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Be sure to get out and have a good time at one or more of these events! Count 'em - nine great activities to choose from.
Skim boarding
Charlestown is fortunate to be hosting the first event in this year's Northeast Skim Tour competition. This is the kind of event that will raise the image of Charlestown as a tourist and sports destination and it should be a great experience as a spectator sport.
Skim boarding is normally prohibited on town beaches because they are so crowded at many times. Skim board enthusiasts seek out vacant stretches of beach away from the town property to enjoy their sport. The Town Council made an exception for a limited part of the beach after hearing presentations by Jay Primiano and Mike Dowdell.
The competition will be held on an area of the beach away from the Town Beach owned by the town between the Town Beach parking lot and the Breachway State Beach parking lot so you may walk from either of them. Competitors will meet at 8 am (see poster image above). They will have a short meeting so the competition should be going by 8:30 am.
Anyone interested in competing must sign up in advance at the website. There is also a skim camp during the week following the competition, described on the website.
A paddle on Green Hill Pond
The Salt Ponds Coalition is sponsoring a kayak paddle tour of Green Hill Pond. Marine biologist Art Ganz will talk about the pond as you paddle around. Information here. Get there early for a 9 am launch time from the Ocean Ridge Civic Association parking lot (location and map on the information sheet).
Lower Wood River Paddle
If you prefer paddling on a river rather than a pond, the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association is hosting a 9 mile paddle on the Lower Wood River at the same time. Register online here.
Farmers' Markets
The opening day of the Land Trust-sponsored Charlestown Famers' Market is the previous day, Friday, June 22. On Saturday mornings we recommend visiting either the Richmond Farmers' Market or the Cross Mills Farmers Market.
Take a hike
Also, the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge on Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, over the line in South Kingston, is holding a morning walk to look for brightly colored warblers, finches and majestic birds of prey.
Gardens by the Sea
The Cross Mills Public Library is holding their major annual garden tour event from 10 am until 4 pm. The tour begins at the Library where you will receive a brochure and map to guide you through the private gardens. Tickets are available at the Library for $15 in advance, or $20 the day of the garden tour.
This is a self-paced tour so if you're willing to rush a little you should be able to catch this event after one of our morning recommendations.
Street Festival
The Downtown Merchants Association of Wakefield will be holding their 3rd annual Street Festival from 4 to 9 pm so you can head over there after attending several of the earlier events! In addition to sales and a chance to stroll the picturesque and historic Main Street there will be numerous performances. Details on their Facebook page.
Last but certainly not least, The Big Apple Circus starts it's multi-week run in Ninigret Park on Saturday with their opening show at 3:00 pm and their evening show at 7:00 pm. For tickets and times check here.
That's our list for Saturday, June 23. I suppose we have missed some other choices. If so, let us know. But be sure to check out a couple of these!
More details for all of the events mentioned above can also be found in our calendar.