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Great Escape: It's a Holiday Weekend!

Fall is in the air — at least it's supposed to be — and that means lots of fairs and festivals are on tap for the long weekend, along with some local entertainment.

Posted Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 4:06 pm ET|Updated Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 2:27 pm ET

Columbus Day is this coming Monday, Oct. 10, and this holiday weekend features lots of outdoor (and indoor) activities to enjoy over all three days.

Columbus Day Activities:

It’s not Columbus Day weekend in Rhode Island without a trip to the Scituate Art Festival. This year, the Art Festival celebrates 45 years and is scheduled to run Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Enjoy arts and crafts, antiques, food and entertainment. Cyndi Stanton (stained glass) and William MacGregor (watercolors), both of Johnston, are among the dozens of local artists who will be showing their wares. It all takes place at the Village Green, Route 116, in North Scituate. For more information visit: Art Festival .
Federal Hill in Providence is also holding its annual Columbus Day Weekend Festival this weekend, Oct. 8 through 10. There will be entertainment, lots of great Italian food and a parade to enjoy on Oct. 9 at noon. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s festivities on Federal Hill, visit: Columbus Day Festival.

Final Waterfire:

Oct. 8 is the last scheduled WaterFire of the season. Set to begin at approximately 6:20 p.m., or sunset, this weekend’s WaterFire is sponsored by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and will feature "Flames of Hope," along with a Scavenger Hunt presented by AT&T. For more information visit: WaterFire 2011 Schedule.

Local History:

If you're looking for a more low-key afternoon or to brush up on some of your local history, the Clemence-Irons House at 38 George Waterman Road will be hosting tours on Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are a Historic New England member or a Johnston resident, admission is free. Visit the Historic New England website for more information.

Bands In Bars:

Bar 101 has entertainment scheduled this weekend with live acoustics with Kevin Herchen on Oct. 7 and The Hype playing rock and Top-40 hits on Oct. 8. All shows begin at 8 p.m., or thereabouts.
SideWalk Sally is set to appear at Ball’s Sports Bar and Grille on Putnam Pike on Oct. 7, while RI Rocks takes the stage on Oct. 8. All live music is set to begin at 9:30 p.m.

Halloween Events:

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is scheduled to return to Roger Williams Park Zoo starting tonight. Don’t worry if you can’t make it for opening night — this display of thousands of glowing pumpkins will be at the Zoo nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. until Oct. 31, rain or shine. Adults, $12; seniors, $10; children 3-12, $9; under 3, free. Call (401) 785-3510, or visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo website for more information.
Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket has lots of festive fall things for families to enjoy this weekend and throughout the month of October. "Pumpkins in the Park" will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m., and the Haunted Tunnel at Daggett Farm, also in the Park, will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., including a special showing on Oct. 9. Dates and times could change, so call (401) 728-0500 x251 or x252, or visit the City of Pawtucket website or Fall Happenings for more information.