Need plans for the weekend? Airplanes, Pride, flowers and strawberries will keep you busy
Today – June 21 – marks the official beginning of summer and so far we've enjoyed a pretty good spate of weather with any oppressive humidity holding off meaning now is really the time to get outside and enjoy some of Newport County's best events while the weather is still comfortable and the summer crowds haven't gotten too big.
This weekend is a great time to get out with a diverse number of events offering something for everyone from airplane enthusiasts to historical buffs to food lovers and flower fans. Throw in the county's biggest Pride event and you'll have plenty of options for the weekend.
Check out what's happening across Newport County and start making your plans.
Airport Day
Newport State Airport Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The free, family-friendly event will include a Q&A with local pilots with their planes, discounted airplane and helicopter rides, military support with recruiters, food trucks and more.
No pets, coolers or alcohol will be allowed.
Note the event will be canceled in the event of rain and no rain date is planned.
Strawberry Social
The Tiverton Farmers Market is turning 3 years old this June and celebrating with the 3rd Annual Strawberry Social on Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Strawberry shortcakes with whipped cream will be available for purchase at the market table. Come by for acelebration of the season's strawberries and shop all the vendors' strawberry specials.
The market is held at Tiverton Town Farm Recreational Area at 3588 Main Road, Rt.77.Visit tivertonfarmersmarket.com for more events, details and a weekly Sunday Market vendor line-up.
Pride Festival and bike parade
Newport’s annual Pride Month bike parade and festival will begin at noon on Saturday at the Great Friends Meeting House, 21 Farewell St.
This two-mile bike ride starts and concludes at Great Friends Meeting House and loops around the city.
Launching at the same time as the bike parade, Newport Pride’s annual Festival and Market will include music, food, drinks and festivities for people of all ages.
Visit newportout.com/newportpride for more information.
Newport Flower Show
“The Grand Tour” is coming to Marble House! Named for the travel trend of the 18th and 19th centuries when the well-to-do would take in the great sights, arts and cultures of Europe, “The Grand Tour” concept will be interpreted with dozens of floral designs and creative mixed planters on themes such as Wonders of the World, Bon Voyages, Versailles, the Alps and Venice.
Gardening enthusiasts also will be inspired by the displays on the Terrace of more than 100 horticulture classes, including cut specimens and potted plants.
And be sure to visit the Chinese Tea House on the Marble House grounds to marvel at the Botanical Arts creations intricately fashioned from dried plant materials.
The Show will take place at Marble House, Friday through Sunday and includes marketplace on the oceanside lawn featuring vendors of lifestyle items such as clothing, hats, garden pots and accessories, jewelry and other delights.
Snacks, cocktails and refreshments will be available from the Newport Mansions Store.
Visit newportmansions.org/events/the-newport-flower-show/ for a full schedule and more information.
Celebrate Flag Day
The Portsmouth Historical Society museum and grounds will be open on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. In addition to the usual exhibits, two flags from the Society’s collection will be on display to celebrate Flag Day.
On display will be the Society’s oldest flag that has 13 five-pointed stars. According to the family, the flag came down through Mabel Tallman's great-grandfather Jonathan Tallman who was born in 1789. Mabel's father (William Lorenzo Tallman) and grandfather (Lorenzo Dow Tallman) have signed the hoist. Further research is being conducted to properly date the flag.
Also on exhibit will be the collection’s 34-star flag. The 34-star flag was adopted with the admission of Kansas as the 34th state in January 1861. It was only in use until 1863 when West Virginia became a state.
For more information, visit portsmouthhistorical.org.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport County events June 23-25: Pride Festival, Airport Day, more
