Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Look out for those Orange Sponsor Cards! Hootenanny is Here!


The orange cards are back! 

Newport Rotarians will be out and about in the community over the next month canvassing for the support of our Hootenanny business and community sponsors. Sponsor levels and benefits remain unchanged from 2020. Due to inflation affecting candy, prize and food costs, our volunteers will be requesting that sponsors consider a donation in the next highest giving category, if possible. The Hootenanny is one of the things that makes our community special and we want to keep it FREE for participants. We encourage everyone to contribute, if they can.    

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Hootenanny Volunteers are Out Canvassing for Support!


Newport Rotarians will be out and about in the community over the next month canvassing for the support of our Hootenanny business and community sponsors. Sponsor levels and benefits remain unchanged from 2020. Due to inflation affecting candy, prize and food costs, our volunteers will be requesting that sponsors consider a donation in the next highest giving category, if possible. The Hootenanny is one of the things that makes our community special and we want to keep it FREE for participants. We encourage everyone to contribute, if they can.    

2021 Newport Halloween Hootenanny Planning is Underway!

The Newport Halloween Hootenanny will be held Sunday, October 31, 2021 at the Newport Little League Field and Town Park from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. An update on the planning for the event was delivered to Newport Rotary, the Event Coordinator, by Hootenanny Chair Rick Smith and Sponsor Chair Bevin Wall, at the club's September 6, 2021 meeting. President Julia Saikali presided. 

Like last year, the event footprint is planned to be expanded, allowing for more room for socially distanced activities.   

New or returning activities include: 

  • free hot dogs & fixin's, cotton candy, sno-cones, soda, & water available inside the games area. 
  • petting zoo for small children 
  • over 20 carnival games
  • separate small children games area 
  • multiple bouncy houses  
  • hay ride through the park
For the first time, the event will have food truck vendors available for paid food & drink outside of the games area. This will expand the choice of food and beverage, and also provide food after the hot dogs invariably run out. With the exception of the food truck items, the event remains free to the public. The event is underwritten by Newport Rotary, The Town of Newport, scores of other local businesses and community organizations.   

As with all in-person events, the COVID-19 situation and event protocols will continue to be monitored right up until the day of the event. Last year, masks, sanitizer and social distancing were recommended and structurally built-in to the event. No COVID-19 cases were reported attributable to last year's event. Updates will be posted to this website.