With spring in the air and nice weather finally arriving in Rhode Island, it sure feels a lot like Gaspee Days around here.

And it will look a lot more like it too, with a slate of great events kicking off this Saturday and continuing throughout the next month, culminating in the annual “Burning of the Gaspee,” this time commemorating the 251st anniversary of a group of Rhode Island colonists torching a British customs schooner off Gaspee Point.

Only adding to the favorite festivities is a couple of interesting developments that is sure to turn heads and bring more attention to the already popular event.

For one, a newly designed Gaspee license plate, featuring the ill-fated boat fully aflame, is gaining the necessary momentum to go into regular production, approaching the 300 pre-orders set by the committee needed to make the plate available to all Rhode Islanders. Make sure to go to http://www.gaspee.com/license if you’re interested in helping that endeavor.

Proceeds from the sale of this plate will continue to help fund the Gaspee Committee’s ongoing efforts for future parades and events, and they can always use a little boost of help to provide us with these most cherished and historic events.

Secondly, a little city/state partnership is always worth celebrating. Although the RIDOT hadn’t planned on paving the last stretch of Narragansett Parkway that has yet to be refreshed until next year (if not even further down the line), all it took was some political willpower from our own Rep. Joe McNamara and Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi.

With state-sponsored contractors booked solid as pavement season hits high gear, the two coordinated to use a city contacted contractor do the job. The state, happy to let someone else pave a state-owned road, graciously allowed them to do so, and agreed to reimburse the city for their trouble once the job is done. The street should be completed prior to the parade, placing an exclamation point on top of what should already be a joyful occasion.

The great thing about Gaspee Days is how it brings our communities together, celebrates our local history, and reminds us of why living in Rhode Island is a special place to be. We look forward to seeing you out there in the weeks to come!