One of the things I love best about living in NJ is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. They don’t call it the Garden State for nothing! From tomatoes to corn to fresh berries, it seems you can find delicious, locally-grown produce everywhere you look. And what’s better than buying directly from the farmers who’ve grown it? We've already told you about Farmers' Markets in Hudson County and now Farmers’ markets are popping up all over Union County, offering wonderful food and gourmet items at many convenient locations. Whether it’s fresh nectarines, yummy whoopie pies or mouth-watering mozzarella, you’re sure to find something scrumptious!

Summer on the North Fork means the return of annual carnivals and festivals. Whether you prefer snacking on garlic inspired food at the Garlic Festival or viewing the green surroundings from high atop a Ferris wheel, there are plenty of special events to check out from Riverhead to the Orient this summer. Read on for a list of our recommendations for festivals this summer.

We were all about the new on Mommy Poppins this week. We kicked off a new neighborhood focus for the month, Ridgewood, Queens, we're hosting a new giveaway of a week of cooking camp and we launched our brand-new site Mommy Poppins Westchester. We're particularly excited about that last one since our Westchester readers had been begging for their own site for years. We love giving the people what they want! Now you can find out about the best things to do with kids throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley and sign up for the local newsletter.

Over on our Travel site, we rounded up Father's Day family vacation deals to destinations both near (Mystic, Connecticut) and far (the Bahamas). Of course you don't need to leave the city to do something special. Our Summer Fun Guide is filled with fun ideas for Father's Day and beyond, including a bunch of just-added posts like FREE outdoor kids' concerts and performance festivals, and the best new museum exhibits for families.

We made great progress on our Mommy Poppins App as well this week: Our IndieGoGo campaign is almost 30% funded. If we reach our goal the app will be FREE to all so please consider contributing—a donation as small as $2 truly makes a difference and if you give more you get some awesome rewards.

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

Another spring into summer; another graduation! Whether the children in your life are 5 or 17, graduation is always an exciting time for the whole family. And who can resist those oh-so-adorable Kindergarten graduations? For your tween and teen grads, that feeling of accomplishment is contagious and inspirational—so why not reward the hard-working graduates in your life with a little “You Did It!” present? Here are some gift options for graduates of all ages.

Last weekend's warm weather might have made us believe that summer was already here, but this weekend's forecast poses a few more planning challenges. Never fear! We have a whole roster of activities to keep kids of all ages occupied--whether indoors or out.

Looking for a fun night out for your kids and yourself? Check out our guide to childcare providers offering Parents' Night Out in Fairfield County (in particular the Easton Community Center, which is hosting Parents' Night Out on Friday, June 7th from 6:30-10.)

Summertime, and the living is easy! (Said no parent ever). Most of the school districts in the Los Angeles area either are on break or will be before you know it. That leaves you with a lot of hours to fill. Oh no, who can you turn to for help?! Where will you find a hand-picked guide to berry picking? Will a guide to easy beaches just wash ashore? Is someone trumpeting about the coolest outdoor summer concerts series across the Southland?  Seriously. Let me know when you find out because I have no idea.*

If your thoughts turn to travel in the summer months, be sure to pay a visit to one of our sister sites. They can fill you in on the Mommy Poppinest events and activities in their necks of the woods.  (I'm totes jealous of the Dan Zanes concert I saw listed on Mommy Poppins New York, and thinking I might just have to board a plane and a ferry to sample the Nantucket fun Mommy Poppins Boston writes about.) You'll  probably want to check out each of the Mommy Poppins city sites, especially now that there are seven of us and... oops.  Did I just let the cat out of the bag? Well, you were going to find out sooner or later...

...Mommy Poppins has a new addition! Our new addition is a new edition, Mommy Poppins Westchester (the one in New York, not the home of LAX). It launched this week, and we couldn't be prouder! Why not pop on over and take a peek? We think you'll agree it's the most precious site ever, (or maybe we just think so because we haven't slept in a week). Naw.  It's a cutie!

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for the weekend ....

Boston-area families can find plenty of fun and free things to do this weekend. From World Oceans Day in Boston to Fresh Pond Day in Cambridge, from the Dragon Boat Festival in Cambridge to the Arts Festival in Salem, the weekend is filled with festivals and celebrations. And local farms are gearing up for strawberry season; read about pick-your-own farms and upcoming festivals to celebrate. We also have recommendations for pizza and ice cream near Drumlin Farm (has Kristin’s post inspired you to go?), the Boston Public Library, Blue Hills Reservation and more.

Still figuring out what to do this summer? How about getting free stuff and getting the kids to keep reading all summer - Tara shares this winning combination. Plus, guest blogger Nantucket Bucket shares its Summer Nantucket Bucket List - 15 kid-tested, parent-approved activities that are some of the Island’s top must-do experiences and sure to be the highlight of any Nantucket vacation.

Read on for more of our weekend picks, and be sure to check our Events Calendar for more ideas.

Enjoy!

This weekend, head on over to the Greek Village Festival at the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, where you'll enjoy Greek food, vendors, and more.  The 39th Annual LI Bavarian Heritage Festival is taking place at Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square, where you'll feast on German style food, listen to live music, see Bavarian folk dancing, and enjoy rides, games, and more.  At the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City, Plaza Theatrical Presents Pinkalicious, the story of a girl who indulges in way too many pink cupcakes and develops a case of Pinkititis!  Learn how flowers develop their scents and partake in a blindfolded test to identify plants by smell at the Kids & Family Program: Making Sense Of Scents at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury.  Also on tap: National Geographic Little Explorers Oceans World Day at Pottery Barn Kids, Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, and The Real Story Of Little Red Riding Hood at CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale.  As always, check out our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family!  Also check out our articles on Farmers' Markets on Long Island: Fresh Local Food for Your Family and Great Long Island Beaches for Families Post-Sandy.