5 Weekend Musts: The Circus & More

Friday, April 29, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

We heard the calliope all the way from home. The circus is in town, and who can resist the call of the big top? Don't miss this old fashioned pleasure this weekend, plus 4 more must-do events.

Go to the circus at Ringling Bros.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: It's a time-honored pleasure, and this year's Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey pulled into Providence under the headline, "Fully Charged." From elephants and horses to daring feats on high wires, it's an American classic. Don't miss it. Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence. Tickets $15 $20, $35 (VIP seats), $60 (front row), and $90(Circus Celebrity), plus applicable fees. All seats are reserved. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.ticketmaster.com, call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or visit the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office For group rates and information, call 331-6702. For more information, click here.

Get paddling at Kayak Demo Weekend

Saturday, Sunday: What better way to get out and about than on the water, and in all kinds of sample kayaks? More than 125 kayaks will be on hand for you to get into, from stand-up paddle boards to fishing and sea kayaks. More? The Kayak Centre's Consignment sale is the weekend too, so it's a great time to scoop up seafaring bargains. 10am-4pm, Wickford Town Beach, 15 Beach St, North Kingstown. Admission is $5 or five canned food items to benefit the North Kingstown Food Pantry. For more, visit www.kayakcentre.com or call 295-4400.

Raise some dramatic funds at the Gamm's Glam Night

Friday: Get dolled up and do right by one of Rhode Island's leading and innovative theater companies. Join the

Gamm Theare at the Providence Art Club for cocktails, delicious food prepared by the Art Club's chefs, and a fabulous auction (you can preview the items, online, here). Funds will support the Gamm's artistic and educational programs. 7-10pm, Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas St, Providence. Tickets are $125. To buy tickets online, go here or call 723-4266.

Do a duck race in Westerly

Saturday: How many times can you see 20,000 rubber ducks race from one state to another? What better reason to take a Saturday drive to Westerly for the 13th Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race, a bright yellow event that benefits dozens of area schools and non-profits. Sponsor a duck for $5, play games, paint your face, and more. Noon kickoff at Donahue Park, races at 2pm and 3pm. Call 596-7761 for more information, or go to the Westerly Chamber of Commerce Web site, here.

Check out the only National Police Week parade in the country

Sunday: The second week in May is set aside to honor policemen nationwide. Inspired by this back in the 1960s, a group of RIers initiated a parade to commemorate local officers. The Newport event, which includes 35 musical units, is one of the biggest events on Aquidneck, one of the largest parades in RI, and the only National Police Week parade in the country. We're talking 70,000 spectators and 4,000 participants. Worth a trip just for all that. Go to the Web site for more information.