“Extraordinary things happen when ordinary folk begin to imagine the unthinkable.”
– Stefan Bolz, The Three Feathers
Pride Parade
How many of you saw Gloria Darmanin and her rainbow-tutued Moms for Equality group in last week’s New Paltz Pride March? Darmanin declares, “I will do it every year until nobody is treated like a second-class citizen based on whom they love. Love is love is love!”
Be a part of the March in 2015. For more information, visit https://lgbtqcenter.org.
THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Mid-Hudson Marketplace
Shopping locally and getting acquainted with local businesses just got a whole lot easier, thanks to Melissa Surprise’s Mid-Hudson Marketplace on Thursday, June 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. outside at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum Pavilion. Surprise, of Surprise Photography, is mom to three boys between 3 and 8 years of age, and many of the businesses participating in the Marketplace are parents, too.
I asked Surprise how Mid-Hudson Marketplace came to be: “The idea came based on my bi-monthly meet-ups with the Unique Ladies of the Hudson Valley, where we highlight and showcase two homegrown businesses born here in the Hudson Valley. Through my photography business I have met so wonderful people doing some great things, and I wanted to share them with a new audience. After a year I thought, ‘Why not host one big Farmers’ Market event to bring together everything awesome about living in the Hudson Valley?’”
You can stop by and shop with the whole family: Children are welcome to attend. The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 616-1733 or visit https://surprisephotography.com.
Craft Supply Blowout
With summer vacation right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get craft-ready for the kids. If you want to score a sweet deal on craft supplies, head over to Upstate Upcycle’s Weeklong Craft Supply Blowout at the Art Riot. Supplies are pay-as-you-wish, or $10 suggested donation per bag.
The hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 5; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 6; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 7; and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. The Art Riot is located at 36 John Street in Kingston. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/upstateupcycle.
SATURDAY, JUNE 7
Path through History weekends
This year’s New York State Path through History weekends take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 to 8 and June 15 to 16, and some of our area historical sites offer special programming during this time. Examples include Mount Gulian’s Dinner and Conversation with George Washington and Alexander Hamilton in Beacon on Saturday, June 7; free admission to the West Point Museum; and free tours at the Van Wyck House in Fishkill. For more information about Path through History, visit www.paththroughhistoryweekends.com.
Eat, Play, Give at Ramapo for Children in Rhinebeck
Do you keep looking for outdoor excursions to do with the family? This weekend, you can go to the Ramapo Eat, Play, Give event at the 250-acre Rhinebeck campus, which has activities to appeal to every taste: boating, swimming, hiking, ropes courses, crafting, fishing and more, with all programming facilitated by Ramapo’s trained staff. Activities run all day Saturday, June 7 to Sunday morning, June 8. Tickets cost $60 per person, but Dutchess County residents get 50 percent off admission by using the code RHINE50 on the Eventbrite page. Children under 3 get in free.
Ramapo for Children is located on Route 52 in Rhinebeck. For more tickets or more information, call (845) 876-8403 or visit www.ramapoforchildren.org.
Rockin’ at the Rink at Poughkeepsie’s McCann Ice Arena
Missing the televised ice-skating performances from Sochi? Then head over to the Civic Center and watch a live show. On Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m., the McCann Ice Arena and Dutchess Figure Skating Club present Rockin’ at the Rink. Tickets cost $12 and are available at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center box office and Client Services. Children under 2 get in free.
The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 454-5800 or visit www.midhudsonciviccenter.org.
Join the family! 
