Let's get outside! The best spring events for families
/Hi everyone! Spring has sprung, okay, maybe not, but it's finally above 40! Let's celebrate by getting out of the house and heading to some awesome spring events happening between now and June!
COLONIAL FAIR
April 14
Thomas Paine Cottage Museum, New Rochelle
10:00am - 5:00pm
The Colonial Fair returns to the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum. Experience a Blacksmith, a Fiddle Player and Storyteller, a 19th century Schoolmarm in the One-room Schoolhouse, Candle Dipping, Colonial Soldiers and more. As an added bonus this year, the Mamaroneck Artists Guild will be joining us on the south lawn for a sale of art and fine craft. Rain date April 15.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children.
BE GREEN CONSIGNMENT SALE
April 20–22
Purchase, NY
This is my favorite of the large consignment sales! You get access to baby stuff that's deeply discounted, curated, already tried-and-tested (the stuff that breaks would never make it to a second life), and—what might be the best part—fully assembled! It takes place at the gymnasium at SUNY Purchase. It’s a bit tricky to find, and parking close by can be difficult, but once you’re in, it’s smooth sailing. It's free to attend, you’ll line up outside, and when it’s your turn to enter you’ll be handed an IKEA bag to use as you shop. The aisles can be crowded, so I typically wear my baby when I go to help me zip around faster. There is tons of stuff on sale from strollers to small furniture items to bedding to clothes, books, and gently used toys. Everything is clean, wrapped in plastic when possible, and well-labeled. The prices seemed to be about 30-50% of full retail price. Most items are used but there are some new-in-box finds. There is no haggling, so if you aren’t prepared to pay the price tag, you might want to leave it for someone else. Most of the people working the event are volunteer moms, and they are friendly and helpful. Items are organized in rows by type, and boys’ and girls’ items are mixed together, except for clothes and shoes, which are separated by gender for easy perusal. I’ve never participated as a seller, but from what I’ve read, part of the money from each sale goes to the original consignor, so you’re directly helping other local moms in addition to getting a bargain. All sales are final, so arrive knowing the exact name of the thing you are looking for, or you might end up with a car seat base that doesn’t fit your car seat.
I registered for the new moms’ presale event, and I got there right when it opened at 6pm. There was almost no line to get in, and the crowds were reasonable. They had a corralled off area for anything large you picked out, so you don’t have to drag a crib around the gym with you while you shop for other items. The line to check out wasn’t too bad, and checkout was fast and easy, cash or credit was the same price. There are always great finds and the setup is such that it’s fun to shop. The only tricky thing about this location is that it’s a long walk to get from the entrance to the car, so if you plan on buying something large, bring backup to help you take it out of the building and through the parking lot. On the last day of the sale, many items are 50% off.
GREEN OSSINING'S 8TH ANNUAL EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
April 21
Louis Engel Waterfront Park
10:00am - 5:00pm
This community-run Earth Day celebration is dedicated to help keep Ossining beautiful and learn about living a more sustainable life. Expect 4000 visitors, 100 vendors, hands-on activities and educational opportunities, including a kids' activity zone, live music and entertainment. Free. Food available for purchase.
WORLD CUP SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSE
April 21
World Cup Gymnastics, Chappaqua
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Come With Me and You'll Be in a World of Pure Imagination! The two hour event will be Willy Wonka themed, so please be ready to explore our wonderful factory! It's fun for the whole family, as you'll see demonstrations by some of our Team Gymnasts, and you'll have free time to rotate around the gym and try out some different stations and apparatuses. On the Nursery School side there will be food, snacks, tattoos, food projects, arts and crafts, and more! Featuring Adam from ANIMALOONS balloon twisting!
TARRYTOWN ROTARY CLUB RUBBER DUCKY DERBY DAY & TARRYTOWN YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY
April 28
Patriot's Park
11:00am - 3:00pm
This fundraising event began in 2008. For as little as $10 you can sponsor a rubber ducky as they race down the Andres Brook to win a grand prize of $1500. Once we agreed to this crazy idea we had to find a place to race! The event runs in collaboration with the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day. There are rides for young children, a climbing wall, live music, food for sale from around the world, and myriad booths offering crafts, activities and information about healthy living in our community. Admission is free, but a rides bracelet that offers unlimited access to all kiddy rides, the climbing wall and the carnival games, is $10. Whether one is watching the duck races, following our costumed ducks around, having their children partake in the YMCA’s events, getting some food or listening to music, there is definitely something for everyone. Free admission. Races start at 11:15am.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
April 29
College of New Rochelle, Main Campus
12:00pm - 5:00pm
The College of New Rochelle celebrates its 46th annual Strawberry Festival. Enjoy free admission, our live DJ, dance performances, and vendor fair. Tickets required for fun attractions, games, and inflatables for the children. Strawberry- and carnival-themed food will be available for purchase. All are welcome to attend.
CRAFTS AT LYNDHURST
May 4-6
Tarrytown
10:00pm - 5:00pm (6:00pm Saturday)
Crafts at Lyndhurst showcases over 275 modern American makers, artists, designers and craftspeople from across the country selling their exciting contemporary creations and is a celebration of all things handmade. A full day art and shopping experience for the entire family including interactive kids activities, delicious gourmet foods and concessions, hands-on demonstrations and more. Event takes place under tents. Rain or shine. No pets allowed within the show site. Adults $12; seniors $11; kids 6-16 $4, under 6 free. Tickets are on sale on-site on the day of the event. Cash or check only. Click here for a $1 off coupon.
THE NEW YORK BABY SHOW
May 19 & 20
Pier 94, New York City
10:00am - 4:00pm
The 2018 New York Baby Show will once again be the largest show for new and expectant parents in the country. This family friendly event has top brand vendors, speakers and seminars, giveaways, and lots of learning, support, bonding, and fun as you make your way into parenthood. We've been attending for a few years now and had a great time getting free samples (check out my swag pile!), scoping out the latest in baby gear, attending lectures, and experiencing other fun activities such as a stroller test track and sterilizing chamber. Want more info? Click here for our review of the 2017 show and click here for our review of the 2016 show.
Don't forget we are giving away free tickets to the 2018 New York Baby Show! The normal ticket price is $30 per family (for 2 adults and up to 4 children), and $20 per individual, but if you're one of the first 10 to click the link, it's yours for free! CLICK HERE FOR FREE TICKETS
FESTA ITALIANA
June 1-3
Saint Anthony of Padua RC Church, West Harrison
Fri 6:00pm - midnight; Sat 5:00pm - midnight; Sun 2:00pm - 10:00am
A traditional Italian festival with raffles, midway rides, games, food, and more. Free admission.
THE WHITE PLAINS OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL
June 2-3
Tibbets Park
10:00am - 5:00pm
This festival has been bringing the arts to White Plains for more than 55 years. Paintings, photography, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, textiles, and much more are all on display. The festival is a great place to experience art and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home décor. The event also features emerging artists, the artwork of our scholarship winners, a free children’s art workshop, and unique food vendors. Free admission.
THE FOL-DE-ROL FESTIVAL
June 7-10
Wampus Brook Park, Armonk
The Fol-De-Rol (French for foolishness) has been an annual fun-filled weekend of rides, pet and car parade, games, craft and food vendors, continuous entertainment, animals, and much more. The fair opens with a parade which includes dignitaries, members of the lions club, antique cars, and community representatives, fire and police officers, and NC-4 members. The four day fair includes amusement rides, games, food vendors, craft vendors, live music, Byram Hills School District band ensemble performances, as well as continuous entertainment. Free admission.
That's it for this week! For our (almost always free) Event of the Day, follow us on Facebook or Instagram. And as always, check our website for events and our easy-to-navigate chart of every weekly kids library program in Westchester.
See you next time!
Andrea
