Between the Tides Festival in Saugerties
Have you seen the cool lighthouses displayed along the sidewalks in the Village of Saugerties? They’re decorated in a variety of styles, and whenever our family drives down Partition Street, our kids enjoy pointing out their favorite: the Angry Birds-themed lighthouse. We visited the actual Saugerties Lighthouse for the first time a few weeks ago. I’ll tell you, nothing teaches the concept of our own Hudson tidal estuary like a hike to the lighthouse. The path becomes impassable during high tide, so it’s important to check the tidal schedule before you head out. Or you could mark the Between the Tides Festival on your calendar and make an event of it.
On Sunday, August 18 from 2 to 7 p.m., the family fun includes live music by local bands, feasting and lighthouse tours. Admission costs $30 per person, $25 for seniors and advance sales and is free for children under 12 years; all proceeds benefit the continued preservation of the 1869 lighthouse. Your family will benefit too, by supporting this local landmark, and getting a chance to experience the amazing history and lore of lighthouses in person, right on the Hudson.
I suggest bringing water shoes for the kids to protect against the pointy water chestnuts, a change of clothes in case they get wet and a baggie to collect any treasures found in the wet sand or from the geocache there. And maybe some wipes: Our daughter offered eulogies and proper burials for each of the four dead, beached minnows that she found.
The walking path is one-half-mile long from the road to the lighthouse, and the parking area is located at 168 Lighthouse Drive in Saugerties. For advance tickets or more information, call (845) 247-0656 or visit www.saugertieslighthouse.com.
Gustafer Yellowgold returns to Woodstock
“Rock Melon/Rock, Rock Melon.” It’s a new video/song by musician and artist Morgan Taylor! His animated character, Gustafer Yellowgold, encounters the new alter ego of his friend Slim the Eel: Rock Melon. Rock Melon loves cantaloupes so much that he chucks melon balls everywhere. It’s like Gustafer’s Pancake Smackdown (which I highly recommend that you try with your kids), only he throws melon.
Taylor travels the globe with his terrific storytelling music accompanied by fun animated images, and this weekend he performs in Woodstock. Bring the kids to come out and sing this new Gustafer Yellowgold tune, as well as Gustafer’s popular favorites from previous releases. Taylor performs at Upstate Films on Saturday, August 17 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for youth under 16 years and members.
Upstate Films is located at 132 Tinker Street in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 697-6608 or visit www.upstatefilms.org. To learn more about the performer and for a sneak preview of Rock Melon, visit www.gustaferyellowgold.com.
J-Star of the Zinghoppers plays Mid-Hudson Library Auditorium in Poughkeepsie
In other musical news, have you heard that Conductor Jack of the Emmy Award-winning children’s group the Zinghoppers has changed his name to J-Star? No matter what you call him, kids from ages 2 to 8 years love his music! He’s bringing his guitar, ukulele and banjo to get the kids singing and dancing at the Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium this Thursday, August 15 at 10 a.m. This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
The Auditorium is located at 105 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445, extension 3320, or visit www.poklib.org. To learn more about the performer, visit www.zinghoppers.com.
Join the family! 
