Visiting Block Island, it is often said, is akin to stepping back in time. But Block Island behind the times? Nonsense.In fact, Block Island’s weathered, tough-as-nails year-round population declared its independence on March 2, 1774, fully two years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. And nowhere will that independence be celebrated with more sizzle (and family fun) than over this year’s Fourth of July weekend.And how did we get here, you ask?John Adams’s letter to his wife, Abigail informing her that the Continental Congress had declared independence in 1776 really started it all: “This day ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games … Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,” inscribed a giddy Adams. And so began the birth and tradition of parades, parties and fireworks.This year, Block Island’s Double-Ender Committee decided that something truly special needed to be done for families to celebrate this year following Covid deaths, sickness, masking, Ukraine atrocities, and just the mental stress of the last two years.Lars Trodson, member of the Double Ender Committee and president of the Block Island Chamber of Commerce, outlined one big
