Free Comic Book Day this Saturday
As some of you Kids’ Almanac readers know, this Saturday, May 3 is Free Comic Book Day, which means that you can walk into any participating shop and score free comic books! We’ve got six stores to check out right here in the Hudson Valley: Middletown; Newburgh; New Paltz; Poughkeepsie; Salt Point; and Wappinger Falls. For more information on the specific locations, visit https://www.freecomicbookday.com.
Hudson Children’s Book Festival to feature 99 authors & illustrators
I’m hearing quite a bit of buzz about the sixth annual Hudson Children’s Book Festival, the largest New York State children’s book festival, boasting 99 authors and illustrators. Local young adult literature author Jennifer Castle (The Beginning of After and You Look Different in Real Life) is featured among the writers at this year’s gathering. “I adore this event because as an author, I always learn so much from talking to readers, and as a parent, I watch my kids create that extra level of connection with a book by meeting the person who created it and getting it signed,” she said. “The festival gathers readers, writers and illustrators (of all ages, not just the published ones!) together for a true celebration of storytelling and literacy.”
The Hudson Children’s Book Festival takes place on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hudson Junior/Senior High School, located at 215 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information, including a schedule of events and a map of where the authors and illustrators will be set up, visit https://www.hudsonchildrensbookfestival.com.
Peace vigil for Pete in Poughkeepsie
On Saturday, May 3, which would have been Pete Seeger’s 95th birthday, a peace vigil will take place in his memory at the intersection of Routes 9 and 9D in Poughkeepsie from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call (845) 453-2105 or email joeltyner@earthlink.net.
Celebrate Woodstock Day School’s 40th birthday
Happy Birthday to Woodstock Day School which is celebrating 40 years, and you are invited to join the fun! On Saturday, May 3 from noon to 3 p.m., stop by the WDS campus where there will be games, a bouncy house, food vendors, an art exhibit, pottery sale, live music and a book fair curated by the Golden Notebook. Woodstock Day School is located at 1430 Glasco Turnpike in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-3744 or visit https://ulsterpub.staging.wpenginedayschool.org.
Soundout at Bearsville on Saturday night
Enjoy an evening of song in celebration of Pete Seeger’s legacy on Saturday, May 3 at the WDS Soundout: The Music of Pete Seeger. Hosted by Happy Traum, performers include: Davind Amram; Tracy Bonham; Larry Campbell; Cindy Cashdollar; Peter Dougan; Elizabeth Mitchell and Dan Littleton; A.C. Newman; Adrien Reju; Josh Ritter; Jay Ungar and Molly Mason; Eric Weissberg; the WDS Advanced Ensemble and student chorus, as well as other guests. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the WDS ensemble performs at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Woodstock Day School and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Tickets are $50 Golden Circle; $40 reserved seating; and $25 general admission (standing). WDS Soundout takes place at the Bearsville Theater located at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock. For tickets or more information, call (845) 679-7600 or visit https://radiowoodstock.com.
Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Marlboro Library
Cinco de Mayo for children takes place on the tres de mayo this Saturday, May 3 at the Marlboro Free Library. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., youth and adults are invited to make pinatas and cascarones, confetti-filled egg shells; to learn some traditional Mexican dances; and watch dance performances. This Cinco de Mayo celebration is free and open to the public. Marlboro Free Library is located at 1251 Route 9W in Marlboro. For more information, call (845) 454-3222 or visit https://www.artsmidhudson.org.
May 4
Light on Lyme, a day of tick-related speakers & children’s activities, in Rosendale
What a terrific concept: an organization dedicated to fostering a connection with nature hosts a family-friendly event to educate and raise awareness about ticks and Lyme disease. Wild Earth Nature Programs presents Light on Lyme, a day of speakers and children’s activities intended to empower participants through family fun and information. Light on Lyme takes place on Sunday, May 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rosendale Recreation Center, located at 1055 Route 32 in Rosendale. Admission is $15 for one person, $25 for two people, and under 18 are free. Proceeds will benefit the Lyme Disease Association, Inc.’s LymeAid 4 Kids Grant and Wild Earth’s financial aid fund. For more information or to volunteer at this event, visit lightonlyme.org.
Jennifer Donnelly to read Deep Blue in Rhinebeck
What do you get when you create a story around six mermaids with mystical powers and a destiny to save their worlds? How about a story that’s accessible to both young and tween readers? Put it all together and you’ve got Jennifer Donnelly’s Deep Blue, the first novel in Disney’s young adult series, Waterfire Saga. Donnelly will be at Oblong Books & Music on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. as this month’s featured author for Oblong’s League of Extraordinary Readers. RSVPs are requested via Facebook or email to rsvp@oblongbooks.com. Oblong Books is located at 6422 Montgomery Street, Suite 6 in Rhinebeck. For information, call (845) 876-0500 or visit https://www.oblongbooks.com. To learn more about the author, visit https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com.
Help moms with cancer at Family Fun Day & Wellness Fair in LaGrange
Sparrow’s Nest is one of the best charitable organizations around: they deliver homemade meals to the families of moms with cancer right here in the Hudson Valley. They are currently feeding more than 20 families. Here’s one way to support the amazing work of Sparrow’s Nest while having a good time: attend this weekend’s Family Fun Day & Wellness Fair. This event takes place on Sunday, May 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Freedom Park in LaGrange. Activities include a firetruck tour, bounce house, deejay, games and more, including mini-massages and facials, Reiki and reflexology demonstrations, herbal vendors and more. Admission is $10 per carload. Freedom Park is located at 212 Skidmore Road in LaGrange. For more information or to make a donation, call (845) 592-2764 or visit https://www.sparrowsnestcharity.com.
World Fair Trade Day in Poughkeepsie this Sunday
If you are curious to learn more about how fair trade goods support economic justice, the environment and more, come out for World Fair Trade Day at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie on Sunday, May 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. Learn why some products are considered “fair trade” and others are not; learn how you can contribute to world peace, social and economic justice and a sustainable environment; sample fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate; enjoy ethically produced refreshments; shop for fair trade handicrafts from around the world; and check out movies, speakers and informational literature on the topic. Children are welcome at this family-friendly event, which includes special children’s activities.
Admission is free, and all are welcome. The UUFP is located at 67 South Randolph Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-7333 or visit https://www.dutchesscountyinterfaith.org.
May 5
Ulster County residents can get a free pass to the Mohonk Preserve
Ulster County residents can pick up a free month-long pass to Mohonk Preserve that’s good until June 9. Passes are available at the Visitors Center, located at 3197 Route 44/55 in Gardiner, from May 5 to May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at Spring Farm, located off Mountain Rest Road on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pass is good until June 9. For more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://www.mohonkpreserve.org.
NASA exhibit in Poughkeepsie
From May 5 through 29, the Adriance Memorial Library’s Mary Wojtecki Rotunda Gallery will host a NASA-funded exhibit titled Here. There. Everywhere. This educational exhibit on the cosmos sounds pretty special and is one of only 25 locations in the United States to display it. Topics include shadows, wind, flow of electric charge and more. You can channel your inner Neil deGrasse Tyson and visit this exhibit for free every day during regular library hours as well as attend the corresponding programming organized by the library. Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445 extension 3702 or visit https://poklib.org.
May 6
“Growing up Together” series in Rosendale
Here’s a wonderful way to approach, or continue, a conversation about changing bodies with your 8-to-11-year-old daughter: “Growing up Together.” This three-part series takes place weekly on Tuesdays on May 6, 13 and 20 at the Creative Co-Op located at 402 Main Street in Rosendale. Sessions run from 6 to 8 p.m. and include activities, games, snacks and discussions. The series is led by Amy Myslik, MA, LPN and Stacy Lipari, BA. The cost is a sliding scale from $60 to $100 for one adult and one child, and $30 to $50 for each additional child. For more information or to register, call (347) 724-0988 or (845) 527-5672.
May 8
Free Snapology class at Kingston Library
Kingston Library knows what you love. Ready? Lego…Robots…Star Wars…Put it all together, and some of you are walking out the door already! Register now for this free one-hour Snapology class on Thursday, May 8 from 4 to 5 p.m. to work on friendly challenges incorporating favorite themes. Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 331-0507 or visit https://www.kingstonlibrary.org.
May 10
Early Education Center hosts free professional screening in Highland
“Is this normal?” Every single parenting group I’ve ever participated in includes this question, whether it’s about walking, talking or other developmental milestones. If you’re wondering about your young child’s development in speech, learning, motor skills, behavior, social skills, or self-help skills, mark your calendar for Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and bring your 1-to-4-year-old child to the Early Education Center for a free professional screening. Early Education Center is located at 40 Park Lane in Highland. For more information, call (845) 883-5151 or visit https://earlyeducationcenter.net.
Erica Chase-Salerno loved the Walt Disney Bears movie! She lives in New Paltz with her husband and their two children: the inspirations behind www.HudsonValleyParents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
