Here are four fun outdoor events for your family this week and weekend
On Saturday, July 27, stop by Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz to help support the launch of the new non-profit charity, Perseverance. Eighteen-year-old founder Sarah Lipari explains, “Perseverance focuses on building new relationships between community members. We do this through the exchange of dolls made by children for children in challenging situations along with donations of food, clothing, and supply of domestic goods.” The goal is to have children build community and to have a storage unit to check out items like cribs, car seats, bed sets, etc. The Saturday event takes place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a kickball and basketball tournament, field day games, Jim Perry Magic, face painting, live acoustic music, local food vendors, raffle prizes and a silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food or toiletry item as “admission” to this event, and all donations will go to Family of New Paltz. Hasbrouck Park is located on Mohonk Avenue in New Paltz. For more information or to volunteer, call 527-5672 or visit www.facebook.com/Perseveranceact.
Been a while since you rode out to Lake Awosting? Have some fun pumping your way up Cardiac Hill and join in on a group ride to this special beach. This Sunday, July 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., be a part of the family bike ride to Lake Awosting. Participants must pre-register and bring a bicycle, helmet, swimming gear, picnic lunch, appropriate footwear, and plenty of water for this challenging nine-mile ride. This program is recommended for physically fit children from eight to twelve years old accompanied by an adult. Parking for Lake Awosting is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information or to register, call 255-0752 or visit https://nysparks.com.
Perhaps you’re looking for wild adventure and want to ride a raft in the Rip Van Winkle’s Wacky Raft Race, or maybe you want to cheer on the rafters. Either way, your family will enjoy watching the creative raft designs. This Sunday, July 28 at 9 a.m., rafters will assemble at the Riverfront Park in Athens. The finish line is Dutchmen’s Landing in Catskill. Festivities include awards, food, vendors and live music. For information, call 518-943-7117.
This Thursday, July 25, head back over to Minnewaska State Park for a 1.5-mile hike with some terrific views followed by some geology and debris hut building. This event is recommended for children ages seven to eleven years accompanied by an adult, and pre-registration is required. Minnewaska State Park is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson.
For those of you who enjoy crafting, here are two special events going on this weekend
On Saturday, July 27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., stop in Fiberflame Studio to make your own grandma doll with Grian MacGegor. This program is open to children ages 5 and up accompanied by an adult: a grandparent, a teacher, etc. The cost is $40 for each parent/child team plus $20 for materials. I think this is a beautiful way to make memories all around. Fiberflame Studio is located at 1776 Route 212 in Saugerties. For more information or to register, call 679-6132 or visit www.fiberflamestudio.com.
Prefer paper crafts? You may be interested to hear this week’s information about Tanabata origami, “a hands-on celebration of Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival.” Next Tuesday, July 30 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. families are invited to enjoy some of the traditions associated with this annual Japanese summer festival, such as tanzaku, writing wishes on a colorful strip of paper and tying them to bamboo branches or creating a jumping frog. This event is free and open to the public. Marlboro Free Library is located at 1251 Route 9W in Marlboro. For information, call 236-7272, email contact@mhjca.org or visit www.mhjca.org.
Not one, but two singalongs this weekend!
“Hello to Uncle Gerry, so glad to see you!” If that line sounds familiar, you must be a Music Together graduate! Our family loved Music Together. This Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. you can take your fandom to the next level by meeting Uncle Gerry himself! This concert and singalong led by Uncle Gerry Dignan along with area Music Together teachers is intended for all ages and will last for about one hour. A $10 suggested donation per family supports Ulster County Office of the Aging’s Meals on Wheels program. The family music benefit concert takes place at the Rosendale Recreation Center located at 1055 Route 32 in Rosendale. For more information the event or upcoming classes, call 255-6415 or visit www.mhmusictogether.com. Looking for more? Then hop in your car to the community sing at Unison with recording artist Debbie Lan on Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. I love singing along with her smooth, mellow voice when I play her music on my CD player. Learn part-singing, harmonies, rounds, and more at this gathering where Lan will teach everything by ear, no need to read music for this. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children and students with a discount for members. Unison is located at 68 Mountain Rest Road in New Paltz. For tickets or more information, call 255-1559 or visit https://unisonarts.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno also packs chocolate in her overnight bag but does not always readily share it. She lives in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind HudsonValleyParents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
