"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
In a place where natural beauty is abundant at every turn, we can't help but cherish the bounty of our planet. This Earth Day, you bet we're celebrating Mother Nature with special events and things to do all throughout town.
FAMILY NATURE ART
When: Tuesday, April 17; 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Admission: Adult Members $7, Adult Non- Members $10, Children $5
Details: Get creative and outside for an adventure into the flowers, woodlands, and gardens of Blithewold. The workshop will begin with a short hike to forage foliage, flowers, seed pods and other found natural objects on the grounds. Participants will then take the materials back to rhe classroom space to create one-of-a-kind botanical art creations.
FIRST LIGHT NIGHT
When: Friday, April 20; 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Where: Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham Street
Admission: $15
Details: Join The Newport Tree Society in celebrating the start of Arboretum Week! Illuminated Trolley Tours will offer spectacular views of Newport’s historic tree canopy lit up in celebration of the upcoming Arboretum Week. Come early to enjoy light refreshments & view local wood art pieces.
EARTH DAY CLEAN UP
When: Saturday, April 21; 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Where: Ballard Park
Admission: Free
Details: Friends of Ballard Park is celebrating Earth Day with a clean-up of Newport’s Only Nature Preserve. At 9:00 AM volunteers are invited to give Ballard Park a spring cleaning. Volunteers will pick up litter, paint gates and signs and trim trails. In the event of inclement weather, the Earth Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 23rd at 9:00 AM.
EARTH DAY ON ROSE ISLAND
When: Saturday, April 21; 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Rose Island
Admission: Free
Details: Join Rose Island Lighthouse on April 21 for a lighthouse and beach clean-up with painting, cleaning and landscaping. Boat to the island will depart from Fort Adams State Park at 10:30 AM and return at 3:00 PM. Meet at Sail to Prevail Dock (Sail Newport, 37 Fort Adams Drive, Newport). Bring your lunch and spend a beautiful day on Rose Island.
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EARTH DAY CELEBRATION & DAFFY BBQ
When: Saturday, April 21; 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Where: Miantonomi Memorial Park
Admission: Free
Details: Enjoy a live ballet performance, games, sidewalk chalk painting and a Hot Diggity Daffy Dog BBQ. Help plant the second “HOPE” tree in the park and place your own “hope” on the tree as Newport Arboretum Week begins.
CELEBRATE TREES: CHILDREN'S EVENT
When: Sunday, April 21; 10:30 AM
Where: Newport Public Library
Admission: Free
Details: Celebrate Earth Day and trees at Newport Public Library with two great events. Families are invited to a special tree walk in Aquidneck Park led by Newport's Tree Warden, Scott Wheeler, followed by a tree story time and craft in the library. Woodsy the owl will be there too.
TOUR OF BALLARD PARK
When: Saturday, April 21; 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Ballard Park
Admission: $5 suggested donation; Free if you mention Daffy Days
Details: Friends of Ballard Park staff will host a guided hike through Ballard Park’s trails ending in the quarry meadow where 18,000 daffodils are planted. Wear sturdy shoes as trails are steep and muddy in areas. Meet at 21 Hazard Road, the quarry meadow entrance, which is lined with daffodils.
DAFFODIL GARDEN PARTY
When: Sunday, April 22; 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Where: 304 Bellevue Avenue, Newport
Admission: Free
Details: Stroll through the magnificent Daffodil adorned gardens at Bellevue House and enjoy live music, a cash bar and Dances Among the Daffodils performed by Rhode Island's ballet theatre at 4:30 PM.
DRAGON DASH 5K FUN RUN WITH COLOR
When: Sunday, April 22; 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: St. George's School
Admission: Tickets
Details: St. George's School invites the community to participate in the Dragon Dash 5K Fun Run with Color. As the race through the scenic Hilltop course progresses, so does the fun and colors! All proceeds from registration and t-shirt sales will go to benefit Pediatrics at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.
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FREE GUIDED BIRD WALK
When: Sunday, April 22; 8:00 - 10:00 AM
Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary
Admission: Free
Details: Grab your binoculars and join our birding experts out on the trails. In the serene natural landscape at NBS, you will count up as many bird species as you can while also keeping an eye out for non-flying wildlife. All birding levels welcome. No registration required, meet in the parking lot at 8 AM.
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