5 Weekend Musts: South County Hot Air Balloon Festival + More

Friday, July 22, 2011

Rachel Eides, GoLocalProv Contributor

It's hot out there, for sure. We carefully picked five fantastic ways to enjoy your Rhode Island weekend that will help you stay cool.

Soar and Glow in South County

Friday-Sunday For the 33rd year, the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival is the place to enjoy glowing hot air balloons, crafts, music, food, fishing, carnival rides, fireworks, and more. New this year: a Pizza Grilling Competition and the kite team, which will fly up to 18 thirty-foot shape kites. Don’t miss the "The Flying Pages," a remarkable flying trapeze act and a Corvette show. Cool tip: it kicks off at 6am... before temps soar. Adults $10, Children (14 and under) $5, Families (2 Parents and kids) $25. Fri 4-10pm, Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 6am-6pm. URI Athletic Fields, Off Route 138, 3 Keany Road, Kingston. Call 788-1770.

Build at the Providence Children’s Museum

Thursday-Sunday Get your little ones thinking Frank Lloyd Wright this weekend at Block Builders, where kids use special, colorful blocks to create challenging structures. Cool tip: Air conditioning! Program free with $8.50 admission, under 12 months free. Thur, Sat, Sun 1pm-3pm, Friday 10am-12pm. Discovery Studio in the Providence Children's Museum, 100 South Street, Providence. Call 273-5437.

Dance it out in Newport

Friday Join the Island Moving Company at its Opening Night Celebration of Dance. The Great Friends Meeting House, home of the Great Friends Dance Festival, will be transformed into a themed spectacular. There will be a live auction hosted by celebrity auctioneer Kathy Kingston, food and drink, special performances by the IMC professional artists, and a lot of dancing! Cool tip: Bay breezes, sundown. 6:30pm-12am. Great Friends Meeting House, 21 Farewell St, Newport. Call 847-4470.

Admire a Quantity of Quilts in Narragansett

Friday-Sunday Attend the 26th annual South County Museum Quilt Show to admire over 100 quilts by New England’s contemporary artists. Viewer's Choice balloting. Cool tip: Beaches nearby, plus air conditioning. Admission $8, SCM members free. 10am–4pm. South County Museum, 100 Anne Hoxsie Lane, Narragansett. Call 783-5400.

Get Classy in Providence

Saturday Join the Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra for a beautiful summer evening filled with a variety of light classical pieces, movie and show music, marches, and more. Cool tip: Indoor concert means A/C. Tickets $11, children 12 and under free. 7pm. Roberts Hall, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence. Call 456-8144.