On June 19th, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation theoretically freed all the slaves in the Confederate States, federal troops arrived in Texas to enforce the Proclamation and free the slaves of Texas.  Dubbed "Juneteenth," June 19 has been celebrated as Emancipation Day in Texas since 1866 and has since spread to most of the United States, including Massachusetts. Whether you attend one of the special Juneteenth events, plan a visit to one of Boston's African-American museums and historic locations, or spend some time reading books with your family, Juneteenth is a great time for all of us to reflect on what freedom, and its absence, really means.

There are so many fun activities to do during the summer months on Long Island, and many families enjoy a good picnic. Fortunately, there are many beautiful spots to bring some food and drinks, and enjoy time with the kids. Many are also near the water or have a playground on-site. And for more options, be sure to check out 7 Perfect Picnic Places on Long Island.

If you're a fellow NYC public school parent, I know you share my stress this week. Between the half day on Tuesday, the whole day off on Thursday, Monday's upcoming half day and all of the end-of-the-school-year events, we're so busy we need to schedule time to breathe. But the (comparatively) lazy days of summer fun are coming, and there are plenty of memorable experiences to be had in NYC and beyond.

If getting out of town is at the top of your list, our Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut sites all rounded up the best family events this June, and many of them make for great getaways like this weekend's Fol de Rol County Fair in Armonk, NY, the New Jersey Renaissance Faire in Bordentown and the Strawberry Harvest Festival in Chester, NJ. Or how about a trip to the amazing Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT or the 42-acre outdoor art installation Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ? And don't forget, we have an entire guide dedicated to the Hamptons and North Fork if that's where you're headed.

Of course you don't need to leave the city to go on an adventure. This weekend brings some of our favorite annual family outings including the Figment arts fest on Governors Island, which feels like a day trip. And a few of NYC's major FREE summer performance festivals kick off this week including SummerStage and Celebrate Brooklyn! and we highlighted the best bets for kids. Plus Friday is National Doughnut Day, which means FREE treats at participating doughnut shops.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

It's one of those annoying double standards you deal with as a parent: While fancy dresses seem to beckon from shop windows everywhere, finding a nice and affordable kids' suit feels like going on a scavenger hunt. Just how far do you have to search for boys' formal wear for the next wedding/graduation/holiday/picture day? And how much do you have to pay? At the rate kids grow, they'll probably only wear it once or twice.

Scouring second-hand kids' clothing shops is a good first option (remember, most of these suits were barely used). But if that's not your thing or you can't find a good fit, we came up with a list of NYC stores where you can buy boys' suits without having to take out a second mortgage.

There's no shortage of festivals, art and food in Westchester this weekend. In fact, three of our top picks for June are taking place, including the Fol de Rol County Fair and Festa Italiana. 

The 17th Annual Peekskill Open Studios runs all weekend, offering studio tours, gallery visits, meet-the-artist opportunities and special features that kids will enjoy. If you go on Saturday, you can also check out the Light Painting Photography family art workshop, also in Peekskill.

Looking to enjoy fresh air, get some exercise and support a good cause? Sign up to raise funds for SunriseWALKS, a walk-a-thon whose mission is to continue providing free camp for kids with cancer (and even their siblings!).

Read on for details about the above, as well as other enticing options (many of which are FREE). For more options, peruse our Events Calendar. And if you haven't done so already, sign up for our weekly newsletter--it's FREE! 

There are tons of options for some quality family time this weekend! Benner's Farm in St. James is hosting their annual Strawberry Fair on Saturday, with succulent strawberry dishes and good old fashioned games. Or you can head indoors to see a show in Northport (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) or at the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City (Go, Dog, Go).

For those looking to get in touch with their inner Picasso, there is Family Sundays at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn. The Museum hosts a walk-through exhibition and hands-on activities for the whole gang. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend, so you can also just enjoy taking a stroll around the grounds.

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