It’s another beautiful fall weekend coming up and there are so many great local spots to pick your own apples with the whole family! Click the button below to see our Local Apple Picking Guide now!
This Week at The Children's Museum at Saratoga
Coming up this week at The Children's Museum:
Join for a special edition of Story Time for Peace Week on Wednesday with Ms. Karen! So many friends and so much fun!
Get your hiking shoes on and join on Thursday when we visit Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail for Nature Exploration.
Science Explorers on Friday is great for your budding scientist! Join in and explore the mysteries of science!
Art Adventures on Saturday is a great way to engage the creative side and develop fine motor skills!
All program times are at 10:30am. Email Jessica at education@cmssny.org for program info!
$5 Fill a Bag Children's Book Sale at the Saratoga Springs Public Library Sat. 9/18
On Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Saratoga Springs Public Library (SSPL), the Friends of SSPL will hold a sale on children's books. Fill a bag (provided!) with all the books you can fit for just $5 and start fall out on the right page. Inventory will include board books, "how to read" levels 1-4, chapter books for middle schoolers, young adult novels, and more!
Clifton Park Farm Fest
Drive yourself to the many working farms in Clifton Park during Clifton Park’s annual Farm Fest! Taking part from Saturday, Sep 18th until Sunday, Sep 19th from 10am to 5pm on both days. Have fun while learning about farming. Ride a horse, pick apples, take a hayride, eat country food, and lots more during the two-day Clifton Park Farm Fest.
2021 Participating Locations:
Riverview Orchards
Bowman Orchards
Shepherd's Hey Farm
There will also be activities happening at:
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library
Vischer Ferry Fire Station
Historic Grooms Tavern
Amity Reformed Church
Want to find even more fun family events right here in Saratoga? Click the photo to below to see our local events calendar!
4th Annual Day of Play Presented by The Beagle School 9/24
Join in on Friday, September 24 from 4:00-7:00 PM for The Beagle School’s 4th annual DAY OF PLAY at the Saratoga Spa State Park Polaris Pavilion! Kickball, dodgeball, pumpkin painting, homerun derby, music, a frisbee golf hole-in-one contest, and more! All ages are encouraged to get out and PLAY at Saratoga's Fall Field Day! Start your evening with some fun and grab dinner from Fitzy's Fork in the Road food truck and finish the night with a camp fire and s'mores.
Northeast Ballet Nutcracker Auditions Saturday, September 18th
Northeast Ballet Company is thrilled to announce that auditions will be held for their 2021 Nutcracker production on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the GE Theater in Proctors Theater. Auditions will be open for dancers ages 8-18+ ONLY. (Dancers ages 12+ must be vaccinated). Please visit their website www.northeastballet.org to read all safety and protocol requirements for this year’s production!
Local Apple Picking Spots
There are so many great local spots for pick your own apples, here are just a few of our local favorites! Have a special fave that you don’t see in our post? Leave it in the comments section below!
Altamont Orchards: 6654 Dunnsville Road, Altamont (518) 861-6515
Altamont Orchards offers one of the largest farm markets in the capital district along with pick your own Apples, Pumpkins and Strawberries. Altamont Orchards presents the annual Capital Region Apple and Wine Festival the 3rd. weekend in September at the Altamont Fairgrounds. The farm also offers a childrens play area, &, wagon rides.
Indian Ladder Farms: 342 Altamont Road, Altamont (518) 765-2956
This week,Monday-Friday Sept 13-17, we will be picking Honeycrisp and Gala apples!
Call before you arrive for last minute info and changes 1-866-640-PICK.
Bowman Orchards: 141 Sugar Hill Road, Rexford (518) 371-2042
98 acre family run farm. Come and Visit us for Pick your own fruits and vegetables, Fresh apple cider donuts or just a family fun day down on the farm!
Riverview Orchards: 660 Riverview Road, Rexford (518) 371-2174
Pick-Your-Own Apples starts on Saturday, September 11, 10 am to 5 pm. Take a free hayride to the orchard. Visit our store for Apple Cider Donuts, Homemade Pies, Local Produce and Products, Ready-Picked Apples, and lots of other Goodies.
Store hours are 9 am to 6 pm seven days a week. Pick-Your-Own hours are 10 am to 5 pm.
Saratoga Apple: 1174 Route 29, Schuylerville (518) 695-3131
Available for Pick Your Own: Macs, Pulared, Gingergold, Jonamac, Cortland
During the weekday get your prepaid Pick Your Own bags in the orchard store, and weekends get them at the big tent next to the store. Food trucks Friday and Saturday evenings! Live Music Saturday and Sunday afternoons! Fresh Cider Donuts everyday!
Hicks Orchard: 18 Hicks Road, Granville (518) 642-1788
New York's Oldest U-pick Orchard. We grow food to build community. A family tradition since 1905. We are open 6 days a week from 8 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Tuesdays. Feel free to call ahead, 518.642.1788.
Check out our BRAND NEW Events Calendar!
We are so excited to launch our brand new local Events Calendar, which will give you ALL of the local happenings for kids and families in our area! Easy to use, there is also a submission button to submit your own events for the calendar for our community! Click the button below to see it now!
Also coming up this week is the newest version of our weekly newsletter. Now that the school year is back in full swing Mini City will keep you on top of all the events with one easy email a week, to sign up for the newsletter just fill out the form below and keep your eyes peeled for the first Mini City Weekly Roundup to hit your inbox!
Mini City Magazine: Back to School Issue
Click the cover above to read the issue now!
Blueberry Jam-boree at Saratoga Farmers' Market Sat. 7/31
Join the Saratoga Farmers’ Market at High Rock Park (112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs) in celebrating one of their favorite summer berries with the Blueberry Jam-boree at the Saratoga Farmers' Market! This free event will be held on Saturday July 31st from 9am-1pm in High Rock Park. The market will be jam packed with all things blueberry featuring products, samples, recipes and activities for children. You won't want to miss this sweet summer event!
Big Truck Day 2021! Saturday 8/7
The Children’s Museum at Saratoga is excited to announce our premiere summer event, Big Truck Day on Saturday, August 7th at Maple Ave Middle School in Saratoga Springs.
Big Truck Day is an amazingly unique day out for the entire family! The event features trucks and vehicles of all sizes and types that are staffed by the vehicles’ owners or drivers. Kids will also enjoy fun projects and interactive programs offered throughout the event.
Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased through the link HERE.
For any Big Truck Day related questions feel free to email us at info@cmssny.org.
Mini City Magazine :: July
Read the latest issue of Mini City Magazine by clicking the cover photo above! In this issue we have handpicked some of our favorite things to do right here in our area, from a visit to a family farm night and a trip to the track with the kids. Plus we have some important summer safety tips and some helpful ways to avoid the “summer slide”. Click through to read it now!
Family Saturday: You’ve Got Mail at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery 7/24
Ellsworth Kelly, Study for Dark Gray and White Rectangle I, 1977, 4 x 6 inches, collection of Ellsworth Kelly Studio and Jack Shear, copyright Ellsworth Kelly Foundation
Join us Saturday, July 24th at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs at either 1:00PM or 3:00PM for Family Saturday: You’ve Got Mail, a multigenerational workshop for children 5 and older and their adult companions. Each session includes looking at artwork, discussing and sharing ideas, and engaging in a hands-on art activity inspired by those conversations.
We will take a look at the postcards in the exhibition Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards, and see how Kelly created these collaged works and how they influenced his abstract paintings, sculptures, and prints. Afterward, we will create our own collages postcards that we can post to a friend with a special message.
Registration is required and is limited to five families for each workshop session. Due to small workshop groups, we are offering each session two times, from 1:00 to 2:30pm and from 3:00 to 4:30pm. Because children are unvaccinated, masks are required for all.
You can register beginning one week before each program. To register, call the Tang Visitors Services Desk at 518-580-8080. Be sure to include which session time you are signing up for.
We welcome visitors of all abilities! Be prepared to get messy and have fun!
The 2021 Saratoga County Fair July 22 - 25, 2021
The 2021 Saratoga County Fair will be held on July 22 - 25, 2021!
Enjoy a variety of events at this annual summer fair, including animal shows, truck, tractor, and lawn mower pulls, demonstrations, and more. There will also be amusement rides, fair food, and a carnival to explore.
Note: Thursday, July 22, will feature limited activities.
2021 Fair Prices
Thursday, July 22: Free Admission
Friday, July 23 - Sunday, July 25: $5 adults, free for kids 12 and under
Parking in all fair lots by the Lions Club is $5
$25 unlimited ride handstamp each day
2021 Carnival Hours
Thursday, July 22: 5pm-11pm
Friday, July 23: 11am-11pm
Saturday, July 24: 12pm-11pm
Sunday, July 25: 12pm-8pm
https://saratogacountyfair.org/
Performing Arts at the Common: Seth and the Moody Melix 7/21
Stop by the Clifton Common Stage for the free 2021 Performing Arts at the Common Series! Admission is FREE!
July 21 - Seth and the Moody Melix
Join the newest local children’s band for a fun and exciting multi-cultural musical experience designed not only to entertain, but to educate children!
Note: All performances are at Clifton Common Stage at 7 Clifton Common Boulevard in Clifton Park (next to basketball courts and Clifton Park Senior Community Center.) Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. rain or shine unless otherwise noted. Lawn chairs are welcome and refreshments for family series are free courtesy of Starpoint Church.
The Power of Produce Club for Kids (POP Club) at the Saratoga Farmers' Market
POP Club, photo by Pattie Garrett
The Power of Produce Club for Kids (POP Club) is back for a 6th season thanks to the support of the Christopher Dailey Foundation!
POP Club is a free 10-week program held on Wednesdays at the Saratoga Farmers' Market (112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs). Children may show up any time between 3-6 pm to participate in a fun, educational activity. Children who participate are given a $2 POP coin to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables at the market, and they will earn a stamp in their POP Passport (4 stamps = a prize!).
POP Club will begin on Wed, June 30 and will run through Wed, September 1. This season, we have an incredible lineup of activities offered by a variety of hosts. It's all about farm, food, and nutrition education for all ages and abilities. Behold the power of produce!
This event is hosted by the Saratoga Farmers' Market.
Fashion Lab NY Coming to Saratoga Springs! Register NOW!
Learn more about the fabulous Fashion Lab camp coming to Saratoga Springs! This Fashion Design and Sewing Camp to Saratoga Springs for the first time ever, and your creative child will learn how to sew, design and style their own garments and accessories in one week. Best part is, there is a Fashion Show at the end of the week to showcase all that the campers have created! All supplies, patterns and sewing machines are provided by FASHION LAB NY. Campers need to bring their favorite fabric and a lunch/snack – information specified at Registration.
No Sewing Experience Necessary! We will teach you everything you need to know.
Camp is limited to only 8 campers. Our small camp size allows us to give each camper the attention and tools they need to design and create. There will be a waiting list if more spots open.
FLNY Fashion Design and Sewing Camp in Saratoga NY – Week #1
August 2, 2021 - August 6, 2021
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
FLNY Fashion Design and Sewing Camp in Saratoga NY – Week #2
August 9, 2021 - August 13, 2021
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Our FLNY Camps will be held at the Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Consider signing up with a friend!! Register on our website at http://www.fashionlabny.com or call Arlene @716.406.4067
Become a Designer for a week at Fashion Design and Sewing Camp in Saratoga Springs NY!
Become a Designer for a week at Fashion Design and Sewing Camp in Saratoga Springs NY!
Based in Buffalo NY, FASHION LAB NY is bringing their successful Fashion Design and Sewing Camp to Saratoga Springs for the first time ever! At this one-of-a-kind camp you will learn how to sew, design and style your own garments and accessories in one week. Best part is, there is a Fashion Show at the end of the week to showcase all that the campers have created! All supplies, patterns and sewing machines are provided by FASHION LAB NY. Campers need to bring their favorite fabric and a lunch/snack – information specified at Registration.
No Sewing Experience Necessary! We will teach you everything you need to know.
Camp is limited to only 8 campers. Our small camp size allows us to give each camper the attention and tools they need to design and create. There will be a waiting list if more spots open. These Full Day Camps, 9am - 3pm are perfect for beginners and intermediate level sewists, ages 8 – 12.
FLNY Fashion Design and Sewing Camp in Saratoga NY – Week #1
August 2, 2021 - August 6, 2021
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
FLNY Fashion Design and Sewing Camp in Saratoga NY – Week #2
August 9, 2021 - August 13, 2021
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Our FLNY Camps will be held at the Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Fee: $425
We must have at least 6 campers to hold camp and space is filling up fast!
Consider signing up with a friend!! Register on our website at http://www.fashionlabny.com or call Arlene @716.406.4067
Outdoor Movie Night at June Farms Tuesday July 20th
Join June Farms on Tuesday evenings this summer for an outdoor movie night!
At 8pm on Tuesday July 20th they will be showing a family friendly movie under the event tent on the big screen, overlooking the beautiful cow pasture!
July 20th's feature film will be Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)!
The Snack Bar will be open serving wood-fired pizza and lots of other delicious options.
The Pony Barn will be open serving beer, wine, and cocktails until 11pm.
Come walk the farm and visit all the happy animals, and enjoy some nice food and drink under the stars with the family for a fun-filled movie night!
Movie admission is included with the $10 admissions fee on their Tuesday Family Nights (Our super popular Family Night is every Tuesday beginning at 4pm!)
Movie night is under the tent, so this event is rain or shine.
For event questions, please text (518)632-8111.
Please make sure to check out calendar on Instagram here for farm schedules and closings.
Ballston Spa Concerts in the Park Series
The BSBPA presents the 2021 Concerts in the Park summer concert series in Iron Spring Park. This free concert series is a signature event in Ballston Spa.
The concerts are held on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm. This year’s concert season runs from July 1 - August 26, and we once again offer a diverse line-up of talent.
It’s a great family friendly event made possible by our sponsors each year. Bring your blanket & chairs to the park for a great evening of live music in the village!
2021 Schedule:
July 1: Ballston Spa Community Band
July 8: Erin Harkes
July 15: North & South Dakotas
July 22: The Lustre Kings
July 29: The Rogues
August 5: Annual Ice Cream Social with The Union Fire Company Band
August 12: Sirsy
August 19: Geo Beat
August 26: Ballston Spa Community Jazz Band
We will follow any remaining guidelines for safe public gatherings that may still be in effect at the time of the event. These may include social distancing measures, face masks and limited capacity in the park.
Featured
