Stalk a turtle, touch a truck, ride the Ridge or plant a tree
“Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly.”
– Pablo Neruda
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
Festivals
Some people believe in doing as many as ten impossible things before breakfast. How about attending four festivals before Sunday?
Children’s Earth & Water Festival: You’ll be thrilled to “think green” here from all of the environmental activities that your family will enjoy, along with all of the green that you’ll be saving from the free parking, free admission and plethora of free activities. Saturday, June 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thomas Bull Memorial Park, 94 Grove Street, Montgomery; (845) 615-3868, https://waterauthority.orangecountygov.com/festival.html.
Festival at the Falls: Enjoy an afternoon of the three Ws at this one: Walking around Wappingers and its Waterfalls! Amble between Mesier and Zion Parks for children’s activities, live entertainment and a scavenger hunt, along with tours of the Historic Mesier Homestead. Saturday, June 4, 12 noon to 6 p.m., Village of Wappingers Falls; (845) 667-4227, www.facebook.com/wappingersfallsbpa.
RiverFest 2016: Here’s a celebration that features a day of children’s activities, live entertainment, lots of crafters and vendors and free admission. And since it takes place along the Hudson River, you’ll get the bonus of cool breezes and a beautiful background of the waterway in your photos! Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Saturday, June 4, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Donahue Park (parking and shuttles at Cornwall Middle School), 122 Main Street, Cornwall; (845) 534-4200, extension 8, www.river-fest.com.
Summer Fun Fair: Children’s activities abound at this festival, including Bubbles the Clown, a bouncy house, games, crafts and live music, as well as guided meditations, hiking trails, vegetarian cuisine and tours of the World Peace Temple – one of only four Kadampa temples in the world, and the only one in North America. Saturday, June 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 47 Sweeney Road, Glen Spey; (845) 856-9000, https://kadampanewyork.org.
National Trails Day
This weekend, don’t be offended if people tell you to “Go take a hike!” They just might be trying to help; after all, June 4 is National Trails Day! To learn more, visit https://nationaltrailsday.americanhiking.org. In the meantime, here are some local places offering special trail events.
Family Hike: Lace up your hiking boots or sneakers and have each kid bring a water bottle for this easy one-mile guided hike at Bowdoin Park, including information about the local plants and animals, wilderness survival and park history. This event is free and open to the public of all ages, and is held rain or shine. Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Bowdoin Park Education Center, 85 Sheafe Road, Poughkeepsie; (845) 298-4602, www.co.dutchess.ny.us/countygov/departments/dpw-parks/flyer/family_hike_june_4_2016.pdf.
Guided Walk or Tree-Planting Party: Get involved in National Trails Day by taking a guided walk at the Greenport Conservation Area on Saturday, June 4 at 9 a.m., Joslen Boulevard, Greenport; or by doing tree-planting at the Siegel-Kline Kill Conservation area on Saturday, June 4 at 9 a.m., 1452 Garage Place Road, Ghent. Both events are free and open to the public and organized by the Columbia Land Conservancy. For more information or to register, call (518) 392-5252 or visit https://clctrust.org.
Trail-Building: Here is a chance to learn some cool new skills for free while making a difference right in our own community: trail-building! Be a part of the team creating the Purple Trail at Scenic Hudson’s new park, the High Banks Preserve, where all skill levels are needed to lop tree branches, rake and bench-cut. Wear clothes for getting dirty, and bring water and lunch. Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 132 River Road, Esopus; (845) 473-4440, extension 273, https://scenichudson.org.
Marbletown turns garbage into art at Trash Fest
With so much talk about repurposing, sustainability and Thinking Green lately, you might be interested in Trash Fest, a 30-day celebration in Marbletown that wants to prove to you that “There’s no such thing as waste…only resources waiting to be made into something new.” Opening events take place on Saturday, June 4 at the Marbletown Transfer Station from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., with art made of trash, live entertainment, education and play; and at the Wired Gallery from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Rail Trail Café, enjoy special music from a variety of bands, including instruments made from junk. Unique events and workshops take place throughout June.
The Marbletown Transfer Station is located at 135 Canal Road in High Falls; the Wired Gallery is located at 11 Mohonk Road in High Falls; and the Rail Trail Café is located at 310 River Road Extension in New Paltz. For more information and a complete schedule, call (917) 715-2697 or visit www.marbletown.net/2016/05/19/trash-fest-june-1-30-at-the-transfer-station or visit Trash Fest Ulster on Facebook.
Spot birds, reptiles & amphibians around the Basha Kill
Looking for some free family nature programs? Round up your binoculars and register for the Basha Kill Area Association’s “Birding for Beginners” taking place this Saturday, June 4 at 8 a.m. at the Haven Road DEC parking lot, on the Route 209 side. To register, call (914) 799-1313. And check out “Happy for Herps” on Sunday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at the same location. To register, call (845) 482-5209. For more information about either program or other upcoming events, visit www.thebashakill.org/events.htm.
Kingston’s Seven21 Media Center presents travel tales with Karen Pillsworth
Dreaming of travel as we head into summer? Feel like taking a break from regular life for a while? Let storyteller Karen Pillsworth take you on a journey Around the World in Stories this Saturday, June 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Seven21 Media Center’s Studio A, with imaginative fun that will entertain the whole family. This event is free and open to the public and geared for school-aged children.
The Seven21 Media Center is located at 721 Broadway in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about the performer, visit www.karenpillsworth.com.
Open House & Car Show at Dutchess County Airport
Remember the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles? Well, the Dutchess County Airport features two out of three of these at its Open House & Car Show this Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Displays feature cool aircraft including vintage, modern and experimental, children’s activities and helicopter and plane rides. Admission and parking are free, and remember to bring a non-perishable food donation for Castle Point veterans.
The Dutchess County Airport is located at 263 New Hackensack Road in Wappingers Falls. For more information, call (845) 463-6000 or visit www.dutchessny.gov/countygov/departments/countyexecutive/graphics/airport_open_house_2016.pdf.
Snapping Turtle Walk at Boscobel
Wish you could bridge your children’s video games with nature? Take your crew to the Snapping Turtle Walk at Boscobel and tell them to look for Bowser, the turtle villain from the Mario games! The Snapping Turtle Walk takes place this Saturday, June 4 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and goes on rain or shine. After a staff presentation about the turtles, they will show live turtles; then families will explore the grounds to look for nesting females. Refreshments are included. The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for children aged 6 to 14 years and free for children under age 6. After the turtles, stick around for The Stars Come Out at Boscobel: Starlab! a family astronomy presentation offered in an inflatable planetarium for ages 4 and up. Starlab shows take place on Saturday, June 4 at 10 and 11 a.m. and 12 noon The cost is $8 per person, and museum educator Lisa DiMarzo makes it a delightful presentation.
Boscobel is located at 1601 Route 9D in Garrison. For more information or to register for these programs, call (845) 265-3638 or visit www.boscobel.org/events/snapping-turtle-walk.
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
Touch a Truck at Ulster County Fairgrounds
Do you find yourself constantly reminding your kids not to touch things, and to keep their hands to themselves? Then you’ll both appreciate the New Paltz Rotary’s Touch a Truck this Sunday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. Kids and their adults can touch, climb into and explore trucks and other equipment, including sounding the horns! Tickets cost $5, children under 3 get in free; admission includes face-painting, bounce houses and a cow train. Demonstrations take place throughout the day. The Ulster County Fairgrounds are located on Libertyville Road in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 797-3063 or visit www.facebook.com/nprotarian or www.newpaltzrotary.org.
Pride March & Festival return to New Paltz
Do you believe in equal rights for all? Find rainbows irresistible? Then it sounds like you’ll be part of the 2016 Pride March & Festival this Sunday, June 5. The parade begins at the New Paltz Middle School on South Manheim Boulevard in New Paltz and continues down Main Street to Hasbrouck Park on Mohonk Avenue, followed by park festivities until 4 p.m. And who is the Grand Marshal this year, you’re wondering? It’s singer/songwriter Kate Pierson, of the B52s! For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit https://lgbtqcenter.org.
Start your Stick to Local Farms sticker hunt at Rosendale Farmers’ Market
American chef, author and activist Alice Waters says, “The act of eating is very political. You buy from the right people, you support the right network of farmers and suppliers who care about the land and what they put into the food.” Here’s an idea that can help you and your crew put these words into action: Stick to Local Farms, a map guiding you to local Rondout Valley farms that you mark with stickers from each farm that you visit. Ten stickers get you free Homegrown Mini-Golf passes and a Stick to Local Farms cookbook, a $25 value. Collect all of the stickers for a fancy, sparkly completion sticker and a market bag of local farm products!
This season’s launch party takes place on Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rosendale Farmers’ Market, where you can pick up your free map and get started with three stickers, along with tastings from the cookbook, a children’s scavenger hunt, live music and more. The Rosendale Farmers’ Market is located off Main Street (Route 213) in Rosendale, behind the Rosendale Theatre. For more information, call (845) 626-2047 or visit www.stick2local.com or www.facebook.com/stick2local.
Ride the Ridge Bike Challenge sets out from Stone Ridge
Does your family have a bucket list of activities that you want to do together? How about a “bike-it” list? The Ride the Ridge Bike Challenge takes place on Sunday, June 5 and is not a race, but a set of choices for adults and youth of all ages to ride, all departing from the High Meadow School and ending with lunch. The courses are an 80-mile Ridge-to-Reservoir Ride at 7:30 a.m.; a 50-mile Bud Clarke Memorial Ride at 7:30 a.m.; a 30-mile Countryside Ride at 9:30 a.m.; an 11-mile Intermediate Scenic Ride at 10 a.m. for ages 14 to 17; and a five-mile Family Ride at 11 a.m. for all ages, but children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration costs $40 for the adult rides and $15 for the family ride, which includes one adult and one child. Participants get a tee-shirt, and free food and beverages at the Finish Line are available to all.
The High Meadow School is located at 3643 Main Street in Stone Ridge. For more information, to register or to volunteer, visit www.ridetheridge.org.
Family Concert with John Farrell at Hudson’s Pocket Park
“I like ants/They make my Momma dance” is a lyric that gives you a taste of the fun and whimsy of John Farrell’s music. John’s giving a Family Concert in the Pocket Park this Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. The performance is free, so bring a picnic and come early to get a spot.
The Pocket Park is located across from Hudson Opera House at 327 Warren Street in Hudson. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the concert will be held inside the Hudson Opera House. For more information, call (518) 822-1438 or visit https://hudsonoperahouse.org. To learn more about the performer, visit www.johnfarrell.net.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Forsyth Nature Center’s 80th birthday party
“Are you 1? Are you 2?” And so goes the progression of birthday cheer; but you’ll have to count all the way to 80 to celebrate the Forsyth Nature Center! On Wednesday, June 8 at 6 p.m., all are welcome to sing “Happy Birthday” to this community treasure. Enjoy a cupcake, feed and visit your favorite animals, ask awesome park caretaker Mark DeDea your burning nature questions and spend a pleasant evening at the park.
The Forsyth Nature Center is located at 157 Lucas Avenue in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 339-3053 or visit https://forsythnaturecenter.org or www.facebook.com/forsythnaturecenter.
This week, Erica Chase-Salerno had enough growth for her first haircut in months! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
