“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.”
– Nathaniel Hawthorne
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Night at the Museum at Bethel Woods
Your kids won’t believe it when you tell them this weekend’s sleepover is at a museum! What a blast! On Friday, October 9 beginning at 6 p.m., children ages 6 through 13, accompanied by an adult, can visit the Museum at Bethel Woods, including the main exhibit, hear sounds from the Woodstock festival, watch the movie Night at the Museum, enjoy a storytime and then sleep over! Free snacks and a light breakfast are included.
Tickets cost $30 for adults and $20 for children. Bethel Woods is located at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel. For tickets or more information, visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org.
O+ Festival Kickoff Parade in Kingston
When it’s O+ Festival time, you know that it’s all-ages family-friendly time! Bring the kids to the O+ Kickoff Parade on Friday, October 9 at 6 p.m. The parade heads out from the Seven21 Media Center, located at 721 Broadway in Kingston, and features the Hungry March Band and POOK, the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Peace Park, children can touch, play and explore with instruments at the Music Petting Zoo. Other weekend highlights include children’s yoga, a scavenger hunt, a bike ride, teddy bear clinic and more!
The price of all-access admission wristbands is “pay what you think it’s worth,” and they are available at https://bit.ly/OFest2015Tickets. To learn more about the O+ Festival and for a complete schedule, visit https://opositivefestival.org/kingston/about-o/festival-schedule-2015.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Historic graveyard tours in Kingston, Hyde Park
One of my absolute favorite October events is attending a historic graveyard tour with my friend Scarlet, where actors share about the lives and times of some of the individuals laid to rest in that cemetery. These “first-person” accounts make humdrum history fascinating! And I’m happy to share with you two of these tours in our area.
Cemetery tours take place at the Old Dutch Church, located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston, on Saturdays until October 24 from 7 to 8 p.m., featuring five individuals from 1777, beginning with governor George Clinton. The cost is $10 per person. For tickets or more information, call (845) 475-7973 or www.theatreontheroad.com.
St. James’s Historic Graveyard Tours take place at St. James Episcopal Church, located at 4526 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park, on Fridays and Saturdays until October 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., highlighting seven residents from the 200-year-old cemetery. The cost is $17 for adults and $7 for ages 5 through 12. For tickets or more information, call (845) 229-2820 or visit www.stjameshydepark.org.
Byrdcliffe Theater hosts Harmonious Earth Kids’ Workshop
For those of you looking for a peaceful, idyllic, fun and mindful day in the country for your children, the Harmonious Earth Kids’ Workshop may be just perfect. Children will explore nature trails and do interactive activities and creative projects, make art with natural materials, experience yoga with interactive music and participate in indigenous sound activities. The two-day workshop takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Byrdcliffe Theater.
This program is geared for ages 7 to 11 years, and registration is limited to 15 participants. The cost is $135 per child (members pay $115). The Byrdcliffe Theater is located at 380 Upper Byrdcliffe Road in Woodstock. For reservations or more information, call (845) 679-2079 or visit ulsterpub.staging.wpengineguild.org/harmoniousearth.html.
Dalmatian Day at Museum of Firefighting in Hudson
What is it about Dalmatians? My kids saw the flyer for Dalmatian Day at the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Museum of Firefighting and immediately expressed interest based on the Dalmatian illustration alone. On Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Museum’s Dalmatian Day highlights include a meet-and-greet with live Dalmatians, games, Dalmatian-themed craft projects, Belmont’s Amazing Magic Show, interactive safety house tours, a museum scavenger hunt and more! And get this: All of these activities and museum admission are free on Dalmatian Day!
The FASNY Museum of Firefighting is located at 117 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1875 or visit www.fasnyfiremuseum.com/content/events_and_programs/dalmatian_day.asp.
Join the family! 
