Buds are emerging on tree limbs, birds are singing and nearly a million daffodils are beginning to burst through the ground throughout Newport and Bristol counties, trumpeting spring’s triumphant return. Come discover the Classic Coast and these exciting activities:
Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement and Oscar Wilde's Newport, opening at the Galleries at Rosecliff on March 24: The Preservation Society of Newport County's new exhibition celebrates the ideas embodied by the artists, poets and thinkers popular during the Aesthetic Movement (1870-1890), which championed pure beauty and "art for art's sake." The exhibition features more than 80 objects, including ceramics, metalwork, furniture, glass, jewelry, paintings and costumes. Irish poet Oscar Wilde was a leading proponent of the Aesthetic Movement in Britain and traveled to North America in 1882 to share his message of aestheticism. He gave 140 lectures across the country, including a lecture on “The Decorative Arts” at the Casino Theater in Newport, an event attended by Newport’s most “prominent cottagers.” Exhibit open through Nov. 4. newportmansions.org
Easter Bunny Tea and Easter Egg Hunt, March 31: Bring the entire family to beautiful Blithewold Mansion, Museum & Arboretum in Bristol where you’ll savor delicious treats, finger sandwiches, tea and hot cocoa with the Easter Bunny. blithewold.org
Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch at Rosecliff, March 31: The Easter Bunny will charm children as they search for candy-filled eggs on the mansion’s oceanfront lawn. Immediately following, enjoy brunch in Rosecliff’s legendary ballroom. newportmansions.org/events
Rough Point opens for the 2018 season debuting two exhibition experiences, April 5: Designing for Doris: David Webb Jewelry and Newport’s Architectural Gems highlights the parallels between seemingly dissonant archival materials: hand-drawn architectural plans and painterly sketches of bespoke jewelry from David Webb New York, both which founder of the Newport Restoration Foundation, Doris Duke, had a part in designing. In To Preserve and Restore: Newport Restoration Foundation at 50, the NRF invites the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary through exploring a variety of archival documents, photographs and objects that tell the story of NRF from the perspective of the people who made the organization what it is today. Exhibits on display through Nov. 11. newportrestoration.org/visit/rough_point
Countdown to Volvo Ocean Race Newport Pep Rally & the Rhode Island Cup, April 8: Fort Adams State Park will be the site of this celebration marking just 30 days until the Volvo Ocean Race’s arrival in Newport. Events include a shore clean up with Clean Ocean Access and a spirited match featuring Newport Rugby vs. Providence Rugby for the Rhode Island Cup sponsored by the RI Army National Guard. Enjoy the Heineken Beer Garden, corn hole and giant Jenga plus games for kids and face painting in and around the Parade Field. Watch Volvo Ocean Race updates and highlight videos and savor local food by McGraths Clambakes and the Fork in the Road Food Truck from Blackstone Catering. fortadams.org
Rhode Races Newport, April 14: This stunning marathon, half marathon and 5k starts from Easton's Beach, where nearly 100,000 daffodils will be in bloom, and weaves through the City by the Sea including the historic mansion district and neighboring Middletown’s bucolic back roads and nature preserves. runri.us/newport-race-info
Newport Daffodil Days Festival, April 14-22: Enjoy more than 20 festive, family-friendly events amid nearly one million blooming daffodils throughout Newport. Take part in shopping strolls, private garden tours, a dog parade, parties, a classic car parade, children’s events and more. newportdaffydays.com
Blithewold: The Gateway to Spring, April & May: The season unfurls with Blithewold Mansion, Museum & Arboretum’s well-known daffodil display which blankets this 33-acre seaside estate with more than 50,000 blooms. blithewold.org
Spring Lecture Series & Book Club, starting April 12: Theme: The Aesthetic Movement and Oscar Wilde. Experience lectures and discussions related to the famed Irish poet and playwright, costume jewelry, architecture, interiors and garden design as well as garden tours, workshops and more. newportmansions.org/learn/adult-programs
Newport Symposium: Great Collectors, April 26-29: New England’s premier convening of national and international experts in the fine and decorative arts offers a stimulating weekend of lectures, social events and camaraderie centered around great collectors. Preeminent presenters will explore the underpinnings of collecting and bring the fascinating stories of collectors to life. newportmansions.org/events
Newport Craft Beer Festival, April 27-28: Sample local craft beers from 35 different breweries and converse with the folks who make them. Restaurants from downtown Newport will serve up tasty local fare and live music will get the joint jumping. newportcraftbeer.com
Volvo Ocean Race, May 8-20: Considered the Sailing Capital of the World, Newport will showcase its maritime roots once again with the return of the Volvo Ocean Race – the world's most grueling ocean race, circumnavigating the planet and covering 45,000+ nautical miles. Featuring seven one-design, high-performing boats equipped with the latest technology, the race left Alicante, Spain in October and we can expect arrival in Newport (the only North American stopover) around May 10. Fort Adams State Park will offer a festive atmosphere for 13 fun-filled days with a Race Village featuring live music and entertainment, sailing lessons, a Globe theater that will make visitors feel like they are onboard one of the sleek racing boats and in the middle of all the action, food and drink gardens, thrilling in-port racing and the One Ocean Exploration Zone full of interactive exhibits highlighting ocean sustainability and marine science. volvooceanracenewport.com
Rail Explorers Returns, beginning May 12: “Ride the rails” on innovative pedal powered bike/vehicle hybrids which ride on railroad tracks along the edge of Narragansett Bay! All explorers leave at the same time with guides in the lead and last position. Enjoy the freedom of the outdoors and the magic of the railroad at your own pace and in your own space. The explorers are easy to ride and fun for all ages. railexplorers.net/book/rhode-island
Bowen’s Wharf Newport Oyster Festival, May 19-20: Taste your way around Rhode Island with oysters from myriad local growers and restaurants featuring flavors unique to the Ocean State. Sunday will see the return of the Shucking Contest supported in part by The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island. bowenswharf.com/events
International Polo Series begins, June 2: The 2018 season’s 18-week run will be highlighted with team debuts, venue upgrades and new featured attractions, special engagements, après polo events and robust polo action from start to finish. nptpolo.com
Great Chowder Cook Off, June 2: The original and longest running “chowdah” championship in the country features the recipes of award-winning chefs representing restaurants, catering companies, clam shacks and culinary schools. Competing chefs lovingly prepare 100 gallons of delicious chowder and serve endless samples of their sumptuous creations to the thousands of festival attendees who also serve as judges. riwaterfrontevents.com/great-chowder-cook-off
The 2018 British Motorcar Festival, June 8-9: This annual celebration begins with an evening parade of nearly 80 vintage British motor cars followed by a street party in downtown Bristol featuring the motorcars, British Invasion music, food and drink. Saturday welcomes the motor car show complete with the arrival of “the Queen” marked with a Bristol Train of Artillery cannon salute as well as a ladies’ hat competition and nearly 200 vintage motorcars at Colt State Park. britishmotorcarfestival.com
2018 Secret Garden Tour, June 15-17: Take a self-guided walking tour through Newport’s historic Point section and explore the private gardens of homes in this charming, centuries-old neighborhood. secretgardentours.org
ABOUT DISCOVER NEWPORT
Discover Newport is the official destination management organization (DMO) dedicated to promoting the City of Newport and the eight surrounding coastal townships in Newport and Bristol counties, Rhode Island. These include Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Warren. As a non-profit organization, Discover Newport partners with stakeholders throughout our tourism and hospitality industry to market the region as a premier destination for business and leisure travel. DiscoverNewport.org
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