Sakonnet Vineyard to Host Second Annual Harvest Festival October 3rd – 4th
Two-day event includes family-friendly activities, artisan market with Juice Bar and live music
Sakonnet Vineyard will host its second annual two-day Harvest Festival, a family-friendly and open to the public, the free event ill feature live music, wine tastings, food, vineyard tours, and kid-friendly seasonal outdoor activities, including games, face painting, pumpkin painting, balloon animals, and more.
Juicy Market PVD will be onsite both days with a curated market featuring locally-made goods and artisan vendors.
12:00 p.m.: Book signing and discussion in the barn featuring Jamie Coelho, editor in chief of Rhode Island Monthly magazine and author of Rhode Island Food Crawls: Touring the Neighborhoods One Bite & Libation at a Time, in partnership with Yellow House
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Live music from Stefan Couture
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Live music from Purple Honey
*Tasting room will be open regular hours, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 4th
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.* (all activities)
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Live music from The Difference featuring Isai Mojica & Justin Simmons
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Live music from Take it to the Bridge
*Tasting room will be open regular hours, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public; food and beverages available for purchase.
About Sakonnet Vineyard:
Founded in 1975, Sakonnet Vineyard is New England’s oldest vineyard and a pioneer of the Southeastern New England AVA. Set on 169 scenic acres in Little Compton, Rhode Island, with more than 20 acres under vine, Sakonnet produces award-winning wines shaped by the region’s coastal climate.
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URI Metcalf Institute’s fall lecture takes participants outside to experience the North Woods Field Guide with DWELL Lab
Immersive two-part walk and zine-making event on Oct. 14 wraps up
Metcalf’s 2026 Annual Public Lecture Series
The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute concludes its 2026 Annual Public Lecture Series on Wednesday, Oct. 14 with their Fall Lecture, straying from the lectern this year to bring participants on a walk through the North Woods, followed by a conversation and hands-on zine-making activity with DWELL Lab.
URI’s North Woods serves as a teaching forest and site for field research on the Kingston Campus as well as an important communal space. Ellie Lin, an illustration student at RISD who worked with DWELL Lab this summer through the Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) program, will lead participants through the Narragansett Story Walk, exploring the rich ecology and human history of the North Woods.
RISD artist Ellie Lin has created a field guide to the North Woods and will present it as part of an immersive walk and zine-making event at URI on Oct. 14.
Lin sees the event as an opportunity to “bring people together through storytelling, community, and local ecology.” Sketching, journaling, and reflecting is encouraged during the immersive walk and materials will be provided.
The event will continue at Toray Commons with a conversation, reception, and zine-making workshop.
In a conversation moderated by Metcalf Institute Executive Director Fara Warner, Lin will be joined by URI’s Madison Jones and Stephanie West-Puckett, with Bonnie Phillips ’88 of ecoRI News, to discuss the creation of the first edition of the “North Woods Field Guide.” The guide, which is part of the bigger North Woods Project, is funded by a Rita Allen Civic Science Media Grant. Expected to be released in print and digital forms this fall, it will contain a collection of scientific, creative, and journalistic writing and imagery that covers animals, vegetation, flowers, minerals, and other elements of the woods.
URI’s Madison Jones oversees the University’s DWELL Lab.
“I’m excited to walk with folks in the North Woods and discuss how queer genres, specifically zines and community-authored field guides, can make civic science communication more accessible and inclusive,” said West-Puckett, associate professor of professional and public writing, who’s leading the creation of the first North Woods Field Guide. Jones, associate professor of science communication and director of the DWELL Lab, shared that he looks forward to talking about outdoor education. “Field notes are an exciting way to connect as writers with our local environments and communities,” he said.
Bonnie Phillips ’88 of ecoRI News will be a part of the conversation and calls URI’s North Woods an incredible community asset.
The Rita Allen Civic Science Media Grant funds the project’s public-facing science communication work, which includes ecoRI News’ Phillips serving as the designated journalism collaborator. She has written about the North Woods and its many uses as an outdoor classroom for ecoRI. “The University of Rhode Island’s North Woods is an incredible asset, both to the school and the general public,” said Phillips. “The more people who get to experience this wonderful place, the better. I am looking forward to sharing ecoRI News’ coverage of the North Woods.”
After the discussion and audience question and answer session, attendees are invited to create zines documenting their experiences, an activity led by Lin. Materials from the Creative Reuse Center of Rhode Island will be provided. The small, handmade format of a zine can be personalized and changed over time, reflecting the multiplicity of stories told by the North Woods.
This event, as part of the URI Metcalf Institute’s 2026 Annual Public Lecture Series, is free and open to the public. The Fall Lecture takes place Wednesday, Oct. 14, and participants are welcome to sign up for either or both parts of the event. Meet in front of the Coastal Institute Building (1 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, R.I. 02881) at 4:30 p.m. for the hour-long interactive walk in the North Woods. The conversation, reception, and zine-making workshop takes place 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Toray Commons in URI’s Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering (2 East Alumni Avenue, Kingston, R.I. 02881). Register here.
This story was written by Abbie Lahmers in URI’s Metcalf Institute.
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25 Waterways to be Stocked with Trout
Get ready to drop a line during one of the fall’s fin-est pastimes! The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking brook and rainbow troutin selected areas throughout RI starting Friday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 8. The following areas will be stocked:
Alton Pond, Richmond
Barber Pond, South Kingstown
Blackstone River, Lincoln
Browning Mill Pond, Exeter
Carbuncle Pond, Coventry
Carolina Trout Pond, Richmond
Cronan Landing, Richmond
Eight Rod Farm Pond, Tiverton
Grantville to Rt. 95, Hopkinton
Hope Valley Fishing Area, Hopkinton
Kings Factory Bridge, Charlestown
Lower Shannock, Charlestown
Meadow Brook Pond, Richmond
Rt. 165 Check Station to Wyoming Dam, Exeter, Hopkinton
Onley Pond, Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
Round Top Ponds, Burrillville.
Shippee Sawmill Pond, Foster
Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown
Spring Grove Pond, Glocester
Stafford Pond, Tiverton
Upper Pawtuxet, (Hope), Scituate
Upper Melville (Thurston Gray Pond)
Willet Pond, East Providence
Woodville, Richmond, Hopkinton
Regular stocking updates will be available on DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) Facebook Page and www.dem.ri.gov/troutwaters. See freshwater fisheries updates and FAQs at www.dem.ri.gov/fishing.
Rules, regulations, size, and creel limits for freshwater fishing are available in the 2026-2027 Freshwater Fishing Abstract. A 2026 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older and a Trout Conservation Stamp is required to keep or possess trout. Trout stamps are not required for possessing trout taken from a lake or pond that shares a border with Rhode Island, those aged 15 or younger, any resident 65 years of age or older, any person with 100% disability, landowners or members of their families when fishing from property on which they are actually domiciled, any person possessing privately-owned trout caught in privately owned waters. Fishing licenses can be purchased online on DEM’s Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) portal.
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WaterFire Providence Partial Lighting Saturday, October 3, 2026 for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
WaterFire Providence shares details for a partial lighting on Saturday, October 3, made possible through the support of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. The lighting will begin shortly after sunset (6:23 PM), and the fires will burn until 10:00 PM. Vendor streets and onshore programming will start at 5:30 PM.
At 6:43 PM, WaterFire boats will travel from the Crawford Street Bridge, lighting the twelve braziers in Memorial Park and the 5 braziers on the abutments of the Michael S. Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge by 195 District Park.
The Illuminations of Life Torch Ceremony begins on the Crawford Street Bridge and ends in 195 District Park. The torch procession will feature 150 breast cancer survivors and their loved ones to honor those lost and still fighting. This emotional and powerful ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM.
“The Gloria Gemma Foundation has proudly partnered with WaterFire Providence on the Flames of Hope celebration for the past 20 years. Each year, we look forward to this event because it not only reflects the mission of Gloria Gemma but also embodies what WaterFire is about—creating a sense of community and bringing people together. That is truly what this entire weekend is all about,” says Bryan Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.
The WaterFire Marketplace will be on College Street; stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed jewelry, glassware, gifts, and apparel. WaterFire will also have additional information and merchandise stations on either side of the Michael S. Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge.
WaterFire Artist and Maker Vendors will be located on College Street from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Art Vendors include Pourever Creations, SepiaLepus Illustration, Joseph Mushipi, and Celeste Diaz Falzone. Food Vendors include Sarcastic Sweets, Newport Chowder, and Good Vibes Beverages.
Beginning at 5:30 PM, Music By Mel, a Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter, will perform on the College Street Acoustic Stage.
The Starry, Starry Night installation will be at Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge, inviting guests to add their light to the evening by wishing on a star or dedicating a luminaria candle lantern.
The iconic WaterFire Phone Booth can be found in Memorial Park. Guests are encouraged to enter the booth to leave a message for WaterFire’s future.
For the latest information, visit waterfire.org and follow WaterFire Providence on social media @waterfireprov.
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Join the annual celebration of local farms, food, and markets with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) during RI Grown Week! From October 5 to 11, farms and retailers across the state will come together to offer tastings, workshops, seasonal specials, and events that highlight the incredible work of RI’s farmers and food producers.
“By signing the second annual RI Grown Week Proclamation, I encourage all Rhode Islanders to join the celebration of our state’s local farms and food,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This week and all year long, it’s important to highlight the value of the local farmers and food businesses that nourish our state.”
“For the second year in a row, RI Grown Week will bring communities across our state together to celebrate the people, farms, and local food businesses that make Rhode Island’s agricultural community so vibrant,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Our farmers work every day to provide locally grown food statewide, steward our land, and strengthen our local food system. When we support local farms and choose RI Grown products, we’re not only investing in our neighbors and communities but also celebrating the people who grow our food and helping build a stronger, more resilient and sustainable food system and economy for Rhode Island.”
Events will occur throughout RI Grown Week, including the weekly farmers markets at Goddard Memorial State Park on Friday, October 9 and Fishermen’s Memorial State Park on Sunday, October 11. As part of the week, participating farms, retailers, and markets will feature locally grown menu items and deals. Among them are Blackbird Farm in Smithfield, Butterfly Farm in Lincoln, Chaos Farm in Lincoln, Growing Hope Farm in South Kingstown, Little Compton Flowers, Lucayda Farm in Cranston, Lucky Clover Farm in North Scituate, Ocean State Juice, Riverside Christmas Tree Farm in Charlestown, Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, Urban Greens Food Co-op in Providence, Pippin Orchards in Cranston, My Tail’s Wagging in Richmond, and Water Way Lavender Farm in Barrington. See the full list of events and participants at www.dem.ri.gov/ri-grown-week.
Throughout the week, DEM will be highlighting the many farms, markets, and food businesses committed to growing RI Grown flowers, veggies, fruit, shellfish, meat, and more. Farms, markets, and retailers are encouraged to sign up to participate – showcase your RI Grown products, connect with customers, and receive a toolkit to help promote your business during the week. Simply fill out the free participation form, spread the word, and we’ll do the rest!
Local is closer than you think – follow RI Grown on Facebook, on Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to find locally caught, grown, and made foods from RI farmers, fishers, and food producers.
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RI Litter Free Campaign has Small Grants for Cleanups/Beautification Projects
The program is accepting applications for microgrants of up to $500 each to qualified applicants who host volunteer cleanups and/or beautification projects, which will be completed no later than December 11, 2026. Applications will be accepted by DEM through October 30, 2026, and can be found here. Applicants do not need to apply for the full $500, and there is no match requirement.
Awards will be made based on the event and its scope (number of participants, scale of the suggested project or cleanup, etc.). Awards will be given out on a rolling basis and are issued through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
Funds from this microgrant may be used for equipment (work gloves, trash bags, and trash pickers), marketing (t-shirts, posters, signage, etc.), food and/or water for volunteers, and debris removal (dumpster and hauling fees, etc.). Schools, community groups, and municipal government divisions such as departments of public works, parks, and recreation may apply, but all applicants must provide proof of their nonprofit status.
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This weekend, Bank of America is sponsoring several free family friendly activities throughout the state and SouthCoast.
Saturday, Oct 3 (rescheduled from last week) – Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium – WHALES!
Thanks to Bank of America, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public for Free Family Fun Day one Saturday each month. No need to register, all programs are offered free of charge.
All Day: Craft Table
10:00am-3:00pm: Whale Feeding Station – Explore how whales feed in this hands-on activity. Try your hand at feeding like a whale!
10:00am: Nature Story
11:00am & 2:30pm: Touch Tank
12:00-2:00pm: Whale Investigation – Learn about whale characteristics, adaptations, and behavior as you explore a life-sized whale model!
Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct 4.- Museums on Us
Free admission with a BofA debit or credit card.
RISD Museum – The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums (sponsored by BofA) closes Oct. 4.
The exhibition brings together two extraordinary albums of nearly 200-year-old Japanese woodblock prints for the first time in decades, offering a visually rich look at Japan’s art and literary culture in the 1800s. The intricate surimono prints combine poetry and imagery with rich colors, raised designs and metallic pigments, making them especially compelling to see on camera.
There’s also a fascinating Rhode Island connection: in 1863, American geologist Raphael Pumpelly received the albums as a farewell gift from Japanese friends while in Japan. The albums were later passed down through his family, with one eventually coming to the RISD Museum in the 1950s and the other remaining in Japan. The exhibition, sponsored by Bank of America, reunites the two sets of prints and explores the stories behind how they were created, commissioned and shared.
Newport Art Museum – Angel Otero: The Ocean Forgot Your Garden
The Ocean Forgot Your Garden considers passage not only through geography, but through cycles of remembrance. Like water reshaping all that moves through it, Otero’s paintings gather personal and collective memory, allowing images to dissolve and return in unexpected ways.
Providence Children’s Museum – This week, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and getting inspired by one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Frida Kahlo. Learn about Frida Kahlo and create your own works of art in Maker Studio.
New Bedford Whaling Museum – SAILOR’S VALENTINES: Maritime Art from the Heart
Shellwork mosaics, known as sailor’s valentines, consist of colorful shells in intricate arrangements housed in octagonal wooden boxes. Created primarily between 1830 and 1890, their designs incorporate hearts, flowers, and nautical symbols like anchors and compass roses. Sometimes they carry romantic messages written out in tiny shells.
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