"In Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." - Mark Twain
No matter the weather here in Newport, our destination is brimming with plenty to do this month. This month brings the return of the Newport's Daffodil Days Festival with a variety of festive events throughout town like a doggie parade, private garden tours, bike rides and more.
Can't get enough of those yellow blooms? Head over the bridge to Bristol for Gateway to Spring at Blithewold Mansion, where more than 50,000 daffodils blanket the 33 acre estate for dreamy wanderlusting.
Later in the month, indulge in local flavor at Newport Craft Beer Festival featuring 35+ breweries boasting local beer, live music, food and more.
Our picks for the month below.
Each April, tens of thousands of Daffodils trumpet the arrival of Spring at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol. The well-known daffodil display blankets the 33-acre seaside estate with more than fifty thousand daffodils. Details.
When: April & May
Where: Blithewold Mansions, Gardens & Arboretum
NEWPORT NIGHT RUN
Newport's only nighttime road race, this 5k starts weaves along some of Newport’s most tranquil roads. Funds raised benefit local public schools. Details.
When: Saturday, April 7; 7:30 PM
Where: Through Newport
LECTURE: OSCAR WILDE: THE UNREPENTANT YEARS
Oscar Wilde's self-imposed European exile after his release from prison in 1897 until his death in Paris in 1900 has until now been regarded as the tragic coda to a brilliant career. Join critically acclaimed author and scholar Nicholas Frankel as he illuminates Wilde's previously unexplored final years during which he lived with remarkable spirit and determination, unapologetic about his lifestyle, keen to lend his voice to the cause of prison reform and determined to resurrect his literary career. Details.
When: Thursday, April 12; 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: Rosecliff
Featuring nine days and more than 20 festive, family-friendly events amid nearly one million daffodils throughout the city, Newport Daffodil Days Festival offers shopping strolls, dog parades, private garden tours, parties, a classic car parade, children’s events and more. Details.
When: April 14 - 22
Where: Throughout Newport
THE WINES OF CRAGGY RANGE
Join The Spiced Pear at The Chanler for a wine tasting from Craggy Range, a family owned winery which produces a collection of iconic wines from multiple regions in New Zealand. Details.
When: Sunday, April 15; 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: $150 + tax and gratuity
NEWPORT RHODE RACE
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. Details.
When: Saturday, April 14; 7:30 AM
Where: Easton's Beach
BOOK CLUB: THE UNCENSORED PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
You may think you have read Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" but chances are you did not read the original, uncensored version as Wilde wrote it - because this material was never published in the printed book. Join fellow book lovers and Wilde expert Dr. Nicholas Frankel, editor of the recently released version, and examine the differences between the two editions. Details.
When: Saturday, April 14; 10:30 AM
Where: Isaac Bell House
WORKSHOP: FINGERPRINT CHARMS
Newport resident, Sue Gray, has been hand-crafting timeless jewelry for 29 years from fine metals, sea glass, semi-precious gemstones, and pearls, all while finding inspiration in history. She will take the fingerprint pressings to her home studio where she will use the pressings to create unique molds to make one of a kind silver charms. The finished charm will feature the fingerprint on one side and a stamped initial on the other, be made of fine silver (99% pure silver), and measure about 5/8" in size. Details.
When: Saturday, April 21; 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street
EARTH DAY CLEAN UP
Volunteer to give Newport’s Only Nature Preserve a Spring cleaning! We'll pick up trash, prune trails and remove invasives. Great for people who need community service hours. Details.
When: Saturday, April 21; 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Ballard Park
LAURENT-PERRIER CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH
Join OceanCliff for an afternoon of champagne tasting with expert brunch pairings from the chef. Tasting will be led by John Callaghan of Laurent-Perrier, and owner of Bellevue Wine & Spirits. Details.
When: Sunday, April 22; 12:00 PM
Where: OceanCliff
LECTURE: TEACHING MACHINES TO THINK
Recent advances in artificial intelligence, specifically powered by machine learning, are having significant impact on our day-to-day lives and are rewriting the rule book on what machines can do. Dr. Michael Littman, professor of computer science at Brown University and an award-winning expert on artificial intelligence, will bring us a report from the front lines, helping to put some of the hype into context and giving his perspective on the promise and limitations of this technology. wine and cheese reception will be held at 5:30 PM, followed by the salon at 6:00 PM. Details.
When: Wednesday, April 25; 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Where: Redwood Library & Athenæum
The 7th Annual Newport Craft Beer Festival returns for two days of taste-testing, live music and local flavors from area breweries and restaurants. Sample beers from all the breweries present and get a taste of the ‘local flavor’ from Newport restaurants offering their best plates while listening to live bands at each session. Details.
When: April 27 - 28
Where: Lawn of Great Friends Meeting House
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