6-year-old: Wake up
Dad: Mmmmm
6-year-old: I wanna practice playing Star Wars music & get good
Dad: Uh…wait…
6-year-old: On this drum. Ready?
Dad: Noooooo!
– Overheard in Hurley
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
Musical Round Robin at Beacon’s Howland Art Center
How might it feel for your kids actually to hold an instrument they have never seen before, or even to try it out? Exciting, right? That’s exactly the reasoning behind this weekend’s event: Musical Round Robin takes place this Saturday, October 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center, hosted by the Folk Art Program at Arts Mid-Hudson. Your family may see a violin, keyboards, percussion, accordion and bagpipes, as well as a hands-on activity and lots of opportunity to ask questions.
The Howland Cultural Center is located at 477 Main Street in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 454-3222 or visit http://artsmidhudson.org.
Woodsmen’s Festival at Hanford Hills Museum
I hear such love for this annual event; have you been yet? This Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Hanford Hills Museum presents its Woodsmen’s Festival. Activities include water-power demonstrations, woodturning, horsedrawn carriage rides and so much more, informed through generations of local history. Admission costs $9 for adults and teens, $7 for seniors and AAA members, $4.50 for military and is free for children 12 and under.
The Hanford Hills Museum is located at 51 County Highway 12 in East Meredith. For more information, call (607) 278-5744 or visit www.hanfordmills.org/programs/events/woodsmens-show.
Sensory-Friendly Day at Haunted Fortress in Stanfordville
Please help me spread the word about this Saturday’s Sensory-Friendly Haunted Fortress, taking place on October 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This daytime walkthrough experience gives everyone a chance to experience individualized tours, without all of the static that can get overwhelming for community members of all ages and needs. Proceeds from this one-day event benefit the Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community.
The Haunted Fortress is located at 86 Creamery Road in Stanfordville. For more information, call or text (845) 264-3016 or visit h or http://hauntedfortress.com.
“Water Walk: Exploring the Shoreline” in Beacon
Need a break? Go to the river. This Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Long Dock Park, families are invited to “Water Walk: Exploring the Shoreline” with Dia:Beacon. Everything is supplied for you, to help support the flow of your creativity: a notebook with a map, multisensory activities and writings about water. You take it from there, and see what comes from your own inner font. Children and families are welcome to discover together.
Long Dock Park is located at 8 Long Dock Road in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 473-4440 or visit http://bit.ly/2wNZdrf.
Burning of Kingston plus 18th-Century Autumn Festival at Senate House’s
When you make plans with your kids this weekend, I suggest leading with: bayonets! spies! captures! cornhusk dolls and action figures! Because, yes, we are in the middle of Ulster County’s Cultural Heritage Week – but it’s the action in the streets that’s exciting! Reenactments of the Burning of Kingston happening outside, pressure to sign loyalty pledges, old-timey traditions and crafts at the historic Senate House: History comes alive right now, and this event won’t be back until October 2019. Take a look at the full schedule to be in the right place at the right time. Carving the city up, redcoats versus colonists – if your crew are Hamilton musical fans, don’t think twice: Get to Kingston this weekend!
The Burning of Kingston and the Senate House’s 18th-Century Autumn Festival all take place in Uptown Kingston. For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.burningofkingston.com/schedule.html, http://senatehousekingston.org and http://bit.ly/2yaZXrP.
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck presents Hansel & Gretel
I just learned that “hansel” means a good-luck gift, and that “gretel” means pearl. So, it is my great pleasure to announce that our fortunes have improved with the presentation of the classic fairytale pearl, Hansel and Gretel, in the form of marionettes. On Saturday, October 14 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, the Tanglewood Marionettes tell this traditional story as part of the Center’s Saturday Morning Family Series. The clever book-inspired set and music will charm your family, and you get a break to relax in the great seats: Everyone can see! Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors.
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 http://bit.ly/2gtZLwc. To learn more about the performers, visit www.tanglewoodmarionettes.com.
Children’s Day at Headless Horseman
Are your kids wanting some small sizzle in their scare, but aren’t ready for full-on fear? Head over to “Children’s Day: A Tiny Taste of Terror” at Headless Horseman on Saturday, October 14 and 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include a daylight hayride while listening to spooky stories, a corn maze, haunted gardens, games, face-painting and more. Admission costs $16.90 plus tax; children under 1 year get in free, or save some money by purchasing in advance.
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses are located at 778 Route 9W in Ulster Park. For tickets, more information and a complete schedule, call (845) 339-2666 or visit https://headlesshorseman.com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15
Fall Family Fun Fest at Ashokan Center
Autumnal celebrations abound, but for a local take on tradition, the Fall Family Fun Fest is a terrific way to spend your day. This Sunday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Ashokan Center offers live music and entertainment with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Story Laurie and others; apple cidering, hiking, hayrides, blacksmithing, broommaking and more. You could just sit in your car blissed out, enjoying the glorious foliage (but I do recommend getting out). Admission costs $5 per person at the door, free for children 12 and under.
The Ashokan Center is located at 477 Beaverkill Road in Olivebridge. For more information, call (845) 657-8333 or visit http://bit.ly/2g0946k.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Youth Give Back Day in Woodstock
We are seeing so many headlines and articles about getting help where it needs to go right now. And youth tell me that they don’t always have the opportunity to help out in the community, so when an event like Youth Give Back Day comes up, I like to spread the word.
On Wednesday, October 18 from 3 to 6 p.m., join fellow young people in volunteering at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. All ages are welcome! The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen is located at 26 Mill Hill Road in Woodstock, in the Fellowship Hall of Christ’s Lutheran Church. For more information or to register, call (845) 679-2213 or e-mail dawn@woodstock.org. To learn more about the soup kitchen, visit www.facebook.com/dbskwoodstock.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19
Northern Saw-Whet Owls program at Mohonk Preserve
All I am saying is that, once you see an adorable saw-whet owl, you will do anything you can to spend as much more time with it – such as suddenly dropping everything and becoming a naturalist yourself. On Thursday, October 19 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Mohonk Preserve’s Bonticou Lodge, Dr. Glenn A. Proudfoot presents “Northern Saw-Whet Owls: Mohonk’s Silent Visitor.” I’ll be honest: My kids are in it for the petite, adorable owls. But the information that Proudfoot shares about migration patterns, tracking, behaviors and more was interesting to me as well.
This program costs $10 per person and is intended for ages 10 through adult. Reservations are required. Bonticou Lodge is located at 299 Mountain Rest Road in New Paltz. For reservations or more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit www.mohonkpreserve.org/events/saw-whet-owls.
Erica Chase-Salerno hopes to see you at the Woodstock Film Festival: Friday, for “Teen Shorts”; Sunday, for Holden On. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
