Newport Winter Festival, Newport, Rhode Island

Robyn Says

01/11
Once again it is time to celebrate winter and all that comes with it ? the snow, the freezing rain, the frigid cold, the ice-lined sidewalks (which are especially dangerous to a klutz such as myself), the gray days, the horrendous bad-weather drivers, the... I should stop here... ? and what better way to do that than by eating and drinking yourself into a coma during the Newport Winter Festival?!? Below you'll find a sampling of what events I look forward to most during this glorious occasion:

Friday, February 18th

5 - 11pm All you can eat Fish n' Chips
The Rhino Bar & Grille
337 Thames Street
$9.95 w/button

8:30pm-12:30am Live Jazz!
Atlantic Beach Club
55 Purgatory Road, Middletown
Come warm up in our Lounge and enjoy Jazz, Food, and Drinks with a 15% discount w/button.
Admission to Jazz is free.

Saturday, February 19th

11am - 3:30pm The 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off presented by Samuel Adams Newport Harbor Hotel
Winter heats up as area restaurants and caterers compete to see who has the best chili in town! Bring your appetite, sharpen your taste buds, and join in the fun as you choose your favorite chili! Grand prize will be provided by Southwest Airlines with additional Prizes provided by Samuel Adams Brewery. Enjoy complimentary chips and salsa provided by Tito's Cantina, and Sam Adams specials.
$8/$6w/button.

12pm & 1pm Lighthouse Tour/Seal Watch Cruises
Departures from Bowen's Ferry Landing
Join Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation and Save The Bay aboard M/V Alletta Morris for a one hour cruise around the Rose Island Lighthouse to observe the seals. We provide binoculars and an expert guide. The boat is partially enclosed, but the bay can be chilly so dress warmly. All programs are weather dependant. Reservations are strongly recommended - contact Save The Bay's Exploration Center at (401) 324-6020.
$20/$18 w/button.

1-2:30pm Belgain Beer & Food Walk Around Tasting
Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen
41 Bowen's Wharf
Sample several Belgian Beers paired with appropriate bites. Reservations Required (401) 849-7778.
$35/$25 w/button

Pizza & Beer 4 Course Pairing
Gas Lamp Grille
206 Thames Street
4 of our specialty pizza's paired with four 8 oz. glasses of select craft beers. Menu to follow. Free commemorative glass with button. Space is limited reservations required.
$17 + tax & tip

5-6:30pm Rhodey Beer and Cheese Pairing
Newport Storm Brewery
293 JT Connell Rd. Newport
It's local. It's yummy. It goes great together! Narragansett Creamery Cheese and Newport Storm Beer! Newport Srom Beer and the Narragansett Creamery are teaming up to bring you the best of local flavor. Five locally brewed beers will be expertly paired with five locally made cheeses to show off the best Rhode Island artisian agriculture has to offer!
$10/$8 w/button

9pm BeatleMania
Newport Marriott
Relive the Revolution with members from "The Cast of Beatlemania." Key up the memories, drive the images and trigger the events of the Beatles Era in a live concert. These four seasoned musicians capture the spirit, look and sound of the Beatles in 29 renditions that take us back to "Yesterday", and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" to "Here Comes the Sun" and "Hey Jude." A smash on Broadway and thrilling sellout audience from Los Angeles to Boston, these performers bring the best-loved popular music of all time to Newport. Bring your dancing shoes! Beatle memorabilia silent auction. Purchase tickets thru the Festival Office 28 Pelham Street, the Gateway Center 23 America's Cup Ave., MWR ITT- Newport Navy Base, or Music Box 160 Thames St. A sellout performance every year! For info/tickets call (401)847-7666. Tickets sold at door based on availability.
$20/$17 w/button

Sunday, February 20th

Bloody Mary Sundays!
The Rhino Bar & Grille
337 Thames Street
Try our secret house recipe served all day. 1/2 price appetizers w/button.

12-4:30pm WINEterfest Wine Tasting & Outside Wine Bar
Newport Vineyards
909 East Main Road, Middletown
Chase away winter's chill and have a tasty thrill at Newport Vineyards. Check out the outside "Ice Wine" bar. Wine tasting, cheese, chocolate and spreadable edibles offered from local gourmet purveyors.
$20/$18 w/button

2pm Winter Fest Beach Polo presented by the Newport International Polo Series
Second Beach, Middletown
Spectators are encouraged to witness the fast-paced contest and cheer on the teams. It promises to be exciting to see polo in the winter.
Free

9pm Tropical Drink Contest
The Gas Lamp Grille
206 Thames Street
Come and compete for the best tropical drink or just enjoy sampling. Contestants will need to supply glassware and liquor.

Monday, February 21st

1 & 3pm Winery Tour & Wine Tasting
Newport Vineyards
909 E. Main Rd., Middletown
Learn the art of wine making with a tour of our vineyard, winery and barrel room and then select from a list of over 25 Newport Vineyards Wines to evaluate and enjoy.
$10/$8 w/button

Tuesday, February 22nd

6:30pm Samuel Adams Beer Dinner
Mooring Seafood Kitchen
Dinner at 7pm. Enjoy this annual event?a creative menu paired with traditional Sam Adams and unique specialty beers. A Boston Brewery representative will guide you through this intriguing Brew Masters Dinner.

HAHAHAHA NOT! Read my review of the beer dinner a few years ago:
http://www.newportscoop.com/events/sam-adams-beer-dinner-08.html

Wednesday, February 23rd

2-4pm 23rd Annual Nacho Tasting
Brick Alley Pub
140 Thames Street
Sample Award winning Nachos. A great place to be!
Free with button and purchase of a beverage

6-10:30pm Fajitas and Ritas!
The Rhino Bar & Grille
337 Thames Street
All you can eat Fajitas. Homemade Sangria & Margaritas.
$8.95 w/button

Thursday, February 24th

9pm Annual Best Hot Drink in Newport Contest
The Red Parrot
348 Thames Street
The competition heats up as judges determine the Best Hot Drink in Newport! Local restaurants and bars invited to compete for the Festival Plague.
Free admission

Friday, February 25th

8pm Winter Fest Comedy Show hosted by Joe Rocco of the Newport Summer Comedy Series and the Newport Winter Festival
Hotel Viking
One Bellevue Ave
Double Headliner Show! Featuring comedians Juston McKinney best seen on the Tonight Show & Comedy Central and Patty Ross best seen on HBO, Lifetime, and Comedy Central. Laugh away your winter blues! Be sure to reserve your tickets early! For more information call (401) 847-7666.
$27/$22 w/button VIP $50/$40 w/button

Saturday, February 26th

11am The 2nd Annual Winter Wonderful Dog Stroll
Dress your pet's in their winter outfits and take a stroll through Newport. Prizes awarded to Best Dressed Dog, Best Coordinated Canine/Human, Look a like Dog/person & Best Dog Winter Trick. Prizes presented by Wag Nation. Starting at Wag Nation, 92 Williams Street, ending downtown at the live Newport Winter Festival Snowman! Dogs and owners have the opportunity to take their pictures with the snowman, make sure to bring your camera!
Free to participate

12pm-1am "Wishes are Coming True at Jimmy's"
Jimmy's Saloon
37 Memorial Blvd
Live entertainment, contest raffles and lots of fun to help A Wish Come True, Inc. - a local non profit organization granting "Wishes" to children between the ages of 3 thru 18 who have a life-threatening illness. For 28 years they have been granting "WISHES" to children in Rhode Island and areas of Southeastern Massachusetts.
$7/$5 w/button

3pm Chocolate/Wine 4 Course Pairing
Gas Lamp Grille
206 Thames Street.
4 courses of fine chocolates paired with 4 varieties of select wines. Space is limited, reservations required.
$20/$19 w/button + tax & tip

7:30pm Rat Pack Tribute Performance
Hosted by Joe Rocco of the Newport Summer Comedy Series and the Newport Winter Festival. Live at the Hyatt Regency, Newport. Come enjoy an entertaining night out with a tribute performance to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Go back to the days of Style, Class, and Good Times. This is the show no one should miss!
For tickets/information call (401) 847-7666
Tickets are $30/$25 w/button VIP $50/$40 w/button

Sunday, February 27th

11am-2pm People's Credit Union's Festival Day at Easton's Beach
People's Credit Union invites you to a day of family fun at the beach! Carousel rides, (first one free w/button) Be a part of these great events...

11am Children's Block Hunt
Children enjoy an old-fashioned block hunt with prizes! Age categories: 2-4, 5-7 & 8-10
11am - 12:30 pm ALL HANDS Drumming
Interactive fun-filled performance for children and parents to beat, shake, rattle and roll with drums, shakers, tambourines, bells and blocks as Tony provides a variety of beats to play along with.
Sand Sculpture Contest
Fun for all ages. See who can build the most extraordinary structure. There are three Categories 1) Adult 2) Family 3) Children. Judging at 1:15pm. Prizes and trophies sponsored by People's Credit Union and The Newport Winter Festival. To pre-register your teams call 847-7666, or register the day of, at 10:30am.
12pm Polar Bear Plunge High noon plunge!
The daring are invited to join in a swim in the frosty Ocean.

For a listing of all events, activities and restaurant discounts visit http://www.newportevents.com/winterfest/