What To Do: With the Kids July

Tongue in Cheek: The Inflatable Art of Jimmy Kuehnle – Hudson River Museum: Bright, bouncing, inflatable sculptures that are an exciting art form and a witty commentary on our interests and enthusiasms. Made from vinyl-coated polyester fabric, Kuehnle’s creations inflate and deflate, pulsing and “breathing” like an organism, with intriguing names like You Lick Me, I Lick You (shaped like tongues), Hot Polyester Bladder Lung, You Wear What I Wear and Hello Bye. Massively scaled, the site-specific works are put in your way so that you ask yourself, “Is this space mine, or does it belong this extremely large creature blocking me?”(Pictured here: Jimmy Kuehnle, Punch Bubbles, 2016.) Wed-Sun: 12-5pm. Through 9/18. (511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers; www.hrm.org

Local! Dancing at Dusk – Caramoor: These mid-week, kid-friendly evenings are held on the spacious lawn of Friends Field. They offer the whole family a chance to learn about and dance to music from around the world and meet and greet the artists after the show. Tahiti & Hawaii: Wed, 6/29: 5pm; Columbian Cumbia: Wed, 7/6: 5pm; Filipino Music & Dance: Wed, 7/13: 5pm; Chinese Dance & Music: Wed, 7/27: 5pm; (Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah;www.caramoor.org)

Hot Ticket Alert! A Night on Fire at Philipsburg Manor: The fire juggling comedy troupe, A Different Spin returns to Sleepy Hollow for a fully choreographed display of fire arts featuring flame-wielding, juggling, dancing, spinning, sword fighting, and fire-eating performers. A Night On Fire promises jaw-dropping stunts, knee-slapping humor, and a touch of danger for audiences of all ages. Very limited availability. Purchase tickets must in advance. Fri, 7/1: 8:30pm, Sat, 7/2: 8 & 9:30pm, Sun, 7/3: 8pm. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)

Fireworks Sail on the Schooner Soundwaters: Pack a dinner and a chilled summer quaff and watch the sun set and the fireworks over the Long Island Sound on this special fireworks sail on the Schooner Soundwaters from Bocuzzi Park in Stamford. Limited supplies so order tickets now! Sat, 7/2 & Mon, 7/4: 7-10:30pm. (166 Southfield Ave., Stamford, CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Local! Pops, Patriots & Fireworks – Caramoor: Curt Ebersole leads the 60-piece Westchester Symphonic Winds in a celebration of the music of Frank Sinatra. They will be joined by Broadway heart-throb Ryan Silverman and there will be plenty of Sousa and Caramoor’s traditional performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. This  “most civilized way to see 4th of July Fireworks” features stilt walkers, picnic options and no stress parking. (Photo by Gabe Palacio)  Sat, 7/2: 8pm. (Venetian Theatre, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Fireworks! Kensico Fireworks & Music Fest: Pre-concert entertainment begins at 6 p.m. The dance band Gerard Carelli and his Orchestra (classical, swing, Motown and rock) performs at 8 p.m. A fireworks display in front of the dam follows at 9:15 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Carpooling is suggested. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Sun, 7/3: 6pm. (1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.westchestergov.com)

Walkway Over the Hudson Fireworks: Grab a rail on the Walkway Over the Hudson for their Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular over the river. Reserve a pre-fireworks table at Crave Restaurant & Lounge, Poughkeepsie’s finest or at one of the Culinary Institute of America’s eateries just five miles away. Sat. 7/2; 6:30-9:30pm. (61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie; www.walkway.org)

Fireworks! Playland
 Park: Fireworks displays, computer-fired and choreographed to a musical soundtrack, Sun-Mon, 7/3-4: 9:15pm, Plus every Friday evening 7/1-9/2: 9:15 p.m. (100 Playland Parkway, Rye; www.ryeplayland.org)

Local! John Jay Homestead Independence Day Fair: Colonial games and encampment, house tours, hayrides, pony rides, crafts, face painting, educational discovery centers, beekeeping, blacksmith demonstrations, horses, crafts, live music, food and refreshments and a reading of the Declaration of Independence from George Washington – or a reasonable facsimile. Mon, 7/4: 11am-4pm. (400 Jay St./Rt. 22, Katonah; www.friendsofjohnjay.org)

Local! Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts: The Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce, with major support by Breezemont Day Camp, presents four summer concerts on Wednesday nights at 7pm at The Gazebo on Recreation Field. Here’s the line-up: The Risko Band (U2, Lorde, Lady Gaga): Wed, 7/6: 7pm; Tramps Like Us (Springsteen Tribute) 7/13: 7pm; Don Dupont Big Band (Swing, Jive, Latin Ballroom): Wed, 7/20: 7pm. Chappaqua Orchestra (Classical): Wed, 7/27: 7pm: (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Local! Summer Concerts – Katonah Memorial Park – The Trashcan Poets: Take a dip in the pool and then check out this local tribute band serving up alternative rock you can dance to at the Katonah Park field. Fri, 7/8: 6:30-8:30-m. Island Soul: Reggae, Calypso, Soca and American Funk & Rock. Fri, 8/5: 6:30-8:30pm. (The top of North St., Katonah; Bedford Recreation)

Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival: Watch the flight of the hot-air balloons take off over Barton Orchards in Poughquag – just 50 minutes from downtown Armonk. Or take a balloon (or helicopter ride) yourself. There’s music, games, rides, 2 giant slides, tether rides, a haunted house, a five acre corn maze, good eats and pick your own grapes and berries, corn and stone fruit and fireworks on Friday night. The balloons take off 6pm on Friday and at 6am & 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Fri-Sun, 7/8-10: check times. (Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag; http://www.balloonfesthv.com)

Local! Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park: The Small Town Theatre Company presents: The Swingaroos, NYC’s blues and swing group performs original 30s/40s inspired originals and forgotten goodies from Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw. Sat, 7/9: 8pm. Charlie Lagond: Co-founder of the Lagond Music School Charlie has performed with Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Chuck Mangione, The Temptations and Kid Creole & The Coconuts. Sat, 7/23: 8pm. New Rochelle Opera: Opera classics. Sat, 8/6: 8pm. Broadway Classics: Musical theatre vets from Broadway, Off-Broadway and Regional Theatres sing the best of Broadway. Sat, 8/20: 8pm. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatre.com)

Pleasantville Music Festival: “New York’s backyard jam” returns with top folk and Americana festival acts including: headliner Guster; KT Tunstall (Grammy-nominated for “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”); The Rivivalists (Rolling Stone’s 2015 Bands You Need to Know); The Smithereens (“A Girl Like You”, “Only A Memory”) Aztec Two Step (the legendary No Hit Wonders); Annie Minogue, Morning Joe Music, Wild Adriatic, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Side Saddle, Don Dilego and Drew Bordeaux. With food, crafts, and a kid’s area with face painting, games and food. Photo by Marina Piedade. Free parking and round-trip bus service from Pace University: 11:30am-10pm. Sat, 7/9: (Parkway Field, Village Ln. Pleasantville; www.pleasantvillemusicfestival.com)

Zerbini Family Circus – Ridgefield Playhouse: This traveling circus features aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, clowns, and camel rides. Presented by the Ridgefield Playhouse, the Zerbini Family Circus will be presented under the big top at East Ridge Middle School Parking lot in Ridgefield, CT. Wed, 7/13: 2 & 5pm. (10 East Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Local! Movie Night at the Bedford Memorial Park: The Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club’s annual free movie night is a family event suitable for picnicking. Grab a blanket or soccer chair and enjoy the FREE show. Fri, 7/15: 8:30pm. (Bedford Village Memorial Park, 65 Greenwich Rd., Bedford; Bedford recreation)

Local! John Jay Homestead – Outdoor Summer Movie: Pack a picnic for this new family classic movie series on the front lawn of John Jay Homestead. The schedule features: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971 with Gene Wilder): Fri, 6/24: 8:30pm; The Muppet Movie: Fri. 7/15: 8:30pm; and a third screening TBD: Fri, 8/12: 8:30pm. (400 Jay St./Rt. 22, Katonah; www.friendsofjohnjay.org)

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure – Jacob Burns: Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman (SNL), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure marks the feature debut of director Tim Burton (Batman), who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. In the film, Pee-wee Herman embarks on an epic cross-country search to find his stolen fire engine-red customized bicycle. Sat-Sun, 7/16-17: 12pm. (364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Cultural Folk Arts Day – Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden: Celebrate international culture with Taiko Crums, Korean music and dance, Chinese, Japanese and Mexican paper crafts, learn how to put on a Japanese kimono and a Korean hanbok. Plus a sushi demonstration with Yoshimi Arai of Magokoro New York. Sat, 7/16: 1-4pm. (Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, 28 Deveau Rd., N. Salem: www.hammondmuseum.org)

Local! Summer Concert– Bedford Hills Memorial Park: Blonde Ambition plays well-known pop, rock and Motown at Sammarco Soccer Field. Fri, 7/22: 7-8:30pm. (60 Haines Rd., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Local! Caramoor’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Festival with the Chick Corea Trio: The Chick Corea Trio with Christian McBride and Brian Blade headlines this all day fest featuring a dozen acts at the Sunken Garden, Friends Field and the Venetian Theatre. Daytime performers include Harlem Stride Piano Hour, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, Gotham Kings: Riley Mulherkar and Alphonso Horne, Eddie Barbash Band, Jonathan Barber Quartet: “Jones, Jones, Jones’ and Ladies Sing the Blues. (Photo by Gabe Palacio) Sat, 7/23: 12pm. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Local! The Wizard of Oz – Theatre in the Sanctuary at Westmoreland Sanctuary: Director Denise Simon presents a magical interactive production of The Wizard Of Oz that takes audiences on the yellow brick road in the Sanctuary’s woods as they meet Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Toto, Glinda, the Wicked Witch, the Munchkins and more. Fri-Sun, 7/22-24 & 7/29-31: 6:30pm, 2pm on Sunday. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Putnam County 4H Fair: Produced by the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, this fair offers 3 days of family entertainment including a pet dog show, mini-horse demonstrations, horse jumping, educational and environmental exhibits, games, crafts, food, music, a country auction and Muscoot Farm animals. Fri, 7/29: 12-6pm, Sat, 7/30: 10am-7pm & Sun, 7/31: 10am-5pm. Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Rd., Carmel; www.counties.cce.cornel.edu)

Muscoot Farm Dragonfly Walk: Take an interactive walk through the forest, hunt for dragonflies and learn about all the different kinds of dragonflies that make Muscoot Farm their home. Sun, 7/31: 10am-12pm. (Route 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

August

Local! Chappaqua Chamber of Commerce Movies in Millwood Park: The Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, with major support by Drug Mart, present movies in the park on three Friday nights in August. Finding Nemo: Fri, 8/5: 8:30pm; The Lion King: Fri, 8/12: 8:30pm & Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Fri, 8/19: 8:30pm. (Millwood Park, 235 Saw Mill River Rd., (Rt. 100) Millwood; chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Farmland – Muscoot Movies: “Farming is hard work. But it’s cool again” – CNBC Visit the farm after hours for Academy Award-winning Director James Moll’s movie about “the next generation of farmers.” Fri, 8/12: 7:30-9:30pm. (Route 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Sheffield Island Haunted Lighthouse: Ghosts, ghouls and goblins greet visitors to the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse decorated to provide thrills and chills for youngsters of all ages (only two rooms are kept dark). This fun-filled, child-friendly haunted attraction includes activities for young visitors. Sat-Sun: 8/13-14: 11am, 12:30, 2 & 3pm. (Sheffield Island Dock, Washington and Water Streets, South Norwalk, Ct.; www.seaport.org)

So Please You – Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival: This family-friendly comedy tells the story of a servant named Dennis who appears only once in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, to announce that, “so please you,” there is a wrestler at the door! Zachary Fine and HVSF’s Conservatory Company’s original creation, a “tragical-comical, comical-tragical” tale revels in the classic art of clowning and showcases text from many of Shakespeare plays. Mon, 8/15: 7:30pm, Tues, 8/15: 2pm & Mon, 8/29: 7:30pm. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.hvshakespeare.org)

County Center Baseball Card Show: 300 tables, thousands of autographed memorabilia, modern and vintage sports cards, autographed baseballs, on-site authentication, hobby and wax boxes, and on site autographs from the stars. Thurs, 8/18: 4-8pm, Fri, 8/19: 11am-7pm, Sat, 8/20: 10am-5pm & Sun, 8/21: 10am-4pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

The Muppets – Jacob Burns: Walter (Peter Linz), the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel, The End of the Tour) and Mary (Amy Adams, Enchanted) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper, Adaptation) to demolish the Muppet Theater and drill for oil. Walter, Mary, and Gary reunite the Muppets to stage “The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever” and raise the money to save the theater. Sat-Sun, 8/20-21: 12pm. (364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Dutchess County Fair: 144 acres of bucolic fairgrounds in Rhinebeck plays host to half a million patrons and thousands of farm animals, agricultural exhibits and horticultural displays at New York’s second largest county fair. Plus, carnival rides, racing pigs, diving dogs, a horse show, petting zoo, pony rides, a timber show, goat milking, chicken clucking, horse shoeing, Frisbee dogs, jugglers, arts & crafts, woodworking and weaving demonstrations, a painted pony rodeo, championship bull riders, a bikes, blades and boards show, food and musical entertainment. Tues-Sun: 8/23-26: 10am-10pm. (6550 Springbrook Ave, Rhinebeck; www.dutchessfair.com)

Muscoot Farm Faerie Walk: Take an interactive walk through the forest at the farm to discover the fairies that live at Muscoot. Dress up like fairies, make a fairy craft and listen to fairy stories. Sun, 8/28: 1-3pm. (Route 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Living History: Military Reenactment Day at Boscobel: To honor its historic ties, Boscobel presents, “The Dyckman Family at War: An Encampment of Soldiers from the American Revolution through the Civil War”.  Re-enactors from three wars demonstrate military camp life including tactical weapon demonstrations, inspections, formations, musket firings, artillery demonstrations and drills, all which take place on the grounds of Boscobel House & Gardens, overlooking the majestic Hudson River and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Sun, 8/28: 11am-4pm. (Boscobel, 1601 Route 9D (Bear Mountain Highway) in Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Labor Day Weekend & Beyond

Lime Rock Park Historic Festival: The east coast’s premier vintage racing and concours event presents three days of on-track racing. Including more than 300 cars and drivers, racing everything from pre-WWI racers to the best competition machines from the 1920s to the 1970s. How cool is that? Thurs-Mon, 9/1-5: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

CORNucopia at Philipsburg Manor: This novel corn festival offers an inspired bounty of corn-centric delicacies, demonstrations and hands-on, corn-related activities. Kids play games like Konk-a-Crow and Ring-a Cob in the CORNival area. There are corn-shucking races, a mini maize-maze, and crafts. Plus house tours, cooking, barrel making and corn grinding demonstrations, bluegrass and folk music and English country dancing in the barn. For those with the corn munchies there’s cornbread, corn salsa and chips, corn chili, popcorn and sweet corn ice cream. Sat-Mon, 9/3-5: 10am-5pm. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival: Featuring Nerveless Nocks Motorcycle Thrill Show, 65 foot Ferris Wheel, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Arts & Crafts Show with 100 vendors, New England Seaport Village, Kids’ Cove with games, rides & activities under a circus tent, an International Food Court, Headline Entertainers (Smash Mouth on Sunday), harbor tour cruises, vessel tours, and … OYSTERS, OYSTERS, OYSTERS – including their famous Celebrity Oyster Slurpoff. Sat-Sun: (9/10-11: 11am-8pm (Norwalk Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk; www.seaport.org)

Local! Community Family Camp Out at Katonah Memorial Park: Bedford Recreation serves up this first family camp out event. They provide tent set-up assistance, a large campfire, 2 large grills for cooking, picnic tables, S’mores, hot chocolate, coffee and tea, ghost stories, breakfast bagels, donuts, and beverages, clean rest rooms, supervision, and a Sunday morning swim at the Katonah pool. Campsite registration begins May 2. Sat-Sun, 9/17-18: 4:30pm – 11am. Contact the recreation office at 666.7004 or www.bedfordny.gov)

All Summer Long

Afternoon & Sunset Sails on the Schooner Soundwaters: Board the 80’ Tall Ship Soundwaters, the ship that Pete Seeger made famous, for a two-hour journey on the Long Island Sound. The Schooner Soundwaters sails from Boccuzzi Park in Stamford on Saturdays at 3-5pm and Sundays from 2-4pm from June 25 to September 25. Soundwaters also sets sail for the sunset on a varied schedule from Thursday to Sunday, June 23-Septbember 25. Check dates & times. (Bocuzzi Park at Southfield, 166 Southfield Ave., Stamford CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Marine Life Cruises at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk: The Norwalk Aquarium’s 63 foot research catamaran, Spirit of the Sound runs silently on electric power for its 2½-hour “study cruises” on the Long Island Sound. Study marine biodiversity from the water’s surface to the bottom of the Sound. Cruise guides dredge up fish, crabs, mollusks and more. Sat & Sun in May, June and September and most days June 28 through Labor Day: check times. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Sleeping with Wolves – Wolf Conservation Center: Camp out overnight with the 20+ wolves that call the WCC home! It’s cheaper than a trip to Yellowstone – and you’ll leave a much smaller carbon footprint. The evening includes a pizza party with Ambassador wolves Atka, Alawa, Nikai and Xephyr, movies under the stars at Zephyr, Alawa and Nikai’s enclosure, tents for all campers, fireside snacks and a light breakfast. Friday nights and select Saturdays June through October: 6pm-8:30am. Pre-registration is required at www.nywolf.com)

Sheffield Island Lighthouse Cruises: Board the 45-foot C.J. Toth catamaran for a cruise to Sheffield Island on the Long Island Sound for a lighthouse tour, hike through Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, picnic and beach front activities. Sat-Sun, 5/28-9/5: 11am, 2 & 3:30pm. Mon, Thurs & Fri, 6/27-9/2: 11am & 3pm. Tues-Wed, 6/30-9/2: 11am. Check holiday weekend times. Acoustic Wednesday Cruises: Wed, 6/22-8/31: 6:30-8:30pm. Clambake Tours: Thurs, 6/9-9/29: 6-9:30pm. Lighthouse BBQ:Sat, 7/16 & 8/13: 5-9:30pm. (Sheffield Island Dock, Washington & Water Streets, South Norwalk, Ct.; www.seaport.org)

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome: This “living” museum of antique aviation, offers one of the largest collections of early aero planes (1909 to 1939) in the world plus weekend airshows, and bi-plane rides. The museum displays aircraft form the Pioneer Era, World War I and the Lindbergh Barnstorming era. Saturday airshows chronicle the History of Flight with Pioneer, World War I and Lindbergh era aircraft including a 1909 Bleriot – the oldest flying aircraft in the United States. Sunday shows feature a World War I dogfight and Barnstorming Aircraft. Museum & bi-plane rides: June-October. Air shows: mid-June- mid-October. (9 Norton Rd, Red Hook; www.oldrhinebeck.org)

Bicycle Sundays: 60,000 people a year break out their bikes to “ride the parkway,” a Westchester tradition since 1974. Sponsored by Con Edison and the Friends of Westchester County Parks, a 6.5-mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway is closed for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, scooters and strollers. Park your car at the County Center and bike from there to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Round trip 13.1 miles. Sun, 5/1-6/26: 10am-2pm.

Pride of the Hudson River Cruise: See the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on this narrated river adventure that begins in Newburgh and travels down to West Point taking in the sights of Washington’s Headquarters, World’s End, Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain, the Catskill Aqueduct and Cold Spring along the way. 5/1-10/31: check times. (120 Front St., Newburgh; www.prideofthehudson.com)

Renaissance Faire: A romp through Elizabethan England complete with 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and dance in Tuxedo Park. There’s mime, magic, music, comedy and storytellers, pirates, fairies, pole dancing, piping, acrobats, aerialists, a fire circus, birds of prey, sword fighting, knife throwing and the big one … jousting. Check for theme weekends & special events. Sat, Sun, & Labor Day: 8/6-10/2: 10am-7pm. (600 Rt. 17A, Tuxedo Park; www.renfair.com)

Rye Playland: There’s 42 carnival rides, entertainment in Kiddyland and the Music Tower Stage every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day at Rye Playland – except Mondays! Plus a beach nearby. There are kiddy rides like the Kiddy Coaster, Carousel and Whip to family rides like the Gondola Wheel, Family Flyer and Bumper Cars to thrill rides like the Sky Flyer, Dragon Coaster and the Playland Plunge. And fireworks every Friday night at 9:15 beginning on July 1. Gotta go once … www.ryeplayland.org)

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