Get Out: Memorial Day Mayhem

The symbolic start of the summer is finally upon us. Memorial Day festivites - barbeques, parades and fun with friends and family will mark the beginning of the beach-going season.

Patch found the most festive activities to help you celebrate this weekend:

Where/When: Horse Play, 143 Gilbert Stuart Rd, Saunderstown | Saturday, May 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why Go: Horse Play Equine Rescue & Sanctuary is having its annual open house. There will be raffle prizes, a silent auction and festivities for everyone including food, drink, a meet-n-greet with the horses, live music by Mixed Breed, vendors (handmade jewelry, herbal products, henna artist, horsey stuff, crafts, and more).

Demonstrations will include an Intro to Evolutionary Horsemanship, De-mystifying the Natural Horsemanship methods, Barefoot Trimming, Liberty Playing, Yoga for Horses, T’ai Chi for Riders (and non-riders too!) and others.Come visit and experience some Horse Play!

Pricing: Free.

Where/When: Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge on Moonstone Beach Road, South Kingstown, RI | Sunday, May 29 from 1 - 3 p.m.

Why Go: Memorial Day weekend is often the peak of the spring season. Bird migration is still under way with late arrivals just coming in. Meanwhile, other avian species have already set up housekeeping. Spring wildflowers are wrapping up their season of bloom but there is still the potential of seeing both beauty and surprises. With most of the trees in leaf and the birds hidden in the greenery, it's a good time to recognize some of our common birds by their songs.

Come join us for a two-hour walk on the trails of Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Bring binoculars if you have them. Please remember to dress for the weather and activity. Inclement weather may cancel walks - call ahead.

Pricing: Free.

Where/When: North Kingstown Town Hall, 80 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown | Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m.

Why Go: The commemoration of Memorial Day in North Kingstown will begin at 9 a.m., Monday May 30 with wreath laying ceremonies at the Civil War Memorial by the Town Hall and at the monuments at the adjacent Veterans Memorial Day Park.  The ceremonies will have times for prayers, the playing of “TAPS” and rifle team volleys.

Pricing: Free.

4. North Kingstown's Annual Memorial Day Parade:

Where/When: , West Main Road, Wickford | Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m.

Why Go: Parade marchers will start forming at 9am at Wilson Park and the parade will start at 10am.  The parade route will follow West Main Street (Route 1A South), Brown and Phillips streets through Wickford and then onto Tower Hill Road (Route 1 South) to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial on the grounds of for the concluding ceremonies, which are expected to begin at 11am.

Pricing: Free.

Where/When: , 1135 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown | Monday, May 30 beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Why Go: The North Kingstown First Baptist Church invites one and all to a free hot dog roast in the backyard under the trees, to honor our veterans and active military who keep us free. Everyone is invited for hot dogs, watermelon and cake after the parade on Monday, May 30. The picnic starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes ‘til the last dog is gone. We salute our brave Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. First Baptist Church (Allenton) is located 1/2 mile south of the cemetery, at 1135 Tower Hill Rd.  For more information, or to donate food items, call 294-4037.

Pricing: Free.

Where/When: , 9 Phillips St, North Kingstown | Monday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Why Go: Looking to get your feet wet and see if kayaking is for you? The Kayak Centre's half-day kayaking quick Start course is a great introduction to kayaking basics and essentials for a safe day on the water. They'll cover a variety of skills including boat entry and exit, basic paddling strokes, on-water safety and how to launch your kayak.

Quick start can be taken in any type of kayak (sit-on-top, mid-size, recreational, or full-size) and is a great way to try a boat out on the water with some instruction before making a kayak purchase. No experience is necessary, just an open mind and a smile! If you're looking to learn a bit more than can be covered in a half-day, we recommend our full-day Oceanplay 1 course.

Pricing: Free.