Halloween Weather - "Anything But Scary" - According to National Weather Service

screenshot courtesy of National Weather Service - Newport / Morehead Office 

Support the Hootenanny - One of the special events that makes Newport GREAT!

To the Newport Business Community. Newport Rotarians will be out and about in the community over the next months canvassing for the support of our Hootenanny business and community sponsors. Co-Organizer Rick Smith with Newport Rotary advises the event will be bigger and better this year, with no expected COVID restrictions. Also, some new games are being rolled out and some other retired. 

For our sponsors, Sponsor levels and benefits remain unchanged from 2022. 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 need everyone in the Newport community to help us support and staff the event.  

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.    

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. 

Sponsor & Volunteer Thank-You Pig Pickin' on Saturday

Sponsors & Volunteers, Despite COVID-19, the NEWPORT HALLOWEEN HOOTENANNY was a rousing success. We safely assembled over 2,500 children and adults and kept the tradition alive! It was truly a community effort.  

To thank our volunteers and sponsors, we will have a free THANK-YOU PIG-PICKIN' in the Newport Town Park this Saturday 11/14/2020 at 5:00pm until. 

All Rotarians, Sponsors, Volunteers and Friends of the Hootenanny are invited. Bring a friend and let's celebrate a great community and the continuation of this  great community event!  Free. No RSVP is required. Come as you are.  

Newport Rotary 

Matt Shortway, President

Julia Saikali, President-Elect 

Rick Smith, Hootenanny Chair 

Bevin Wall, Hootenanny Sponsors Coord. 

2020 Newport Halloween Hootenanny is ON!

The Town of Newport has approved the 2020 Newport Halloween Hootenanny to occur on Halloween night at the Newport Town Park and Newport Little League Field. Newport Rotary announced the approval and their continued organizer role in their meeting on September 14, 2020, after completing meetings with Town of Newport officials, with input from Newport Police Department and Newport Fire Department. COVID-19 precautions such as social distancing, small groups and masks will be built-in to the design of this year's event. Large gathering areas, inflatables and carnival foods will not be available. Further instructions will be posted on this website as the event draws nearer.