Newport’s First Winter Carnival Program

As we celebrate the 110th Newport Winter Carnival, it’s fun to look back at how it all began. Newport’s very first Winter Carnival program — printed more than a century ago — set the tone for a tradition that has become one of the longest‑running winter festivals in the country.

The early carnivals featured parades, skating races, snowshoe competitions, and community gatherings that warmed the town even in the coldest weeks of winter. Many of the events listed in that first program still echo through today’s celebrations, reminding us how deeply Carnival spirit is woven into Newport’s identity.

This post kicks off a five‑day series highlighting pieces of Winter Carnival history. Tomorrow, we’ll explore another artifact from the early years that helped shape the festival we know and love.

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