NEWPORT — Newport City Downtown Development will host the inaugural Forage Festival on May 18, a day packed with activities, local events, and community fun.
The festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with the Dandelion Run, hosted by Kingdom Games. Runners and walkers will enjoy the scenic routes through the area’s famous dandelion fields. Simultaneously, the Newport Farmers Market will kick off its opening weekend at Gardner Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 11 a.m., children’s author Melany Kahn will read her book “Mason Goes Mushrooming” at the Goodrich Memorial Library, delighting young readers and their families.
From noon to 4 p.m., the main Forage Fest will take place at the Municipal Building. Attendees can enjoy crafts, vendor booths, cooking demonstrations, and a “Dandelion Stroll” in the Municipal Parklet. Highlights of the afternoon include:
– **12:30 p.m.** – Melany Kahn on Mushroom Foraging
– **1:30 p.m.** – Jeff Koch on Beekeeping
– **2:30 p.m.** – Walter Collins on Ramp Propagation
– **3:30 p.m.** – Michelle Capron on Foraging for Tea and Cooking
Craft activities will feature watercolor painting with dandelions, collage making, and fairy crown weaving using natural materials. Face painting will also be available for children.
The day will conclude with live music at local restaurants starting at 6 p.m., providing a perfect end to a community-focused, fun-filled day.
