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Weekend Fun for Westchester Families: Renn Faire Free for Kids, Mess Fest, Carnival, Aug. 8-9
Here’s hoping you’re staying in town this weekend, ’cause there’s plenty for families to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!
For one, it’s a great time to visit the New York Renaissance Faire, as there are perks for kids--including free admission! For an excellent excuse to get messy (think mud pit and pie tosses!), support a good cause at Muddy Puddles Mess Fest. More fun can be had at the South Salem Fire Department's Carnival, and evening entertainment includes an instrument petting zoo at the Kid's Night concert.
Read on for more details on our top weekend picks--many of which are FREE. Planning the rest of the summer? Check out our August GoList for our top picks for the month. And remember to check out the myriad of weekday and weekend events we've captured in our Event Calendar!
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All Weekend
New York Renaissance Faire - Tuxedo Park
If ever you plan to visit this festival, this weekend is a good time, as there’s free admission for kids on August 8 and 9. Plus: Whether your kids don their best dress-up attire or you purchase regalia at the fair (there are plenty of vendors), be sure to have them partake in the Children's Costume Parade and Contest.
Saturday, August 8
South Salem Fire Department's Carnival - South Salem
Wednesday through Saturday, enjoy a traditional carnival with all the trimmings--plus a parade on Thursday.
Muddy Puddles Mess Fest - Carmel
Have fun while supporting a good cause at this multi-faceted festival that benefits pediatric-cancer research. The litany of fun includes the giant mud pit, the “SLOPSTACLE” course, pie tosses, food fights, water balloons, slime time, zip lines, climbing walls, paddle boats, bungee jumping, magic shows, bounce houses, games, prizes and more.
Kid's Night with Quintette 7 & "Instrument Petting Zoo" - West Point
Pack a picnic and settle in for this family performance, which includes an opportunity for kids to get hands-on and acquainted with the instruments. FREE
WorldFest - Yonkers
As part of the annual multicultural performance series, this stunning park is the setting for a performance by The Drums of Diaspora, featuring the music of Cuba, Haiti and Brazil. FREE
Sleepy Hollow Family Fun Day - Sleepy Hollow
Bounce on inflatables, ride on a pony, get your face painted, enter a raffle, rock out to DJ’d music, watch a police demo, check out the Westchester Knicks basketball game and more at this family event.
Sunday, August 9
Art and Science Workshops - Yonkers
Combine science and crafting at this workshop. This week’s theme is “Scavenger Hunt.”
Family Fun Night - Mamaroneck
Visitors can try their hand at beach volleyball, go for kayak rides, enjoy 'smores and more at this annual event for families! Free admission
Beyond Westchester
At the FREE Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, watch more than 200 boat teams compete in colorful custom-made vessels outfitted with dragon heads and tails. Families can soak up Chinese culture between races at the massive outdoor marketplace featuring ethnic eats, live music, lion and dragon dances, crafts, martial arts displays and kite flying.
A great time to visit the New York Hall of Science in Queens is this weekend, when an added attraction is the BioBus—a state-of-the-art microscope facility with the ability to let you zoom in on teeny-tiny animals to see their microscopic heart beat and more. Projectors allow you to beam what you view onto the wall for your family to see what you’re seeing.
Don't forget--there are more ideas for fun family outings in our Events Calendar.
Photo credit: Ty Louis Campbell Foundation/Muddy Puddles Mess Fest.
