“Sometimes you have to look at the shrub from a different angle to see the fruit.”
– Jenny Lee Fowler, Mom/educator/artist
Winnakee Nature Preserve Trail
The Hyde Park Healthy Trails Walkabout is a network of 11 walking and hiking trails in Hyde Park. After walking any five of the trails, participants can receive a free Hyde Park Trails patch. My daughter and I recently completed our first of these trails: the Winnakee Nature Preserve Trail.
Parking for this trail is very easy, because it’s right along Route 9, not up in the mountains somewhere; so you could tuck it into your schedule anytime for a spontaneous outing. I parked behind the defunct Pete’s Famous Café and Grill, located at 4204 Albany Post Road (Route 9) in Hyde Park; but another option is to park at the end of Terwilliger Road Extension. The trailhead behind Pete’s Famous is on the north end of the lot, marked with a lovely stone block and an information kiosk.
The Winnakee Trail is a short, easy 1.3-mile round-trip loop, and it’s free to the public. Two things to remember are that it’s very buggy, so I highly recommend wearing bug spray for this one, and to be aware of the poison ivy along the edges of the path. I hope that you give the Winnakee Trail a try, and let me know what you think!
For more information about the Winnakee Nature Preserve Trail and the Hyde Park Healthy Trails Walkabout, visit www.hydeparkny.us/recreation/trails.
FRIDAY, JULY 25
Hurd’s Family Farm in Modena hosts Christmas in July
There’s plenty of winter in my summer, what with my daughter’s refrains of Frozen’s “Let It Go.” So celebrating Christmas in July just adds to the mix, and Hurd’s Family Farm is ready! From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from July 25 to August 3, activities at Hurd’s include a new mystery game in the corn maze, jumping on the Big Apple Bounce air pillow, a new pedal-kart track with tunnels, a new giant slide, a cow train, farm animals and more. Additional activities include gem-mining, rubber duck derby races, pick-your-own veggies and paddleboats. Admission costs $7.50 per person, and kids under 3 get in free.
Hurd’s Family Farm is located at 2187 Route 32 in Modena. For more information, call (845) 883-7825 or visit www.hurdsfamilyfarm.com.
Avian puppet show at PS21 in Chatham
PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century is in the middle of nowhere. But it’s a lovely nowhere: right in an apple orchard, actually. The venue is a modern tentlike structure, and the programming includes some terrific performances for kids. And they’re free!
On Friday, July 25 from 1 to 2 p.m., PS21 presents The Sky is Falling and Other Tales from Our Bird-Brained Feathered Friends with Susannah White of Carapace Farm Puppetry. PS21 is located at 2980 Route 66 in Chatham. For more information, call (518) 392-6121 or visit www.ps21chatham.org.
Rondout Rep kids perform The Comedy of Errors at Water Street Market in New Paltz
“Every why hath a wherefore,” explains Dromio of Syracuse in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. So why should you and your crew go to Rondout Repertory Theatre Company’s performances of The Comedy of Errors? First of all, Shakespeare can be so engaging when watched in a live show. Your kids will love seeing youth actors perform; it’s presented by the Senior Youth Troupe. And it’s free!
From Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27 at 5 p.m., head over to the Water Street Market to watch some terrific talent deliver a great show. The Water Street Market is located at 10 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, visit https://rondoutrep.com.
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater performs at Kiersted House in Saugerties
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater is a local treasure that celebrates the environment, especially the Hudson River, with excellent performances that blend storytelling, music and puppetry. On Friday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m., see a free public performance of Arm-of-the-Sea in The Rejuvenary River Circus on the lawn of the Saugerties Historical Society’s Kiersted House, located at 119 Main Street in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-9529 or visit www.armofthesea.org.
SATURDAY, JULY 26
Kingston pancake breakfast benefit for NY Conservatory for the Arts
Get up early this weekend and give yourself the morning off from cooking, with the bonus of being entertained while you eat! On Saturday, July 26, head over to Applebee’s in Kingston any time between 8 and 10 a.m. for the New York Conservatory for the Arts’ pancake breakfast fundraiser. This 11-member ensemble with teens from Ulster, Dutchess and Greene Counties will dance and sing as you relax and enjoy your meal. Tickets cost $6 per person.
Applebee’s is located at 1171 Ulster Avenue in Kingston. For tickets or more information, call (914) 466-9263 or visit www.nyca.org.
Field Day Festival at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz
Bring your family for a good time at the second annual Field Day Festival, while giving support to foster families in need of baby and child gear. On Saturday, July 26, the Perseverance Organization has family fun activities organized from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. including field day games, magician and puppet shows, face-painting, arts and crafts and more. You can also buy a lunch ticket in advance for $10 with a value of $20, which will include a cup of Stewart’s Ice Cream, pineapple pops from Edible Arrangement, a bottle of water and two raffle tickets, with more to come.
The second annual Field Day Festival takes place at Hasbrouck Park, located along Hasbrouck Avenue and Mohonk Avenue in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 527-7726 or visit www.facebook.com/perseveranceact.
Join the family! 
