Strawberries, history and The Great Race: 5 events to check out in Newport County and beyond
Father's Day arrives this Sunday and maybe that means a relaxing day for dad to hang out at the beach or play some golf, but there are also plenty of great options across Newport County to consider.
Events are lined up to enjoy one of the best treats of the early summer season, celebrate an important historical event and even to just stop and smell the flowers.
For those looking to get out of Newport County, there's also the chance to check out some old fashioned cars as they kick off a cross country race.
Enjoy some strawberries
Summer is nearly here and that means strawberry season. Sure you can go and pick your own, but if you prefer the work be done for you to reap the tasty rewards, there's a great option this weekend.
On Saturday, the Trinity Church Strawberry Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, outside on the Trinity Church lawn adjoining Queen Anne Square in Newport.
Fresh made strawberry shortcakes and fresh squeezed lemonade will be available, along with guided tours of historic Trinity Church and live music from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be information on the church's Capital Campaign and a raffle.
Celebrate Juneteenth
Sankofa Community Connection is holding a pre-Juneteenth celebration on Saturday from 3-9:45 p.m. at the Great Friends Meeting House in Newport in collaboration with Newport Historical Society, an event sponsored by Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling.
The celebration features music and drumming by Sidy Maiga, free Juneteenth-themed foods from the Cluck Truck food truck, interactive history, art-making with the Steelyard and Newport Art Museum, an outdoor movie and RI Black Storytellers.
Free transportation from Miantonomi Park will be provided by FabNewport, leaving the park at 2:25 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. To reserve a spot, please call 401-344-9747 or follow the link: https://tinyurl.com/2a4j93mx
Newport Flower Show
The annual show presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County returns Friday through Sunday at Rosecliff. "Eden ... A Personal Paradise" is this year's theme.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show, are available by advance purchase only and specific by date and time block.
This year's show includes a beautiful and lush central garden exhibit that will honor our presenting sponsor, Bartlett Tree Experts, floral designs inspired by the show theme, a garden exhibit highlighting the whimsy of Green Animals Topiary Garden, and designs of dried plant material with themes representing fantasy necklaces, a mini cover-up and serpents ready to strike.
An Opening Reception will also be held Friday, June 17, at Rosecliff, from 6-8 p.m.
Celebrate dad
Sunday is Father's Day and there are plenty of options to celebrate the dad in your life.
Newport Craft will be holding a Father's Day cookout from 1-5 p.m. with hot dogs and hamburgers by Wally's Wieners, a new beer release, raffles and more.
If cars are more of your dad's speed, head up to Longplex Family and Sports Center in Tiverton for the 64th Annual Newport Motor Car Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can browse all the cars while enjoying music and fun that includes face painting, bouncy houses and an arcade for kids to play.
The Great Race
Rocky Point State Park in Warwick will serve as the starting point for the 2022 Hemmings Motor News Great Race on Saturday.
The Great Race, the world’s premiere old car rally, will bring 120 antique automobiles to the $150,000 event. The start will be at Rocky Point State Park with the cars lining up at 8 a.m. and the first car leaving at 10:30 a.m. The finish will be in Fargo, N.D., on June 26.
The nine-day, 2,300-mile adventure will travel to 19 cities in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Things to do in Newport County June 18-19 for Father's Day
