Campfire fun
Oct. 1-2: Family Campout Gather ’round the campfire for an evening of outdoor activities and overnight camping at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Bring your tent, sleeping bag, and some family and friends to learn about nocturnal nature, do some star-gazing (weather permitting), make s’mores, and listen to stories. Light breakfast snacks (and coffee for mom and dad) are provided the following morning. Overnight, 5 p.m.-9 a.m.; rain date Oct. 9-10. $15, $8 children under five. Prepaid registration required. • Outdoor Discovery Center. Muser Dr., Cornwall. 845-534-5506 or www.hhnaturemuseum.org
Who said that?
Oct. 8: The Magic Trunk with Sylvia Fletcher Join ventriloquist Sylvia Fletcher and her wacky puppet friends for a hilarious show at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Among other characters, you’ll meet a funny, street-smart opossum and an adorable baby dinosaur. Prepare to be amazed as Fletcher makes a mysterious picture come to life. Expect tons of surprises and audience participation. 11 a.m. $9, $7 children. • 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck. 845-876-3080 or www.centerforperformingarts.org
Apples to apples
Oct. 8-9: Apple Harvest Festival Apple pie, apple cider, candied apples — there are tons of ways to enjoy this fruit of fall. Celebrate the season at Angelo Canna Park with hayrides, pumpkin painting, a scarecrow contest, kite flying, and a 5K run/walk. There will be food and craft vendors as well as a book sale and pie-baking contest — and, of course, plenty of apples! Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $2, free under five. • Mountain Ave., Cairo. 518-622-3636 or www.cairochamberofcommerce.com
Pumpkin head
Oct. 10: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow While Washington Irving’s famous tale is usually quite haunting, the Puppet People use an offbeat storytelling style to make it appropriate for kids. The group arrives at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum this month with two life-sized puppets, various marionettes, special lighting, smoke effects, and a soundtrack of folk music. The puppeteers tell the story by focusing on common playground themes that are part of the legend — like bullying, jealousy, and superstition. 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. $5. • 75 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie. 845-471-0589 or www.mhcm.org
Also, don’t miss Poughkeepsie’s annual Kids Expo, taking place on the Walkway Over the Hudson and at Waryas Park on Oct. 1-2. This year’s event includes boat rides, children’s yoga, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and tons of other fun and educational activities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $6 in advance, $8 at the door; www.kids-expo.org
Spoken word
Oct. 29: 16th Annual Rockland County Storytelling Festival Grab a snack and pull up a chair: This yearly celebration of whimsical, adventurous, and delightful stories will entertain you all afternoon. The event takes place at Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library and features the tales of various beloved storytellers told by both professionals and students. There will be story-related craft activities for children, too. Refreshments provided. 1:30-4:30 p.m. • Rosman Center. 10 W. Ramapo Rd., Garnerville. 845-786-3800.
Ghouls on Parade
Show off your scariest, silliest, or prettiest costumes at these popular Halloween parades:
- Oct. 16: 10 Greycourt Ave., Chester. www.villageofchesterny.com
- Oct. 22: Nyack. www.nyackchamber.org
- Oct. 30: Main St., Tannersville. www.tannersvilleny.com/events.html
- Oct. 31: Rte. 212, Woodstock. www.woodstockguide.com/calendars.html
- Oct. 31: Beekman Ave., Sleepy Hollow. www.sleepyhollowny.gov
- Oct. 31: Main St., New Paltz. www.newpaltz.org
