There’s something about the Fourth that makes a hot dog feel less like a snack and more like a patriotic calling. Not because it’s fancy, obviously, but because the whole holiday runs on tiny rituals: the first cold drink, the overpacked cooler, the “should we leave now?” debate, and the sky getting darker while everyone remembers why summer is worth the sweat. Consider this week’s newsletter your pre-fireworks warmup, with new July magazines, local celebrations, family-friendly cool-offs, and a few excellent excuses to keep the long weekend rolling.

July in Rhode Island has a dress code: sunscreen, sandals, and something good to read. Lucky for you, our new issues understood the assignment. Our July magazines are here, and they’re making a strong case for reading by the water, near the water, or at least while thinking about the water. This month, Providence Monthly, The Bay, and Hey Rhody dive into Waterside Living, with stories about coastal homes, shoreline life, and the Rhode Islanders who know exactly why the ocean always gets the final word. Our special So Rhode Island: SO Summer edition goes all in, packing more than 200 pages of places to go, things to eat, shops to browse, and ways to savor the Ocean State’s sunniest season.

Also inside: artisanal ice cream in Hey Rhody, Top 10 Family Fun Picks in The Bay, and Black History on Broad Street in Providence Monthly. Find your next favorite issue at a local newsstand or flip through it online!

PVDFest returns to Downtown Providence September 18-19 with live music, food vendors, public art, and street-level buzz around Kennedy Plaza, Burnside Park, the Providence Rink, City Hall, and beyond. This year’s first lineup announcement brings New Orleans bounce icon Big Freedia to the Main Stage, plus Butch Tavares, La Excelencia, three cultural Grand Marshals, and poster art by Providence artist Rebecca Pry. Read more online.

Presented by Apponaug Brewing Company

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.

This week on Hey Rhody Weekly, we’re hopping the ferry to Block Island for a peak-July escape filled with beach chairs, bike rides, lobster rolls, lighthouse views, and the kind of uphill pedal that builds character fast. From Old Harbor and Mohegan Bluffs to Ballard’s, quiet trails, and golden-hour drinks by Crescent Beach, it’s the full Rhode Island summer sampler, with just enough ferry planning to keep everyone humble.

When the playground feels like a stovetop and the snack requests simply will not quit, Rhode Island’s splash pads are here to save the summer afternoon. From citywide water parks to family-friendly spots and beyond, these easy, mostly free cool-off zones let kids run wild while parents avoid packing for a full beach expedition. Read more online.

Westerly’s South County Distillers was chosen to represent Rhode Island in Lost Lantern Whiskey’s United States of Bourbon, a commemorative blend featuring straight bourbon from all 50 states. The release puts Little Rhody’s craft beverage scene on the national stage, with a grain-to-glass pour that brings local flavor to a big American milestone. Read more online.