Providence getting early start on Independence Day

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The 4th of July may be on Friday but the party is already getting started here in the Capitol City.

Wednesday night is Providence’s Independence Day celebration with music, food, and of course fireworks tonight at India Point Park.

Mayor Brett Smiley said he’s especially looking forward to this year’s celebration, as it will be the first in the newly renovated park.

Artists like Big Lux and the Hype, the Blackout Drum Squad, and the Half Baked Horns will perform.

There will also be food trucks and drinks from Narragansett Brewery.

Tonight’s celebration begins at 5:30 and the fireworks start at 9 p.m.

In preparation for the event, there are some parking and road closures that go into effect in a few hours that you need to know about.

Starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, exit 1-A off of I-195 will be closed.

No stopping will be allowed along I-195 or I-95.

The India and Gano Street exits will also be closed, with state troopers enforcing.

India Street itself will be closed as well.

Those closures lift at 11 p.m.

There are also four no parking areas from India Street to Gano and Wickenden.

Those go into effect at 6 a.m. and will lift by midnight.

In the event of rain, the fireworks festivities will be moved to tomorrow, July 3rd.