WE BRAVELY EXPLORE THE
LONG-STANDING RIVALRY
TO FIND OUT WHICH SIDE OF
NARRAGANSETT BAY IS BEST.
EAST WEST
BAY
VS
BAY
IT MAY ONLY TAKE AN HOUR TO TRAVEL FROM ONE SIDE OF OUR LITTLE STATE
TO THE OTHER AND YET WE STILL MANAGE TO DIVIDE OURSELVES INTO
REGIONAL TRIBES. Nothing gets things more fired up, though, than the competition between
those of us who live on the east side of the bay, and those who live on the west. Just asking which
towns constitute one side or the other gets people a bit chippy, but ultimately we went with a combination
of conventional Rhody lore, our staffers’ opinions and local officialdom. (The East Bay Chamber of Commerce
includes Seekonk, who knew?) One thing natives on both sides do have in common, though, is an almost
force field-like resistance to venturing to the other side of the bay. (You mean I have to drive Across.
The. Bridge??) Unfazed, we waded into this admittedly subjective grudge match to determine which
side wins bragging rights. Here’s what we learned.
E D I T E D B Y S A R A H F R A N C I S I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y A A R O N M E S H O N
CONTRIBUTORS: JAMIE COELHO, SAMANTHA LABRECQUE, CASEY NILSSON
42 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l
JANUARY 2020