse riders, and comic dogs. For those who’e like to watch them raise the giant tent, set-up is planned for Friday at about mid-day on the Peckham Lot right next to Veteran’s Field. The public is welcome.

If you buy tickets for the circus ahead of time, 40 percent of the proceeds go to the sponsoring Little Compton Volunteer Fire Department, said Jack Crook, the group’s president, while a smaller share from tickets sold at the door goes to the group (see insert).

Fireworks and bonfire

Fireworks in town Saturday night, followed by a bonfire, are set to start at 9 p.m. in the baseball outfield next to Veteran’s Field. Eighteen minutes or so of fireworks start the show, followed by a 12 to 15 minute middle section, with a finale that is likely to last about one and a half minutes.

Shells fired during the show, said an official from Bay Fireworks that’s putting it on, will ascend 300 - 500 feet in the air. Barrages, he said, go up about 150 to 200 feet, and “exhibit multiple effects, very rapidly, very colorfully. You’ll see a lot of different effects, all in the blink of an eye.”

Other events

Other events on the schedule (see insert) include a display of Pandora’s Boxes and a drawing, organized out of Brownell House on The Commons, a silent auction, games and bouncing toys for children, singing and dancing, Indian dancing and story-telling, Tarot card and palm and rune readings, and a braided rug exhibition and a performance by Tony “The Dancing Cop.”

The birds, the sauce, and eats

The centerpiece feature for the weekend — barbecued chicken — will be different from what has become the practice in recent years. This year the barbecued chicken will be catered and cooked off-site by Becky’s BBQ of Middletown. Tickets are $15.

This year 250 half-chickens will be available, along with potato salad, cole slaw, corn bread, watermelon, and a drink.. Last year and for many years over twice that many chickens (550) were broiled outdoors on site over charcoal on Veteran’s Field by long-time resident Roger Wordell (the head chef) and a crew of about 10 local volunteers. This year, however, Mr. Wordell and his crew, have decided to take a break.

To be sure of getting a chicken this year, people can make reservations by calling Penny Walker, the society’s president, at 635-2642.

Hot dogs and snacks throughout the afternoon and evening will be provided by Saughkonnet Hot Dogs. Dana Neville, the “Cotton Candy Man,” will have popcorn, cotton candy, and shaved ice on hand.

Departures from past

Apart from the absence of cooking smoke, the barbecue weekend this year will depart in other ways from what has been the practice in recent years. There will no events Friday night, nor live music or crafts and arts booths.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Unless otherwise indicated, all events are free, and will take place on Veteran’s Field at The Commons. Handicapped parking available at field.

“Mid day” — Circus Vidbel big top tent-raising — Peckham Lot

Saturday, Aug. 1

11-7 p.m. — Pandora’s Boxes — ticket sales, inspection, entry for drawings — Brownell House — admission free, but drawing entry tickets are $1 each (book of 6 for $5, book of 18 for $10, etc.)

12 p.m. — Chicken Barbeque (from Becky’s BBQ) — noon until 250 chickens are sold out (reservations taken, contact Penny Walker at 635-2642) —$15

12-4 p.m. — Saughkonnet Hot Dogs — hot dogs, snack bar

12-4 p.m. — children’s rides/activities (bouncer, basketball shoot, boxing punching strength game, inflatable slide ) — tickets 4 for $1

12-4 p.m. — Braided Rug Exhibition and Sale (by Brownell Braiders), Bunny Green Jeans (sale of re-fashioned clothing), Tarot Card Readings by Jackie Brown, palms and runes readings by Zodia

12-4 p.m. — Silent auction (items include Debra Bodington print, hand-braided wool rugs, calendar print, girl’s dress-up kit, brass door knocker, high tea for 8 at Brownell House) —bids opened at 4 p.m.

12-4 p.m. —Aquidneck Island Indian Council (Comanche, Blackfoot, Mohawk, Seneca, Cherokee, Narrangansett) —songs, dances, storytelling,teepee

12-4 p.m. — Dana Neville — The Cotton Candy Man — popcorn, cotton candy, shaved ice

12:30 p.m. — Tony “The Dancing Cop”

1:30 p.m. — East Bay Summer Chorus

2:30 p.m. — Broadway Dance Troup

4 p.m. — Circus Vidbel performance — Peckham Lot (tickets: advance $8 at fire station, community center, and Wilbur Store and Simmons Store; at door $10)

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Saughkonnet Hot Dogs — hot dogs, snack bar

6:30 p.m. — Circus Vidbel performance, Peckham Lot

7 p.m. — drawings for Pandora’s Boxes — Brownell House

9 p.m. — Fireworks (15-18 minutes) — baseball outfield

9:30 p.m. — Bonfire

Sunday, Aug. 2

2 and 4:30 p.m.— Circus Vidbel performance — Peckham Lot