Christi O'Donnell

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Latest posts by Christi

Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival is a Family-Friendly Music Festival

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Mon, 06/12/2017 - 8:00am

Since its inception over 50 years ago, Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival (a.k.a. the Clearwater Festival) has grown from a small nomadic folk gathering into a massive annual environmental celebration. Founded in 1966 by Toshi and Pete Seeger, the Clearwater Festival draws thousands of visitors to the shores of the Hudson River for a family-friendly weekend of music, dance, storytelling, theater, hands-on learning, water activities, arts and environmental education in Croton-on-Hudson's Croton Point Park.

All proceeds from this groundbreaking festival—which made our June GoList—go directly to protecting, preserving and sustaining the river through the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. nonprofit organization. After taking last year off, the 2017 fest is returning June 17-18, and it's a great way to teach kids about protecting our planet while having a lot of fun.

Looking for even more summer festivals? We've got you covered! Be sure to follow us on Facebook too.

18th Century Spring Fun at the Philipsburg Manor Sheep-to-Shawl Festival

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 04/21/2017 - 3:00pm

Few events herald spring for our family quite like Philipsburg Manor’s Sheep-to-Shawl festival. We included this event in our AprilGo List—our top picks for events happening all month long—and Sheep-to-Shawl definitely delivers.

Part of the Historic Hudson Valley network, based largely in Westchester County’s charming Rivertowns, Philipsburg Manor is a working historic farm that dates back all the way back to the 1690s. Each year, just as us humans are getting ready to shed our winter coats in favor of spring jackets, so too are the sheep getting ready to shed their winter wool, and that is where the festival begins. Read on for all the details on this weekend-long event, including what to expect and what not to miss!

Looking for more ways to ring in spring? Check out our Spring Activity Guide and sign up for our newsletters!

St. Patrick's Day Parades in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 03/10/2017 - 3:30pm

While the largest St. Patrick's Day parade in New York State may be held in Manhattan, Westchester and the Hudson Valley boast sizable marches as well.

Below we’ve rounded up the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day parades in our area, all of which, of course, are FREE. With options ranging from Saturday, March 11, through Sunday, March 19, the holiday becomes a nine-day affair. Read on, wear your green and Erin Go Bragh!

Looking for St. Paddy's celebrations that extend beyond parades? We have those too!

Where Westchester Kids Can Ski, Snowboard and Sled

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 10:00am

We've already covered the ways kids can learn figure skating and ice hockey in Westchester, but now we're going to turn our attention to some of the other outdoor winter sports.

We've rounded up the best places for kids and families to learn snowboarding and skiing of all kinds ... and even curling for any of you Olympic lovers! Looking for more skiing fun? Check out our Snow Sports Guide dedicated to the subject, and also sign up for our newsletters.

A Peaceful Trip Back in Time at Boscobel House and Gardens

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Sat, 07/23/2016 - 8:00pm

Overlooking West Point, Constitution Island and the Hudson River, Boscobel House and Gardens is a wonderful place to step back in time and take a break from our modern rush-around world. Originally built in Montrose, N.Y., and moved to its current location in Garrison in the 1950s, Boscobel House dates back to the early 1800s.

Throughout the year Boscobel hosts a variety of family-friendly events, in addition to the tours, picnicking, hiking and sight seeing opportunities that are available April through December. We have what you need to know about visiting these immaculately restored grounds, which reflect the grandeur of when it was home to one of Westchester’s wealthiest women.

Glamp Out: Alternative Camping and Glamping for Westchester Families

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 4:00pm

Though hard-core campers may find it hard to believe, hauling a hundred pounds of gear out into the middle of nowhere to spend a night communing with mosquitos and tree frogs is not everyone's idea of a vacation. Perhaps you've never been camping and would like a low-risk way to get your feet wet (so to speak, of course) or you've been camping many times and are ready to try a trip where digging your own latrine isn't part of the charm. You're in luck! In addition to many conventional campsites, the Lower Hudson Valley also boasts several places that offer an alternative camping experience- one where you just show up and most of the work is already done for you!

Thanksgiving Cheats: Where Westchester Families Can Score Some (or All!) of Thanksgiving Dinner

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Tue, 11/03/2015 - 6:00pm

Turkey Day is coming—and we all know what that means! More appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts served up in one meal than most people are normally able to cook in a week.

No knife skills skills? No time? No kitchen? No problem! Westchester is full of shops and restaurants ready, willing and waiting to put that turkey dinner (or vegetarian alternative!) together for you. Pick up or delivery, precooked or just prepared, this list has something for every level of commitment.

And if you're already thinking about how to stay active this time of year, check out our post on turkey trots and fun runs happening throughout Westchester. And don't forget our November GoList for more fun events happening all month long!

Turkey Trots for Kids: Where Westchester Families Get Active for a Good Cause

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Sun, 11/01/2015 - 11:30am

Across Westchester County, families will be celebrating Thanksgiving this month with a fun and healthy tradition—the turkey trot. No longer a fancy dance step, the turkey trot is an annual ritual in many places—and occasionally involves an actual frozen turkey! Running a 5K can torch 300 to 500 calories, depending on individual person and his or her current fitness level. That’s enough for a second helping of Uncle Jim’s famous pumpkin pie, extra gravy on everything or a cup full of stuffing!

We've rounded up some of the best turkey trots around Westchester, so what are you waiting for? Get out there and preemptively work off your Thanksgiving dinner while raising money for some good causes. Be sure to click through to the event listing for even more details. And look for more fall fun on our Event Calendar and our November GoList!