Weekly Wrap Up: Fall Festivals, Apple Picking, 9/11 and Huge Discounts on Fall Classes

9/8/11 - By Raven Snook

And it's begun. If your kids are anything like my daughter, they started picking out their first day of school outfits about a week in advance. (If your child wears a uniform, you probably don't have a pile of discarded clothes on your floor.)

Even though summer break's over, there's plenty of fun in store for fall. This week, we rounded up a bunch of awesome September festivals and fairs, and highlighted apple picking farms close to NYC. We also launched a massive sale on classes all over the city at Poppins Perks. We're offering discounts on some of the best classes available this fall, from preschool alternatives to after-school programs.

Of course since Sunday is September 11, our weekend best bets are not all fun and games. We've got suggestions for how to commemorate the anniversary in addition to our roundup of other things to do.

Plus we've officially launched our new sites in Boston and Los Angeles! Let your friends in those cities know to sign up for their newsletters.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut.

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New York City

Even though we've already updated our Classes Guide for the back-to-school season, we continue to add new posts. This week, a mom raved about City Stomp's interactive music program for young kids.

We also shared the scoop on all of the class deals we've got over at Poppins Perks.

We rounded up 16 fairs and festivals in September, including annual family favorites like the West Side County Fair and Maker Faire.

September also brings the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, which is celebrated in multiple city spots.

The 92nd Street Y debuted an Andy Warhol exhibit for kids, and kicks off a series of related free art workshops this weekend.

Apple picking season has arrived! We found a dozen farms located about an hour from midtown Manhattan by car.

With the tenth anniversary of September 11 happening this Sunday, our weekend event roundup includes more somber offerings in addition to fun ones.

New Jersey

Our friends across the Hudson also highlight ways to commemorate September 11 with kids.

They also have places to pick your own apples in the Garden State.

Things to do this weekend include the Butterfly Release at Garretson Forge and Farm and Fosterfields’ Transportation Day, which features vintage autos.

Long Island

There are also many ways to mark the September 11 anniversary on the island.

We also shared tips on making healthy school lunches.


Other things to do this weekend include the East Northport Festival and the Medieval Festival in Sands Point.

Connecticut

Over in CT, we profiled the offerings at the After School Arts Program in Northwest Connecticut.

We also listed school lunch tips.

It's apple picking season everywhere! We've got the scoop on CT orchards.

There are also many September 11 memorials taking place in CT.

Weekend events include the Norwalk Oyster Festival, the Cornwall Agricultural Fair and many ways to remember September 11.

Cool Deals and Giveaways

Our CT site is giving away four tickets to the Norwalk Boat Show, which runs September 22-25. You must enter by Sunday.

And of course, our aforementioned fall classes sale is going on at Poppins Perks. We've got major discounts on a ton of amazing programs, including sports, art, music and even a whole semester of preschool alternative. Like all of our Poppins Perks, giving back is part of the deal: 10% of your purchase will go to a NYC public school classroom via DonorsChoose.org.