Weekend Fun for Westchester Families: Grandparents Day, American Gold Cup, Riverfest, Sep. 12-13

9/9/15 - By Susan Miele

It may be back to the grind at work and school, but for family recreation in Westchester, the party is still on this weekend. Among our top picks are several events we highlighted on our September GoList, including a multifaceted celebration of the Hudson River at the Yonkers Riverfest. Also this weekend, the Greenburgh Nature Center hosts its annual Harvest Party, and shoe enthusiasts will enjoy Westchester Sneaker Expo.

Don’t forget: This Sunday is Grandparents Day, and Caramoor’s Grandparents and Grandchildren Fete is sure to please all generations. Another seasonal event is the all-day indoor/outdoor End of Summer Music Festival.

These are just a few of our top picks—read on for all this and more!  Also visit our Events Calendar for more ways to celebrate Grandparents Day and to get the most out of this weekend. 

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All Weekend

American Gold Cup - North Salem
This prestigious equestrian event promises $400,000 in prize money. In addition to watching the jumping events, there are also including pony rides, face painting and more. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity sightings. The event runs Wednesday through Sunday, with varying agendas (and admission rates; weekdays are FREE).

New York Renaissance Faire - Tuxedo Park
With a couple weekend opportunities remaining to visit the Renaissance Faire, this one’s a prime opportunity, as it’s Pirate Weekend, when there’ll be plenty of aaarggghhhs, mateys and even a "real" mermaid.

Holy Trinity Greek Festival - New Rochelle
Thursday through Sunday, families can head to New Rochelle for some rides, games and a celebration of all things Greek: food/dessert, music and dancing. There are plenty of vendors for clothing, gifts, toys and jewelry.

Bear Mountain Oktoberfest - Bear Mountain
The annual fall festival of German music, food, beer and vendors galore is underway at picturesque Bear Mountain.

Saturday, September 12

Riverfest - Yonkers
This annual celebration boasts fun for the entire family with live music (including kid-focused groups), food, classic cars, animal exhibits, a break-dancing competition and more. Free admission.

Grandparents and Grandchildren Fete - Katonah
Spend a quality afternoon with the grandparents at this multimodal event, featuring a performance of a composition inspired by the Babar children’s-book series, as well as an “I Spy” tour and a reception with tea sandwiches and treats.

End of Summer Music Festival - Peekskill
Bid farewell to summer at this all-day indoor/outdoor music festival, which also features craft vendors, food and an Oktoberfest Bier Garten for the grown-ups.

Westchester Sneaker Expo - White Plains
Sneaker enthusiasts will jump at the chance to check out what 300 vendors have—and the opportunity to sell or trade their own shoes. Celebrity basketball hosts, raffles and live entertainment are also on the agenda. 

View all Saturday events.

Sunday, September 13

E.T. The Extraterrestrial - Yonkers
Phone home! Yes, the beloved critter from outer space (and a young Drew Barrymore) can steal the hearts of the next generation when this is shown on the big screen. Friday and Sunday.

Harvest Party - Scarsdale
Greenburgh Nature Center is hosting a Harvest Party. Sample tasty treats from their organic garden and beehives. Learn about the social lives of bees and see honey extracted by resident beekeeper. Purchase tickets in advance to save.

View all Sunday events.

Beyond Westchester

Back for its 89th year is The Annual Feast of San Gennaro, a rite of passage in NYC. The feast, which is held for 11 days beginning Thursday, runs along Mulberry Street in Little Italy. This renowned festival celebrates all things Italian, with food, carnival games, food, religious processions, food, music, food and food. Families with little ones are advised to go earlier in the day to avoid the mob scenes; it can be shoulder-to-shoulder at peak times, making it difficult to navigate and perhaps a bit overwhelming (and a little too easy to get separated). The Grand Procession parade, with floats and marching bands, is held Saturday afternoon. Get your zeppole fix here!

Don your wings and wear your best black and yellow for the 5th Annual New York City Honey Festival takes place all day Saturday on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the important contributions of bees. The kids’ activities will make you wish you were young enough—bee-hat making, an interactive booth that explains pollination, an observation hive, microscopes for studying bees and pollen, face painting, a tie-dye station…the list goes on. There’s also the Bee Marketplace (and the beach!). 

Don't forget—there are more ideas for fun family outings in our Events Calendar.

Photo credit: American Gold Cup