NORTH PROVIDENCE — Plans are quickly taking shape for the town’s first Memorial Day parade, to be capped by an afternoon of festivities at Governor Notte Park.

Led by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Ricotilli as grand marshal, the parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Memorial Day from the parking lot of North Providence High School, make its way east on Mineral Spring Avenue to Douglas Avenue, and from there it will proceed north to Notte Park, a distance of 1.2 miles.

Mayor Charles Lombardi, who began laying some of the groundwork for the parade as early as last summer, said he grows more excited each day the event draws closer.

“We’re getting so much positive response from people who want to be involved,” said the mayor, who said he got the idea from watching other nearby communities hold Memorial Day parades.

North Providence’s version will be different from most because instead of dispersing after the parade, spectators will be able to continue their enjoyment with food and music at Notte Park.

“It has always been my thought that people love a parade. It brings a sense of community pride and involvement, and by having the festivities in the end, we can bring families together and enjoy each other,” the mayor said.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Howard Webster, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who is coordinating the event with the Recreation Department, said that at least seven organizations have committed to having floats in the parade, along with numerous civic and youth groups and marching bands.

North Providence’s Amy Diaz, Miss Rhode Island USA, will be in the parade, as well as Mrs. North Providence, Dawn Periquito.

The Ricci Middle School plans to have a float, as will the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, the Little League East and the Salvatore Mancini Activity and Resource Center. There will be seven fire trucks and a number of Corvette sports cars, as well as participation by the Rhode Island National Guard, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, the Boys and Girls Club, North Providence Youth Softball, the Rotary Club, the R.I. State Police, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, two Little Leagues and the high school cheerleaders.

Webster says there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial at Notte Park around 2:15 p.m., followed by food provided by local vendors and entertainment provided by Night Life Orchestra, whose musicians include Reginald Centracchio, former adjutant general for the Rhode Island National Guard.

“This has really taken off,” said Lombardi, who says he anticipates the parade becoming an annual event.

To ease the parking squeeze at Notte Park, the town plans to run a continuous shuttle to and from the park from the high school and the former Rizzo Ford dealership at Mineral Spring and Douglas avenues. During the parade, Mineral Spring and Douglas will be closed to traffic beginning at 12:45 p.m.; Mineral Spring will reopen as soon as the parade has gone through and Douglas Avenue will be closed until about 2:30 p.m.

Later this month, the town will build public awareness by placing American flags on every pole on Douglas Avenue between Mineral Spring Avenue and Notte Park, and will have a banner announcing the event over Mineral Spring Avenue.

rdujardi@projo.com