Children’s Day Parade in Kingston honors Dr. Seuss
On Friday, July 11, see Dr. Seuss celebrated in a variety of ways at the 46th annual Children’s Day Parade in Kingston. The parade begins at 6 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Andrew Street, continues up Broadway to Albany Avenue, then turns onto Clinton Avenue and into Kingston Plaza. For more information, call (845) 481-7330.
Midsummer Night’s Dream in West Shokan
“Lord, what fools these mortals be!” says Puck, if you miss this weekend’s performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the youth of New Genesis Productions. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 through 13 at 5 p.m., you can watch talented youth from 7 to 12 years of age perform Shakespeare. This slightly abridged production takes place at the Little Globe Outdoor Stage and lasts approximately one-and-a-half hours: a terrific length for families curious to check out some Shakespeare.
This performance is open to the public, and admission is by donation. New Genesis Productions are located at 23 Vision Path in West Shokan. For more information, call (845) 657-5867 or visit www.newgenesisproductions.org or www.facebook.com/youththeatre23/info.
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Elizabeth Mitchell plays the Maverick in Woodstock
In my opinion, if you hear that Elizabeth Mitchell is performing anywhere near you, you just go. Her concerts are fun and engaging, and she helps the listener connect with our communal roots through music.
Lucky you: You can hear her perform at one of my favorite venues this weekend, Maverick Concerts. On Saturday, July 12 at 11 a.m., come hear Elizabeth Mitchell and Family as part of Maverick’s Young People’s Concerts series. Children are admitted free; accompanying adults pay $5.
Maverick Concerts are located at 120 Maverick Road. For more information, call (845) 679-8217 or visit https://maverickconcerts.org. To learn more about the performer, visit https://youaremyflower.org.
Aesop Bops at the Rosendale Theatre
The Rosendale Theatre put together a great family series this summer, and this weekend, you can see what I mean. On Saturday, July 12 at 11 a.m., David Gonzalez performs his one-man show Aesop Bops, which is his own creative reinterpretation of some of the classic fables. This show is open to the public, but intended for the elementary age range. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for children.
The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For tickets or more information, call (8450 658-8989 or visit https://rosendaletheatre.org or https://summerfunjuly.brownpapertickets.com. To learn more about the performer, visit www.davidgonzalez.com.
Festival of Magic at Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
The title of this one captured my attention immediately: Festival of Magic. On Saturday, July 12 at 11 a.m., the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck hosts a family magic show with a variety of magicians. Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors.
The Center is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://centerforperformingarts.org.
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Free child IDs at Poughkidsie
Combine business with pleasure by stopping by Poughkidsie on Sunday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free child identification cards including photo, digital fingerprints and other information. There is no charge for the cards and no purchase necessary. Regular fees apply for children who wish to play in the Village or craft in the Studio area.
And mark your calendars for Saturday, July 19th from 1 to 3 p.m. for infant/child CPR, first aid, choking and AED (automated external defibrillator) training. Bring your babysitters with you! The $35 class fee includes admission for all-day play for one child in Poughkidsie’s Village, with a discounted rate of $6 for additional children. Bring a few extra bucks for the excellent bubble tea and Ella’s Bellas treats to reward yourself for stepping up and finally taking this training.
For more information or to register, call (845) 243-3750 or visit https://poughkidsie.com.
Notes
Fireflies: The Hudson Valley is in the final days of the season of viewing abundant firefly displays. My daughter and I enjoyed a lightning bug walk with a couple of friends last week, and it got even more interesting when we tried to catch one. It’s harder than I remember! When I was finally able to embrace that magical glow for just a moment, I felt like the luckiest person in the world, as if I were chosen to be the bearer of this sacred light. Go catch a firefly with a kid, and tell me all about it.
Local Twinkies: Deising’s Bakery in Kingston makes all kinds of delicious treats, but did you know that it also sells its own version of Twinkies? They are excellent. I’m thrilled that Deising’s offers Bearsville Bakers’ gluten-free goodies, too.
Deising’s is located at 111 North Front Street in Kingston, https://www.deisings.com. To learn more about the gluten-free line of Bearsville Bakers, visit www.facebook.com/bearsville.bakers?fref=ts.
Kids’ Almanac Writes!
Kids’ Almanac thanks Nancy Graham for supplying writing prompts during the month of July. Nancy scribbles, doodles, playacts and lollygags with her teenage kids in and around Kingston. Here is her prompt for the week. Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Prompt: A place that intrigues you
“Think of a house or building that you pass often, but know nothing about. Why did that particular one spring to mind? Speculate. Who lives or works there? What does it look like inside? What is its history? What does it need? What makes it essential to the town?”
Erica Chase-Salerno catches fireflies in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind www.hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
