Newport Folk Festival plans special event license for July 2025 at Fort Adams Park

The Newport City Council held a regular meeting on January 8, 2025, where a significant topic of discussion was the approval of a special event license for the Newport Festival Foundation, which organizes the Newport Folk Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place at Fort Adams State Park from July 25 to 27, 2025, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

During the meeting, Councilor Carlin raised concerns regarding traffic patterns and potential congestion during the festival. He emphasized the importance of addressing traffic issues that arose during previous events, particularly for residents in the southern end of the city, including Ocean Drive and Harrison Avenue. Carlin noted that last year, both he and former Councilor Marco Romley, along with community members, expressed worries about traffic management during the folk and jazz festivals.

Carlin highlighted the successful coordination between the Newport Country Club, the United States Golf Association, and local authorities, which helped mitigate traffic problems during a major event. He suggested that similar strategies, such as shuttling attendees from outside locations to Fort Adams, should be considered for the upcoming festival to ensure smooth traffic flow and enhance safety for residents.

The Newport Festival Foundation's representative, Jennifer Reaver, was present to address these concerns and engage with the council. The discussion underscored the council's commitment to balancing the needs of event organizers with the concerns of local residents regarding traffic and safety during large-scale events.

As the meeting concluded, the council's decision on the special event license will likely hinge on the foundation's ability to implement effective traffic management strategies, ensuring a successful festival experience for both attendees and the Newport community.