Check out the Rhinecliff Waterfront Festival
Some friends raved about last year’s Rhinecliff Waterfront Festival, and it sounds like a lot of good old-fashioned fun for all ages. This weekend’s eighth annual Rhinecliff Waterfront Festival includes the traditional roundup of bouncy house and face-painting, but also a pie-eating contest and water balloons for the kids, plus live music by UGUYS. Craft and food vendors round out the mix, and you’ve got a lovely afternoon on the river.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rhinecliff Landing, located at Dutchess Terrace in Rhinecliff. For more information, visit https://business.rhinebeckchamber.com.
Kids’ Cabaret at Half Moon Theatre in Poughkeepsie
Clear your calendars for this Saturday afternoon, June 14, at the kid-friendly event times of 1 and 4 p.m., for Kids’ Cabaret. These talented kids hail from Half Moon Theatre, as well as other parts of the region, and will perform Broadway tunes, standards, pop songs and original material. Tickets cost $12 per person, and are free for children age 5 and under who sit in a lap. Seating is limited to 75, so online ticket purchase is suggested, available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/701887.
Young people in third through 12th grades who are interested in participating in a future Kids’ Cabaret are encouraged to e-mail the school at school@halfmoontheatre.org with their name and parents’ names, contact information, grade level and a description of the solo, duet, trio et cetera that has been rehearsed and is ready to perform, as well as whether or not any piano accompaniment is needed.
Half Moon Theatre is located at 2515 South Road (Route 9) in Poughkeepsie, behind Red Robin, and very close to the excellent Hoopla self-serve yogurt, which I mentioned in the April 24 Kids’ Almanac: www.ulsterpub.wpengine.com/2014/04/24/kids-almanac-april-24-may-1. For more information about Kids’ Cabaret or other youth offerings at Half Moon Theatre, call (845) 418-6468 or visit https://halfmoontheatre.org.
Nutty for Nature at Morgan Lake in Poughkeepsie
In honor of National Get Outdoors Day, Morgan Lake invites families to attend Nutty for Nature, an hour-long gathering for children from pre-kindergarten to second grade, including storytime, songs and games. Nutty for Nature takes place on Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Participants should bring chairs or blankets for seating.
Morgan Lake is located at 17 Creek Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 418-0016 or visit www.facebook.com/morganlakepoughkeepsie.
SUNDAY, JUNE 15
Children’s Day at New Windsor Cantonment
On Sunday, June 15 from 1 to 4 p.m., you’ll know that it’s Children’s Day at the New Windsor Cantonment. Your children will know it as a place of fun and history that’s also close to home. Activities include the Two by Two Petting Zoo; Mr. Bayly, an 18th-century magician; games like blind man’s bluff, field hockey and a children’s military drill with wooden muskets; and a host of memorabilia and displays to look at and explore.
Concerned that your kids aren’t getting enough of the meaning behind Memorial Day or Independence Day? This is one way to help them connect with that part of American history. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it.
The New Windsor Cantonment is located at 374 Temple Hill Road in New Windsor. For more information, call (845) 561-1765, extension 22, or visit https://nysparks.com.
Family Fishing Day at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall
Fathers’ Day and fishing: It doesn’t get more straightforward than that! Looking for a chance to take on this traditional pastime as a family? Got early risers ages 5 and older whom you’re looking to take out of the house? Then pack up your fishing rods and make a plan to participate in “Let’s Go Fishing: Family Fishing Day” at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum.
On Sunday, June 15from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., learn safety and casting techniques while fishing in Goose Pond at the Outdoor Discovery Center. Prepaid registration is required, and prices are $7 for adults, $5 for children and $2 less for museum members.
The Outdoor Discovery Center is located on Muser Drive, across from 174 Angola Road in Cornwall. For registration or more information, call (845) 534-5506 or visit https://hhnaturemuseum.org.
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Circus Goes Green at the Bardavon
How charming is this? Local school kids perform circus tricks such as juggling, clowning, balancing and acrobatics, using recycled materials as props, and they perform it for the community. That’s what Circus Goes Green is all about! If you need inspiration about trying something new, moving your body, finding creative ways to reuse recyclables or just a chance to show young people you care by showing up to watch, then I hope that you check out Circus Goes Green on Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m. and support the real connections that happen through this preparation and performance every year.
Seats cost $6 and may be purchased at the box office or online through TicketMaster. The Bardavon is located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 473-2072 or visit www.bardavon.org.
Kids’ Almanac Writes
Kids’ Almanac thanks Stefan Bolz for supplying writing prompts during the month of June. Stefan, author of the fable The Three Feathers and his newest novel, the sci/fi YA thriller The Fourth Sage (available the end of June), likes to hang out with his backyard chickens: he in the hammock writing and the chickens roaming the yard.
Here is his prompt for the week. Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Prompt: “If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be and what would you do? Where would you want to go? Describe your adventure.”
Erica Chase-Salerno encourages every single reader to see the incredible movie Maleficent! She and her husband Mike live in New Paltz with their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
