Morning Notes: Newport to hoist Pride Flag this evening, kicking off month of celebrations

Good Morning, Newport! Today is Monday, June 2, the 153rd day of 2025. There are 212 days left in the year.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 66 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50 degrees. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Newport will officially usher in Pride Month later today with its annual Pride Flag Ceremony, a vibrant community event set to begin at 5 pm. Hosted by the Newport Pride Center, the celebration invites community leaders, activists, and allies to participate in a symbolic raising of the Pride flag over the city.

The festivities will commence at Equality Park at 5 pm, where flag holders will gather before marching to Newport City Hall. Once at City Hall, attendees will be treated to a program featuring speeches and poetry from community members, along with a performance by Quorus, Newport’s Queer Chorus.

A significant moment of the ceremony will be the presentation of a proclamation by the Mayor of Newport, officially recognizing June as Pride Month in the City of Newport.

Following the flag-raising ceremony, which concludes around 6 pm, the celebration will continue with an after-party fundraiser at Firm MD, located at 130 Touro Street, from 6 pm to 7 pm.

The entire Pride Flag Ceremony is free and open to the public, offering an opportunity to unite in support and celebration.

Check out all that Newport Pride has planned this month, here.

Here’s what else you need to know

Professor Emeritus Richard Guy Wilson, noted architectural historian who is serving in his last year as director of the Victorian Society in America, visited the Belmont Chapel on Saturday. What’sUpNewp’s Jack Casey was on hand for the event and shares a photo gallery, recap, and some pretty exciting news.

On Saturday morning, June 7, Newport’s iconic Ocean Drive will close to cars and open to people – biking, walking, rolling, strolling, and enjoying the coastline car-free. It’s Elliot’s Ride for Everyone, Bike Newport’s annual open-road celebration of safe cycling and community fun!

Emmy-winning actor Sam Waterston is bringing Nick Carraway back to life in a special event celebrating the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” at Newport’s historic Rosecliff mansion on July 9.

📅 What’s Up Today

Next up on the cruise ship schedule is the Volendam on June 10.

Things To Do

10 am: Free self-guided tours at Eisenhower House
1 pm: Newport Open at Newport Country Club
3:30 pm: Seedling Swap at Middletown Public Library
5 pm: Pride Flag Ceremony at Newport City Hall

Live Music & Entertainment

Landing: Justin Pomfret at 12:30 pm, Mark Flynn at 4 pm, Blistering Ego at 8 pm
Newport Craft: Bingo at 6 pm
Newport Harbor Island Resort: Music Bingo at 6:30 pm
Newport Pickleball Club: The Newport Groove Merchants at 6:30 pm
One Pelham East: Bruce Jacques at 9 pm
Perro Salado: John Monllos at 5:30 pm
The Fastnet Pub: The Ubiquitones at 10 pm
The Firehouse Theater: NEE Jam at 7 pm

Newport County Public Meetings

Jamestown: Town Council at 7 pm, Board of Canvassers at 7 pm
Little Compton: Historic Preservation Advisory Committee at 5 pm
Middletown: Planning Board at 3 pm, Town Council at 5:30 pm
Newport: Planning Board at 6:30 pm
Portsmouth: Policy Subcommittee at 1 pm, Free Public Library at 7 pm
Tiverton: Historical Cemeteries Commission at 6 pm

Cruise Ship Schedule

Next up on the cruise ship schedule is Volendam on June 10.

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.