BBQ, Balloons, and Much More this Weekend at the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival

Festival season in South County is in full swing.  With the Wickford Arts Festival just wrapping up, a lot of South County eyes are turned now to the 37th Annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival. Below is a press release from Bud Faria, the event organizer for the 4th Annual Rhode Island BBQ Championships.  Also, please read below to learn more about one of the hot air balloon vendors, CT Ballooning and owner, Jim Regan.   The 4th Annual Rhode Island BBQ Championships on Sunday, July 19, 2015 will provide a tasty finale to the 37th Annual South County … Continue reading BBQ, Balloons, and Much More this Weekend at the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival

The NK Blog Welcomes Wickford Art Festival Sponsor – Providence Coal Fired Pizza

In our continuing series on local restaurant options for the 53rd Annual Wickford Art Festival, The NK Blog welcomes major sponsor Providence Coal Fired Pizza.  With one successful location already established in Providence (385 Westminster St.), Providence Coal Fired Pizza now has a place in North Kingstown.  They are located at the north end of North Kingstown, right next to Kingstown Bowl. Bowling and Pizza, what a team.  In speaking with Judy Salvadore, Wickford Art Festival Director, she mentioned that Providence Coal Fired Pizza was a great local sponsor and to thank Michael Santos for “all your help and support.” … Continue reading The NK Blog Welcomes Wickford Art Festival Sponsor – Providence Coal Fired Pizza

After the Art Festival, Try a Specialty Dish

In our continuing series on the 53rd Annual Wickford Art Festival, the North Kingstown Blog reached out to a few local restaurants to find out what their specialty dish or drink was.  We also did some field work and sampled great local coffee, sandwiches, and drinks from our many great local establishments.  Whether you are from North Kingstown or enjoying our town for the Wickford Arts Festival, we hope you will support our local restaurants, coffee shops, and pizza parlors.  Here are a few of the responses from the restaurants themselves: Sonoma Bistro and WineBar 7366 Post Rd North Kingstown … Continue reading After the Art Festival, Try a Specialty Dish

Davisville Free Library – A Local Resource for Knowledge since 1917

For most of us, the search for knowledge has been sped up tremendously by the internet.  Facts and information are readily available through tablets, smart phones, computers and can be assessed with ease.  I caution everyone to check the source of the information online before deeming it to be valid, as just about anyone can publish just about anything online.  Prior to the internet (this is for my young readers and their friends – S, G, H, M, & M), knowledge was readily available at your local public library.  In these places of knowledge, you had to do a bit … Continue reading Davisville Free Library – A Local Resource for Knowledge since 1917

Canvasworks+ – It’s Not Just Canvas Bags Anymore

Admittedly, I use landmarks when I ask for or give directions in North Kingstown.  Sometimes, I use landmarks that no longer exist and then have to correct myself with the current landmark.  For example, I still refer to Rite Aid’s spot in Wickford as “Earnshaw’s Drugs” or Centreville Bank’s spot opposite Wilson Park as the “old Post Office.”  Without these landmarks, I am doomed to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors, which is quite frankly I get lost in a paper bag.  One such landmark in Wickford has remained since the 1970s, Canvasworks.  It is located on the left … Continue reading Canvasworks+ – It’s Not Just Canvas Bags Anymore

The North Kingstown Blog Snaps You a Picture of Cindy Wilson Photography

Upon returning from a trip to the Grand Canyon some years back, I was asked by a friend “what was it like and did you take any photos?”  I replied “absolutely breathtaking and no.”  I think selfishly I just wanted to remember the interesting rock shapes, the haunting echoes when I yelled out “Hello”, and the sheer natural beauty of the Grand Canyon and I didn’t feel that any photo I took could capture those emotions.  Also, there were the elements – wind, shadows, blinding sunlight – that were ever changing and tend to cause amateur photographers (like myself) fits. Now, … Continue reading The North Kingstown Blog Snaps You a Picture of Cindy Wilson Photography

The Merchant Map for the 53rd Annual Wickford Arts Festival

In our continuing series on the 53rd Annual Wickford Art Festival, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the numerous merchants and organizations who support this local event.  In working with festival director, Judy Salvadore, the NK Blog along with its parent company, The I.C.E. Agency, has created a merchants map.  In this map, you will see businesses who are located not only in Wickford and North Kingstown, but surrounding towns as well.  You can scroll through the map and point your mouse (or finger on your mobile device) on a “hotspot” to find out more about a business.  I … Continue reading The Merchant Map for the 53rd Annual Wickford Arts Festival

The 2nd Annual Jog for Julie 5K Was a Great Community Success

The 2nd Annual Jog for Julie 5K took place this past Saturday.  The event is in honor of the late Julie Swistak Maloney, local North Kingstown High School graduate, Jamestown native, mother, friend, wife, beloved community member.  Friends and family gathered at the North Kingstown High School Saturday morning around 8:30 am, where the race began with an impassioned speech by Julie’s husband and father of their 4 children, Sean.  Sean’s speech was warm and friendly, as has been his demeanor and personality for the roughly 30 years I’ve known him.  Sean mentioned Julie, his family, his children, his friends, and … Continue reading The 2nd Annual Jog for Julie 5K Was a Great Community Success

Free Summer Concerts in Wickford’s Updike Park

Just got this notice in from Barbara Cullen from Mystic Scrimshanders about a music series in Wickford.  More acts and dates to follow, but this week features the Ten Rod Ramblers.  They are playing Sunday, June 21st from 2-4 pm in Updike Park.  The concerts are free and usually located at Updike Park.  The Ten Rod Ramblers are a local folk music group that plays lively classics from current and classical folk and rock musicians.  You can learn more about the Ten Rod Ramblers on their website at http://www.tenrodramblers.com.  You will be treated to “A Folk Rockin’ Good Time.”   … Continue reading Free Summer Concerts in Wickford’s Updike Park

Interactive Map for 53rd Wickford Art Festival

In our continuing series of promotional articles for the 53rd Annual Wickford Art Festival, the North Kingstown Blog along with its parent company, the I.C.E. Agency, is proud to present an interactive map of the festival.  In this map, you can see the village of Wickford with landmarks such as popular retail stores, restaurants, and churches.  In addition, the map has yellow squares to designate where the artists will be stationed for the weekend festival which starts July 11th.  These squares are called “hotspots.”  If you move your mouse (or finger on a mobile device) over one of these “hotspots,” … Continue reading Interactive Map for 53rd Wickford Art Festival