Weekend Events for Kids on Long Island, September 11-13: End of Summer Festivals, Pet Expo, and More

9/10/09 - By

With school back in session, chances are your weekend sports and activities have started up again as well. I actually miss having my kids around, though, and that's why I'm looking forward to spending some time with them this weekend. If you're like me, luckily, there are plenty of great things going on this weekend on Long Island, even if you have to squeeze in some quality family time between practice or class. Here are our suggestions for some of the best events:

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The Long Island Pet Expo
Friday, September 11
5pm-9pm
Suffolk County Community College Expo Center

If a pet is in your future or if your kids are animal lovers, you chould check out The Long Island Pet Expo this weekend. In Brentwood at Suffolk County Community College Expo Center, there is a long list of activities going on to introduce you to or educate you about the wonderful world of animals. From reptiles to birds of prey, pot bellied pigs to dogs, there really are some neat things going on. I absolutely would want to see the pot-bellied pig performance, but also, the 9/11 Rescue Dog Tribute is a reason to go. On Friday evening, there will be search and rescue demonstrations and stories of how canines assisted not only on 9/11 but in thousands of other disaster efforts. The show runs all weekend long, but Family Night is Friday night and your kids under 12 are FREE. Check out their website for more information. 

Summer Nature Walk
Saturday, September 12
9:30AM and 11:00AM
Gardiner Park, BayShore

We've written about events at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Campus before, and this weekend is another great reason to check it out. An End of Summer Nature Walk is taking place at Gardiner County Park in BayShore. We love these events, partially because they are educational and fun (like this one which is lead by a marine educator, but also includes beachcombing for treasures to keep) but also because they are FREE. Cornell Coop. is a not for profit organization and we like to support these great programs. And, Gardiner park is a beautiful place to visit and explore. The walk starts at 9:30AM and again at 11:00AM. It's specifically geared for ages 3-5, but anyone can go. 

 

FESTIVALS:

And with Summer officially over, it seems Long Islanders aren't quite ready to say goodbye. All Summer Long, there are dozens of weekend music, town and family festivals. And, keeping that spirit this weekend, there are several end of Season festivals going on across the Island. I'm not sure what Mother Nature has in store, but hopefully there will be at least enough sunshine and Indian Summer weather left to enjoy one of these:

They call it Fall Harvest and Seafood Festival, but really it's an end of Summer Festival at Captree State Park. With boat rides, pirate shows, and more, the Nautical themed event is just across from Robert Moses State Park in Babylon. Saturday, September 12-Sunday, September 13. After you pay the vehicle entrance of $6, the event is FREE

FamilyFest 2009 is the annual end of Summer party and festival at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington. You can enjoy the usual festival food and games while getting the end of summer fix on building sandcastles and flying kites. FREE admission with a $5 vehicle use fee. Sunday, September 13.

In the great town of Sag Harbor, the annual Harborfest offers a lobsterbake, parade, whaleboat races and live music as part of it's festival. The lobsterbake is pricey with a fee of $75, but the rest of the festival is FREE. Visit the Sag Harbor website for more information or check out our post about fun things to do in Sag Harbor with kids. Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13.

If you live on the West Side, and you like music, check out the Queens County Folk Festival at Queens College. Admission is FREE. Sunday, September 13. 

And three street festivals are going on all weekend long in Franklin Square, Bayville, and Syosset