Friday, September 25, 2015

8 Great Fall Festivals in Rhode Island

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Summer may be winding down, but there's plenty to do over the next two months before you break out the pumpkins and spooky stuff. Here are eight opportunities to go and find your people:

Refined Nature Appreciators: Coggeshall Farm Harvest Fair
The scene: NPR commentator Bill Harley, children’s storyteller Norah Dooley, the Atwater-Donnelly will play, an heirloom apple talk and pie contest. And did we mention artisans and pony rides?
The details: September 19-20, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. $10 for adults per day, $7 for kids twelve and under, seniors and military. Coggeshall Farm Museum, 1 Colt Dr., Bristol, 401-253-9062, coggeshallfarm.org.
 
Firefighters and antique truck buffs: Rhode Island Antique Fire Apparatus Society Annual Show
The scene: Antique fire trucks, fire safety smoke show with appearances by Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog.
The details: September 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Glen Farm, 163 Glen Farm Rd., Portsmouth, riafas.org

Gourmands: Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival
The scene: Martha Stewart in conversation with Jacques Pepin. That's already sold out, as are some other events, but there's still room at some tastings and seminars on the lawns of the Newport mansions.
The details: September 25-27. The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House, Newport. For more information, go to newportmansions.org/events/wine-and-food-festival/tickets-events
Back to the Land-ers (Colonial-style): Smith’s Castle Harvest Festival
The scene: Farm to table circa 1678. Old time fiddlers, wool spinning lessons, historians talking farming,  tips on preserving food — plus ghost hunters and pie eating.
The details: September 26 and 27, noon- 4 p.m. Adults. Smith Castle, 55 Richard Smith Dr., North Kingstown, 401-294-3521, smithscastle.org

Art Lovers: Scituate Art Festival
The scene: Lots of landscapes in a beautiful landscape. Plus antiques, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture and more.
The details: October 10-12. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Village Green, Route 116, Scituate, scituateartfestival.org

Street Music Fans: Providence Honk
The scene: Brass like the Extraordinary Rendition Band and What Cheer Brigade reclaim the streets of Providence in a cacophonous parade.
The details: “Indigenous People’s Day,” or October 12. Wickenden Street and surrounding streets, Providence. For more information, go to providencehonkfest.org or see what it's like here:
Beer Fans: International Oktoberfest
The scene: Old Bavaria in India Point Park. Brats, stein hoisting, polka dancing and yes, yodeling.
The details: October 17-18. Saturday noon-8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. Tickets range from $17-$25 depending on which day you go and if you get them in advance. India Point Park, Gano Street, Providence, newportwaterfrontevents.com/international-oktoberfest

Lobster Lovers: Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
The scene: Legions of lobster, crab cakes, oysters and craft beer as you dance to cover bands and learn about the ship Oliver Hazard Perry with more than 6,000 of your closest friends.
The details: October 17-18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Bowen’s Wharf, 13 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, 401-849-2243, bowenswharf.com  Source Rhode Island Monthly

No comments:

Post a Comment