July
Enjoy music by the water in Rhode Island.
There is nothing quite more anticipated than a New England summer, complete with iconic live music on the coast. Newport, Rhode Island, is home to two of the most famous music festivals, and while the land tickets tend to sell out, often within minutes, the best seats in the house are by the water.
The Newport Folk Festival (July 25-27) and Newport Jazz Festival (August 1-3) have been gracing the summer music scene in Newport for 66 and 71 years, respectively. Held at historic Fort Adams, upward of 10,000 festival-goers will attend for each three-day music event.
Be it by boat, float, kayak, or dinghy, the best way to beat the crowds on land is to grab a spot on the water and join the unofficially named “Float Fest”—an alternative for those who could not get tickets or simply love to take in an iconic summer afternoon on the water. Plan ahead and set your anchor early as the choice spots fill up quickly. Also, be sure to practice safe boating as the waters here tend to be busy. newportfolk.org; newportjazz.org
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Save the Sound Kayaking Fundraiser
Long Island Sound boaters are lucky to have several great organizations working hard to protect the lands and waters throughout the entire Long Island Sound region. One of these is Save the Sound, which uses everything in its toolbox from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands-on volunteer efforts to achieve its vision of protecting the entirety of the Long Island Sound region for people and wildlife for generations to come.
Paddle for the Sound, July 12-21, is your opportunity to make the most of beautiful weather while enjoying time on the water and raising money to support Save the Sound’s efforts. Every summer for 10 days, people all around Connecticut and coastal New York have been breaking out their kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards and building pledges from friends and family to support Save the Sound’s work. To participate or learn more, visit savethesound.org/paddle.
-by Tom Schlichter