19 Events to Welcome Spring – May Lil Rhody Round-Up
April 30, 2019
Spring is certainly in the air this month. We’re looking forward to getting outside and enjoying all that this season has to offer. In particular, we’re looking forward to spring festivals, The Office-themed bar crawl, yard sales, and Derby Day! We also have a full lineup of food tours this month. Our food tours in Newport and Providence are extra special in the spring. Book your experience today.
Mother’s Day is almost here, but you don’t have to worry about scrambling for a last-minute gift. Our food tour gift certificates are available online 24/7 and can be delivered straight to the recipient’s e-mail inbox with a personalized message. Treat mom to quality time with you and some quality treats from our food tour partners. Buy now!
Romeo & Juliet
Mount Hope Farm, What Cheer? Shakespeare Theatre Company
Friday, May 3 & Saturday, May 4 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Nothing quite screams “Spring!” like Shakespeare in the Barn at Mount Hope Farm. This season, it’s a performance of Romeo & Juliet by What Cheer? Shakespeare Theatre Company. Experience the most famous love story ever written in the farm’s beautiful barn, surrounded by twinkling lights and a rustic stone fireplace. Whether you’re cozying up to your partner, chilling with friends, or exposing the kiddos to Shakespeare for the first time, Romeo & Juliet at Mount Hope Farm is sure to be an enjoyable experience.
What Cheer?’s last performance at Mount Hope Farm sold out with a waitlist, so buy your tickets today! Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased here.
Mount Hope Farm is located at 250 Metacom Avenue in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Rock Garden Party
Indowncity
Saturday, May 4 from 11 am – 6 pm
Indowncity kicks off every spring with a party in downtown Providence. This year’s spring kick-off is a Rock Garden Party, featuring food and drink vendors, plant sales, gardening tools and tips, complimentary kids crafts and activities, music, and the Providence Rock and Roll Yard Sale. Who needs spring cleaning when you can have a Rock Garden Party?
Rock Garden Party is a free and family-friendly event that will take place rain or shine. Check out the full list of vendors and activities here.
You can find the Rock Garden Party in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
Main Street Stroll
Made in Warren
Saturday, May 4 from 4 pm – 7 pm
Revisit old favorites and discover new ones during the Main Street Stroll in Warren. Local shops like The Collaborative 02885 and inkfish books are offering discounts and hosting events exclusive to the stroll. Enjoy refreshments and live music as you stroll downtown. The Main Street Stroll is the perfect way to explore downtown Warren and soak up all of its historic charm.
You can find Main Street Stroll in downtown Warren, Rhode Island.
Derby Day 2019
Linden Place
Saturday, May 4 from 4 pm – 8 pm
Couldn’t make it to Kentucky for the Derby? There are plenty of Derby Day celebrations in Rhode Island. Dig out your derby hat and don your best seersucker, we’re bringing the spirit of the Kentucky Derby to Linden Place! Enjoy mint juleps, live music, great food, a live and silent auction, and of course the live streaming of the 145th Annual Kentucky Derby. There will also be prizes for best dressed, biggest hat, best-dressed couple, and more – so don’t slack on your Derby attire!
Derby Day 2019 is a 21+ event. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased here.
Linden Place is located at 500 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island.
17th Annual Spring Festival
Newport Vineyards
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5 at 12 pm
If grape stomping is on your bucket list, this event should be too. The 17th Annual Spring Festival at Newport Vineyards is two full days of grape stomping, wine and beer tasting, live music, and competitions. If you’ve got a competitive side, sign up for a wine stomping competition or potato sack race.
General admission to the festival is $25 and includes your choice of seven tastes of beer or wine. Kids 15 and under are free. Purchase your tickets here.
Newport Vineyards is located at 909 East Main Road in Middletown, Rhode Island.
Plan ahead – book your private group tour today! Private group tours can be arranged for Newport and Providence, giving you and your group a personalized foodie experience. Perfect for bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, alumni events, and more. Find more information and get planning – click here.
Ladies Kitchen’s Spoonfuls of Empowerment
The Cafe at Easy Entertaining
Wednesday, May 8 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Ladies Kitchen creates a platform for women to come together to share experiences and resources. This month, they’re hosting Spoonfuls of Empowerment, a forum focused on financial and personal well being, professional development, health, beauty and more. Who couldn’t use a spoonful of that!?
Clarissa Rodriguez and Rose Molina are the night’s speakers. They will share their personal experiences and the professional development advice that has led to their success. The event also includes appetizers, networking, and a raffle. Tickets are $30 per person and are available here.
The Cafe at Easy Entertaining is located at 166 Valley Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
Game of Thrones Trivia Night
The Malted Barley Providence
Wednesday, May 8 from 7 pm – 11 pm
Everyone has that one friend with an encyclopedic knowledge of Game of Thrones. Bring them to Game of Thrones Trivia Night at the Malted Barley! The top teams will receive gift cards and bragging rights.
The Malted Barley Providence is located at 334 Westminster Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
Italian Food and Wine Class
Hope & Main, hosted by Bottega Bocconi
Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Learn how to cook the classics at the Italian Food and Wine Class with Chef Marco Minieri of Bottega Bocconi. This beginner’s class will cover the basics of tomato sauce, how to select the best canned tomatoes, basic and traditional Bolognese, and Pasta Sfoglia (egg pasta). And we can’t forget the wine! Featured wines are from Tre Monti, an organic family-owned vineyard in Imola, Italy.
The Italian Food and Wine Class will take you step-by-step to create classic Northern Italian dishes. There will be opportunities for students to be hands-on or just sit back and sip wine. Two portions of selected menu items will be prepackaged and ready to take home after class.
Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased here.
Hope & Main is located at 691 Main Street in Warren, Rhode Island.
Follow Rhode Island Red Food Tours on social media to keep up with all of the fun happenings in Rhode Island this month (and every month!)
Spring Fest
Mount Hope Farm
Saturday, May 11 from 10 am – 1 pm
Another weekend, another spring festival in Rhode Island! Spring Fest at Mount Hope Farm is a fun, family-friendly event. Enjoy the farmers market’s wide selection of produce, seafood, meats, baked goods, and more. The farm’s goats and donkeys will be out and about, looking for attention and their next treat. Guided and self-guided tours will be available for the farm’s inn and gardens.
Mount Hope Farm is located at 250 Metacom Avenue in Bristol, Rhode Island.
The Office Trivia Bar Crawl
The Whiskey Republic (check-in)
Saturday, May 11 at 4 pm – 12 am
“Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica!” The Office Trivia Bar Crawl is coming to Providence this month. Participate in trivia challenges at each stop on the bar crawl to win prizes and prove your knowledge of The Office. There will also be prizes for the best-dressed crew, so dress in your best office-appropriate attire. Compete by yourself or in a team of up to eight people. The team with the highest trivia score will win Dundie trophies!
Check out the bar crawl map and find more information here. Tickets start at $15/per person and ticket pricing does vary. Purchase your tickets here.
The Whiskey Republic is located at 15 Bridge Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
Providence Flea
Providence River Greenway
Sunday, May 12 from 10 am- 4 pm
We don’t know about you, but we’ve been anxiously awaiting the Flea’s return to Downtown Providence! Their outdoor markets are a springtime must. We always start off with an iced drink from Presto Strange-O Coffee Truck (we’d recommend the lavender lemonade or coffee milk latte) before strolling through the dozens of vendors. Antiques, handmade goods, jewelry, vintage clothes, plants, and more abound! After you have collected your loot, head back over to the food trucks for lunch or a sweet treat.
Check out the PVD Flea on Sundays this summer, across from 345 South Water Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
Follow Rhode Island Red Food Tours on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all of the fun happenings in Rhode Island this month (and every month!)
Newport Oyster Festival
Bowen’s Wharf
Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19 starting at 10 am Newport Oyster Festival is a three-day celebration of Rhode Island oysters and the people who love them. Did you know that Rhode Island is home to upwards of 45 oyster farms? Small state, lots of oysters! At the festival, taste your way around Rhode Island with oysters from 13 local oyster farms. Champagne and cocktails will be served on ice. Enjoy oysters and a chilled glass of champagne while enjoying the waterfront views. Advance tickets are $25/day and include six oysters and a beverage. Tickets are $15 at the door but do not include oysters or a beverage. Children 12 and under are free. Purchase your tickets here. Bowen’s Wharf is located at 13 Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island.
Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale
West Broadway
Saturday, May 18 from 8:30 am – 1 pm
Warm weather means yard sale season! The Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale in the West Broadway Neighborhood features anywhere between 40 to 60 individual yard sales teeming with treasures. Free maps are distributed on yard sale day and will be available on social media ahead of time. Plan your route, bring plenty of water and snacks, and get treasure hunting!
The Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale includes homes in Federal Hill and the West End of Providence, Rhode Island.
SCLT’s Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale
City Farm
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19 at 10 am
Not satisfied with the average plant or being just your “average plant lady”? SCLT’s Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale has hundreds of varieties of organically grown annuals and perennials to choose from. Browse fruit, vegetable, and herb seeds while local bands serenade you (and help the plants grow!) They will have hard-to-find perennials and experienced gardeners will be available to help you step up your plant game this spring.
City Farm/Southside Community Land Trust is located at 109 Somerset Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Fort Adams State Park
Saturday, May 18 from 12 pm – 5 pm
Food trucks and craft beer? That sounds like a good time! The Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is heading to Fort Adams State Park this spring. Food trucks will be driving in from all over New England, including some Lil Rhody favorites. Beer will be served from 11:30 am until 4:30 pm. More information is coming soon, so check their website over the next few weeks.
Tickets start at $5 and there are several packages available, including VIP packages for foodies and craft beer connoisseurs. Purchase tickets here.
Fort Adams State Park is located at 80 Fort Adams Drive in Newport, Rhode Island.
Grownass Prom
The Met
Saturday, May 18 from 8 pm – 1 am
Throw it back to your high school days at Grownass Prom. As the planners say, “none of the angst, all of the fun.” Bring your special someone, your girl gang, or go on your own for an epic adventure. Tickets to Grownass Prom start at $20 and are available here. Proceeds benefit Girls Rock! RI.
The Met is located at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Doughnuts and Beer with Knead and Proclamation
Knead Doughnuts
Tuesday, May 21 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Rhode Island Girls Pint Out is hosting a doughnut and beer pairing at Knead Doughnuts this month. Enjoy four beer and doughnut pairings with your girlfriends for a fun night out. This is a 21+, women-only event. Tickets for Doughnuts and Beer with Knead and Proclamation are $20 and can be purchased here.
This event is located at Knead Doughnut’s Elmgrove shop, located at 135 Elmgrove Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island.
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Shoes and Their Secrets
Newport Historical Society
Thursday, May 23 from 6 pm – 7 pm
18th-century fashion scholar, Dr. Kimberly Alexander is leading the Shoes and Their Secrets lecture at the Newport Historical Society. “Often small, and disarmingly pretty, silk shoes made during the 18th century are often last-minute additions to a curatorial vignette or quickly cataloged in a data entry project. And yet, the stories captured by shoes are often our only connection to a woman whose life has been largely lost in the historical record, or to an unknown but highly skilled cordwainer who supplied shoes for his community. Shoes reveal important aspects of burgeoning 18th century American identity –self-fashioning, consumption, politics, and agency.”
Dr. Alexander’s lecture is sure to be an eye-opening experience. Space is limited, so be sure RSVP here.
The Newport Historical Society is located at 82 Touro Street in Newport, Rhode Island.
Gaspee Days Festival
Narragansett Parkway
Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27
Gaspee Days is a free, family-friendly festival every May. Signature events include Symphony in Pawtuxet Park, fireworks, a Blessing of the Fleet, 5K Foot Race, and the Gaspee Days Parade.
Rhode Island spring days are here, so get out and enjoy them! Gaspee Days’ events are a great way to get outside, soak in the sunshine, and make family memories. Find more information about Gaspee Days and its events here.
