It finally occurred to me to look up the meaning of "Misquamicut" in the original "Y-dialect" Narragansett language circa late-1600s. Here's what I found:

"Site of large beach where, in a few centuries, a glorious Spring Festival will be held! Also can refer to a 'red fish' thought to mean Atlantic salmon."

Right on both counts, Narragansetts!

The fish presumably swim all year round, and now that spring's here, it's time for the Misquamicut Spring Fest taking place on that very beach Friday through Sunday. Count on rides, attractions, food, fun, events for the whole family — and plenty of live entertainment, including national headliners Aztec Two-Step (9 p.m. Saturday), AC/DC tribute band Dirty Deeds (8 p.m. Friday); 2014 "American Idol" finalist Sam Woolf (8 p.m. Saturday); John Batdorf (of Batdorf & Rodney, 6:45 p.m. Saturday); and Boston's impressionistic instrumental act Space Junk is Forever (3:45 p.m. Friday).

Misquamicut Beach Springfest, 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly; $8, free for kids under age 4; (401) 322-1026.