Outdoors in RI: Beaches, Pools, Trolleys, Cars, Music—and Great Weather for Days!

Saturday, July 25
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Scarborough State Beach North, Narragansett

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In the Swim!

Cranston has reopened a totally new and refurbished pool and expanded to become the Budlong Aquatic Center – complete with an in-the-pool splash pad with little buckets of water that dump right over your head in a wonderful water feature. There are 4 reserved lap lanes for those serious bathing cap (not really) swimmers.

There is a shaded area in the pool. Adirondack chairs by the sides. Another large splash pad off to the side. And – plans to come for a picnic area. Plenty of new parking spots. Oh, yes, a changing area with facilities and small lockers to store your items if you are alone and want to go in the water.

Remember – cashless!  Bring debit card or credit card. (Believe they are using Square but they are still working on all that).

Hours, fees: https://www.cranstonri.gov/cranston-budlong-aquatic-center.aspx

Here’s the article we did – see for yourself! And note – outdoor pools are in many RI cities and towns – Pawtucket, Warwick, Barrington, more – take a look at what is right around you!

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Out & About in RI: Everyone in the swim at Cranston’s Budlong Pool Opening (videos, photos)

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July 26 – the 37th Annual Governor’s Bay Day

37th annual Governor’s Bay Day was kicked off by the Governor this week at Rocky Point State Park. Governor’s Bay Day encourages families to enjoy Rhode Island’s outdoor public places and engage in an active lifestyle while also highlighting the economic value of our natural resources. The day includes: Free parking at all Rhode Island state beaches on Sunday, July 26. The public is also invited to fish in Rhode Island saltwaters without a recreational fishing license from Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will waive the roundtrip fare on the South County Express Beach Bus on Sunday, July 26 Charlestown Breachway and East Beach – Charlestown East Matunuck – South Kingstown Misquamicut State Beach – Westerly Roger Wheeler, Salty Brine, Scarborough North, and Scarborough South – Narragansett

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Cultural Survival’s Annual Indigenous Arts Bazaars Return to Rhode Island, Celebrating Global Artistry, Culture, and Reciprocity

Cultural Survival’s annual Indigenous Arts Bazaars, a flowing river of connection for Indigenous artists, activists, friends, and allies since 1975, are returning to Tiverton and Providence, Rhode Island, this July and August. These festivals celebrate Indigenous cultures, featuring one-of-a-kind handmade arts, music, and food from over 20 countries spanning 6 continents. The events offer a unique opportunity for the public to meet and learn from the makers, celebrating creativity and the enduring values of reciprocity and relationship-building.

Event Details 
The Bazaars will take place at two locations:

• Tiverton, RI: July 24-26, 2026, at the Tiverton Four Corners Art Center, 3852 Main Street. This year marks the 25th anniversary of local support for Cultural Survival’s work.
  Admission: $5 | $0 for kids under 18 | Pay what you can. 
• Providence, RI: August 1-2, 2026, expanding into a new location at Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 10 Sims Avenue. The move aligns with Cultural Survival’s food sovereignty support and advocacy work. Admission: $10 | $5 for Students | $0 for kids under 18 | Pay what you can.

Riverwalk Concert Series

July 25, 6-8 pm

You know it is finally summer when the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library’s Riverwalk Times Concert Series begins. These outdoor concerts are held in front of the library at the Burrillville Farmer’s Market Pavilion during July and August on Saturday nights at 6:00 PM.

Music lovers bring blankets and chairs and enjoy some amazing bands. Dancing is encouraged! During inclement weather, concerts may move inside the library.

July 25 – Don’t Think Twice.

Food truck will be Not Your Average Popcorn

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Diamond Hill Vineyards 50th Anniversary

July 25, 12-8 pm

Diamond Hill Vineyards is celebrating 50 years with a day of wine, music, goats and food. They’ll be celebrating 50 years with a nod back to when it all started.

They’ll have live music and there will be wine prizes for the best 70s outfits. Vintage Vines flower truck will be with there – make your own bouquet.

The Rocket food truck will be there from 4-7. Goat feed is available from the store to feed the goats. Feel free to bring your own chairs and blankets

Diamond Hill Vineyards – 3145 Diamond Hill Rd. – Cumberland

 

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The “dreaded” Spotted Lanternfly – Alert!

We saw this on Reddit – yikes! – “I’ve been checking the “tree of heaven” trees near the railroad lately and every one I see has thousands of the spotted laternfly nymphs on it and they look like they are nearing adult stage. I think we’re about to see a biblical style plague of these things.” Reports like this one are coming from northern Rhode Island.

And – from Providence: They’re all over my apartment building in Providence. I tried to submit a report to the RI DEM portal for Spotted Lantern Flies and it produced a response essentially saying the DEM is not allocating resources to deal with them on any property not owned and managed by the state.”

Advice?  See them? Squish them like a – well – like a bug!

Spotted Lanternflies, an invasive planthopper first detected in Rhode Island in 2021, have now been found in all five counties, although populations remain concentrated in the Providence metropolitan area. The pest feeds on grapevines, fruit trees and hardwoods, potentially damaging vineyards, orchards and nursery crops.

Residents who spot one are advised to photograph it, kill it and report the sighting to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

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FREE Hop-On & Off Trolley

Whether you are walking or driving, taking a scooter or pedicab, a trolley or private car, there are many ways to see Newport.

This summer, getting around has just gotten easier. With the support of RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) and Discover Newport, free trolley and bus transportation will be available around Newport to popular tourist destinations.

The Bellevue trolley, Route #67, will be free from May 22 through October 31, 2026. Popular attractions along the routes are; Redwood Library, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Mansions, Cliff Walk, Belcourt, Rough Point, First Beach and many more.

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GoProvidence is celebrating 20 years of Providence Restaurant Weeks

Providence Restaurant Weeks begin this Sunday, July 26, and continuing for two weeks.There are many outdoor spots for the summer, which is why we are including this.

July 26 – August 8

GoProvidence is celebrating 20 years of Providence Restaurant Weeks! Launched in 2006, this fan-favorite event has become a culinary tradition for diners across the state. Some restaurant participants have been with us since the very beginning, while others are brand-new this year.

Participating restaurants will feature deals and special menus for lunch and dinner, with some offering prix-fixe options, breakfast, signature cocktails and more. Book a table at that spot you’ve always wanted to go to or revisit an old favorite.

Make your reservations and check back for added participants. For more info: https://www.goprovidence.com/rw/

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Munroe Dairy Hosts 5th Annual “Cruise to the Cow” Car Show

Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods and more on display on July 26th

What: ​​Munroe Dairy, New England’s trusted choice for farm fresh dairy and groceries, will host

its 5th Annual Cruise to the Cow Car Show on Sunday, July 26th.

Spend a summer afternoon among classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, and custom vehicles while enjoying music from Cruisin’ Bruce and a live fire performance by Swinging from the Heart.  

Admission is free.  All participants in the car show will receive a free ice cream cone from the Sacred Cow and a trophy presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 26, 2026 – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Munroe Dairy – 151 North Brow Street – East Providence, RI

About Munroe Dairy – Founded in 1881, A.B. Munroe Dairy is a family-owned dairy and grocery delivery company based in East Providence, Rhode Island, committed to providing the finest quality products delivered with exceptional customer service.  Acquired by the Armstrong family in 1936 and now guided by the fourth generation, Munroe Dairy has grown from traditional milk delivery into a one-stop grocery service offering more than 450+ items, including baked goods, meat and poultry, prepared and frozen foods, and products from local vendors such as Narragansett Creamery, Venda Ravioli, Naked Fig Artisanal Mediterranean Foods and Sacred Cow Granola.

Munroe Dairy’s milk is locally sourced from family-owned farms in Massachusetts and Connecticut. It is minimally processed, with no additives, stabilizers, antibiotics, or growth hormones, and goes from cow to customer in approximately 48 hours. Munroe Dairy’s milk is bottled in eco-friendly glass bottles, which can be reused up to 50 times.

Munroe Dairy also operates the Sacred Cow Scoop Shop and Market, featuring premium hard and soft-serve ice cream and select grocery items. For more information, visit www.cowtruck.com.

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NIMFest 2026 Celebrates Original Music with 2nd Annual Songwriter Showcase on July 26th

The New England Music Organization is proud to present the Second Annual NIMFest Songwriter Showcase on Sunday, July 26, from 3–6 PM (weather permitting) at the picturesque King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave., Newport, RI.

Featuring three of the region’s most exciting emerging singer-songwriters—Sweet Petunia, Natalie Paige, and Lainey Dionne—the showcase highlights the original voices helping shape New England’s vibrant independent music scene. Designed to celebrate songwriting and artistic expression, the event reflects NEMO’s ongoing mission to support original music and create meaningful performance opportunities for local and regional artists. By spotlighting original songwriting, the Songwriter Showcase celebrates the creativity that fuels New England’s music community while giving audiences the opportunity to discover artists whose work is helping shape the region’s musical future.

Sweet Petunia, the acclaimed folk duo of Mairead Guy and Maddy Simpson, first came together while attending Berklee College of Music, where their natural vocal harmonies quickly turned heads. Twice nominated for Boston Music Awards as Best Folk Act, the duo recently released their debut album, Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown, through Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records, blending traditional folk influences with a modern DIY spirit.

Joining the lineup is singer-songwriter Natalie Paige, who has quickly become a familiar face throughout the Rhode Island music scene since relocating to the area. Known for pairing emotive vocals with thoughtful, enduring songwriting, Paige will be joined by Zak Castle on bass and David Cuellar on drums, performing a mix of brand-new material alongside audience favorites.

Rounding out the showcase is Rhode Island’s own Lainey Dionne, a GRAMMY® Considered singer-songwriter and New England Music Award winner for Songwriter of the Year. With songs featured across major television networks and streaming platforms—including The Kardashians and Love Is Blind—Dionne has become one of the region’s most accomplished independent artists while continuing to champion the New England music scene.

The 2026 NIMFest season continues throughout the summer, bringing outstanding independent artists to Newport’s scenic harborfront in a free, family-friendly concert series celebrating New England’s vibrant music community.

About NIMFest – NIMFest, short for Newport Independent Music Festival, has become a beloved summer tradition in Newport, showcasing exceptional local and regional artists in one of Rhode Island’s most beautiful outdoor settings. The concerts are free and open to the public, inviting music lovers of all ages to enjoy live performances overlooking Newport Harbor.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. King Park is also accessible by paddlecraft, making it easy for kayakers and paddleboarders to enjoy the music from Newport Harbor. All concerts are held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, weather permitting.

NIMFest 2026 is made possible through generous support from The Hamilton Family Foundation and the City of Newport. For more information about NIMFest visit NewEnglandMusic.org and follow @NewEnglandMusicOrganization on Instagram.

About the New England Music Organization (NEMO) – The New England Music Organization is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting musicians and fostering a thriving music community throughout the region. Through advocacy, education, and performance opportunities, NEMO works to strengthen New England’s independent music ecosystem while connecting artists with audiences across the region.

The 2026 NIMFest Schedule 

July 26th – Songwriter Showcase w/ Lainey Dionne, Sweet Petunia & Natalie Paige

August 2nd – Seba Molnar w/ The John Monllos Trio

August 9th – The Coe Street Co-Op w/ Lily Rhodes

August 16th – Soul City

August 23rd – Groove Merchants w/ Olivia Nied

All performances are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to carpool, as parking in the area is limited. Alcohol is not permitted in the park, and all concerts are weather permitting with no scheduled rain dates.

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