Keeping You Up To Date with Charlestown News and Events
Amtrak’s August 6 “Pop-Up” Session Revealed More About Their Outreach Method Than Their Plan
The August 6 “pop-up” was not a presentation, but instead a table with pamphlets, a bulletin board for the public to place three stickers each on the topics they were most concerned about, and members of the Amtrak study team circulating for one on one conversations with the public. Most of what was at the “pop-up” is already available at the Capacity Planning Study website. But the conversations with the study team members were still enlightening.
Lost Hotels And Bridges Of Quonochontaug
When: Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Rd., next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
Who: Presentation by Joan Lawlor, Bill Steinman, and Steve Young, all from the Quonochontaug Historical Society
The presentation will be preceded by a short annual meeting.
Salt Ponds Coalition Annual Meeting
When: Monday, August 17, at 7 p.m.
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to the public
Guest Presentation: A talk titled “RI’s Great White Sharks… and What About the Seals?” presented by Jon Dodd, Executive Director of the Atlantic Shark Institute.
Washington County Fair 2026
When: August 12 to 16
Where: 78 Richmond Townhouse Road (Route 112), Richmond, RI
What: The Washington County Fair is Rhode Island’s largest agricultural event, plus country music, food, a carnival, and more.
Biocontrol Research Aimed At Control Of Black Swallow-Wort
When: Thursday, August 13 at 6 pm
Where: Cross Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Rd., Charlestown
Who: Lisa Tewksbury, Biological Control Lab Director, URI Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology
Join Lisa Tewksbury for a look at black swallow-wort, an aggressive invasive vine spreading through Rhode Island fields, forests, and gardens-and the biocontrol research underway to bring it under control.
Concert, Dinner, and Movie in Ninigret Park
When: Thursday, August 6 (dinner starts at 6 p.m., movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
What: Concert by The Chris Marra Band; movie Lilo and Stitch; and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music is Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat
New Haven to Providence Railroad Study “Pop-Up” Q&A Session In Ninigret Park
When: Thursday, August 6 at 6 p.m.
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
With less than 48 hours notice before the event, a notice went up on the Town of Charlestown’s web site and Facebook page that Amtrak would be conducting this pop-up event. No notice was sent by Amtrak to the many residents who have signed up to be notified via the study email list.
August 4 Referendum On School Site Passes 454 Yes to 404 No
Charlestown voters passed the referendum to allow the use of land in Charlestown for a new, unified elementary school for all students in Pre-K through Grade 5 from Hopkinton, Richmond, and Charlestown on the site of the current elementary school at 363 Carolina Back Road (Rt. 112).
Get A Mail Ballot Before August 19 For September 9 State Primary
If you think an out of town trip, or any other reason may stop you from voting in the September 9 Rhode Island Primary, consider ordering a mail ballot for that primary election. Plus, information on the Representative in General Assembly District 36 Democratic Primary in Charlestown.
Narragansett August Meeting / Pow Wow August 8 & 9
Where: Indian Church Rd. (off Rt. 2), Charlestown
Cost: Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for children, and $7 for seniors
When: Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9