Family Fun This Weekend

The other day I overheard a woman in the locker room at the Y telling another woman how Rochester has one day of autumn between summer and winter. This is not the first time I've heard that in the five years I've lived here, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Now, I know the fall seems to fly by, but I think it lasts a bit longer than twenty-four hours. However, I think it's funny that every organization seems to cram all of their events into the eight or nine weekends in September and October. So, here we are with a plethora of fall festivals, plus some LEGOs and trains. Get outside and get ready for some Fall Fun!

Story Time & More

Friday, September 21, 2012

1. The Apple Shed, 3391 Fairville Maple Ridge Road, Newark, NY - story time at 10:30 a.m. in the corn tent followed by related games and crafts; storytime participants will receive a coupon for a cider slushie or $1 off kids' meals.
2. Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street, Brockport, NY - story time at 10:30 a.m. for toddlers ages 1-4, with songs and games
3. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story at 11 a.m., stay for the farm animal fun!

4. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time (at 11 a.m.), sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply. 

Barktober Fest
Saturday, September 22 from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY
Support Lollypop Farm by joining the 5-mile race ($20 registration), 1.5 mile nature walk ($30 registration), or the Pet Festival (free!). The Pet Festival includes a Kids Zone with pet-related crafts and activities. Highlights also include a Costume Contest for dogs, vendor booths, dog competitions and demonstrations, food, and music.

Trees for Troops
Saturday, September 22 at 8 a.m.
Stokoe Farms, 656 South Road, Scottsville, NY
Funds raised through the 5K run and 2 mile walk will provide real Christmas trees to active duty military personnel at home and abroad. There is also a 1 mile scavenger hunt for kids. All registered runners and walkers will receive one free entrance to Stokoe Farms Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Fest.

LEGO Block Party
Saturday, September 22 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Pittsford, NY
They supply the LEGO and DUPLO blocks, you supply the imagination. For all ages; no registration required.

Pumpkin Hollow
Saturday, September 22 - Sunday, October 28; Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m./Sat-Sun: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Gro-Moore Farms, 2811 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY
A wide variety of games, crafts and other activities. Daily activities for up-to-3rd-graders are free; some weekend activities have an extra fee (pay for individual activities or pay One Price Ticket for $10 per person). Mazes, slides, haunted house, fun house, pumpkins, apples, homemade candy and caramel apples, pies, fry cakes, cider, apples, and more await!

Fall Harvest Celebration
Saturday, September 22 - Sunday, September 23 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (weekends through October 28)
Brown's Berry Patch, 14264 Roosevelt Highway, Waterport, NY
Pick your own apples, pumpkins, and raspberries. Face painting, pony rides, hayrides, dinosaur corn maze, lots of pumpkin and apple treats made at Brown's, Barnyard Adventure, Barnyard Express, pedal cars, rope maze, giant slide, playground, and more. Fees apply for activities; please check web site for details.

Exhibit Opening: Dora & Diego - Let's Explore
Saturday, September 22 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, September 23 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
National Museum of Play at Strong, 1Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Explore, learn, and play in this new exhibit featuring Dora, Diego, Boots, and more. During opening weekend, meet Dora and pose for pictures. Included with general admission.

You Pick Apples, Raspberries, and More
Saturday, September 22 - Sunday, September 23 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
G and S Orchards, 825 Atlantic Avenue (Route 286), Walworth, NY
From now through the end of October, enjoy an afternoon of family fun while picking apples, berries, pumpkins, and more.

Pumpkin Harvest Festival Weekends
Saturday, September 22 - Sunday, September 23  from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weekends thru October 31)
Long Acre Farms, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon, NY
Celebrate autumn with the Maize Maze, Back 40, hayrides, and cow train rides. Check out nursery rhymes made entirely of pumpkins and gourds, fun picture cut-outs, and a funny graveyard. Admission is $10.50/ages 5+ and $6.50/ ages 2-4.

"Pumpkintown" & Pick-Your-Own Apples
Saturday, September 22 - Sunday, September 23 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weekends thru October 28)
Lagoner Farms, 6985 Lake Avenue, Williamson, NY
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, enjoy wagon rides, ride the Cider Barrel Express, explore the Mini Maze, Ring the Corn Cob, Knock the Apple Off the Tree, Bowl Over the Cider Jugs, play Farmer's Fastball, and more. Activities are 1-2 tickets each (tickets are $1 each) or pay one price: $10 each or $35 for a family of 4. Lunch menu is available.

Trolley Rides

Sunday, September 23 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road, West Henrietta, NY

Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation.

Enjoy your weekend, and lots of luck to all walkers and runners participating in the Rochester Marathon, Barktober Fest, Trees for Troops, and any other events. As always, thanks for reading.