Polo, quilting, art and more: Things to do in and around Newport County this weekend
With summer unofficially underway, the event scene in Newport County is really heating up.
Even with more to do, kids are still in school and that means events closer to home are a welcome option, especially before the summer crowds really start getting big.
So if you're looking for some fun this weekend, here are four options right here in Newport County and one that might just be worth leaving the region for.
Polo returns
Saturday, June 4, marks the opening of the 31st season of the Newport International Polo Series, with USA taking on Colombia at 5 p.m. at Glen Farm in Portsmouth.
At the conclusion of six chukkers of play, the match will conclude with a victory lap by the teams as they circle the field in the Newport Polo Fan Salute, which has been a tradition since 2003 now common in clubs around the world. Following the salute will be the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Toast and Trophy Presentation for the distribution of trophies from Providence Diamond, and a cocktail hour celebration in the Modern Luxury Lounge hosted by The Cocktail Guru.
In honor of Columbia's appearance, a special South American menu is available by advanced reservation online, to enjoy during the second half of the match, or during the après polo celebration with the teams. This culinary experience of sampler plates of authentic South American cuisine is catered by Los Andes Restaurant of Providence. Reservations are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 2.
Tickets and reservations to the polo match and associated events are available online at nptpolo.com.
Go quilting
On Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Newport Art Museum will host a free community day called “Quilting Generations Together,” with special programming from noon to 4 p.m. Special programming will celebrate family in all its many forms, with collaborative art-making and storytelling.
A giant quilt-making project, collaborative weaving, workshops, storytelling and more will be available for all ages and skill levels, presenting an opportunity to reflect upon family histories, and memorialize an event, person, or place of importance with fabrics and trims. The event is inspired by the Museum’s exhibition “Velvet & Silk: The Palmer Family Quilts,” which opened on May 28.
Free Admission to the Museum will be available all day on June 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information and registration is available at newportartmuseum.org.
Newport String Quartet
The Newport String Quartet will hold its third annual fundraising gala at the International Yacht Restoration School on Sunday, June 5 from 5-7 p.m. In the space of IYRS’ Restoration Hall, the Quartet will be joined by special guests Nicholas Brown (clarinet), Vanessa Holroyd (flute) and Charles Overton (harp).
This year’s program features music by Ravel and Haydn, and includes a special performance by the Newport String Project’s student ensemble, Big Sky Orchestra. A reception will follow. To purchase tickets or join us as a Resounding 2022 sponsor visit newportstringproject.org.
Art show opening
An opening reception for “Make Me Laugh ” the June show at DeBlois Gallery, is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 4, from 1-7 p.m. Ten local and near-local artists will try to “turn a frown upside down” in the show that features mirth-makers, jokesters, satirists, cartoonists and troublemakers in 2D and 3D artwork.
Music will be provided by Providence’s Hope Tunnel Band. Participants are Tom Casselman, Valerie Debrule, Lance Gershenoff, Arthur Mead, Karen Nash, Sarah Oesting, Manjula Padmanabhan,Tom Shelton, Susan Bennett and Wayne Quackenbush.
The show continues at the gallery on 134 Aquidneck Ave. Middletown through June 26. For more information call 401-847-9977 or visit debloisgallery.com.
First full Waterfire lighting
With colleges mostly empty and the full summer tourist season not quite in swing, Saturday's Waterfire — the first fill lighting of the year — could be a great opportunity to see the 80 bonfires placed in the Providence River.
Saturday's lighting is supported by the Rhode Island School of Design and begins at sunset — approximately 8:16 p.m. — and continues until midnight. Additional programming opens at 6:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Things to do in and around Newport County June 4-5
