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Weekend Fun: UFO Fair, Story Pirates, Cupcake Festival

Enjoy out-of-this-world festivities when Main Street closes down and the Pine Bush UFO Fair begins! Photo courtesy of the fair
Enjoy out-of-this-world festivities when Main Street closes down and the Pine Bush UFO Fair begins! Photo courtesy of the fair
5/15/19 - By Susan Miele

Be forewarned: there are so many fun, family-friendly events happening this weekend that the task of picking and choosing may be difficult! Dominating the lineup are spring festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, with celebrations of various sorts—even the extraterrestrial.

Returning this year is Celebrate Pinkster, a festival honoring a historic African-American spring celebration, featuring drumming, dancing, cuisine, and more. Carnival season kicks off with the St. Patrick’s Annual Carnival's rides, games, and cotton candy. For out-of-this-world fun, resistance is futile at the annual UFO Fair (and, for that matter, at the tantalizing Gardiner Cupcake Festival). And, for a robust agenda of hands-on art fun using assorted media, don’t miss the annual Family Arts Bash.

Read on for our top weekend picks, and visit each listing for complete details. Consult our May GoList and our Event Calendar to plan ahead, and stay in the know by signing up for our newsletters!

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All Weekend

Yonkers Arts Weekend

Yonkers – FREE
This multi-venue, two-day event celebrates the Yonkers (and beyond) arts scene, with exhibits, demos, and hands-on workshops for all ages (paper quilling, painting, sculpting, clay creations, and more). Both visual and performing arts are featured.  READ MORE

St. Patrick's Annual Carnival

Bedford
Carnival rides, food, and more return to St. Patrick’s School for the six-day carnival that's been held for more 45 years. READ MORE
Take part in the African American celebration of Pinkster in Sleepy Hollow. Photo courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley
Take part in the African American celebration of Pinkster in Sleepy Hollow. Photo courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley

Saturday, May 18

The Pinkster Festival at Philipsburg Manor

Sleepy Hollow
Storytelling, music, dance, drumming, crafts and food inspired by Black culture highlight “The Pinkster Festival: Remembering the Past, Reimagining the Future” at Philipsburg Manor. The festivities commemorate the region’s African American history and culture and look forward to a vibrant future with live performances, storytelling, and hands-on art activities. READ MORE

Family Arts Bash

White Plains
This annual event returns to Arts Westchester with a lineup of children's art activities, face painting, performances, and more.  READ MORE

UFO Fair in Downtown Pine Bush

Pine Bush – FREE
At this annual extraterrestrial extravaganza, the village celebrates its history of reported UFO sightings with roaming characters, an alien game show, an alien beauty pageant, cosplay, music, food, vendors, and more in downtown Pine Bush.  READ MORE

Gardiner Cupcake Festival - CANCELED

Gardiner
Choose from over 10,000 cupcakes at this annual festival. Yes--10,000. More than just a feeding frenzy, there's also the 5K Cupcake Classic, music, bouncy houses, wagon rides, and children's activities. Food trucks will also be on hand. READ MORE
The Story Pirates celebrate spring with an all-ages sketch comedy performance. Photo courtesy of the production
The Story Pirates celebrate spring with an all-ages sketch comedy performance. Photo courtesy of the production

Sunday, May 19

Story Pirates

Tarrytown
Story Pirates turn kids' original stories into wild sketch-comedy musicals featuring professional actors and replete with costumes. In this interactive production, the work of local kids is brought to life on stage with audience help. A story-making workshop precedes. READ MORE

Sheep and Wool Festival

Chestnut Ridge
The Fiber Crafts Studio will host this 9th annual festival, featuring fiber-craft activities like weaving, spinning, felting, and carding, as well as a petting zoo, a puppet show, food, music, craft vendors, and more.  READ MORE
More than 1,000 dancers, DJs, and live bands will light up NYC at the annual Dance Parade. Photo courtesy of the event
More than 1,000 dancers, DJs, and live bands will light up NYC at the annual Dance Parade. Photo courtesy of the event

Beyond Westchester

Dance Parade + DanceFest in the East Village

Manhattan
Dance Parade returns to the streets, celebrating its 18th annual procession and festival with 10,000 dancers and more than 100 unique styles of dance. READ MORE

Annual Children's Festival

Manhattan – FREE
The National Museum of the American Indian’s annual Children’s Festival invites families to explore the Taíno culture of the Caribbean. READ MORE

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