Events

17 Reasons Why Columbus Day Weekend is Not Just Any Long Weekend

Art festivals, beer tastings, parades, road races, historic tours and much more round out a truly epic three-days

Posted

All Weekend

Get lost at the Angry Birds themed Corn Maze at Clark Farms in Wakefield. The maze includes an interactive scavenger hunt and ends at the Coastal Ecology House. Other farm attractions include the animal petting area and the Maze Mountain Mine Shaft.

Saddle up and live life as a cowboy at The Annual Cowboy Rendezvous. There will be music, line dancing, horse races, poker and even cow sorting (we assume that if you want to attend this event, then you know what that is). Food, drinks and raffles will be available all weekend.

Prost! The International Oktoberfest returns to the Newport Yachting Center this Saturday and Sunday with live music and, of course, more beer than you can shake a stein at. Compliment your beer with brats, schnitzels and other German delights.

The Scituate Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday features almost 300 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada with the picturesque village as the setting. It's always one of the signature events of autumn in Rhode Island.

Federal Hill celebrates its annual Columbus Day Festival throughout the long weekend. Three locations on the Hill will have live music but, as always, the highlights remain the parade and the food.

Friday

Tiverton Four Corners hosts Fashion 4 You, a runway showcase featuring everything from jewelry to home décor, plus food and drinks in a cocktail party style atmosphere. Proceeds will go to Four Corners Art Center.

Somebody call Quentin Tarantino: Five Finger Death Punch is playing at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel. The metalfest also includes Escape the Fate, Miss May and Gemini Syndrome. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of. 

Saturday

The Pronk Street Band Festival returns to take over Fox Point. This huge festival of street bands begins at India Point Park and culminates in a parade down Wickenden Street, with plenty of great music in between.

Indulge in a little schadenfreude this weekend as Curt Schilling’s Medfield, Massachusetts home goes on the market. Not only is the seven-bedroom estate up for sale, but many of the home furnishings and décor are, as well. A Hummer golf cart and a baby grand piano are just a taste of what is available.

The Annual Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night sets sparks flying on Misquamicut Beach with a large bonfire and live music playing all night long. The highlight of the night will be the Monty Pythonesque re-enactment of Guy Fawke’s execution.

Take in the beauty of autumn and breathe in the fresh air on the Lower Wood River Paddle. The seven-mile paddle will begin at Switch Road and end at Alton Pond. The trip is for intermediate level kayakers.

Grab your popcorn and get comfortable. Watch six movies on 35mm film in one day at Providence's historic Columbus Theatre during its Euro Horror Marathon and Tribute to Lucio Fulci. All movies shown will be classics directed by Italian master Lucio Fulci.

There are some big things coming to the smallest town in the smallest state as Warren's Frerichs Farm hosts the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Grower’s Annual Weigh-off. The nationally noted event brings people from across New England to see the giant pumpkins compete and take part in other pumpkin-flavored activities.

Sunday

Yes, The Battleship Cove Brewfest is a craft beer tasting on board a historic World War II battleship in Fall River. That should be all you need, but there will also be food and live music for good measure.

Westerly hosts its 66th Annual Columbus Day Parade on Sunday. Take part in the tradition and watch marching bands, local businesses, floats, and other attractions march by in celebration.

The Inside the Garden Gates Tour of Narragansett Pier’s historic homes and churches offers access to eight beautiful homes with a rich amount of history behind their doors. There is a bonus tour of the SO Rhode Island House of the Month.

The United Healthcare Newport Marathon starts at Easton’s Beach and will take runners on a scenic un along Newport’s ocean views and historical scenery. Choose between the marathon and a half marathon, both beginning in the same place.

Weekends Best Bets, Events, Activities, Food, Drinks, Festivals, Music, Beer, Pumpkins, Tours

Comments

2 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • SojournerRI

    Don't forget the Sojourner House Masquerade Ball, Friday night at the Biltmore Hotel! Live music and dancing - don't miss our event of the year! www.sojournerhouse.eventbrite.com

    Thursday, October 10, 2013 Report this

  • charlieseelig

    Pronk is on Monday, October 14 not Saturday, October 12.

    Friday, October 11, 2013 Report this



X