RI Summertime Fun: Ballin' on a Budget

Bob Giusti

This week marks the official beginning of Summer, and with it, a plethora of activities such as festivals and vacation. Most of us hard working folks manage to get some time off in the summer (although paid vacations are becoming less available for many of us) and unless you are one of those folks that sets that time aside for home projects, you’re going to be looking to join in the sun and fun.

So, let's see what some of the highlights of the state that invented vacation has in store...

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Beaches

Yes, folks we are the Ocean State -- and there are so many nice beaches within a 50 minute drive. Seasonal parking passes are available for state residents for a mere $30, and will gain access to:

• Charlestown Breachway
• Roger Wheeler State Beach
• East Beach
• Salty Brine State Beach
• East Matunuck State Beach
• Scarborough North State Beach
• Misquamicut State Beach
• Scarborough South State Beach

Festivals

While the fabled Newport Folk Festival is internationally famous, the event usually is sold out by January. But fear not, there are other smaller events that while not as auspicious as Newport, offer the same vibe for free.

You’ve got the Warren “Folk’s” Festival on August 5th which features some of the area’s finest musicians with a solid lineup (including The Low Cards, The Quahogs, Haunt the House, and more). Dusk’s Revival Festival has a stellar lineup this year reflecting the best of the local music scene. The July 4 bash will have: Cherry Pit, Blackletter, Tall Teenagers, The Worried, Beta Motel, Adapter Adapter, Atlantic Thrills, Smith+Weeden, Lolita Black, and Geraldine (plus others) rocking two stages. Also of note is AS220’s fabulous Foo Fest on August 18th, The Providence Folk Festival on Aug. 26th and a very cool summer concert series at India Point Park.

State Parks

Little Rhody has an abundance of wonderful parks all over the area. Beavertail in Jamestown features an operational lighthouse. Blackstone River in Cumberland is part of the East Coast Greenway bike trail. Colt State Park in Bristol has a fishing pier that offers four handicap-accessible stations for fishing from a wheelchair. Fishermen's Memorial State Park in Point Judith offers oceanside camping and Lincoln Woods has wonderful cookout facilities and freshwater beaches.

Waterfire

Barnaby Evan’s beautiful vision has 8 more scheduled lightings for this season with the next one scheduled for June 30th.

Full Waterfire Schedule

Odds + Ends

Don't forget Roger Williams Park Zoo one of the oldest zoos in the country, located in Providence amid a beautiful, 40-acre park setting. Or maybe you can go ride the Crescent Park Carousel, located in Riverside, built in 1895 by Charles I.D. Looff, one of the earliest and foremost carousel designers. 


Again, these are just a few highlights available; but if you’re on a budget or restricted to travel this summer; there is no place like home.

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