I know someone reading this right now can either use this information or pass it along to someone who can: Bard College is offering a free college-level course in the humanities at Kingston Library this fall, including tuition, books, and childcare! Applicants should be age 17 or above, live in a low income household, be fluent in English, and able to commit to the class from October through May. Applications are available at the Kingston Library circulation desk, located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. To learn more about this program, call (845) 758-7096 or email civic@bard.edu.
Thursday, September 3
Canoeing through Tivoli Bays
Were you hoping to go canoeing with your family this summer? If so, here’s an outing you might be interested in: a canoe trip through Tivoli Bays. Open to ages 6 and up, this free tour is a chance to take a 2-hour paddle with the New York DEC through some beautiful natural areas. The canoe trip takes place on Thursday, September 3 at 4:30 p.m. from the North Bay launch site. To reserve your spot, or for more information, call (845) 757-3771 or visit https://tivolilibrary.org.
Saturday, September 5
Bunnies, chicks and ducks
If your kid is crazy about animals, then you would be crazy to miss the Saugerties Farmers’ Market this Saturday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. because it’s Farm Animal Day! Kids can hold bunnies, chicks, ducks, and hedgehogs in the petting zoo, or watch tortoises move around, see a miniature horse, and even watch a fainting goat! Pony rides and face painting will also be available. The Saugerties Farmers’ Market is located at 115 Main Street in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-0363 or visit https://saugertiesfarmersmarket.com.
Audience participation magic
Do the words Abracadabra thrill your crew? You can take them to see The Great All-American Audience Participation Magic Show this Saturday, September 5 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Magician Andy Weintraub is ready to lead you on impossible, magical adventures! Tickets are $9 for adults and seniors, $7 for children. The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://www.centerforperformingarts.org.
James F. Brown, from slave to freedom
Who is James F. Brown? He was an escaped slave from Maryland who claimed freedom here in the Hudson Valley, eventually working full time at Mount Gulian as a gardener, coachman, and general laborer. You can learn more and celebrate his legacy this Saturday, September 5 from noon to 5 p.m. at James F. Brown Day: From Slave to Mr. Brown, A Celebration of Freedom. This event includes gospel singing, a theatrical performance about the life of female abolitionist Abby Kelley, and talks from two local historians. Registration is strongly recommended. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 12 to 18, $4 for ages 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. Mount Gulian is located at 145 Sterling Street in Beacon. To register or for more information, call (845) 831-8172 or visit https://mountgulian.org.
FDR Tree Farmer
Looking for examples of living history? Here’s a tour that may interest you: FDR Tree Farmer. This 90-minute tour is a chance to learn about President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a tree farmer, his tree plantations in Hyde Park, and how they related to the New Deal programs. What better gift to our kids than to point to the land and show what an inspiring difference this historic figure made those decades ago. Tours take place at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is located at 4079 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For ticket pricing and additional tour information, call (845) 229-9115 or visit https://www.nps.gov/hofr.
Sale, BBQ, Mud Run at Belleayre
Is it hard to find one activity that interests your family? Have you heard about A Family Affair at Belleayre? The day’s events include: a community wide garage sale, barbeque, and Your First Mud Run. Talk about something for everyone! The garage sale and bbq take place at the Overlook Lodge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To become a vendor or to learn more, email asines@belleayre.com. Your First Mud Run is open to anyone ages 6 and up, but anyone under 13 must have a parent run with them the entire time. Check in takes place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Overlook Lodge, and the first wave of the race begins at 11 a.m. The course is 1.5 to 2 miles and includes a wall climb, tire carry, row of tires, heavy jump rope, tubes, and a mud slide. The entry fee is $47 per person, and all finishers receive a medal and a t-shirt. For more information or to register, visit https://yourfirstmudrun.com. In addition to these activities, ski passes and program information will be available.
Trapani’s Old King Cole at Barnes & Noble
I feel like we should all just collect every single one of children’s book illustrator and author Iza Trapani’s books, because they’re so wonderful, including her latest release, Old King Cole. As usual, her drawings are warm, fun, and whimsical, and her storyline is fresh and engaging. I especially appreciate in this book that she brings in familiar characters such as the Three Little Pigs and Little Bo-Peep, because they all inhabit the same world in my head. But don’t believe me, go hear for yourself! Iza Trapani presents a story time and book signing at Barnes and Noble this Saturday, September 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Barnes and Noble is located at 2518 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-2224 or visit https://www.barnesandnoble.com. To learn more about the author, visit https://izatrapani.com.
Sunday, September 6
Hooley on the Hudson
How about getting to a free riverside festival this weekend? You and your family can take in lots of live entertainment on three stages at Hooley on the Hudson this Sunday, September 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at T.R. Gallo Memorial Park on Dock Street along the Rondout in Kingston. Enjoy Irish bands, Irish dance, and spoken word, along with plenty of food and beverage vendors. For more information, call (845) 338-6622 or visit https://www.ulsteraoh.com.
Sacred Earth Festival in Poughkeepsie
If you are looking for a family-friendly, Earth-centered festival, then keep reading about the 4th Annual Sacred Earth Festival taking place this Sunday, September 6 from noon to 4 p.m. at Pavilion 6 at Bowdoin Park. Activities are free and include dance performances, African drumming, hula-hooping for children, storytelling, mini-massages, and a variety of vendors and food are available as well. Bowdoin Park is located at 85 Sheafe Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 849-2205 or visit https://www.green-brain.org.
Last Chance Hike to Swim at Lake Awosting
Trying to get the last lake swim of the summer? Join the Last Chance Hike to Swim at Lake Awosting! The event takes place this Sunday, September 6 at 9:15 a.m. Participants of all ages are welcome but should be prepared for a 10-mile round trip hike, along with gear for swimming and lunch. The swimming area has a changing room and a lifeguard. This is the last weekend of the season that Lake Awosting at Minnewaska State Park Preserve is open for swimming. Pre-registration is required. Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. To register or for more information, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://nysparks.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno wraps up her first cycle of chemotherapy this week! She lives in New Paltz with her husband, Michael, and their two children: the inspirations behind HudsonValleyParents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com
Join the family! 
