Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Folk and Jazz festival permits after city and foundation outline traffic plans
Summary
The City Council approved special-event licenses for the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz festivals after foundation representatives described ongoing multiagency planning on traffic, shuttles and water taxis.
The City Council voted to approve special-event licenses for the Newport Festival Foundation's Newport Folk Festival (Fort Adams State Park, July 25–27, 2025, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.) and Newport Jazz Festival (Fort Adams State Park, Aug. 1–3, 2025, 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m.).
Why it matters: Councilors raised concerns about traffic impacts to southern Newport neighborhoods and asked how the foundation plans to limit congestion and safety risks. Festival organizers described quarterly multi‑agency planning meetings and proposed shuttle, ferry and other measures under consideration.
Jennifer Reaver, speaking on behalf of the Newport Festival Foundation, said the foundation has convened multi‑department planning meetings that include city police, fire, state representatives and the foundation. “We definitely heard you last year. We have started to convene a multi departmental meeting ... and we'll continuing to do this, having quarterly planning meetings,” Reaver said. She said the foundation is exploring additional ferry routes and an ancillary parking-and-shuttle plan that would be activated if on-site parking fills.
Councilors pressed for a more concrete plan in advance of permit decisions in future years. Councilor David Carlin (first reference: Councilor David Carlin) said he will vote for this year's permits but asked that the council see an operational plan before future approvals. The council approved both permits by voice vote.
Ending: Both licenses were approved. The foundation and city said they will continue planning and coordination with the Newport Police Department, state agencies and other stakeholders to reduce traffic impacts during the festival weekends.
