(via Newport Folk Festival)

Newport Folk Festival is spicing things up for 2025 with a new all-star softball game featuring festival artists. Set for July 24 at Cardines Field, the game will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This isn’t just about fun and games – the softball match aims to raise funds for Newport Festivals Foundation’s local free music lessons program. Tickets go on sale July 2 at 1 p.m. ET. They’re priced at $10 online, with a special rate of $5 available for local residents at the Faherty store on Thames Street.

The game will pit two teams of festival performers against each other: Team Morby and Team Goodman. Fans can expect concessions and merchandise to be available at the event.

Oxford Pennant, Faherty, and Mike’s Amazing are backing this fundraiser.

The sold-out Newport Folk Festival is scheduled for July 25-27 at Fort Adams State Park.

The Newport City Council gave the green light for this special event on January 22, 2025, approving both the license and sound variance.

Jay Sweet, Executive Director of Newport Festivals Foundation, submitted the application for the softball game. They expect around 3,000 people to attend.

According to the application, no alcohol will be served and no food trucks will be present. You might spot a small 10×20 tent for merchandise sales, though.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...