Wildflower walk at Siuslaw Model Forest in Cairo
At some point, I understood those pink, white, lavender and purple roadside and trailside blooms to be phlox. Then a friend said that they weren’t, but didn’t know the plant’s name. So it sounds like I need to attend an excursion like this Wonderful Wildflower Walk taking place this Saturday, June 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. The guided walk winds through the Siuslaw Model Forest, highlighting specific flower parts so as to identify them better on your own, as well as historic or current uses of these plants.
Preregistration is required by June 4. The cost is $5 per individual or $10 per family. The Siuslaw Model Forest is located in the town of Cairo, off Route 23. To register or for more information, call (518) 622-9820, extension 0, or visit https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/_210.
Thomas Bull Park in Montgomery hosts Children’s Earth & Water Festival
Here’s a big event pulling together some great names in entertainment, as well as active social justice elements: the eighth annual Children’s Earth and Water Festival. The lineup includes larger-than-life puppets with Arm-of-the-Sea Theatre; the compelling, engaging and delicious tales spun by Story Pirates, who act out stories shared by the audience; irresistible toe-tapping to Ghanaian music with Maxwell Kofi and Sankoa; and slithery serpents, with Snakeman’s Snake Show.
The Children’s Earth and Water Festival takes place at Thomas Bull Memorial Park, located at 94 Grove Street in Montgomery. For more information, visit https://waterauthority.orangecountygov.com/festival.html.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Pride March & Festival in New Paltz
Kids and families can march together in this Sunday’s Pride March & Festival. On Sunday, June 7, get your rainbow on and join the lineup at New Paltz Middle School on South Manheim Boulevard at 12 noon to prepare for the parade kickoff at 1 p.m. The parade ends at Hasbrouck Park, where the festivities continue until 4 p.m., including music, family activities, vendors and more. For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit https://lgbtqcenter.org.
Kingston Community Block Party at Gallo Park
Where can you bring your kids to a party celebrating our community’s diversity, including African Americans, American Indians, Eastern Europeans, Jewish Americans, Hispanics and Latinos and Americans of Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Ukrainian origin or ancestry? At the T. R. Gallo Park, for the third annual Kingston Community Block Party!
On Sunday, June 7, from 1 to 5 p.m., bring some lawn chairs and your kids and check out the fabulous entertainment, such as Sahana Natesan’s Indian dance or Spirit of Thunderheart’s Native American drumming. In the event of rain, the festival takes place at the Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center, located on Broadway, at the corner of Hoffman Street, in Midtown Kingston.
R. Gallo Park is located on Dock Street along the Rondout Waterfront in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-8131 or visit www.rehercenter.org.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Daddy Long Legs on stage in Vassar production At Home in the World
Here’s a cool story for you: The Japanese word Ashinaga means Daddy Longlegs, a name inspired by the novel with that title written by 1901 Vassar College alumna Jean Webster. The mission of Ashinaga is inspired by the storyline as well, and the foundation has raised over $1 billion to finance the education of orphans in the world.
The connection between Vassar College and Ashinaga grew over the years, and now you can see a production – directed by Tony Award winner John Caird (Les Misérables, Nicholas Nickleby) – that helps to illustrate the impact of this global reach. This Monday, June 8 at 8 p.m. in the Martel Theater, Vassar College hosts the American premiere of At Home in the World, a performance that ties together the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, including scenes with American choral singing with the Vassar College Choir, Ugandan dancing, singing, drumming and Japanese taiko drumming.
Seating is limited, and preregistration is encouraged. Tickets cost $15 each. Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://athomeintheworld.vassar.edu.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Young fiddlers in Staatsburg, jazz musicians in Marlboro
This week, there are two opportunities to hear talented youth musicians perform locally, and I hope that you can make it to hear either one!
On Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m., pack up a picnic and some lawn chairs and head over to Mills Mansion for a performance by the youth of Strawberry Hill Fiddlers. This lawn concert is part of the free Town of Hyde Park “Music in the Parks” series, and the complete schedule can be viewed here: www.hydeparkny.us/recreation/musicintheparksschedule.pdf. Mills Mansion, the Staatsburgh State Historic Site, is located at 75 Mills Mansion Drive, off Old Post Road in Staatsburg. For more information about the concert or the rain location, call (845) 229-8086 or visit https://parks.ny.gov. To learn more about the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers, visit https://www.stringendoweb.org.
On Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Falcon, enjoy a date night, or take the family for dinner or dessert, at the Kingston Schools’ Jazz Cabaret. This annual showcase and fundraiser for five district jazz bands is a chance to hear some very talented youth, and all donations that evening fund the jazz program. I recommend reserving a table online to ensure your spot so that you can eat your fish tacos, beet salad or fries with garlic aioli in comfort.
The Falcon is located at 1348 Route 9W in Marlboro. For more information, to reserve a table, or to preview the menu, call (845) 236-7970 or visit www.liveatthefalcon.com. To learn more about the Kingston School District’s musical offerings, visit www.kingstoncityschools.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno loves doing scavenger hunts in New Paltz, along with her husband, Mike, and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
