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Weekend Fun: Honey Festival, Hot-Air Balloons, American Roots Music

Take a horse-drawn wagon ride at Sweet Bee's Honey Festival in Monroe. Photo courtesy of the festival
Take a horse-drawn wagon ride at Sweet Bee's Honey Festival in Monroe. Photo courtesy of the festival
6/19/19 - By Susan Miele

Summer has officially arrived, and there is no shortage of ways for families to celebrate this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

One of our top picks for June is the return of the American Roots Music Festival, a full day and evening of performances by both established and up-and-coming artists in a bucolic outdoor setting. Enjoy nautical-themed fun at the Maritime Festival (all FREE), or take to the skies at the Empire State Hot-Air Balloon Festival. Fans of large vehicles (and other fun) might enjoy the Yorktown Grange Car Show and Antique Tractor Expo, while lovers of honeybees (and lots of fun things to do) might enjoy the Honey Bee Festival.

More of our top picks are below, and you can find many more happenings on our Event Calendar. For even more summer fun, check out our Summer Activity Guide for Westchester Kids, featuring 50+ FREE Things To Do this Summer in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

If you haven't done so already, stay in the know by signing up for our weekly newsletters and following us on Facebook!

 

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Watch the sky fill with color at the Empire State Hot Air Balloon Festival this weekend. Photo courtesy of the festival
Watch the sky fill with color at the Empire State Hot Air Balloon Festival this weekend. Photo courtesy of the festival

All Weekend

Empire State Hot-Air Balloon Festival

Poughquag
In addition to dawn and dusk balloon launches, this colorful festival features fireworks (Friday and Saturday), balloon glows, and family-friendly entertainment. View balloon inflation and ascension into a rainbow aloft in the sky. Balloon rides available throughout the day.  READ MORE

Newburgh Mall Carnival

Newburgh
This family-friendly annual event features midway rides for all ages from whimsical kiddie rides to thrill rides, carnival games, and traditional fair food. READ MORE
Cheer on the competitors in the Maritime Festival and National Boat Building Challenge. Photo courtesy of the HRMM
Cheer on the competitors in the Maritime Festival and National Boat Building Challenge. Photo courtesy of the HRMM

Saturday, June 22

Maritime Festival and National Boatbuilding Challenge

Kingston – FREE
Celebrate maritime craft and heritage with the National Boatbuilding Challenge (teams of two have four hours to build a 12-foot boat that they then relay race), plus an Antique & Classic Boats Show with parade, woodworking demos, kid-friendly activities, and lighthouse tours. READ MORE

American Roots Music Festival at Caramoor

Katonah
Tickets are available for theater seating or on the lawn outside, where attendees can bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy daytime performances by numerous artists on multiple stages. Pack a picnic or purchase food on-site. The grounds alone are worth the visit. READ MORE

Unicorn Doll Making Workshop

Pelham
Make a charming stuffed unicorn doll with instruction from the Pelham Art Center. READ MORE

Summer Reading Kick-Off Party at the New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle – FREE
NRPL is kicking off the Summer Reading Challenge, "Adventure Begins at Your Library," with a fun-filled morning featuring bubbles, crafts, and, of course, books!  READ MORE
Enjoy plenty of sweet treats at Sweet Bee's Honey Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Enjoy plenty of sweet treats at Sweet Bee's Honey Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Sunday, June 23

Sweet Bee’s Honey Festival & Artisan Market

Monroe
Celebrate honeybees with vendors selling honey (and other) products, plus 19th-century demos by costumed guides, country line dancing, horse-drawn covered-wagon rides, farm animals, face painting, old-fashioned games, crafts, Museum Village access, and more. READ MORE

Yorktown Grange Car Show and Big Truck Day

Yorktown Heights – FREE
Spectators are welcome at this annual show of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, which also features activities for kids, vendors, and food available for purchase. Plus, there will be big trucks for the kids to explore.   READ MORE
Celebrate the summer solstice at the New York Botanical Garden with gardening fun, crafts, yoga, live music, and more. Photo courtesy of NYBG
Celebrate the summer solstice at the New York Botanical Garden with gardening fun, crafts, yoga, live music, and more. Photo courtesy of NYBG

Beyond Westchester

Summer Solstice at the Garden

Bronx
Celebrate the start of summer with gardening fun, crafts, yoga, live music and more to celebrate the long summer days ahead. READ MORE

The Mermaid Parade on Coney Island

Brooklyn – FREE
Welcome summer with the return of the Mermaid Parade, an eclectic (and historically jam-packed) celebration, featuring revelers decked out in their most outrageous sea-themed costumes.  READ MORE

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