By SANDY McGEE

WOONSOCKET — The 30th annual Autumnfest kicked off with a bang, literally, Saturday morning at World War II Veterans Memorial State Park.

A Civil War era cannon was fired to mark the official start of the three-day celebration. Bill Ethier of Uxbridge and Mike Poirier of Blackstone, along with his son, Michael, supervised the Confederate Howitzer cannon.
“No matter where you are standing in the park, you are going to hear it,” Poirier said.
Prior to the cannon’s firing, State Senator Roger A. Picard (Dist. 20, Woonsocket and Cumberland) led the opening procession as master of ceremonies. Autumnfest Steering Committee members stood behind Picard on the Rotary Stage as he welcomed everyone to the 30th anniversary of Autumnfest.
“I first want to take you back 30 years to Autumnfest’s beginning,” Picard said. “Thirty years ago, a gallon of gas cost 36 cents. Jimmy Carter was our president. And, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 8,000. Well, not everything has changed.”
Speakers at the opening ceremonies were Autumnfest Chairman Paul Jacobs; Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey; Woonsocket City Council President Leo Fontaine; Richard Pink of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and Roger N. Begin, former state lieutenant governor and one of Autumnfest’s original founders.
Miss Rhode Island 2008 Francesca Simone of North Smithfield performed the national anthem.
“Who would have thought 30 years,” said Begin, who is known as the “father of Autumnfest.”
Begin showed the audience a copy of The Call from Oct. 9, 1979. The Call’s front page featured one of the first Autumnfest articles that called the celebration a “resounding success.”
“The success of that weekend has now become a tradition,” Begin said. “It’s a celebration of pride for our community … Autumnfest now needs people to continue its success. We need a new generation of leadership to make sure that 30 years from now we can continue the tradition.”
Begin and Jacobs presented Lorraine Cloutier with an award for her “unwavering dedication to Autumnfest,” he said. Lorraine and her husband, the late Eugene Cloutier, were instrumental in keeping Autumnfest going for many years.
“The name Cloutier is so synonymous with Autumnfest,” Begin said. Jacobs, this year’s chair, referred to the longtime volunteer and member of the Autumnfest Steering Committee as the “mother of Autumnfest.”
“I want to thank all the Steering Committee members for all the hard work they do, and all the organizations,” Fontaine said. “This is a great way to celebrate autumn and the great city of Woonsocket.”
Gloria Tancrell of Blackstone brought her nine-year-old granddaughter, Deena Smith of Woonsocket, to the opening ceremonies.
“I like the camaraderie,” Tancrell said. “I like the arts and crafts, the bands, the music, everything. I like to participate in the opening ceremonies, especially with this weather. It’s terrific.”
Tancrell wasn’t alone in commenting on the sunny, warm weather that greeted participants of the 2008 Autumnfest.
“It’s great weather,” said Tim Waters of Woonsocket, who attended with his two sons, 10 year old Brandan and 14 year old Tim Jr.
“What a beautiful day,” said Audrey Lambert of Athena’s Home Novelties. “It’s good to see friends you haven’t seen in a longtime.”
Entering the grounds, surrounded by fall foliage, participants were greeted by the Peruvian tunes of “Inca Son” and dance of the Andes, as well as crafters and various vendors lining the park’s walkway.
“Autumnfest is wonderful, especially when you have weather like this,” said Romeo Berthiaume. 
“It’s a nice showing of civic pride,” said Jay Rogers of East Providence, an employee of WOON radio. “It’s inspiring to see all these people come out.”
Many participants attended their first Autumnfest this year, including Woonsocket’s new chief of police. 
“This is my first Autumnfest,” Carey said. “I’m impressed with how expansive it is here at the park. It’s really nice. You don’t get to see the fall foliage down in Florida.”
Christine Hoepfner of New York City decided to attend Autumnfest for the first time this year after reading about it online.
“This looked like such fun,” she said. “They have all this great entertainment. This (the park) is so beautiful.”
“I like all the rides and the stands with the jewelry,” said nine year old Elizabeth Mackin, who traveled from Mansfield, Mass., with her mother, Kathy, to attend their very first Autumnfest.
A special attraction at the Kidfest area this year was Rosie’s Racing Pigs, which drew a large crowd of adults and children. The pigs raced and performed tricks for the crowd.
“I think it’s fun,” said Bob Collins of Medfield, Mass. “They’re pretty fast little pigs.”
“It (the pig) is very cute,” said seven-year-old Catherine Bell of Attleboro, Mass.
Special events on Saturday also included the Child Identification Program (CHIP), which offered fingerprinting; face painting; pony rides; and a rock wall.
Jim DiChristofero of North Smithfield attended this year’s event with his wife, Helene, and their three-year-old granddaughter, Alivia.
“We were at the first one and we’re here,” DiChristofero said. “The weather couldn’t be any nicer. I hope it’s like this until the parade on Monday.”
“I haven’t missed a year since it started,” said Woonsocket resident Yvette Racine. “I even came here in the rain one year. It gets better and better every year.”
“We love the Big Band sounds,” said Rita Martin of Woonsocket. “The food is always great. We wouldn’t miss it.”
The food court offered up various treats, including kettle corn, doughboys and meat pies. The Woonsocket Fire Department served up one “blooming onion” after the next, while St. Agatha and Precious Blood Youth Ministry served up hundreds of dynamites, the city’s signature dish.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said John Chan, owner of Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining in Woonsocket and former Autumnfest Parade Grand Marshal. “Everyone has a big smile on their faces. I hope Autumnfest continues. I hope everyone comes out and enjoys the festivities.”
Nearly two hours after opening, Quota International of Woonsocket reported they had sold more than 1,000 Autumnfest buttons. The buttons, which each cost $1, enter participants into a raffle for the chance to win this year’s grand prize, a five day, four night trip for two to Orlando.
Autumnfest will continue on Sunday and Monday at World War II Veterans Memorial State Park. The 10 division Autumnfest Parade will kick off on Monday at 9:30 a.m.
For more information or a complete list of events, visit www.autumnfest.org.