SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Irish band MacCana plays to help Children’s Home
Infuse your Valentine weekend with some Irish flair by attending a Valentine’s Day concert with the Irish band MacCana this Saturday, February 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Miller Middle School. Tickets cost $20, and proceeds benefit the Children’s Home of Kingston, an organization that provides an educational and therapeutic community environment for boys between 8 and 21 years of age.
Miller Middle School is located at 65 Fording Place Road in Lake Katrine. For tickets or more information about the concert or the Children’s Home of Kingston, call (845) 331-1448 or visit https://childrenshomeofkingston.org.
Washington’s Birthday encampment at New Windsor Cantonment
Presidents’ Day means a long weekend for you with some fun, local and family-friendly, president-worthy events! On Saturday, February 14 and Monday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site celebrates Washington’s Birthday with a winter encampment of Continental Army reenactment soldiers, including musket and cannon firings at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., blacksmithing, medical demonstrations and more. Children can “enlist” in the Continental Army and use wooden muskets.
The Cantonment is located at 374 Temple Hill Road in New Windsor. For more information, call (845) 561-1765 or visit https://nysparks.com.
Washington’s Birthday weekend at Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh
Remember to stop by the Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site for the three-day celebration of George Washington’s Birthday all weekend long this Saturday through Monday, February 14 to 16 from 12 noon to 4 p.m.! Sing “Happy Birthday” to George Washington himself (played by a reenactor) and eat a piece of his birthday cake; kids can make a take-home craft; reenactors play the roles of soldiers and more.
Washington’s Headquarters are located at 84 Liberty Street in Newburgh. For more information, call (845) 562-1195 or visit https://nysparks.com.
Tannersville Ice Sculpture Festival
“Now that’s ice,” said an awed Kristoff when he laid eyes on Elsa’s amazing ice palace, and I, when I saw the cool ice sculptures at the Mohonk Mountain House ice skating pavilion last week. Now it’s your turn! On Saturday, February 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring your chisel or chainsaw to Main Street in Tannersville for the fourth annual Tannersville Ice Sculpture Festival. Blocks of ice are sponsored by area businesses and placed throughout the village, as well as available for purchase.
Register between 9:30 and 10 a.m. at Maggie’s Krooked Café, located on Main Street, and awards are presented at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call (518) 858-9094 or (518) 589-5850, extension 1, e-mail tannersvillevillageclerk@gmail.com or visit www.greatnortherncatskills.com.
Newburgh Free Library hosts Fancy Nancy party
Ooh là là, it’s Fancy Nancy time at the Newburgh Free Library! On Saturday, February 14 from 2 to 3 p.m., dress in your Valentine’s best, hear special stories, make elegant crafts and enjoy delightful desserts.
The Newburgh Free Library is located at 124 Grand Street in Newburgh. Make a day of it by combining your visit with a stop at Washington’s Headquarters, and finish with a chocolate fix at Commodore Chocolatier at 482 Broadway in Newburgh.
Robinsons’ wildlife show at Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Naturalists Bill and Brian Robinson will enthrall your family at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck this Saturday, February 14 at 11 a.m. Get a close look at live animals as you learn about the importance of birds and reptiles in nature. 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, FEBRUARY 15
Hudson Valley Reptile Expo at Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Excited about the reptiles from Saturday’s animal show at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck? Ready for the next step? Well, you’re just in time for the Hudson Valley Reptile Expo, which takes place at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center on Sunday, February 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for children 7 to 12 years and is free for children under 7.
Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 616-5838 or visit www.herpnerds.com.
Snow fun with Wild Earth’s Wilderness Club in New Paltz
If your idea of spending time outside this winter is limited to shoveling the walk, then check out Wild Earth’s family-friendly Wilderness Club for some actual snow fun. On Sunday, February 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, meet up at the Park and Ride on North Chestnut Street in New Paltz across from Stewart’s. The suggested donation is $15, and all levels of experience are welcome.
For more information, contact dustin@wildearth.org.
Ice fishing derby at White Lake
If you prefer your nature to be less about tracking and more about drilling holes in ice, then come out for King of the Ice. On Sunday, February 15 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids can win youth ice fishing trophies and adults win cash prizes for the following categories: trout, pickerel, perch, crappie and walleye.
King of the Ice takes place on White Lake, located at 1596 Route 17B. For more information, visit https://sullivancountyconservationclub.org.
Volunteer at Thomas Cole National Historic Site’s Open House
Take the first step of volunteering at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site by attending this weekend’s Open House. On Sunday, February 15 at 12:30 p.m., learn more about becoming a house or trail guide with behind-the-scenes tours, followed by a lecture by artist Thomas Nozkowski, all free with preregistration.
The Thomas Cole site is located at 218 Spring Street in Catskill. For more information or to register, call (518) 943-7465 or visit www.thomascole.org.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Presidential autographs on view at FDR Library
I am pleased to know that my salsa and lemonade preferences have helped make a difference right here in our community! The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum have released an online virtual tour of the permanent exhibits, which was funded by the Newman’s Own Foundation, and can be accessed at www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu, or call (845) 486-7745.
The FDR site is located at 4079 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park, and if you decide to visit in person, the Presidential autographs are on special display for Presidents’ Day.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Winter break day camps
Looking for winter camps for the kids during break?
OMI International Arts Center, February 17 through 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ages 4 ½ to 12 years. Tuition costs $180, or $320 for two. OMI is located at 1405 County Route 22 in Ghent; (518) 392-4747, www.artomi.org.
Wild Earth, February 17 through 19 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for ages 7 to 11 years. Tuition costs $225. Camp will take place at Stone Mountain Farm at 475 River Road Extension in Tillson; (845) 256-9830, https://wildearth.org.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Newburgh’s Ritz Theater hosts Zip Zap Circus
A circus as a tool for social transformation, youth empowerment, team-building and community uplift? It must be the Zip Zap Circus! On Wednesday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m., the Zip Zap Circus arrives at the Ritz Theater.
Ritz Theater is located at 107 Broadway in Newburgh. For more information, call (845) 784-1109 or visit www.ritztheaternewburgh.org.
Cabin Fever Hike at Mud Creek in Ghent
On Wednesday, February 18, come on outside and join some other folks for a Cabin Fever Hike around Mud Creek. The Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center is located at 1024 Route 66 in Ghent. For more information or to register to attend, visit www.ccswcd.org or call (518) 828-4385, extension 5.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Women’s Archery Night at Kenco in Kingston
Channel your inner Katniss and register for Kenco’s Women’s Archery Night on Thursday, February 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. Participants will get a free ten-minute beginner lesson and learn about the equipment.
Kenco is located at 1000 Hurley Mountain Road in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 340-0552 or visit www.atkenco.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno says, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” 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! 
