Buddyspotting

Only in Rhode Island could an ex-con become a celebrity invitee at the state's biggest social gala - in our case, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. It has been a wild year of freedom for former Providence Mayor-turned felon-turned mayor again-turned felon again-turned talk radio host Buddy Cianci. His own release from federal prison last spring came on the heels of an acclaimed documentary on his life, by Cherry Arnold, released a month earlier. His story is the subject of an in-progress film version of ProJo reporter Mike Stanton's "The Prince of Providence." And he was the best interview featured in David Bettencourt's documentary on the rise and demise of Rocky Point Park, "You Must Be This Tall." Now he's going to be a star attraction on the red, white and blue median at this year's Bristol Parade. (Also coming along for the ride: The Red Sox' 2007 World Series trophy.)

The invite shouldn't come as a surprise, since the parade route was lined with homemade signs pleading "FREE BUDDY" every year during his incarceration. As much as Blog on the Half Shell would like to be a Buddy-free Zone, we have a rule to never turn down a good (reasonably clean) story, especially a good Buddy story. Share one if you've got it.