Fourth of July in Newport

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Rachel Eides, GoLocalProv Contributor

Newport honors our national holiday with an exciting array of Fourth of July weekend activities. With its beautiful (and historic) waterfront, Newport is the best place to celebrate through lighthouse tours, exclusive museum exhibits, vibrant fireworks, and more.

July 1-2

Road to Independence History Walking Tour: 11am, The Museum and Shop at Brick Market, 127 Thames Street, 75-minute tour, Adults $12, reservations suggested, 841-8770. Hear stories from the years surrounding the American Revolution in Newport.

July 4

Special Events in Washington Square: 10am-4pm.

Join the Rhode Island Sons of the Revolution, Newport Historical Society, Washington Square Roots, the Newport Artillery Company and many others for a community celebration of the National Holiday on Washington Square. Festivities include the reading of the Declaration of Independence, a Revolutionary-style cannon salute, a band performance, pie-eating, and bell-ringing.

“The Many Faces of George Washington": 10am-4pm, Colony House, Washington Square, free only on July 4 for its opening day. The exhibit presents the many different faces of George Washington’s leadership as a general, statesman, farmer and visionary entrepreneur. The exhibit will be placed into the 1739 Colony House, which hosted George Washington during several visits to Newport during and after the Revolutionary War.

Historical Re-enactment of the Trumbull Painting: 11:30am-2:00pm, Colony House, Washington Square. There will be about 20 descendants of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock re-enacting the signing of the Declaration of Independence as portrayed in the Trumbull painting. A local renowned artist Bill Hedyt is painting the recreation. The finished painting will hang in the Newport Historical Society Gallery.

Rose Island Lighthouse 4th of July Celebration: 6:30pm-10:30pm, Rose Island Lighthouse, $85 for Adults, $35 for Children 6-12. Enjoy music, the view of the spectacular Newport fireworks from all of Rose Island, a real slow- cooked hardwood barbecue feast, lawn games, Lighthouse tours and boat transport to Rose Island. Attendance limited to 150 lucky ticket holders. Call for reservations 847-4242.

Fireworks: 9:15pm, free, Fort Adams, 90 Fort Adams Drive, 841-0707. Parking available at multiple locations including Fort Adams and the Visitors Center. The vibrant fireworks will be launched from Fort Adams and will be visible all along the waterfront.