Mom: “We can’t go backwards;
we can only go forward.”
Six-year-old: “Yeah, and ya can’t go down the slide backwards either.”
– Overheard in Saugerties
Polar Express Train
If you haven’t made the Polar Express Train an annual family tradition, this might be your year. Head over to the Kingston Candy Bar at 319 Wall Street in Kingston, buy your tickets with an $8 discount and load up on some yummy carbos while you’re there. On the date of your ride, come dressed in warm pajamas ready for cocoa and The Polar Express story, and you’ve locked down another vault of sweet family memories. I would say it’s a perfect event for our youngest children, but my older kids seem to enjoy it just as much as when they allowed me to dress them back in the day.
Polar Express takes place at the Catskill Mountain Railroad Company (CMR) from now through December 28, but hurry: lots of sold-outs on the calendar. Ticket prices range from $32 to $48. CMR is located at 149 Aaron Court in Kingston. For tickets or more information, visit http://cmrrevents.com/wordpress/polarexpress. To learn more about the Kingston Candy Bar, visit http://kingstoncandybar.com.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Game Night at LGBTQ Community Center
When Game Night feels like a truly safe zone, yes, more of that, please. This Friday, November 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, the Hudson Valley Queer Youth Project invites LGBTQ youth and allies ages 12 to 19 years for snacks, games, art and people! The Hudson LGBTQ Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit www.facebook.com/hvqueeryouthproject.
All Abilities Kids! Story Time at Red Hook Library
From my friend Anne Ohman: “All Children Shine When Celebrated for Being Exactly Who They Are,” http://childhoodredefined.com/meet. All are welcome – especially children who connect in their own perfect, exact way – to All Abilities Kids! Story Time for children with special needs, which takes place this Friday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Red Hook Public Library. This free event is free and open to the public. The Red Hook Public Library is located at 7444 South Broadway in Red Hook. For more information, call (845) 758-341 or visit http://redhooklibrary.org.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Drag Queen Story Hour at Hudson Library
Looking for more community connection and diversity in your storytimes? Wish you could honor the gender fluidity of childhood? Head over to Drag Queen Story Hour this Saturday, November 18 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the Hudson Area Library. Local drag performer Ella Ghent leads the event this weekend, which includes ukulele, costumes and more. This program is free and open to the public of all ages. The Hudson Area Library is located at 51 North Fifth Street in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 828-1792, extension 101, or visit http://hudsonarealibrary.org.
Free concerts in Annandale & Poughkeepsie
It’s concert season, and you can bring your kids! Here are two terrific musical events to consider:
A Family Concert by the Bard Conservatory Preparatory Division, 4 p.m., free and open to the public of all ages, and kids sit up front! Bard College, Bitó Building, 30 Campus Road, Annandale-on-Hudson; bardprep@bard.edu, www.bard.edu/conservatory/facilities.
Capella Festiva by the Cappella Festiva Treble Choir and Cor Capriccio, 7 p.m., free and open to the public of all ages, Christ Episcopal Church, 20 Carroll Street, Poughkeepsie, (845) 853-7765; www.cappellafestiva.org.
Mini Maker Faire at Poughkeepsie Day School
If your family values innovation, creativity and curiosity, then it sounds like the Poughkeepsie Mini Maker Faire is made for you! It happens this Saturday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Day School. All ages are welcome to get wowed from hands-on demonstrations, seeing and trying out new activities all day long. Tickets range in price depending on age and the number of days attending, from free for ages 2 and under up to $32 for a family pass.
The Poughkeepsie Day School is located at 260 Boardman Road in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 462-7600, extension 110, or visit https://poughkeepsie.makerfaire.com.
Sinterklaas Crowns & Branches workshop at Kingston Library
It’s that time of year again, when Holland meets our Hudson Valley! Come join other families preparing for their children’s day of royalty by decorating crowns and branches for them to wear during the Sinterklaas event. All supplies are available on-site on Saturday, November 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kingston Library, located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. It’s free and open to the public of all ages, so let those imaginations flow! For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.sinterklaashudsonvalley.com/sinterklaas-celebration-space.
Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother in Rhinebeck
Been wondering about the backstory of bibbity-bobbity-boo? Ever wonder who you might be, were you given a fairy godmother to guide you? Make a plan to see Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother this Saturday, November 18 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck! This performance is open to the public of all ages. Every seat is wonderful here, and 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://centerforperformingarts.org/saturday-morning-family-series/item/cinderella-s-fairy-godmother.
Erica Chase-Salerno is very excited about her new mini-pumpkin-pie-slice earrings! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
