Salute to Summer, Black Regiment ceremony among top weekend events in Newport County
If you're looking for something to do this weekend there's no shortage of events to fill the time.
Offering a mix of events that give off a feeling that summer is coming to an end and school is about to start back up to historical remembrances and art showings, this weekend has something for everyone in your family.
Before your calendar fills up, check out these events and start making plans.
Back to School Celebration
The statewide Back To School Celebration of Rhode Island will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Locally, celebrations will take place in Newport and families are welcome to attend this free event and receive free backpacks and school supplies.
East Bay Community Action Program’s East Bay Family Health Care, at 6 John H. Chafee Blvd. in Newport, will serve as the host site for the East Bay region. In addition to the free backpacks, exhibitors will be on hand to provide community resources and information to attendees. The goal of this annual event is to build pride and enthusiasm for the coming academic year by providing helpful start-up school supplies to students.
For more information, including a list of other host sites, visit https://www.btsri.org/.
Black Regiment Monument Commemoration Ceremony
The Newport County Branch – NAACP is hosting the 56th Annual Black Regiment Monument Commemoration Ceremony at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Patriots Park in Portsmouth (at the interaction of Rtes. 138 & 24).
This event is dedicated in honor and appreciation of the members of the Black Regiment who fought so bravely in the Battle of Rhode Island to gain a decisive victory in the American Revolutionary War.
Guest Speaker is Peter R. Fay; public historian, writer, co-founder of Newport Port Marker Middle Passage Project, and member of the Jamestown Historical Society. The Master of Ceremonies will be Hon. William M. White, Jr., Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Welcome will be offered by Fern W. Lima, coordinator of the Black Regiment Monument Commemoration Ceremony Committee. James I. ‘Jimmy’ Winters, president of the Newport County Branch – NAACP will bring greetings.
Rev. Cynthia Smothers will deliver the Invocation and Benediction. Hon. Charles Levesque and Kasim J. Yarn from the Black Regiment Monument Commission will offer remarks. Musical selections will be provided by Brenda Delasanta.
This event is free and open to the public.
10-Spot Ride
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, embark on a captivating journey to 10 exclusive "Spots" scattered throughout Newport. Each location will be a delightful surprise, featuring live music and delicious local cuisine. The combination of breathtaking scenery, delectable bites from nearby restaurants, refreshing mocktails, vibrant music, and wonderful company will create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere at each spot.
Past participants are eagerly awaiting this year's lineup, and they have already snapped up most of our advance tickets. Discover what makes them return year after year and secure your spot for this unforgettable summer experience.
For more information visit bikenewportri.org/10-spot-2023
Salute to Summer
The annual Salute to Summer at Dewey Field at Naval Station Newport returns on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m.
Live performances, food trucks, childrens' activities and more will be available throughout the evening and conclude with a fireworks show scheduled for 9:15 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Coolers, outside food or drinks, pets, glass bottles, banners or signs of any type, firearms and other weapons, defensive sprays (pepper spray) or chemicals, no illegal or recreational drugs, paraphernalia, and drones are not permitted on base. Strollers and small bags such as diaper bags, small backpacks or handbags are permitted; however, they will be subject to search. Guests should be prepared to present a picture ID upon entry to the base.
For more information visit navylifenpt.com/activity/60385c9c-cc40-42de-a4c9-f8f0ac729397
'The Shape of Light' opening reception
"The Shape of Light" by Alison Gibbons Watt opens with a reception on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at Gallery Sitka, on the corner of Spring and Franklin Streets.
The artist reception will feature a flute recital by Elzbieta Brandy's-O'Neil of the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra playing 20th-century composer solo pieces. Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet will offer a complimentary wine tasting.
Alison Gibbons Watt is a British artist who has had her studio in Newport for the past three years and has exhibited in galleries and museums nationally and internationally, most notably in New York, London, Edinburgh and Barcelona. An award winning artist, her work is represented by galleries in New Hampshire, New York, Newport and London. Alison grew up in Helensburgh on the West Coast of Scotland and gained her BA Honors with distinction from Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, following this with a Masters in European Fine Art in Barcelona. Her work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy in Edinburgh where she was awarded The Royal Scottish Academy Award for Painting.
Additional information can be found at Gallery Sitka - Alison Gibbons Watt.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Newport events Aug. 26-27: Salute to Summer, Black Regiment cememony
