Tourists and businesses try and make the most of wet weekend in Narragansett

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE)- Memorial Day weekend is supposed to be about beaches, boats and barbecue.

Strong winds, heavy rain and temperatures in the 40’s washed away many holiday plans.

Mallary Santucci came from Brooklyn to visit the ocean state. She had hoped to be in a bathing suit and flip flops, but today’s forecast called for a jacket and rain boots.

“We’re all geared up for the rain, It’s my brother in laws birthday and we were going to have an outdoor barbecue but that’s obviously not happening,” Santucci said.

Memorial Day also marks the first holiday with no COVID restrictions.

Restaurants like Monahan’s Clam Shack were hoping for a boom in business.

“Usually this is the start to our season, this is when it picks up with long lines and a lot of people coming in from out of town,” employee Mackenzie Essex said.

While the lines at restaurants were longer than expected, Essex added the weather didn’t stop visitors from enjoying Rhode Island favorites.

“We do have a lot of online orders and phone ins that we are taking today which is helping to keep us busy. If people are down here, they still want to order our clam cakes and chowder and still get to enjoy it even if it is from home.”

Miriam Ryvicker from Brooklyn, N.Y. said she was willing to make the most out of the wet weather.

“We just wanted a change of scenery, some ocean air no matter the weather, it really doesn’t matter. We’ve been hunkered down in the city and cooped up during the pandemic so it’s nice to be vaccinated and get out of town.”

Although the weather felt more like early spring, 7-year-old Connecticut resident Avery Bezzell and her mom Amy treated Saturday like it was early summer.

“We always come to Narragansett for Memorial Day; we get really excited. Avery said she wanted to come out to the beach and she’s the only one with a bathing suit on but we were ready to go,” Bezzell said.

Block Island ferry services were cancelled Saturday due to strong winds and sea conditions. No word yet if they will resume tomorrow.