Spring is here and flowers are blooming: Newport's Daffodil Days set to return
With nearly one and a half million daffy buds now bursting forth in dazzling displays, Newport in Bloom’s 13th Annual Daffodil Dayswill be celebrating their arrival throughout April 2024.
This year, the fun kicks off at Bannister’s Wharf at noon on Saturday, April 6 with an explosion of musket fire and a garland of daffodils cut by the newly crowned Ms. Daffodil, Kelli Armstrong, president of Salve Regina University, joined by Newport’s Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong.
After Opening Ceremonies, merriment and music continue as the annual “Daffy Doggy Paw-rade” trots off to Queen Anne Square for the judging of the daffiest dressed dogs (and their humans).
The following Saturday, April 13, the Newport Rhode Races – a running series with a full marathon, half marathon, and 5K – depart Easton’s Beach, where thousands of daffodils will wave as runners pass by.
Last fall, 38,000 daffodil bulbs were planted at Miantonomi Park, which will be the largest field in Newport. In celebration of their arrival to Newport’s North End, “Daffy Fun” in the park will take place on Sunday, April 14, featuring a “daffy color dust-up,” pie-eating smackdown, storytelling, music, food and more.
On Saturday, April 20, bicyclists will “petal on” to view Newport’s fields of daffodils, including a private garden with over 20,000 blooms to welcome yellow-clad arrivals. They’ll be eager to dismount at McAuley Hall on Salve Regina’s Cliff Walk campus for the first “I Scream” daffy social, compliments of the University.
On Sunday morning, April 21, the Audrain Automotive Museum’s annual “Driving Miss Daffodil” parade of over 50 daffy-decorated cars and drivers meet up at Easton’s Beach and escort Miss Daffodil for a cruise through Newport, arriving at Sachuest Beach for front row parking at Audrain’s popular Cars & Coffee. Register here or call (401) 856-4420.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Newport Daffodil Days return with Daffy Fun in Miantonomi Park
