Last Weekend before Memorial Day Weekend. . . already?

Ready for the weekend?  I am!  I mowed the front lawn and planted some flowers, because we’re on the Niska-Day parade route.  A friend just asked me if we really get a letter from the planning committee telling us to spruce up our yards or if it’s just a (sub)urban legend.  We do get a letter.  I can’t remember what it says (because I only really read through it the first year that we were here), but I do remember thinking that it was sort of passive aggressive–all of your neighbors’ houses will look great, so don’t be the sucky one on the block.  But perhaps I was being over-sensitive.  The same friend also reminded me that last year we were joking with the people hanging out on my lawn about how we’d have mimosas and a breakfast buffet this time.  Did I say that?  What I meant was,  this year, I’d be happy if the people hanging out on my lawn would like to bring food and drinks to me.  And then, you know, I’d share.

So here’s what else is going on this weekend:

All Weekend:

• If you’ve ever wanted to do the Day Out with Thomas, it’s happening this weekend and next weekend.  Alas, it was mostly sold out for this weekend by the time I noticed it–I think just late on Sunday is left.  So if you’d like an activity for next weekend, act now.  I’ve had friends who’ve gone and loved it.
• Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library is having a used book sale on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Albany Legends are playing basketball at the Washington Avenue Armory on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.  On Saturday, the first 250 kids get a team photo, and there’s a dollar coupon at the link (tickets are $7, $10, or $25)
• Singin’ in the Rain is at Cohoes Music Hall.  Tickets are $25-$35.

Friday evening, May 21st:

• At 5 pm, it’s the Acoustic Sidewalk Series at the New Scotland Branch Library.
• It’s Art Night Schenectady from 5 to 9 pm.  Free admission to the Schenectady Museum and much more.
• At the Saratoga Springs Barnes & Noble at 6:30 pm, there’s a gathering of the American Girls Club.
• At 6:30 pm, it’s Tween Lego Club at Guilderland Public Library.
• Emma Willard School in Troy is hosting a free dance performance at 8 pm.

Saturday, May 22nd:

• It’s Take Our Children to the Park. . . And Leave Them There Day.
• From 8 am to 4 pm, there’s a Garden Center & Family Fun Day at Berkshire Farm Center in New Canaan, NY.
• At 9 am, take Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis at Grafton Lakes State Park.
• At 9 am, there’s a Wildflower Walking Tour at Vischer Ferry.  See the TU’s Clifton Park blog for details.
• It’s Niska-Day.  The parade starts at 10 am, and in the afternoon there’s plenty of entertainment, games, and a mechanical bull.
• There’s a 10 am Spring Botany Walk at Thacher Nature Center.  In case you’re a little confused, here, because you’ve heard that Thacher State Park is closed, let me tell you the deal.  Because I was confused, and so I called for you.  Thacher Nature Center is on the grounds of Thompson’s Lake State Park, which remains open.  The nature center and trails are available.  They’re adjacent to Thacher Park, with many beautiful, beautiful trails, including Indian Ladder and others.  These are not open.  If this makes you unhappy, and you haven’t called anyone or written any letters yet, you should.
• Discover Ann Lee Pond at the Shaker Heritage Society.  Tours leave at 11 am & 2 pm, and there’s a $5 suggested donation.
• At the Chapman Museum in Glens Falls, kids can make a birdhouse to take home. It’s from 1-3 pm, $3/child, and you need to call to make reservations.
• Take a Mud Pond Hike from 1-3 pm at Moreau Lake State Park.
• At 1 pm, kids aged 2 to 8 can bring their teddies to a Teddy Bear Picnic at the Rensselaer Public Library.  No sign-up is required.
• There’s a free Family Storytelling event at Watervliet Public Library from 1:30-2:15 pm.

Sunday, May 23rd:

• They’re planning a Trail Work Day at Grafton Lakes.
• There’s a Horse Show at the Altamont Fairgrounds.
• From 12:30-2:30 pm, Albany Mommy is cohosting a “funraiser” with FitAlbany to help raise money for Team Leukemia and Lymphoma.  It’s at Tumbling Tykes in Latham.  $10 for the first child, then $5 for each additional child.
• At 1 pm, there’s a World Turtle Day celebration at the Children’s Museum of Science & Technology.  Pre-registration required, $2/non-member.