10 Reasons to Attend the 29th Annual Newport Winter Festival…

 29^th Annual Newport Winter Festival

This winter, Newport will be turned into a winter wonderland for the entire family to enjoy.  The 29^th Annual Newport Winter Festival will be taking place from February 17^th through 26th. Over the course of this ten day festival, there will be more than 150 separate events: live music, great food, children’s activities, and much more.  Come and see Newport’s winter side!

Here are ten reasons you should find your way to this festival:

1.  Polar Pineapples:

3pm-9pm: Polar Pineapples Friday and Saturdays

“Gurney’s Newport Resort, One Goat Island, (Formerly Hyatt Newport). Pineapples on the Bay will be transformed again this year for the 4th annual Polar Pineapples! Try a signature infused cocktail or specialty hot drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) while enjoying views of the bay. This year we will have a variety of ice sculptures and an ice luge! Free Hot Chocolate at the Five33 Lounge w/bracelet. Hours 3- 9pm, 401.849.2600.”

2.  Wine:  

7pm-10pm Newport Vineyards WINEterfest Speakeasy Soiree

Brix Restaurant at Newport Vineyards, 909 E Main Rd, Middletown.

“Sip, savor and swing into WINEterfest Weekend with our Speakeasy Soiree. Dance the night away with music from the New Providence Big Band, a welcome glass of wine and handcrafted light fare. Speakeasy attire and flare encouraged!$40 in advance ($43 at the door) $38 with Winter Festival Bracelet.”

Buy Tickets Online or call 401.848.5161 x0.

3.  For the Kiddos:   This winter festival has taken special consideration to please the little ones.

Sunday, February 19th!

❅ 11:30am-4pm: Children’s Fair Co-Sponsored by Webster’s Bank:
“Gurney’s Newport Resort, One Goat Island, (Formerly Hyatt Newport). Bring your kids for this fun filled day of activities including face painting, balloon creations, arts & crafts, reptiles and much more!  Don’t miss the great music and continuous live entertainment.  Refreshments available.

• 11:30am-3:30pm: Dance Force, leading entertainment throughout the day with dancing and games!

• 1:30pm: Rainforest Reptiles Live Show- A fun and educational experience!

• 2:45: AmeriKicks Martial Arts Demonstration

• More Entertainment TBD

 

NON STOP FUN!  Face Painting, Balloon Animals with Twister, Arts & Crafts all day long, plus a bounce house and inflatable obstacle courses!  Rainforest Reptile Display featuring turtles, snakes and more.  Limited vendor space available, for information call 401.847.7666. $8/$4 w/ bracelet”

Monday February 20th

❅ 11:30am-4pm: Children’s Fair
“Gurney’s Newport Resort, One Goat Island, (Formerly Hyatt Newport). Bring your kids for this fun filled day of activities including face painting, balloon creations, arts & crafts, reptiles and much more! Don’t miss the great music and continuous live entertainment. Refreshments available.

• 11:30am-3:30pm: Dance Force, leading entertainment throughout the day with dancing and games!

• 1:15pm: Rainforest Reptiles Live Show- A fun and educational experience!

• More Entertainment TBD

NON STOP FUN! Face Painting, Balloon Animals with Twister, Arts & Crafts all day long, plus a bounce house and inflatable obstacle courses!  Rainforest Reptile Display featuring turtles, snakes and more. Limited vendor space available, for information call 401.847.7666.  $8/$4 w/ bracelet

Tuesday February 21st

❅ 11am: Teddy Bear Tea, A Musical Celebration and Story Time
Newport Harbor Hotel, 49 America’s Cup Ave, Newport. Bring your favorite Teddy Bear and listen to the musical storyteller Christopher ‘Kavi’ Carbone share captivating stories and songs of the wonders of winter, while having tea for adults and milk and cookies for children presented by the Newport Harbor Hotel. $4/Free w/bracelet.”

Wednesday February 22nd

❅ 1pm-3pm: Princess Party at OceanCliff Castle co Sponsored by Good Kidz Toyz

“65 Ridge Road, Newport. Join Belle, Cinderella and Snow White for the Winter Festival Princess Party at location truly royal for a princess! Enjoy treats fit for a princess. Wear your favorite princess attire for a royal afternoon filled with stories, songs and surprises! Also Good Kidz Toyz will be featuring a “Princess Boutique”, with Princess-themed plush toys, games, puzzles & dolls available for purchase during the event. Co Sponsored by OceanCliff/ Newport Experience and Good Kidz Toyz. Questions? Contact us at 401.847.7666. No strollers allowed in the ballroom due to space.  $10/ $5 w/ bracelet. Now taking RESERVATIONS  (Reservations are to hold your spot, but you will still need to purchase tickets at the door.)

Thursday February 23rd

❅ 1pm-4pm: 17th Annual “Live Jazz for Kids”, Greenvale Vineyards
Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth.  Our musicians are vocalists Tish Adams and Dick Lupino on bass and guest musician Yvonne Monnett. The artists will entertain guests with songs kids know and love in a jazz setting incorporated with old time standards.  Complimentary refreshments will be served for the kids and wine tasting will be available for purchase for adults.  FREE/Open to the public.  401.847.3777.

❅ 6pm-9pm: 12th Annual Illuminated Garden, Ballard Park
Ballard Park, Hazard Rd, Newport. Thousands of lights displayed in the three-acre quarry meadow. FREE.”

4. Food:  The Newport area is a culinary destination all year long. Lucky for festival go-ers, there will be no shortage of delicious treats. Tuesday the 21st:

6pm: Samuel Adams Beer Dinner at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar

“Enjoy this annual event as a visiting brewmaster from Sam Adams brewery guides guests through a selection of beers paired with a distinct menu specially prepared by the Mooring chefs for this occasion. Reception begins at 6pm; dinner at 6:30pm. $60pp/ $55pp w/ bracelet. For a complete menu, visit www.mooringrestaurant.com. Reservations are required. Please call 401.846.2260.”

Saturday February 25th

❅ 12pm-2:30pm: 7th Annual Chicken Wing Cook-Off
“Gurney’s Resort, 1 goat Island (Formerly Hyatt Regency Newport) Area restaurants compete to see who makes the best chicken wings. No matter how you like your wings these restaurants will be serving them up from Spicy to Sweet! Sample and vote for your favorite. The competition is sure to get sticky with amazing restaurants. Bring the kids! To enter your restaurants wings call 401.847.7666. Adults $12/$9 w/ bracelet and Children (ages 4- 10) $8/$5 w/ bracelet, Children under 4 are Free.

Free Trolley Saturday Feb 25th For the Chicken Wing Cook-Off! It will begin running from 12:00pm and end at 3:15pm. It will make continuous loops with stops at The Newport Gateway Center, The Newport Harbor Hotel, and in front of The Red Parrot taking you to Gurney’s Resort!”

5.  Drink Competitions:

9PM on the 19th is the , “Tropical Drink Contest, The Gas Lamp Grille
206 Thames Street. Come and compete for the best tropical drink or just enjoy free sampling of each drink. Contestants will need to supply glassware and liquor. To compete contact 401.845.9300.”

On Thursday the 23rd you can join the annual Best Hot Drink Contest.

8pm: Annual Best Hot Drink Contest

“The Red Parrot Restaurant, 348 Thames Street. The competitions heats up as judges determine the Best Hot Drink in Newport!  Local bars and restaurants are invited to compete for the Festival Plaque.  Guests will get to sample the delightful concoctions as well as enjoy drink specials.  To enter, contact the Red Parrot 401.847.3140. Contestants must provide their own liquor, garnishes and glassware.  FREE Admission.”

6.  Humor:  Laughing is known to increase your well being significantly.  Therefore, Friday night the 24th at 8:30 you should be attending the Winter Festival Comedy Show with, “Nick Griffin and Christine Hurley

presented by the Newport Comedy Series & Newport Winter Festival

Gurney’s Newport Resort, One Goat Island, (Formerly Hyatt Newport).

Nick Griffin has appeared on Conan, The Late Late Show, in his own half-hour Comedy Central special and was featured on The Late Show with David Letterman eleven times. A comic for more than 25 years, Griffin’s smart, sarcastic and hilarious style makes him one of the most well-respected in the business.

Like any great comedian, Christine has an innate ability to see humor in “everyday” situations. For years, she entertained family, friends and neighbors in their kitchens, at barbeques and the grocery store aisles. The only difference now is she uses a microphone and a stage.

The television network Nick at Nite was looking for “AMERICA’S FUNNIEST MOM.” She figured if it didn’t go well, no one in New York would have known who she was anyway… Turns out it went well! Out of thousands of entries, Christine was selected to be a finalist on the nationally televised show. Her stories and views on motherhood and marriage are exactly what everyone is living through…people get it and love it!

$28/$22 w/bracelet. Must be 15 or older to attend. Call 401.847.7666 for more information.

Tickets on Sale NOW! “

7.  An Ice Luge:  Pineapples on the Bay, located at the Hyatt Regency, will undergo a winter transformation that only the likes of Elsa could create.  The second annual Polar Pineapples will be an icy wonderland of infused cocktails and specialty hot drinks…and an ice luge!  There will be an assortment of non-alcoholic drinks as well as incredible ice sculptures. Hours will be from 4-9 pm on Saturday the 21st.  Free Hot Chocolate at the Five 33 Lounge w/bracelet. 401.851.1234

8.  Polo:  Wintertime polo on Easton’s Beach is an incredible experience for all.  Watch the talented players and their swift ponies as they transform the beach into a spectacle of equitation.  This will take place at 1pm on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th.

9. Illusions:  ❅ 7pm: Illusion Quest performed by David Garrity
“presented by Savings Institute Bank & Trust • Gurney’s Newport Resort, One Goat Island, (Formerly Hyatt Newport). Professional Illusionist, David Garrity, will feature visual magic and incredible illusions that will entertain the entire family.  Highlights of the show include David’s assistant appearing out of thin air, a table that floats around the stage, the World’s Fastest Illusion where time seems to stand still, audience participation, comedy and more!  $10/$5 w/bracelet.”

10:  Music:  Music is good for the soul and The Newport Winter Festival is poised to bring you some great live music.  On

Changes in Latitude is a well known Jimmy Buffett tribute band.  They will be performing at 8:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Newport on Saturday the 18th.   This tropically inspired band travels the world leaving providing an authentic Jimmy Buffett experience.  So don your lei and get out your Hawaiian shirt…prepare to feel like you have experienced changes in your latitude.Tickets available: $15/Advance w/bracelet, $20/At the door (based on availability).  VIP Seating Available: $45/$40 w/bracelet (includes 1 drink ticket & up front seating). For info/tickets order online or call the festival office at 401.847.7666. Tickets are now available! Buy online HERE

Saturday the 25th-

8:30pm Boston’s Premier Top 40 Country Band: Walkin’ the Line 

“Gurney’s Newport Resort, One Goat Island, (Formerly Hyatt Newport). Recently nominated for best country music band in Boston! Walkin’ The Line is a high energy, top 40 country band taking New England by storm! Bringing years of experience with some of the best bands around and opening for country legends like Charlie Daniels, Lorrie Morgan, and Travis Tritt to name a few, they are ready to bring their live show to the Newport Winter Festival!  With influences ranging from Miranda Lambert to Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean to Kip Moore, this band is sure to keep you dancing all night. “

Tickets are available NOW!  $18/ $15 with bracelet. Hope to see you there!

These details and much more can be found at http://www.newportwinterfestival.com