With nearly 1.5 million daffy buds now bursting forth in dazzling displays, Newport in Bloom’s 13th Annual Daffodil Days will celebrate their arrival throughout April 2024.
This year, the fun kicks off at Bannister’s Wharf at noon on Saturday, April 6, with an explosion of musket fire and a garland of daffodils cut by the newly crowned Ms. Daffodil, Dr. Kelli Armstrong, President of Salve Regina University, joined by Newport’s Mayor, Xay Khamsyvoravong.
After the Opening Ceremonies, merriment, and music continue as the annual “Daffy Doggy Paw-rade” trots off to Queen Anne Square to judge the daffiest-dressed dogs (and their humans), according to organizers.
On Saturday, April 13, the Newport Rhode Races — a running series with a full marathon, half marathon, and 5K — depart Easton’s Beach, where thousands of daffodils will wave as runners pass by.
Last fall, organizers say that 38,000 daffodil bulbs were planted at Miantonomi Park, which will be the largest field in Newport. In celebration of their arrival to Newport’s north end, “Daffy Fun” in the park will take place on Sunday, April 14. It will feature a “daffy color dust-up,” a pie-eating smackdown, storytelling, music, food, and more.
On Saturday, April 20, bicyclists will “petal on” to view Newport’s fields of daffodils, including a private garden with over 20,000 blooms to welcome yellow-clad arrivals. They’ll be eager to dismount at McAuley Hall on Salve Regina’s Cliff Walk campus for the first “I Scream” daffy social, compliments of the University.
On Sunday morning, April 21, the Audrain Automotive Museum’s annual “Driving Miss Daffodil” parade of over fifty daffy-decorated cars and drivers meet up at Easton’s Beach and escort Miss Daffodil for a cruise through Newport, arriving at Sachuest Beach for front row parking at Audrain’s popular Cars & Coffee. Register here or call (401) 856-4420.
Organizers encourage everyone to head to the Daffodil Days calendar at NewportinBloom.org for the latest updates.
According to organizers, all donations during April help purchase daffodil bulbs for the annual free bulb giveaway on October 19.
