Teen Shorts program at Woodstock Film Festival
I thoroughly enjoyed the screening of Teen Shorts at last year’s Woodstock Film Festival (WFF), and I can’t wait to catch this year’s screening. This WFF lineup counts ten youth films ranging from Kayleigh A. Myers’ one-minute film Lok to Jack Warren’s 15-minute work Train. I experience the youth films as wonderful energy bursts; I’m never sure what will come next. I also enjoy the discussion session with the panel of youth directors at the end. Look for my impressions of these talented filmmakers’ works in the next Kids’ Almanac.
The Woodstock Film Festival takes place from October 2 through 6, and the Youth Films showing is scheduled for Friday, October 4 at 5 p.m. at the Bearsville Theater. Tickets cost $5. I suggest buying tickets in advance online, and bring your teens!
The Bearsville Theater is located at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock. For tickets, to volunteer or for more information, call (845) 679-4265 or visit ulsterpub.staging.wpenginefilmfestival.com.
Guess what I learned at Barton Orchards last week: The Empire apple was created in New York State; hence the name. Do you know which two apples were crossed to make it? MacIntosh and Red Delicious.
Now that fall has officially arrived, apple-picking is just one of many choices available to families this weekend. I’ve got a sweet lineup of festivals and activities for you to check out:
Kite Festival & Puppet Show in New Paltz
First off, the Delight of Flight Kite Festival and Puppet Show event that I mentioned in the last Kids’ Almanac column was rescheduled last-minute for Sunday, September 29 at 2 p.m. at Brook Farm, located at 60 Gatehouse Road in New Paltz. Suggested donations for the Kite Festival are $5 for adults, $2 for children; and for the Puppet Show, $10 for adults, $3 for children. For more information, call (845) 255-1052 or visit https://brookfarmproject.wordpress.com.
Borden Day in Wallkill
Remember the slogan, “If it’s Borden’s, it’s got to be good”? Gail Borden invented condensed milk in the 1850s. His family’s legacy continued when they moved to Wallkill after the Civil War and helped to establish modern amenities in the town, from phones in the late 1800s and early 1900s to their first automobile in 1908.
Learn more about this influential family and their lasting impact on the town at Borden Day, this Saturday, September 28 beginning at 9 a.m. Take a tour of the Borden Farm and property, see exhibits and more. For a complete schedule and pricing information, call (845) 895-3986 or (845) 895-3953 or visit https://wallkillhistory.com.
Rondout Valley Growers’ Association Barn Dance & Barbecue
Zucchini 500 race or vegetable bowling, anyone? Make time to stop by the Rondout Valley Growers’ Association (RVGA)’s tenth anniversary celebration this Saturday, September 28 from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Epworth Center. See antique and modern tractors and farm equipment, live music, butter-churning, pumpkin-painting, broommaking; cooking demonstrations, farm animals, food and more. The barbecue begins at 5 p.m., followed by the barn dance.
Advance tickets cost $5 for kids and $25 for adults; $10 and $30 respectively at the door. Tickets are available locally at Rondout Valley farmstands, the High Falls Food Co-op, wine store and Bywater Bistro, or online at www.rondoutvalleygrowers.org. For tickets, to volunteer or for more information, call (845) 626-1532 or visit the website.
Cidermaking at Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville
Enjoy the free fall fun at the Frost Valley YMCA Farm this Sunday, September 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. Make apple cider, pick vegetables, go on a hayride and more. Frost Valley is located at 2875 Denning Road in Claryville. For more information, call (845) 985-2291 or visit www.frostvalley.org.
Elting Library Fair in New Paltz
Perhaps you attend library fairs for the great book deals. But your kids will love all of the extras that were organized just for them at the Elting Library Fair on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fuzzy Lollipop music-loving kids will enjoy dancing along with “Don’t Touch the Lava” during the band’s 11 a.m. performance. For a fee, kids from 2 to 12 years will also enjoy the cargo climb, bouncing bumpers and slide on the Kidz on the Go soft play system. Face-painting, pumpkin decorating and designing book jackets for favorite books round out the activities.
The fair takes place behind the Elting Memorial Library, at the corner of North Front and Church Streets in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-5030 or visit www.eltinglibrary.org.
Some additional highlights:
Family Fun & Fitness Fest, Saturday, September 28, Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, https://www.ymcadeo.org
Unity Jam: all-ages interactive music experience, Saturday, September 28 at 3 p.m., Marbletown Multi-Arts in Stone Ridge, www.cometomama.org
Erica Chase-Salerno is still delighting in the story about Empire apples. 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! 
