Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: D-Day 70th Anniversary, Walk for Autism Speaks, Arts Workshops and More, May 31-June 1

5/29/14 - By Susan Miele

May is winding down, summer is on the horizon and there are lots of fun events happening this weekend throughout Westchester. To help you get ready, we've rustled up our top weekend picks including nature themed activities, art festivals, musical performances and more.

Of historical significance, this weekend marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and Lasdon Commemorates D-Day has planned a full day of displays, period music and dancing, memorabilia and more to commemorate the Normandy invasion. Also noteworthy this weekend is the annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks. There’s still time for you to sign up--you can even form a team!

Other weekend events include the White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival, which showcases the work of local artists while raising money for kids’ arts scholarships or you can shop for crafts, food and other items at the Tarrytown Craft, Food & Street Fair. And if you haven’t yet seen Lightscapes--the light-and-art installation of elements found in nature--this weekend is your last chance before the exhibit closes.

For unadulterated carnival fun, the ICS Carnival is a can’t-miss with full-fledged rides, carnival games (with decent prizes!), classic carnival fare including candy apples and cotton candy, sand art and more. This runs Thursday through Sunday.

Read on for our best bets--many of which are FREE. As always, if something piques your interest, be sure to click through to the event listing for full details. To stay in the know, sign up for our weekly newsletter--it's FREE! And don't forget to check out our Events Calendar for more events happening this weekend and beyond!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival - White Plains
This annual show of juried fine artists and craftspeople is organized by a non-profit organization committed to raising funds for art scholarships for White Plains High School seniors pursuing advanced education in the arts. Also on tap are performing artists, a gallery-like show of local student artists (grades K through 12) and more. FREE

ICS Carnival - Tuckahoe
All ages will enjoy this annual carnival, which features both kiddie rides and rides for older kids, bumper cars, food stands and more. Pay one price for rides on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon (10am-5pm); rides and games ~$3.

SATURDAY

Lasdon Commemorates D-Day - Katonah
A full day's agenda serves to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, featuring military vehicles, Big Band music and dancing and other reminders of this momentous event and the associated era. $20/vehicle

Spring Botanical Art Workshop - Ossining
Learn how to bring drawings of flora to a whole new level of detail at this workshop, which provides instruction on form, texture and shadow. $5

Family Hobbit Hike: Spring and Magical Things - Peekskill
Immerse your child in nature on a kid-friendly hike as inspiration for an outdoor art project that follows the hike. $30 per child or $50 for 2

Funny Food Art Workshop - Pelham
Your kids just might become better eaters if the visuals on their plate look anything like what food artist Bill Wurtzel teaches at this workshop. You and your child can learn to create artistic masterpieces in plating your children’s food--animals, landscapes--the works! FREE

Lightscapes - Croton-on-Hudson
At this walk-through art and light experience, recycled elements serve as eco-friendly building blocks for intergalactic flora and friendly woodland creatures. Adults $16, Children 3-17 $12, Free for members and children under 3.

SUNDAY

Walk Now for Autism Speaks - White Plains
This annual walk-a-thon raises money and awareness for autism research and treatment. Walkers are encouraged to raise funds in support of the cause. FREE

Tarrytown Craft, Food & Street Fair - Tarrytown
More than 90 vendors and crafters exhibit their wares. FREE. Local food and beverages are available for purchase.

Maiko Souda Solo Performance - Harrison
Not your average library performance--this one features traditional Japanese songs by a singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall. FREE

BEYOND WESTCHESTER

Young Einsteins can rejoice this weekend, as two impressive--and FREE!--science-focused events are scheduled for this weekend in NYC: First, do some stargazing on Saturday night at the World Science Festival: The Night Sky From Brooklyn Bridge, which includes "Star Chat"--a panel discussion among leading astronomers, physicists and scientists on the topic of space exploration--as well as an interactive model comet and "The Hidden Light"--an interactive game from NASA. Then on Sunday there's The Ultimate Science Street Fair in Manhattan, a full-day agenda of science experiments, activities, installations and more from over 50 organizations. Three main themes are space, weather and robots.

For a cultural experience, take in the Twelfth Annual Drums Along The Hudson: A Native American Festival in Manhattan, an open-air pow wow, celebrating Native American culture. This free event features dancing, drumming, crafts, food and more. 

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

Photo courtesy of the Sleepy Hollow Chamber of Commerce