There’s a lot of excitement building for the Bellevue Avenue Sidewalk Sale, which kicks off tomorrow and lasts through the weekend. More than two dozen retailers, galleries and restaurants/eateries along Bellevue (including the Audrain Building) in addition to William Street and Bellevue Gardens businesses 
will be participating—keep an eye out for the balloons at the entrances welcoming you in. Look for familiar favorites offering great discounts (The Linen Shop, Talbots, Angela Moore, The Tennis Store, Michael Hayes, Wish, William Vareika Fine Arts and more) and new names as well (Mimi’s for Kids, Sara Campbell, Venetucci Home, Calvet Paris 1937)–and those are just a few. Running a little low on energy? Pop into Annie’s, Le Petit Gourmet, the Hotel Viking or It’s My Party for shopping sustenance.
Want to start the celebrating on Sidewalk Sale eve? Toast the arrival of J. McLaughlin’s sailboat to Newport Harbor by attending tonight’s Sip & Save at the Bellevue Avenue shop. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can sip cocktails, meet the boat’s skipper Ryan Finn and take advantage of some sweet markdowns. 15% of all proceeds will benefit Newport Hospital.
Also, this weekend is the annual Helly Hansen Warehouse Sale in Newport. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight, save up to 75% on footwear, foul weather gear, snowboarding jackets, snow sports gear, boating attire, base layer and H/H’s signature fleece for men, women and children. This year the sale moves to the Newport Yachting Center in the heart of downtown.
And if you’re a lucky ticket holder for the Wynton Marsalis concert Friday night, don’t forget the Newport Jazz 
Festival Opening Night Cocktail Party on the Horseshoe Piazza at the International Tennis Hall of Fame from 6:30pm – 7:45pm. Enjoy great music, food and drink before the big show. Tennis Hall of Fame Members: $40;
Non-Members: $50. Party includes open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Call (401) 324-4072 for tickets.
Wish consignment is a not be missed spot for shoe fiends- sidewalk sale or not. Hurricane Irene last weekend did not stop me on my quest which yielded nearly new Tod’s black driving loafers for $125. Not a suprise though, as I scored a pair of Tory Burch patent leather T-strap sandals (barely worn) for $110 on the store’s second day in business at the new location – that was back in April.