What To Do: With the Kids May
What To Do: With the Kids May: Bicycle Sundays return to the Bronx River Parkway in May. Carnival season begins in Bedford and there’s sheep shearing at Muscoot Farm. Plus, local Disney, Pinkalicious, Curious George and a whole lot more.
May
A Beautiful Planet IMAX – The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: Narrated by Jennifer Lawrence, the aquarium’s latest IMAX offering, A Beautiful Planet provides a portrait of Earth from space. Made in cooperation with NASA, the film features captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Directed by Toni Myers, the acclaimed filmmaker behind celebrated IMAX® documentaries Blue Planet, Hubble and Space Station. Opens Fri, April, 29 and is screened at 11am, 1 & 3pm through May 26. (The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, www.maritimeaquarium.org)
LIGHTSCAPES – Van Cortland Manor: This springtime garden fantasy from the creators of the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is a nighttime display of sculpture, light, sound and special effects. Recycled elements are building blocks for intergalactic flora and woodland creatures. Otherworldly mushrooms, floating fairies, butterflies, a massive praying mantis, a super-size birdhouse, and a dino-sized egg are among the state of the art illuminations that are set against the natural landscape of Van Cortland Manor. Squiggle through an enormous caterpillar and walk through a giant garden maze. This event takes place over 15 May evenings. Tickets go on sale April 1. (Van Cortland Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway: Friends of Westchester County Parks closes off a six and a half mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, scooters and strollers. Park your car at the County Center lot and bike to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Round trip 13.1 miles. Bicycle Sundays return on May 1 and run through the last Sunday in June. www.friendsofwestchesterparks.com
Bedford Fishing Derby: The Bedford Recreation Department’s 16th annual Fishing Derby at Lake Marie is open to kids to age 15. Bring your own fishing rod. Volunteers will help young anglers bait hooks and provide fishing tips. Prizes are awarded throughout the day. Pre-register at the Bedford Hills recreation office by Fri, 4/29. Sun, 5/1:12-3pm. (Lake Marie, Bedford Hills Memorial Park, Haines Rd., Bedford Hill; www.bedfordny.info)
Learn to Ride Bike Program – Bedford Recreation: This program from Bike New York, a Bicycle Education Program teaches kids how to ride a bicycle and shows parents effective methods for teaching their kids at home. The Bedford Police will be on hand to provide safety tips and bike registration. Bring your own bike and helmet. For boys and girls of all ages. Sat, 5/7: 10am-12pm. (Bedford Hills Memorial Park, Haines Rd, Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)
The Olate Dogs – Paramount Hudson Valley & Ridgefield Playhouse: The Olate Dogs are the winning participants from Season 7 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, scooping up the $1,000,000 prize and headlining The Palazzo in Las Vegas! Led by Richard Olate and his son Nicholas Olate, the Olate Dogs are a high-energy, fast-paced canine theatrical act filled with amazing dog tricks, human acrobatics and humor. Thurs, 5/5: 7pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org) Sat, 5/7: 2pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.Paramounthudsonvalley.com)
Curious George – Ridgefield Playhouse: With every swing and flip in this Theatreworks USA production for ages 3 & up, George takes the audience through a fun-filled adventure in which he learns about Rome…and meatballs…and the “secret ingredient” to cooking! Join Curious George, star of books, movies and the award-winning PBS television show in this delightful musical. Ages 3 and up. Sat, 5/7: 11am. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)
Sheep Shearing & Farmers Market at Muscoot Farm: Every Mother’s Day Muscoot Farm shears its adult sheep and the public is invited to watch them get their spring haircut. Mother’s Day also marks the opening of the Muscoot Farmers Market. The market is open every Sunday through October. See our guide to Farmer’s Markets. Sun, 5/8. 9:30am-2:30pm. Sheep shearing 12-3pm. (Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)
Marine Life Cruises – The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk: The Norwalk Aquarium’s new 63 foot silent running, hybrid-electric power catamaran offers 2½-hour “study cruises” on the Long Island Sound for passengers over 42” tall. Cruises run most Saturdays and Sundays at 10am, 2 or 4pm from 5/14-6/19 (check times and exceptions) and daily at 1pm from June 20-September 5 (Check exceptions). (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)
41st St. Patrick’s School Carnival in Bedford: The local carnival season always kicks off at St. Patrick’s School in Bedford. One of the state’s biggest grossing carnivals, this event raises money for educational ministries of the parish. With full-scale carnival rides and games for kids and teens, food, cotton candy and a big-prize raffle worth $25,000. This event typically runs from Tues-Sun, 5/10-15: check times. (483 Old Post Road, Bedford; stpatricks.org)
Spring on the Farm Festival a – Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Featuring spring’s baby animals, sheep shearing, yarn demonstrations, face painting, crafts, music, a bonsai exhibition and the museum galleries exhibit of Art on a String: Asian Kites in Flight. There will also be a plant, herb and bonsai sale and an assortment of good trucks. (Yay food trucks!) Sat-Sun, 5/14-15: 11am-3pm. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)
Pinkalicious – Emelin Theatre: Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes (join the crowd) despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Sat-Sun, 5/14-15: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)
Pinkster Day at Philipsburg Manor: Philipsburg Manor’s Pinkster Day recreates this 17th century African-American spring celebration with a colonial-style festival of music, dance and food. Including presentations of drumming, traditional dance and African folktales. Phillipsburg Manor is the only living museum dedicated to the history of slavery in the northern colonies. Sat, 5/14: 10am-5pm. (Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Spring Fling – Temple Shaaray Tefila: Temple Shaaray Tefila’s annual Spring Fling is open to the community, free of charge and features many outdoor activities, including bounce castles, inflatable obstacle course, and gaga courts. There will be face painting, a balloon artist, life size games, a DJ, dancing, the ice cream truck, and more. Sun, 5/18: 10:30am-1pm. (Temple Shaaray Tefila, 89 Baldwin Rd., Bedford Corners; www.templeshaaraytefila.org)
Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies – The Palace: The Regal Pops Orchestra, with conductor Dirk Hillyer, and four leading vocalists perform classic Disney movie songs to projected video clips from iconic Disney films. The program features songs and film clips from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Frozen, Mary Poppins, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Sat, 5/21: 3pm. (The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com)
Meet the Baby Animals – Muscoot Farm: Get up close and personal with Muscoot Farm’s new arrivals. Like this Dorset lamb. Visit their Farmers Market when you are three. Sun, 5/22: 12-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)
Lime Rock Park Memorial Day Season Opener: After a three-year absence the SCAA Pirelli World Challenge returns to Lime Rock Park for their Memorial Day Season Opener. Four big races are scheduled for GTS, GT and GT Cup plus the park’s first-ever races of the all-new United States Formula 4 open-wheel single seat championship. On Sunday, the Royals Car Show draws 200-400 prime vehicles from rare sports cars to muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. Fri-Sun, 5/27-29: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)
Hilltop Hanover Farm Memorial Day Farm Fest: A family day at Hilltop Hanover celebrating farming in Westchester. With plants for sale, a farm stand, vendors, kids events, tours, hiking, food, and more! Sat, 5/28: 10am-4pm. 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)
New! Spirit of the Sound Lighthouse Cruises: The Norwalk Aquarium’s Spirit of the Sound catamaran introduces two new Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruises. Their 4 ½ hour Central Long Island Sound cruise visits five lighthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cruises depart at 10am on Sat, 3/5, 4/2 and 5/7. Their Western Long Island cruise will make passes at Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Stamford Harbor, Great Captain Island, Execution Rocks, Stepping Stones, Sands Point and Eaton Neck. This final season 6-hour cruise departs on Sat, 5/28: 9am. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)
Memorial Day Picnic – Bedford: The local American Legion Post 1575 will host a Memorial Day picnic at American Legion Hall next to the Katonah Museum of Art. All town residents are invited. Mon, 5/30: 11am-2pm. (American Legion Hall, 136 Jay St. Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)
Local! 41st Annual Armonk Lions Club Fol de Rol: Ride the Ripcord, Tornado and Tilt-a-Whirl. Visit the fun house. You know the school year is almost over when the Armonk Lions Club Fol-de-Rol comes to town. Just buy the wristband, for unlimited rides, and let the kids run wild. With carnival games, pony rides, music, food and prizes and Jersey Disc Devils dog act. There’s even a Crafts Fair for adults whose Ripcord days have passed them by. The Armonk Lions sell raffle tickets to support various charities including guiding eyes for the blind and diabetes camps. Thurs-Sun, 6/9-12. (Wampus Brook Park, 28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.armonklions.org)
Armonk Lions Club Pet Parade: Owners and pets (in costume or au natural – for the pets that is) parade down main street and into Wampus Brook Park with antique cars, musicians and local dignitaries. Judges will award prizes for Best Dressed, Best Groomed and Most Unusual Pet. Meet in the Armonk library parking lot on Sun, 6/12: 10:30am.
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