The “Party on the Purple” series is returning to the Purple People Bridge this spring, with the first party on Wednesday, April 4, at 6 p.m.

The free summer party series, which includes live music, food trucks, and drinks, has been expanded to 18 weeks in 2018. Last year, Party on the Purple’s inaugural season, had 12 parties.

Party on the Purple will be on Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. from April 4 to August 1, with different live bands taking the stage in the middle of the bridge. The parties also include food trucks, soft drinks, and beer, wine, and spirits. Partygoers once again will be able to purchase Party on the Purple’s signature cocktail, “The Purple Breeze”  made with Svedka Vodka.

“We are thrilled to work again with the Purple People Bridge Company, the City of Newport, and our sponsors for a full spring and summer of new parties on the bridge,” Marc Wertheim, President and CEO of ColdIron Enterprises Inc.

“Party on the Purple is back bigger and better than ever with new bands, a new stage, and new food trucks. We received great feedback from the community about last year’s Parties on the Purple and we are excited to continue the fun this year.”

The following is the band schedule for this year’s Party on the Purple: 

Date Featured Band Featured Food Trucks Time
Wednesday, June 26th The Everyday People Band Texas Joe & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday, July 3th Amy Sailor Band Sunny Side Brunch & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday, July 10th Final Order Poutine Machine & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday, July 17th Naked Karate Girls Carbonara's Grill & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday, July 24th Marsha Brady U Lucky Dawg & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday, July 31th Elementree Livity Project Pretzelfuls & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday, August 7th The SunBurners tbd & Donatos Pizza 6pm - 10:30pm

“The Party on the Purple is now the region’s signature Wednesday night event,” said Jack Moreland, President of Southbank Partners and Chair of the Purple People Bridge Company. “We are proud to once again bring together the community from both sides of the river to the Purple People Bridge to have a good time partying over the river and supporting the bridge in the process.”

iHeart Radio, Svedka Vodka, Charles Smith Wines, Braxton Beer, Rhinegeist Beer, and Yuengling Beer are all official sponsors of this year’s Party on the Purple. A portion of funds generated from food and drink sales during the weekly events go toward painting and maintaining the historic pedestrian bridge.

More details: purplepeoplebridge.com/partyonthepurple