Once June hits, and summer is in sight, Newport comes alive with festivals and special events occurring almost weekly. From seafood to sports, land to sea, Newport’s festivals keep everyone entertained year after year.
The summer’s unofficial kickoff is at the Chowder Cook-Off, whose new home is at Fort Adams. Enjoy endless samples of traditional chowder along with creative spins on the classic on Saturday, June 6th from 12pm to 6pm. This is the longest running chowder championship and has been featured on both the Food Network and Travel Channel. After sampling, vote for your favorite to win the cook-off. Along side the Chowder Cook-Off, the Newport Oyster Festival will also be taking place, where local shellfish and seafood are presented farmers market style. Enjoy various oyster varieties and participate in educational presentation and contests such as the oyster shucking and slurping contests.
The Newport Flower Show will be held from June 19th to the 21st. Join the Preservation Society at Rosecliff to celebrate their 20th anniversary and the American Beauty Rose. Rosecliff was the birthplace of the American Beauty Rode, which became a symbol of excellence. Flower Show highlights include: floral designs, horticulture exhibits, garden displays, shopping, lectures, childrens activities and special guests, Jane Godshalk, Peter Hatch and P. Allen Smith. Things kick off Friday Night at the Opening Night Cocktail Party. For tickets and more information, click here.
Clay Fest at Rough Point will be held on Saturday, June 27th. Partnered with the Newport Art Museum, see the exhibit: Fired and Inspired: Ceramics at Rough Point and then try your hand pinching, coiling, throwing and firing on the lawn to celebrate the art of clay. Various activities will be happening throughout the day for all-ages.
Kite Festival will be held at Brenton Point State Park July 11th and 12th. This free event is held every year and people of all ages can come together to fly kites to fill the sky with all shapes and sizes.
The Tennis Hall of Fame Tennis Championship takes place every year after Wimbledon, and is the first stop in the United States pro-tennis summer season. This tournament is the only event outside of Europe to be played on grass courts and is the only chance to see professional men’s tennis in the Northeast before the US Open. The Championship starts on July 11th and goes until the 19th.
The 32nd Annual Black Ships Festival will take place from July 17th through the 19th. This festival commemorates the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, where Commodore Matthew Perry of Newport, which opened up trade between Japan and the United States, ending two centuries of Japanese isolationism. To celebrate, the Black Ships Festival offers a weekend of events focusing on Japanese Art and Culture. Some of these events include a formal gala, arts and crafts, martial arts and a Japanese Tea Ceremony.
This is only the start of all the fun activities that take place in Newport during the summer season. Check back for more event information!