Horses, a BBQ, George Washington: 5 must-do events this weekend in Newport Co. and beyond
I hate to say it, but for families, the thoughts of going back to school is starting to seriously feel like a reality. Sure, you can dread it and curl up into a ball, or you can make the most of what's left.
Fortunately, there's plenty happening this weekend to live out the last moments of summer before school takes over the weekdays and weekends become crowded with youth sports and activities.
And if you're kid-free, these events will still help you fill your time whether you want to turn back the clock, go to a BBQ or just relax with live music.
A Weekend of Coaching
Should you see an exorbitant amount of horses and buggies around Newport, there's a good reason. A Weekend of Coaching returns with horse-drawn drives each day, an exhibition on the grounds at The Elms and a dinner dance in honor of the Whips at The Breakers.
Hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County and occurring every three years, the events take place Friday through Sunday at various Preservation Society properties.
In addition to those at specific sites, the public can enjoy free viewing of the colorful and authentic 19th-century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses each day as they drive through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport mansions, celebrating and preserving a century-old sporting tradition.
Find the full schedule here: www.newportmansions.org/events/a-weekend-of-coaching.
Rejects Beer Co.'s Backyard BBQ
Rejects Beer Co., 124 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown will host a Backyard BBQ on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. The kid- and dog-friendly event will feature live performances from area bands Ziggygnardust, Los Duderinos, Today is Tomorrow, Sour Punch and We Own Land.
The brewery will also be showcasing new beers and be serving up smash burgers, hot dogs, tater tots and more.
Washington letter reading
Every summer, the Touro Synagogue Foundation partners with Congregation Jeshuat Israel to host The George Washington Letter Reading, an event honoring our nation’s heritage of religious freedom.
George Washington’s 1790 letter to “To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport” was written during his first trip to Rhode Island as President and affirmed the new national government’s absolute commitment to the free exercise of religion, which he regarded as an “inherent natural right.”
This year marks the 75th annual reading of the famous letter, and the honor goes to Rita Slom, a longtime member of Congregation Jeshuat Israel and the Touro Synagogue Foundation board. Dr. Kevin Butterfield, executive director of The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, will deliver the keynote address.
The reading will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Touro Synagogue. Limited seating is available inside and outside the synagogue, though streamed viewing can be found on the Touro Synagogue Facebook page: facebook.com/TouroSynagogue.
Clean up Newport
Help keep Newport clean on Saturday when The Clean Earth Project and Newport Craft team up to clean up downtown.
Participants will gather at Perotti Park at 10 a.m. and walk the streets of downtown Newport with cleaning materials provided by Clean Earth Project. The clean up will then be followed by a gathering at Newport Craft with a food truck, drink offerings and live music by Jake Hunsicker.
For more information and to sign a participation waiver visit https://www.thecleanearthproject.com/
Washington County Fair
The Washington County Fair returns for its 56th year on Aug. 17-21 with a host of concerts, agricultural displays, tractor pulls, amusement rides and, of course, fair food.
As a regular fair attendee prior to the pandemic, I'd strongly suggest the corn dogs and strawberry shortcake, but don't be shocked when you see cooing at the baby pigs while holding a giant smoked turkey leg.
General Admission is $11 and fair gates open at 8 a.m., with most activities and vendors opening at 10 a.m. Midway rides open at noon. Parking is free.
For more information visit https://washingtoncountyfair-ri.com.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Weekend of Coaching, Reject's Beer BBQ, Washington letter: Must-do events
