NEWPORT — As part of this year’s Winter Festival, city organizers announced a new snow shoveling contest to be held at various locations around Newport that, despite repeated pleas from local officials, remain uncleared by residents.
The contest follows an extended cold snap that prevented the usual melt-off, forcing the city to re-implement parking bans weeks after the major snowfall. Officials said the event would combine “cold-weather fun” with “targeted snow removal” at sites including sidewalks, curb ramps, and select residential blocks.
According to organizers, competitors will advance through several rounds by clearing designated areas under timed conditions, with judges evaluating contestants on speed, thoroughness, and not dying of a heart attack.
Organizers stressed that the event is open to both tourists and locals, though expectations remain modest.
“There’s clearly a dearth of shoveling talent in Newport,” said Winter Festival director Herbert Sebastian Mastrantonio. “If there were any serious contenders, most of these locations wouldn’t still qualify as competition sites.”
As of press time, no Newport residents had registered to compete. Officials said they anticipate stronger interest from visitors coming to town for the festival. “Tourists are here to have fun,” one official said. “And they’ll shovel a sidewalk if they think they can win a free appetizer at the Red Parrot.”