Come One, Come All

Ready for one last hurrah before the summer season dwindles?
The Northeast is awash with fabulous end-of-summer events! From boat racing (with a dash of dragon flair) to everyone’s
favorite curious primate—your calendars will thank us.

Maine Lobster Festival (August 3-7)
This annual five-day claw fest boasts lobster eating contests, a little lobster
diaper derby, a lobster crate race, and over 20,000 pounds of seafood servings.
Whew! Enjoy carnival rides and games, road races, and tours of the US Coast
Guard station. Don’t miss out on the coronation of the 2011 Sea Goddess and watch
as her and King Neptune, floats, drills, and more march their way down Main
Street in the big parade. Rockland, ME, mainelobsterfestival.com.

Musikfest (August 5-14)
As their website slings: “Musik fest = awesome.” How can it
not be? It’s a 10-day music palooza! The historic Bethlehem district will
feature delicious eats, family fun, and of course loads of ear candy—most of
which is free. This year’s spectacular line-up includes tween favorite pop
stars Miranda Cosgrove and Nick Jonas. Also performing: Maroon 5, Train with
Gavin DeGraw, and over 50 other favorites! Bethlehem, PA, musikfest.org.

Curious George Cottage Family Festival (August 13-14)
Everyone’s favorite primate is ready to meet his doting fans. Delight over
storytime, explore nature trails, get crafty, and munch on yummy banana
pancakes—all with the infamous Curious George by your side! Little ones can
also sing and dance to the Mango Groove Steel Band and Vanessa Trien and the
Jumping Monkeys. Other event highlights include planetarium shows, rocket launching,
a mad science show, plus a traveling barnyard. Don’t forget to visit the Man
with the Yellow Hat! Waterville Valley, NH, thereycenter.org.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival In New York (August
13-14)
Over 1,000 participants will row-row-row their (dragon)
boats at this annual festival. Win “oar” lose, this cultural and sporting
celebration guarantees fun with live performances and ethnic food galore. Come
rain or shine! Flushing, NY, hkdbf-ny.org.

Atlantic City Air Show (August 17)
For thrills at Atlantic City just look up as military and civilian pilots
perform heart-stopping maneuvers, formation flying and solo routines. Catch
performances and demonstrations by the U.S Air Force Thunderbirds, the US Army
Golden Knights, Super Hornet and many more gravity-defying acts that will keep
the whole family mesmerized. Atlantic City, NJ, atlanticcitynj.com.

Pittston Tomato Festival (August 18-21)
Take a bite out of summer! Lap up all the delicious food, games (bingo,
anyone?) and rides, as well as live entertainment. Don protective goggles and
bombard friends with as many rotten tomatoes as you’d like or watch as little
Mr. and Miss Tomato are crowned for the parade. On an even juicier note,
proceeds benefit local charities. Pittston, PA, pittstontomatofestival.com.

Dutchess County Fair (August 23-28)
During this jam-packed six-day fest, take a leisurely stroll throughout the
162-acre fairgrounds. Complete with a craft tent, wildlife exhibition and
carnival, the whole family can catch performances by country stars Kellie
Pickler, Travis Tritt and legendary rockers REO Speedwagon. Rhinebeck,
NY, dutchessfair.com.

The Great New York State Fair (August 25-September 5)
For a final taste of summer, the mother of all fairs supplies everything
from a puppet parade to a petting zoo. Families can compete in a talent
showcase or even a flower show. For musical musings, treat yourself to a
concert featuring big name acts like Maroon 5, Journey and Lady Antebellum. Syracuse,
NY, nysfair.org.

American Folk Festival (August 26-28)
With four unique stages, this festival brings music, song, and dance from all
around the globe to Bangor. Purchase original handcrafted items and savor
dozens of ethnic foods (like alligator bites and spanakopita). After getting
your fill, stop by The Children’s Village—broken down into four cultural
neighborhoods—for kiddie crafts like Mexican tissue-paper flowers. Bangor,
ME, americanfolkfestival.com.

Downtown Plymouth Waterfront Festival (August 27)
Revel in all the family fun through favorites like the Ducky Dash, carnival
rides, and help pick Plymouth’s own idol in their 6th Annual
Competition. Cap the summer off with live entertainment and a meet-and-greet
with Wally the Green Monster. Plymouth, MA, plymouthwaterfrontfestival.com.

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

Adventuring Portal

<a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D. Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do. All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp; All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp; I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.

The Music Institute of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island&rsquo;s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently.&nbsp; They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music. About the Directors: Carol &amp; Geri Kushner: The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches &amp; performers. They believe in instilling the love of music, &nbsp;fostering proficiency, success, confidence &amp; believe all MILI students achieve success. Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College &amp; Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College &amp; Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University &amp; have taught in L.I. public schools.