With over one million daffodils planted the past twelve years, Newport has become the self-proclaimed Daffiest City in New England. To celebrate the bounty now starting to bloom forth, the 6th Annual Newport Daffodil Days, April 13-21, encourages residents and visitors to the City by the Sea to “plant” themselves around town and go daffy, enjoying over twenty different events in nine days – most of which are FREE!
The Festival is off and running on Saturday morning, April 13 with The Newport Rhode Races marathon, half marathon and 5K through daffodil-lined streets. At 1pm, the cutting of the daffodil ribbon and the firing of muskets officially open the Festival at Bannisters and Bowen’s wharves in downtown Newport. From there, a Daffy Dressed Doggie Paw-rade marches to historic Queen Anne Square to continue the yappy, daffy time with an After Paw-ty on the dog-friendly patio at the Hotel Viking.
On Saturday, April 20, daffodil-decorated classic cars and Miss Daffodil will roll through the streets of Newport and along Ocean Drive, sponsored by the Audrain Automotive Museum. They’ll then all be on display, at a closed off Bellevue Avenue in front of the Audrain. A reception, car display and a Daffodil Garden Party with the RI Ballet Theatre follow.
For the first time, complimentary Trolley Tours of the daffodils take place on Sunday morning, April 14 and Easter Sunday afternoon, April 21 (however tickets are now sold out).
Other Festival highlights scheduled include:
· A Tour de Jonquilles Bike Ride
· All You Need is Love – and Daffodils Dance Party with the Island Moving Company
· A Private Garden Tour at Hillside
· A Daffodil Tour and lecture at the Green Animals Topiary Garden
· AND, the feature festival event, “Daffy Delirium” – a Spring Fling at the beautiful Chanler on Cliff Walk, will be held Monday, April 15 at 6pm. Tickets still remain, priced at only $35.
The complete schedule of activities can be found at NewportDaffyDays.com.
“Daffodillion, Newport’s non-profit, civic beautification campaign, planted its one millionth daffodil this past fall, thanks to all who donated to purchase and plant bulbs during the past years,” said Project Director John Hirschboeck. “Their hard work in the fall yields a bounty of beauty each April. The Festival is our celebration of spring, enticing winter weary tourists and local residents to emerge from hibernation and have a daffy good time.”
For more information on Daffodillion and The Newport Daffy Days Festival, visit www.Daffodillion.com and the
Festival’s official website at www.NewportDaffyDays.com.