After a wonderful summer season in Newport, fall is upon us and with it a variety of great festivals and activities to get us to winter.
The Newport International Boat Show will be back for its 41st year September 17th through the 20th. It is one of the country’s largest in water boat shows, covering 13 acres of Newport’s waterfront. All sorts of boats from power boats to sailboats, from 16 feet to 100 feet will be showcased on the water for guests to board and buy. International and national vendors will be on the shore with marine products and services that enhance the boating experience. Different seminars will be held at Christie’s at 41 North each day, with topics including: how to use radar effectively, cruising the Bahamas, suddenly singlehanded, outfitting above and below deck, catamaran cruising, wind and wave concepts, and full length battens. There will also be sailing for those looking to get a taste of the sport, a treasure hunt, and a cruisers party.
Wine and Food Festival September kicks off on Friday, September 25th with seminars at the Hotel Viking and the Wine & Rosecliff event followed by two days of grand tastings, wine dinners, seminars and more. Grand Tastings are held on Saturday and Sunday at Marble House from 12pm to 4pm and feature hundreds of wines, food tastings, cooking demonstrations, book signings, and a silent auction. On Sunday at 11am, Martha Stewart and Jacques Pepin will be talking about what is hot or not in lifestyle and food trends. Guests will be able to listen to their ideas while sipping champagne in Marble House’s Gold Ballroom.
Newport Vineyards will be celebrating their 20th year on September 27th with a “20th Anniversary Bash” held at the Vineyard. The event starts at 2pm and tickets include wine tastings, food samples from Brix, Fatulli’s Deli & Bakery and Rhody Fresh Cheese, and a commemorative glass. There will be live music from the Little Compton Band and a Great Grape Stomp-Off.
The Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 41st Annual Harvest Fair starts things off for October. October 3rd and 4th from 10am to 5pm, this old fashion fair will be bringing all the colors of fall to life. This fair offers something for everyone – from the “Mabel Express” barrel train, to the monkey bridge and mud pit for children to local artisans and vendors for adults. All can play games at the Midway game area, listen to live music and enjoy food and drinks from various vendors. There will also be a home and garden competition, hay rides and more.
Nothing says fall quite like the Bowens Wharf Seafood Festival. This year’s Festival will be held on October 17th and 18th. Coastal Living Magazine called the Bowens Wharf Seafood Festival one of the “10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast.” From stuffed quahogs to clam cakes, shrimp to raw oysters and clams, and clam chowder to full lobster dinners, this festival has all the seafood a person can dream of. Local restaurants come together on Bowen’s Wharf for a weekend of celebrating great seafood and a great season. Beverages and non-seafood options are also available. There will be live music on the waterfront as well as children’s activities. The Festival starts at 11am and ends at 6pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.
This year’s Fall Restaurant Week will be held from November 6th through the 15th. Local restaurants will be offering three-course lunches and dinners for $16 and $35, respectively. Newport Restaurant Week is a great way to experience seasonal dishes and try restaurants that you might not have tried otherwise.
Mark your calendars, the next few months are filled with great activities for the whole family.