Today is National Play in the Sand Day, which feels a little redundant in a state where beach towels live permanently in the trunk by August. Still, we’ll take any official excuse to squeeze a little more out of the season, whether that means heading toward the water, finding a new corner of Newport, or following whatever sounds interesting enough to change the day’s original plan. Today’s newsletter has plenty of those detours, from open-water adventures and hotel pool daycations to dahlias under study at URI and a coffee bar hiding inside Fort Adams. Summer is moving quickly now, so consider this permission to get a little sand in the car and worry about vacuuming it out later.
Adam Vinatieri’s Clays 4 Charity Returns to Rhode Island
Fresh off his Hall of Fame induction, NFL legend Adam Vinatieri returns to Richmond for the Fourth Annual Clays 4 Charity at The Preserve, bringing a day of outdoor competition and entertainment together for three charitable causes. While clay shooting spots are sold out, dinner tickets are still available for an evening featuring a live auction, a dinner by Chef David Burke, and live music from Dave Kennedy, Andy Wood, and Tyler Farr. Read more online.
URI’s Cut Flower Open House Puts Dahlias to the Test
URI’s Agronomy Farm opens its Kingston trial fields on August 19 for a closer look at 800 bed feet of dahlias and the research behind which varieties actually work for Southern New England growers. Visitors can compare blooms, learn what matters beyond good looks, and join a pest walk that shows just how much science goes into a farmers market bouquet. Read more online.
Presented by Apponaug Brewing Company
Apponaug Brewing Company Pours More Than Great Beer
There's something timeless about gathering over a cold beer. Long before breweries became neighborhood hangouts, sharing a pint was how people connected, celebrated, and swapped stories. At Apponaug Brewing Company in Warwick, that tradition is still going strong, only now it comes with waterfront views and a distinctly Rhode Island vibe.
Overlooking the Pawtuxet River, Apponaug Brewing has become much more than a place to grab a drink. The team behind it set out to create what they call a "Third Place," that sweet spot between home and work where friends catch up, families linger over dinner, and first-time visitors quickly feel like regulars.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that the beer is exceptional. The brewery pours an impressive lineup of house-crafted brews alongside a menu that's every bit as memorable. Whether you're stopping in for a casual lunch, meeting coworkers after a long day, or kicking off the weekend with friends, you'll find the whole package waiting: great food, attentive service, and a relaxed riverside setting that makes it easy to lose track of time.
The philosophy behind Apponaug Brewing is surprisingly simple. Beer has been bringing people together for thousands of years, long before recorded history, and every pint is another chapter in that story.
This summer, there's even more to raise a glass to. June brings six brand-new beers to the taps, along with a fresh lineup of seasonal cocktails and a calendar packed with events. Before the season slips by, check out what's brewing, pull up a chair by the river, and see why so many Rhode Islanders keep coming back for one more round. For more information, visit apponaugbrewing.com.
Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of what’s happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because let’s be real, life’s too short to leave the fun for last minute.
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Wednesday 8/12 | Red, White, & Bloom Garden Party Spend the afternoon at Ocean House in Westerly for a 21+ garden party celebrating America’s 250th with patriotic cocktails, wine and beer, light bites, and live acoustic bluegrass in a polished New England setting. Learn more online. ⸻ Smith Hill Block Party Spend the afternoon on Candace Street from 3-7 PM for this free neighborhood block party with live music, kids’ activities, community tables, local vendors, and free food from spots including Capital Hill Taqueria and Cuisine del Mar. Learn more online. ⸻ Washington County Fair Catch five days of classic fair fun in Richmond from August 12-16, with livestock shows, 4-H and FFA projects, family entertainment, and plenty of local tradition throughout the week. Learn more online. |
Thursday 8/13 | Movies on the Block: Clueless Grab a blanket and some downtown takeout for a free outdoor screening of Clueless on Westminster Street, where Providence turns movie night into an under-the-stars affair; arrive early to claim a spot, because space fills quickly and seating is BYO. Learn more online ⸻ Pizza, Wine + Music on the Eno Rooftop Head to Eno Fine Wines in Providence from 5:30-7:30 PM for rooftop pizza from Pizza Marvin, a curated lineup of wines from Eno, pours of Pizza Wine, and live music from Emmett Van Slyke, all served with downtown views. Learn more online ⸻ Sunset Llama Yoga at Bittersweet Farm Estate Stretch into golden hour at Bittersweet Farm Estate in East Greenwich from 7-8 PM, where outdoor yoga comes with friendly llamas, plenty of photo breaks, and the option to pause mid-pose for a little four-legged encouragement. Learn more online |
Friday 8/14 | Ocean State Bluegrass Festival Follow the sound of banjos to Frerichs Farm in Warren from August 14–16 for three days of bluegrass, with open-mic picking, workshops, live performances, food, and camping filling out the seventh annual festival. Learn more online ⸻ Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park Start the weekend at Carousel Village in Roger Williams Park with 15-plus food trucks, live music, beer, wine, mocktails, and family-friendly fun. Learn more online ⸻ RI Night Market at Track 15 Make a stop at Track 15 during WaterFire for a night of local makers, artisan finds, bites, and drinks, with food hall favorites like Dolores, Dune Brothers, Yagi Noodles, Grumpy Pies, Little Chaska, There There, and Tolia adding even more reason to linger downtown. Learn more online |
Saturday 8/15 | Island Rhodes Music Festival Catch the debut of Island Rhodes Music Festival at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, where Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, The Roots, and more take over the waterfront venue for two days of live music, festival food, and big-stage energy on August 15-16. Learn more online ⸻ Federal Hill Summer Festival Sip, stroll, shop, and dine your way along Atwells Avenue as the Federal Hill Summer Festival returns August 15-16 with al fresco dining, dozens of vendors, local retailers, and live entertainment across two stages. Learn more online ⸻ 10th Annual Warren Folks Festival Celebrate 10 summers of music, art, food, and local creativity at Cutler Mill in Warren from 1-7 PM, where this free festival blends live performances, handmade goods, visual art, and block-party energy into one very Warren afternoon. Learn more online ⸻ 13th Annual Bristol Harbor Festival & Blessing of the Fleet Spend the afternoon at Rockwell Park in Bristol from 1-7 PM with the Blessing of the Fleet, a stuffie competition, live music, kids’ activities, a raw bar, and a traditional littleneck boil or steak dinner rounding out this waterfront tradition. Learn more online. |
Sunday 8/16 | Newport Seafood Crab Boil Get cracking at Newport Craft from 2-6 PM, where hard-shell Maryland blue crabs come piled with potatoes, corn, and sausage alongside local beer, cocktails, and live music for a proper Sunday seafood feast. Learn more online ⸻ Book Fair at The Guild Pair a new read with a fresh pour at The Guild in Pawtucket from 12-4 PM, where An Unlikely Story returns for a free pop-up book fair made for browsing books, grabbing a pint, and lingering awhile. Learn more online ⸻ Espresso Martini Competition Sip your way through Newport Harbor Island Resort from 2-4 PM as local mixologists go head-to-head for espresso martini bragging rights, with plenty of caffeine, cocktails, and Sunday-funday energy in the mix. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Rhode Island’s Ocean State Crossing Takes on 15 Miles of Open Water
Paddlers and rowers will take on 15 miles of Rhode Island coastline during Ocean State Crossing on August 15, turning familiar landmarks like Fort Adams and Point Judith Lighthouse into markers along an open-water endurance course. Behind the miles, Summer Safe Ocean State is using the race to fund water safety, cancer prevention, and community health initiatives across the state. Read more online.
Three Rhode Island Hotel Pools You Can Visit Without Booking a Room
ResortPass is giving locals a way to turn an ordinary summer day into a poolside escape, with day access to hotel amenities at the Pleasant View Inn, Newport Marriott, and Block Island Beach House. From Misquamicut beach time and year-round swimming in Newport to a ferry ride followed by an island pool day, these Rhode Island daycations deliver plenty of vacation feeling without the overnight stay. Read more online.
⭐Looking for a beer festival with a wild side? Brew at the Zoo returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo on August 29 with more than 100 beers, hard seltzers, wines, and ready-to-drink cocktails, plus a new wine tasting experience, live music, and animal encounters throughout the evening. The 21+ event also supports the Zoo’s animal care, conservation, education, and community outreach programs, so every pour helps fund work well beyond the tasting glass.
⭐Ready to add a little Disney magic to the holiday calendar? Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars glides into Providence’s Amica Mutual Pavilion December 23–28 with 56 Disney characters, high-flying acrobatics, special effects, and appearances from favorites like Moana, Mirabel, Tiana, Buzz, Woody, Elsa, Anna, and more. Preferred-customer presale access is open now, with tickets going on sale to the public August 11.
⭐Ready to trade the usual wine tasting for a walk through the vines? Journey Through the Vines at Westport Rivers Vineyard on August 20 from 5:30-7 PM begins with a guided look at the estate’s winemaking process, coastal terroir, and history before moving into a curated tasting of Westport Rivers wines paired with seasonal bites from Gracie’s. Guests can linger on the grounds, meet fellow food and wine lovers, and savor a little South Coast summer along the way.
Hidden Gem Coffee Bar Is Worth Finding at Fort Adams
Tucked inside the Fort Adams Visitor Center, Hidden Gem Coffee Bar pairs harbor views with New Harvest coffee, house-made syrups, South County Bread Company pastries, and playful drinks like watermelon matcha and banana bread lattes. With free parking, waterfront walks, and plenty of room to linger, it turns a coffee run into one of Newport’s easiest little summer outings. Read more online.
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