This Independence Day marks an historic moment at Bristol’s 232nd Fourth of July celebration: for the first time ever two sisters will lead the parade as co-chief marshals.
Lisa Sienkiewicz, 52, and Gail Parella, 48, are Bristol natives. The two own Gil’s Appliances in the same town, which was started by their parents in 1961. 
 
Rhode Island Public Radio’s Avory Brookins sat down with Sienkiewicz and Parella at their appliance shop in Bristol to find out how they’re feeling about this historic moment.
 

At 232 years old, the town boasts the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the country. The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Thousands of people are expected to attend. 

Avory joined the newsroom in April 2017. She reports on a variety of local environmental topics, including the offshore wind industry, fishery management and the effects of climate change. Avory can also...