NEWPORT — Newport’s Fall Foliage Festival is getting ready to kick off this weekend.
The Scarecrow Contest starts on Saturday with many businesses and organizations showing whimsical scarecrows throughout downtown as they compete for prizes. Individuals are also displaying their scarecrows along the Main Street fence.
In addition, an estimated 1000 international runners will be coming across the border and into Newport this weekend to raise funds for children’s programs in both the Quebec Province and in the Newport area, in the Relais Lac Memphremagog.
On Sunday, the Newport Rotary Duck Regatta takes place in Gardner Park, raising funds for local charities and civic needs.
Next weekend, from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Main Street will be filled with Chili Fest contestants and those wanting to sample some of the best chili north, and south of the border.
There will also be strolling musicians, courtesy of a donation from Community National Bank and RDI.
The Antique and Classic Car, Truck, Motorcycle, and Tractor Parade kicks off in Gardner Park at noon and winds its way down the Causeway and Main Street to the Newport Gateway Center where awards will be handed out in several categories.
Newport Parks and Recreation will be hosting the annual Downtown Photo Contest and Sidewalk Art Show on Main Street. The MAC Center is also hosting a Newport themed art show.
Cookie decorating for children will be held at Main Street’s Jocelyn and Cinta’s Bakery.
International crafters will fill the Hebard Building patio area with everything from stoneware and wooden crafts to natural products and arts of all kinds.
Le Belvedere Restaurant is hosting an outdoor Vermont Brews Beer Garden with bluegrass music lakeside from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Music continues from 3 to 5:30 as the classic hits band “The Hitmen” perform everyone’s rock favorites for a big party on the deck at the East Side Restaurant for the benefit of MSTF bike trails expansion.
There will also be a “human scarecrow” contest on the deck, with lots of prizes and fun.
