Labor Day weekend events in the Hudson Valley
Photo credit: Leslie Barbaro | Daphnae the Earth Fairy, played by Jerii Aquino of Queens, introduces herself to participants in the fantasy adventure "Kidsquest" in the Enchanted Forest at the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park. (Aug. 12, 2012)
35 things to do in the Hudson Valley before summer ends
Enchanted Forest at NY Renaissance Faire
Hudson Valley getaways
Labor Day means the unofficial end of summer, and there are dozens of local events this weekend to help you end the season with a bang. From fireworks displays to outdoor concerts to antique fairs and apple picking, here are our picks for holiday events, listed below by region (Westchester, Rockland or Hudson Valley) and date.
WESTCHESTER
Multiple days:
PHOTOS:
Hudson Valley getaways
GUIDES:
Hudson Valley wineries
| Hudson Valley breweries
| Local historic sites
MORE:
Cold Spring day trip: 'Step back in time'
| Stargazing and relaxing at the Bedford Post Inn
Green Corn Festival in Sleepy Hollow: Storytelling, folk music and hands-on children's activities will bring Native American culture and history to life for kids at this lively annual festival (10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2). See live demonstrations of Native American medicine making, cooking, wampum making and more. Then it's time to get crafty and make a corn husk doll to take home. Info: Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; 914-631-8200; www.hudsonvalley.org/events/green-corn-festival; $14, $12 for seniors, $8 for children 3-17, free for members and children under 3
Monday, Sept. 3:
Labor Day Chess Tournament in Katonah: Families, gather your chess pieces and your wits and head to the Main Barn for the 38th annual John Jay Homestead Labor Day Chess Tournament (9 a.m.-4 p.m.). This is an all-ages event with both child and adult competitions. Pack a lunch and a drink. The children's tournament lasts about three hours; the adult tournament runs until 4 p.m. Info: John Jay Homestead, 400 Route 22, Katonah; 914-232-5651, ext. 101; johnjayhomestead.org; free
Tuesday, Sept. 5:
Labor Day Antiques Fair in Katonah: Check out beautiful heirlooms at the 28th annual Labor Day Antiques Fair in Lasdon Park (10 a.m.-5 p.m.; last admission at 4:30 p.m.). About 70 tents spread across the 234-acre property will house tons of old treasures, including vintage costume jewelry and Persian rug pillows. There will also be a plant sale and live entertainment. No dogs are allowed. Info: Lasdon Park and Arboretum, 2610 Amawalk Rd., Katonah; 914-273-4667; cordshows.com; $7, free for children under 13
ROCKLAND
Monday, Sept. 3:
Open bounce in Valley Cottage: Got some energy to burn? Why not bounce it off? Kids and adults are invited to practice their leaps and bounds on the trampoline courts and tumbling mats in a special Labor Day Open Bounce! session (2-8 p.m.). There's a "Bounce! Jr." section exclusively for the under-6 set, with its own trampoline court, foam pit and inflatable castle. Info: Bounce!, 612 Corporate Way, Valley Cottage; 845-268-4000; bounceonit.com; $12 for the first hour, $10 each additional hour, $10 for kids under 4
2nd annual burrito eating contest in New City: If you’re up for a challenge similar to what host Adam Richman endures on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food,” you can try to beat the clock and finish a five-pound burrito within an hour at American Burrito any day of the week. But on Monday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m., the eatery will be holding its 2nd annual burrito eating contest, open to participants and spectators alike. Contestants will eat a five 1/2-pound burrito as quickly as possible. The winner will take the $300 prize. Info: American Burrito, 195 S. Main St., New City; 845-708-5929; americanburrito.com; $25 per entry (call to enter)
HUDSON VALLEY
Multiple days:
Harvest Kickoff in Poughquag: Rock out to bands Thunder Ridge and Hot Rod during the 2012 Harvest Kickoff weekend at Barton Orchards (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Monday, Sept. 1-3). Attractions include hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn maze and inflatables for kids. You can also pick your own fruit, vegetables or flowers. On Saturday, the orchards will reopen after sunset for an 8:30 p.m. fireworks display. On Sunday, the orchards will reopen at dusk for flashlight night at the corn maze. Info: 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag; 845-227-2306; bartonorchards.com; free general admission for opening weekend
Art & Craft Fair in New Paltz: Check out the wares of more than 300 artists and crafters at the Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Craft Fair at the Ulster County Fairgrounds (10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 1-2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 3). While vendors exhibit and sell their creations, kids can visit the supervised children's area filled with tons of age-appropriate activities. There will also be live entertainment and handcrafted prepared foods to munch on during the day's festivities. Info: 249 Libertyville Rd., New Paltz; 845-679-8087; quailhollow.com; $8, $7 for seniors, free for children under 12
Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park: Frolic through Elizabethan England at the Renaissance Faire at Sterling Forest State Park (10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday-Monday, Sept. 1-3). The event, which runs weekends through Sept. 23, includes games, rides, crafts, food, music and dance, all with a 16th century twist. Info: 116 Old Forge Rd., Tuxedo Park; 845-351-5171; renfair.com/ny; Online tickets: $20, $10 for ages 5 to 12; Gate tickets: $22, $11 for ages 5 to 12; free for ages 4 and under
Labor Day sale in Central Valley: Shop at 220 stores at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley and receive additional savings on Labor Day weekend (9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 3). Live music will be offered daily in the Red Apple Court gazebo from 1 to 5 p.m. Info: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, 498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley; 845-928-4000; www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7
