Tap into beer and spring festivals and more events this weekend in Newport County

Will Richmond, The Providence Journal
·4 min read

With the weather warming and days getting longer the urge to get outside and stay outside is growing.

This coming weekend offers plenty of opportunities to skip the take-out and put down the remote and we've got a look at four events happening right here in Newport County and one worth a drive for that should help motivate you.

If craft beer is your thing than a trip to Fort Adams or Newport Vineyards is up your alley. Or head out for a Celtic folk music concert that also serves a good cause, or indulge in a Rhode Island favorite, the quahog.

Check out what's happening and start making plans.

Newport Beer Festival

The Newport Beer Festival returns for the 11th year. This year's festival makes its return to Fort Adams State Park on Saturday from 2-5:30 p.m. with 49 craft brewers scheduled to attend.

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Ticket are $65 and includes a souvenir tasting glass and all samples. Food will be available for purchase from three food partners: Mission, Pour Judgement and Yagi Noodles. Live music from The Ravers will be the soundtrack to your sampling.

For more information visit ribrewersguild.org/newport-beer-festival.

Celtic folk music concert

An evening of Celtic folk music with award-winning musicians will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at The Casino Theatre, 10 Freebody St., Newport, to support Veterans and Gold Star families.

Mary Pierce, an award-winning singer/songwriter of the band Women Folk and Narragansett resident, will beperforming some of her original songs along with Patrick Mangan, a 2-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, andworldwide performer with Riverdance and Broadway (Come From Away), and Elias Cardoso, a well-knownCeltic multi-instrumentalist and graduate of the Berklee College of Music. The show will also featuretraditional Irish music and dancers from the Clann Lir Academy of Irish Dance.

Mary Pierce, an award-winning singer/songwriter of the band Women Folk and Narragansett resident, will be performing some of her original songs along with Patrick Mangan during a concert in Newport on April 29, 2023.
Mary Pierce, an award-winning singer/songwriter of the band Women Folk and Narragansett resident, will be performing some of her original songs along with Patrick Mangan during a concert in Newport on April 29, 2023.

Proceeds will be donated to The Unquiet Professional and Gold Star Sailing (Newport, RI); twoorganizations that support Veterans and their families.Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at www.eventbrite.com (search Term- Casino Theatre, MaryPierce or by emailing info@musicofmarypierce.com. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

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Spring Festival

Raise a glass to spring at Newport Vineyard's 20th Annual Spring Festival! Enjoy tastings from wine & beer bars, live music, delicious bites, grape stomping, pie-eating contests and more.

Saturday, April 29Session 1: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (Lady Anemoia)Session 2: 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m. (Jake Ash Band)

Sunday, April 30Session 1: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (Real Weird Band)Session 2: 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m. (Real Weird Band)

Ticket includes admission to specific session, souvenir vineyard logo glass & tasting – your choice of five tastes from our wine AND beer bars! Food items & additional beverages available for purchase.

Grape stomping will take place at 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. each day. The pie eating contest will take place at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

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$33* General Admission$28* for Cru Club (members please inquire via info@newportvineyards.com for code)*Tax and booking fee additional.

Kids 15 and under are free (no ticket required). For 16+ and non-tasting tickets, please email info@newportvineyards.com.

Visit newportvineyards.com/event/20th-spring-festival/ for more information.

Quahog Week

Saturday marks the end of Quahog Week highlightings the many restaurants, markets, fishermen, and food-based businesses committed to growing Rhode Island's local food economy, with special emphasis on quahogs. Restaurants and markets across Rhode Island including many in Newport County will celebrate this sustainable resource and its year-round availability by featuring a quahog dish on their menu.

Emily Whipple shows off her prize, the ubiquitous quahog.
Emily Whipple shows off her prize, the ubiquitous quahog.

For more information, including details on participants, visit seafood.ri.gov/quahog-week.

Pawcatuck River Duck Race

Looking to get out of town? Head down to Westerly/Connecticut border on Saturday for the 23th annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race.

Approximately 20,000 rubber ducks will be dumped into the Pawcatuck River in downtown Westerly for a race that benefits 40+ local charities.  Children's games, food booths, and other activities make this a wonderful family event.

Activities begin at 11:30 a.m. with the duck race starting at 1:30 p.m.

For more information visit oceanchamber.org/events/details/23rd-annual-pawcatuck-river-duck-race-33610.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Things to do in Newport County April 28-30: Beer, spring festivals