“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
– Leo Tolstoy
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
Signs of Spring Walk at Mohonk Preserve
You know that it’s officially spring around here when naturalist Ann Guenther hosts her “Signs of Spring Walk” at the Mohonk Preserve’s Spring Farm. This Saturday, March 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., join Ann in search of new green shoots, a bug, sap dripping from a maple and other examples of the transition from winter. This program is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome on this leisurely, approximately 2.5-mile stroll.
The Spring Farm Trailhead is located off Mountain Rest Road on Upper 27 Knolls Road, just over the mountain from New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://mohonkpreserve.org.
Stringendo youth concert at the Bardavon
This weekend’s Stringendo youth concert features a mix of wonderful orchestral and fiddle music and is a must for any string players or other musically inclined members of your family. The performance takes place on Saturday, March 21 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Bardavon Opera House, located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for seniors, students and children age 12 and under. For tickets or more information, call (845) 339-6088 or visit www.stringendoweb.org.
Maple Sugar Open House at Frost Valley in Claryville
I think that everyone should go to Frost Valley because it’s such a great place, and this weekend’s Maple Sugar Open House event is the perfect incentive to head there. On Saturday, and Sunday, March 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., see how maple syrup is made from tap to table by visiting a real sap house, identifying a maple tree, seeing an evaporator and trying a sample of fresh maple syrup. Advance registration is not required unless you plan to stay overnight.
Frost Valley is located at 2000 Frost Valley Road in Claryville. For more information, call (845) 985-2291 or visit https://frostvalley.org.
Puppet People perform Wizard of Oz at Kingston Library
This Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Kingston Library, your family can enjoy a full marionette production of The Wizard of Oz by the Puppet People. After the show, children are invited to see the marionettes up close! This performance is free and open to the public of school-aged children.
Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org.
Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition at Vassar
The Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition is an excellent way to hear young talent before they go pro. The first round of the String Competition takes place on Saturday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the semifinal round happens on Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and the finals on Sunday, March 22. The competition takes place in Skinner Hall at Vassar College and is free and open to the public.
Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 473-2072 or visit www.bardavon.org.
Eel count at Black Creek Preserve in Esopus
Eel monitoring doesn’t just happen; it requires a large team of vigilant volunteers to count and measure. On Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Black Creek Preserve, learn how to catch, count, weight and release these small creatures so that you can contribute your regular findings to the Backyard Science. This event is free and open to the public.
The Black Creek Preserve is located on Winding Brook Road in Esopus. For more information, call (845) 473-4440 or visit www.scenichudson.org.
Twin Counties Science Fair at Columbia/Greene Community College in Hudson
It’s Science Fair season, and this weekend, you can check out a free one that’s open to the public. On Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Columbia/Greene Community College hosts the Twin Counties Science Fair. The event is located in the gymnasium.
Columbia/Greene Community College is located at 4400 Route 23 in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 828-4181 or visit www.sunycgcc.edu.
Join the family! 
