Every now and then, Rhode Island reminds us that being small isnât the same as being predictable. One day youâre wandering into a photo studio tucked inside a historic mill, the next youâre planning a food crawl, discovering a senior dog rescue thatâs changing lives, or stumbling onto a weekend tradition you somehow never knew existed. Todayâs newsletter is a reminder that even the familiar corners of the Ocean State still have a few surprises left and that no matter how well you think you know Rhode Island, thereâs always another story waiting around the corner.
A New Providence Photo Studio with More Than One Good Side
Inside a historic Olneyville mill, Unfiltered Studios gives Rhode Island photographers, brands, and creative teams a flexible backdrop for everything from polished product shots to bold editorial campaigns. With movable walls, oversized windows, styling props, and room to shift directions mid-shoot, the space is built for ideas that refuse to stay in one lane. Read more online.
Eight Delicious Stops for a Rhode Island Food Crawl
Patty J maps out eight tasty reasons to eat your way across Rhode Island, from coastal coffee stops and French bistro dinners to local oysters and a legendary lobster buffet. Whether the mood calls for a beach-day lunch, a waterfront table, or a full-on feast, this monthâs picks make a strong case for arriving hungry. Read more online.
Presented by Farm Fresh RI
Taste Rhode Island at Its Peak at Farm Fresh RIâs Local Food Fest
By August, Rhode Island's farms, fisheries, and food producers are at the height of the season, and there's no better place to experience that abundance than Farm Fresh Rhode Island's annual Local Food Fest. Returning to Castle Hill Inn on August 11, this beloved summer event brings together some of the stateâs most talented chefs, farmers, fishers, and beverage makers for an unforgettable evening celebrating local food.
From 4-8pm, guests will gather on the Chalet Patio and Lawn overlooking Narragansett Bay, where more than 20 chef-farmer collaborations showcase the freshest ingredients of the season. Each tasting dish tells a story of Rhode Islandâs vibrant food community, with acclaimed local chefs transforming peak-season harvests and freshly caught seafood into one-of-a-kind creations.
The experience begins with a champagne toast and local raw bar before guests explore tasting stations, meet the farmers and producers behind the ingredients, and enjoy local beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. Live music and stunning sunset views create the perfect backdrop for a summer evening by the sea.
More than just a food festival, Local Food Fest is a celebration of the people and partnerships that make Rhode Islandâs food system thrive. Guests have the opportunity to connect directly with the chefs, farmers, and fishers whose work is featured throughout the evening, gaining a deeper appreciation for the local food community that sustains the Ocean State.
A raffle and silent auction featuring local experiences and products add to the festivities, with all proceeds supporting Farm Fresh RIâs work to strengthen a more equitable, accessible, and resilient local food system.
If youâre looking for a delicious way to spend a summer evening, this oneâs worth circling on the calendar. Learn more online at farmfreshri.org.
Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of whatâs happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because letâs be real, lifeâs too short to leave the fun for last minute.
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Wednesday 7/22 | Newport Mending Series: Learn to Hand Stitch & Sew on Buttons Learn the hand-stitching basics, practice sewing on buttons, and give a well-loved garment a longer life during this beginner-friendly workshop with The Nest at Rough Point Museum in Newport from 5:30-8 PM. Learn more online ⸝ Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt at Blackstone River State Park Search for plants and wildlife during this free guided nature walk through Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln from 6-7 PM, where young explorers can complete a scavenger hunt and borrow binoculars and animal identification guides along the way. Learn more online ⸝ Family Movie Nights at The Sailing Museum Settle in for a screening of Lilo & Stitch at The Sailing Museum in Newport from 5-7 PM, with complimentary popcorn, cookies, and refreshments adding a little extra sweetness to this family night by the water. Learn more online |
Thursday 7/23 | Welcome to Folk! at Matriarch Kick off Newport Folk Festival weekend with live music, fresh pizza, and a backyard full of good company at Matriarch from 7:30-9 PM, featuring performances by Allie Larson and Teddy Nabozny, Luke Graham and friends, The Poppies, and Ian Motha. Learn more online ⸝ Pop-Up PVD x Kow Kow Ice Cream Event Browse vintage finds while treating yourself to a Kow Kow cone during this free pop-up at Pop-Up PVD on Ives Street in Providence from 6-9 PM, where thrifting and ice cream make an easy summer pairing. Learn more online ⸝ 2026 Narragansett Blessing of the Fleet Weekend Make a weekend of carnival rides, waterfront food, live music, a 10-mile road race, and the traditional boat parade during the Narragansett Blessing of the Fleet, with festival activities running from 4-10:30 PM Thursday through Saturday around Memorial Square and the Pier. Learn more online |
Friday 7/24 | Kids @ Kinney: Flower Pressing & Botany Young artists and budding botanists can explore plant parts, learn the basics of flower pressing, and create a take-home botanical artwork at Kinney Azalea Gardens in Kingston from 10:30-11:30 AM. Learn more online ⸝ Foster Old Home Days Make a weekend of this long-running Foster tradition with tractor pulls, 4-H shows, local crafts, a pie contest, fair food, and plenty of hometown charm at Foster Old Home Days, running Friday through Sunday at the Howard Hill Road fairgrounds. Learn more online ⸝ 14th Annual Cultural Survival Bazaar Spend the weekend meeting Indigenous artists from around the world, shopping handmade jewelry, textiles, art, and crafts, and enjoying live music, storytelling, demonstrations, and cultural presentations at the Tiverton Four Corners Art Center from 10 AMâ5 PM Friday through Sunday. Learn more online ⸝ Rhode Island Offshore Sport Fishing Championship Watch Party & Fan Fest Follow the tournament action all weekend while browsing vendors at Bowenâs Wharf in Newport, where the watch party and fan fest runs from noon-6 PM Friday through Sunday. Learn more online |
Saturday 7/25 | East Side Cheese & Provisions Third Anniversary Celebration Help East Side Cheese & Provisions celebrate three years with cheese tastings, Del's Lemonade, mini cake bites, and other treats from 10 AM-6 PM in Providence, with free JK Adams cutting boards for the first 50 shoppers who spend $25 or more. Learn more online ⸝ Diamond Hill Vineyards 50th Anniversary Celebration Raise a glass to 50 years of Diamond Hill Vineyards in Cumberland from noon-8 PM with live music, a '70s DJ set, food trucks, goats, fresh flowers, and plenty of reasons to break out your best vintage-inspired outfit. Learn more online ⸝ RIVA 25th Anniversary Celebration Celebrate 25 years of Rhode Island Vegan Awareness with a catered vegan dinner, live music, dancing, raffles, cake, and tiki-bar fun at the Tri-City Elks Lodge in Warwick from 7-10:30 PM. Learn more online ⸝ The Closet Comeback Workshop Give an old T-shirt a fresh look during The Closet Comeback Workshop at the Roger Williams Park Gateway Center in Providence from 3-5 PM, then stick around for a thrifting pop-up and a reworked fashion runway showcasing local designers from 6-7:30 PM. Learn more online |
Sunday 7/26 | 5th Annual Cruise to the Cow Car Show Spend the afternoon checking out classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, and custom rides at Munroe Dairy in East Providence from 3-6 PM, with music from Cruisinâ Bruce, a live fire performance by Swinging from the Heart, free ice cream for car-show participants, and trophies at 5:30 PM. Learn more online ⸝ Artisan Market Fun Faire Browse a curated lineup of artisan vendors while enjoying live entertainment throughout the day at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston from 11 AM-4 PM, where shopping and stage performances share the spotlight. Learn more online ⸝ Bluewater Music Festival Catch six hours of live music in at Bluewater Bar + Grill in Barrington from noon-6 PM, with sets by the Mike Purcell Band, Jesse Hymphrey, and The Gravel Project, plus a pig roast from Love Shack BBQ served at 3 PM.. Learn more online ⸝ Community Line Dancing at Sakonnet Vineyard Learn a few steps, meet some neighbors, and spend the evening moving at Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton from 5-8 PM, with proceeds supporting accessible wellness programs through the Friends of Little Compton Wellness Center. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
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A World of Color Unrolls in Tiverton This August
Rug scholar and longtime Antiques Roadshow appraiser Peter Pap comes to the Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center on August 4 for an illustrated talk on the history, artistry, and cultural traditions woven into antique rugs. The afternoon continues with a first look at the centerâs inaugural Antique Rug Trunk Show, where guests can browse a curated collection, arrange appraisals, and even take a rug home on approval before making it official. Read more online.
Presented by Dogtopia
Inside Rhode Islandâs Senior Dog Rescue Giving Older Pets a Second Chance
Vintage Pet Rescue in Foster specializes in caring for senior, hospice, and special-needs dogs that are often overlooked by traditional shelters. With medical care, community support, and plenty of patience, the nonprofit is helping older pups spend their golden years feeling safe, spoiled, and deeply loved. Read more online.
âCould a quick cheek swab help Jack get back to playing guitar, building with Legos, and being a kid again? Five-year-old Jack Palms needs a bone marrow transplant, and his family is asking potential donors ages 18â35 to request a free kit through SwabforJack.com or stop by their swabbing table at the Blessing of the Fleet Celebration in Narragansett. After strokes, surgery, and dozens of transfusions, Jack is making encouraging progress in physical therapy, but finding a full donor match could change what comes next.
âLooking for an easy way to spend a Sunday in Providence? The Providence Flea returns to 195 District Park every Sunday through September 27 with local makers, vintage finds, food, and plenty of reasons to linger downtown. The market recently earned a nod from Travel + Leisure in its roundup of â21 Perfect August Getaways for Every Type of Traveler,â giving locals one more reason to see what the buzz is about.
âMissing the holidays just a little bit? Wright's Farm is bringing Christmas back to the middle of summer from July 22â28 with peppermint and eggnog ice cream, festive bakery favorites, Christmas cookies, Santa Storytimes, and plenty of seasonal cheer. Whether you're stopping by for a slice of Buche de Noel or introducing the kids to Santa months ahead of schedule, it's a cheerful excuse to trade beach days for a little holiday nostalgia.
Rhode Island Music Legend Mark Cutler Makes His Newport Folk Festival Debut
After more than 45 years on stages across the region, Rhode Island Music Hall of Famer Mark Cutler will make his long-awaited Newport Folk Festival debut at Fort Adams on Sunday. The veteran songwriter reflects on the hometown campaign that helped get him there, the songs he plans to bring, and why this career milestone feels especially meaningful. Read more online.
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