Newport holiday events attract large crowds despite traffic disruptions

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Newport Pell Bridge had been having backups due to the closure of the Washington Bridge but overall people are still coming out to events like Sparkling Lights at the Breakers Mansion.

“Crowds have been great,” Preservation Society of Newport County Communications Manager Bill Tavares. “We are right where we were last year. This is our fourth year doing it. We have data we can compare of how we can improve night to night, we have not seen a drop-off at all.”

The Rhode Island Hospitality Association said they reached out to their members with a survey and over 70% of businesses that responded said the emergency bridge closure has impacted their business.

The association added it is confident in the creative response from business owners to get through the traffic chaos.

“If any industry is going to be creative and resilient, it is going to be the hospitality industry,” COO of RIHA Heather Singleton said. “I think that those business owners have proven to be buckle down to make it through any business decline situation. I have confidence in them – they figure it out — that is just what we do.”

Singleton said the main issue has been the number of cancellations that have come through and with the holidays right around the corner and events and event vendors are being canceled, up to two weeks out.

“The timing of this is right before the holidays,” Singleton said. “I am worried about employees-they are getting to work but they are detoured. I am worried about the decline in business for the employees and the owners. Every single piece of the hospitality industry is being impacted.”

The association also shared that many businesses are still recovering from the pandemic so help and support is needed more than ever.