What's The Plan: JUNE 20-22
Food Truck Friday in Pound Ridge, summer solstice events, Make Music Day, Yellow Studio Summer Market, Caffeine & Carburetors in New Canaan, and more!
Welcome to the weekend roundup. Last week, I hit the 500 subscriber mark and felt really good about that milestone. Thanks for following along these last 8 months.
This week, I’ve been laser-focused on our summer bucket list project. I’ll send you the download link on June 30 to access it, so keep an eye out. In a nutshell, it’ll be a 20+ page booklet you can keep on the kitchen counter + subscriber access to a Google Maps list to reference on-the-go. I’ll offer a steep discount to paid subscribers, so upgrade now if you want a sweet deal. Parents who contribute a great recommendation will get it for free.
Sorry to every mom & dad I’ve been nagging to submit their best summer recs; I just want to make sure it’s super useful. I want it to be something I’d actually use and refer to again and again. (I have a low tolerance for BS.)
And despite what the words “bucket list” conjure up for some of you, this crowd-sourced project is less like a to-do checklist and more like a little catalogue of parent-approved possibilities when inspiration strikes.
For example: Maybe you wake up one lazy Saturday morning in July and your kid says “mom, can we go pick strawberries?” Or, after playing with your toddler in your backyard baby pool all afternoon, your husband suggests you all go somewhere new for lobster rolls by the water.
That’s where this Summer Bucket List comes into play. It’ll help you spend less time Googling, and more time making memories.
For more on how to recalibrate your ideals for a summer-with-kids, I highly recommend reading this post in The Workspace for Children newsletter. It’s so good.
Each week, I’ll pick an event that may not have a huge promotion budget but I think is worth highlighting. This week, the Plan of the Week goes to the NewFriends Lawn Party at Wicker’s Creek Market in Dobbs Ferry. »
My friend Melissa Cullens has mastered the art of a good hang. She picks a fun thing to do (e.g., a Sunday vintage market), sprinkles in a little childcare to lessen the stress, and adds a tiny bit of structure to help parents make new friends (get it?). If you’re looking for something to do on Sunday, this is it. »
Thanks to all the subscribers who signed up last week, including Genesis G., Iris T., Harriet Z., Rebecca Z., Sarah S., Shannon C., Allie C., Bri B., Emily W., Joelle L., Josie R., Lena Z., Liz W., Sarah B., Chelsea V., Emily L., Jeanine H., Paola C., Erika P., Gabby P., Susie G., and Lisa T. I really appreciate your support. 🫶
xo,
K
PS: Follow The Plan on Instagram!
PPS: If you didn’t catch my Monday interview with Ridgefield Farmers Market founder Corrin Arasa, click here to read. She teaches us all how to avoid meltdowns, make a farmers market lunch, and turn these events into teachable moments with your kids.
PPPS: If you’re on the fence about upgrading to a paid membership, you can try it free for two weeks and just cancel if it’s not for you. Just click here.
FRIDAY, JUNE 20
National Flip Flop Day »
🍿 Disney & Pixar’s Elio opening weekend (PG) »
10:00 AM-11:00 AM — 📚 Morning Stories (Muscoot Farm, Katonah)
This hour-long program invites kids to gather around as a staff member reads fun children’s books in a cozy, farm setting. »
10:00 AM-11:00 AM — 📚 Books & A Blanket: A children’s book reading series (Chestnut Meadows Preserve, Wilton)
A cute program hosted by Wilton Go Green, Wilton Land Trust and Wilton Library Association. Expect a fun morning of books, crafts and nature. Rain or shine. Just bring a blanket and snacks. You'll do a craft and finish with a walk around the beautiful meadow. »
4:00 PM-7:00 PM — 🍷 Happy Hour at The Aldrich (The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield)
Every Friday through Labor Day, this gorgeous museum extends its hours and invites you to explore the galleries, take part in hands-on activities in the studio, and experience the newly-renovated sculpture garden. Kids are welcome at these events. Beverages are available for purchase for grown-ups. If you haven't been to this Museum, this would be a great event to check it out. Free to attend with museum admission (Tix $20/adults, $9/students, U13 free) »
5:00 PM-9:00 PM — 🍕 Food Truck Friday (Scotts Corners, Pound Ridge)
Love these events. Great food, music, and they set up a bunch of tables to hang on the green. Bring a blanket just in case. »
7:15 PM-9:15 PM — ☀️ Summer Solstice Fire Ceremony (Lachat Town Farm, Weston)
This promises to be a beautiful evening celebration. Tix $20/adult, $10/kid. »
8:30 PM-10:30 PM — 🎥 Outdoor Summer Movie Series: Despicable Me 4 (Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk)
No tickets required for this one, but parking fees are still in effect. Weather cancellations will be posted on the website by 6:30PM. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks. This is a beautiful beach; take advantage! »
SATURDAY, JUNE 21
June Solstice »
10:00 AM-3:00 PM — 🐝 Summer Solstice Bee Bash (Muscoot Farm, Katonah)
A fun event at one of our area's prettiest farms to learn more about honeybees and native bees. Expect kids activities, demos throughout the day, as well as vendors selling bee-related wares. Free! »
10:00 AM-5:00 PM — 🎨 Third Saturdays (The Aldrich Art Museum, Ridgefield)
Admission is free every 3rd Saturday. Take advantage! »
10:00 AM-12:00 PM — 🕊️ SOAR Together Walk and Talk (Ridgefield, CT)
I wrote about SOAR in my volunteer post last month. What a wonderful organization trying to solve the loneliness epidemic. Join them today for a group walk which stops at the Farmers Market and Deborah Ann's. Kids welcome! »
10:00 AM-1:00 PM — 🍅 Ridgefield Farmers Market - first one! (Jesse Lee Church, Ridgefield)
Always a great time: Food, music, crafts. Gorgeous location on the lawn of Jesse Lee Church. This year, they’re going weekly, yay! Click here for my interview with Exec. Director Corrin Arasa on how to do a farmers market RIGHT. »
10:30 AM-11:30 AM — 📚 Storytime with The Aldrich (The Aldrich Art Museum, Ridgefield)
Cute collab btwn the Ridgefield Library & The Aldrich. Good for kids under 6. Register in advance. »
11:00 AM-1:00 PM — 👩🔬 Outdoor STEM Activities on the Boardwalk (Westchester Children's Museum, Rye)
Museum reps will be outside doing STEM activities for littles all afternoon today and tomorrow. Swing by and check it out. This museum comes highly recommended by a reader of The Plan, so make it a point to go at least once this summer. »
11:00 AM-9:00 PM — 🎶 Make Music Day: Ridgefield (Ridgefield, CT)
Ridgefield is a part of this 1,000 city movement. Check the schedule to see where you can check out some live music all around town. »
11:00 AM-1:00 PM — 🪴 A Day in the Garden with Team Nikhil - wait list only (Westchester Land Trust, Bedford Hills)
This looks like a great family-friendly gardening event with charity Team Nikhil. You'll meet at Westchester Land Trust in Bedford Hills and be guided through an enriching experience filled with music and hands-on planting in a serene natural setting. This event is designed to be inclusive and engaging for all. Tix $10/kid. Ages 3-18. Wheelchair friendly. Register online. »
11:00 AM-1:00 PM — 🎶 Make Music Day: Georgetown (The Granite Church, Redding)
Georgetown is a part of thjs 1,000 city movement, too. Free. If you've never hung out in Georgetown this would be a good day to do it. It's such a cute walkable little place. »
11:00 AM-12:00 PM — 🐥 Family Fun Saturday: All about Chicks (Lewisboro Library, South Salem)
Great for ages 4+. Come meet the latest batch of chicks from TinyFarm of South Salem, and the library’s newest children’s librarian! Free and register in advance. »
11:00 AM-12:30 PM — ⛲️ The Secret Garden: Movie screening (Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville)
Kid-friendly screenings take place every weekend! Tix $5/non-member adults, and just $5/kid now! »
11:00 AM-4:00 PM — 🖼️ Yellow Studio Summer Market (Yellow Studio, Cross River)
A perfect opportunity to shop for friends & family (and treat yo-self of course). We went last year and *loved* this event. So many women-owned businesses based in New York to choose from, like Beehive Designer Collective, Salt Point Farm, Miss Mona Makes Ice Cream, Prelove You, Baxter + Bayard, and AVD Ceramics. »
11:00 AM-3:00 PM — 🏴☠️ Summer Fest (Rochambeau Farm, Mt Kisco)
This one looks like a kid's dream. Head to this beautiful farm for "a swashbuckling day of adventure." They'll have a 30-foot pirate ship, water slides, pirate shows, face painting, and more. We went here years ago and loved it. $45/kid. »
12:00 PM-7:00 PM — 🏳️🌈 Pride at Town Park (Lewisboro Town Park)
Another great year of celebrating Pride Month right here in Lewisboro. Expect a packed day of events, like Drag Queen Storytime at 2PM (obsessed with the name Shay D'Pines) co-hosted with Lewisboro Library, a pet pride parade at 3PM, a flag ceremony at 3:30PM, and special performances at 4PM. Food trucks, a bounce house and lots of arts & crafts. Free! »
1:00 PM-3:00 PM — 🌈 Pride on the Farm (Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown)
You'll be cooking with all the "colorful crops of the rainbow" to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Free. »
1:00 PM-3:00 PM — ☀️ Summer Solstice Concert: Southern Dutchess Concert Band (Lasdon Park, Katonah)
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to this band play your fave pop tunes, Broadway medleys, and movie soundtracks. Free! »
2:00 PM-3:30 PM — ☀️ Summer Solstice at Sugar Hill Farm (Westchester Land Trust, Bedford Hills)
This one promises to be a "joyful and grounding community gathering to mark the longest day of the year." There will be less than 1 mile of walking, led by Cindy Olsen, a certified Forest Therapist. Free. »
2:00 PM-5:00 PM — 🎵 Poolside Concert at Pound Ridge Pool (Pound Ridge Town Park)
Just 4 opportunities this summer to catch some live music poolside! »
3:00 PM-7:00 PM — 🎨 Summer Art Walk (Katonah)
A beautiful evening of art and live music in downtown Katonah. »
6:00 PM-9:00 PM — ☀️ Summer Solstice Celebration (Onatru Farm Park, South Salem)
Head out at dusk with the family to celebrate the longest day of the year with nature, music, movement, and fire. Free! Organized by the Lewisboro Garden Club. Thanks to friend of The Plan Deanna Novak for the heads up on this one. »
7:30 PM-9:30 PM — 🎭 West Point Band: Night on Broadway (Trophy Point, West Point, NY)
Part of the “Music Under the Stars” summer concert series. If you've never been, go. The Hudson River makes for a stunning backdrop, and the band is always incredible. I recommend bringing a picnic, a blanket, and an extra layer when the sun goes down. Free! »
SUNDAY, JUNE 22
National Chocolate Eclair Day »
8:00 AM-11:00 AM — 🏎️ Caffeine & Carburetors (Downtown New Canaan)
Bring your car-loving kids to downtown New Canaan today to see some sweet rides. Also happening October 19 in Waveny Park. »
9:30 AM-10:30 AM — ☀️ Free Summer Solstice Yoga (all ages) (Ballard Park, Ridgefield)
Bring your own mat and enjoy a free outdoor session in one of Ridgefield's most beautiful parks. »
10:00 AM-4:00 PM — 🧺 NewFriends | Vintage Market & Lawn Party (Waterfront Park (Dobbs Ferry))
A retro lawn party at Wickers Creek Market where kids can build forts, and adults can play cornhole and shop without saying "don't touch that." Free! »
11:00 AM-1:00 PM — 👩🔬 Outdoor STEM Activities on the Boardwalk (Westchester Children's Museum, Rye)
Museum reps will be outside doing STEM activities for littles all afternoon today and tomorrow. Swing by and check it out. This museum comes highly recommended by a reader of The Plan, so make it a point to go at least once this summer. »
12:00 PM-6:00 PM — 🌍 African-American Heritage Festival (Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla)
Part of Westchester County Parks' summer’s series of heritage festivals. Bring blankets or folding chairs for sitting on the lawn, but no coolers are allowed. Free. »
12:30 PM-1:30 PM — 🩰 Family Drop-In: Dance, Create, and Celebrate Summer (Carriage Barn Arts Center, New Canaan)
Bring your little dancers for a performance by The New England Academy of Dance, followed by a mini dance class just for kids. They'll do a themed craft at the end. This is in Waveny Park, which is our favorite place in New Canaan. My kids call it "the castle park." $10 suggested donation per family. »
3:00 PM-5:00 PM — 🎻 Orchestra Lumos: The Garden of Adonis (Stamford Museum & Nature Center)
Bring the kids to see Orchestra Lumos perform The Garden of Adonis in the museum's Knobloch Family Farmhouse. $45/non-members. »
3:00 PM-5:00 PM — 🏇 2025 Sunday Polo (Greenwich Polo Club)
I’ve never been but I hear this is a great afternoon! Gates open at 1PM and the match begins at 3PM. You buy a car pass for $50 and can set up a picnic on the East Lawn. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome, too. Full bar service and food is available on-site. Runs through Sept. 7. »
4:30 PM-7:30 PM — 🎉 Birthday Party for the Purdy Homestead - WAITING LIST (Purdys Homestead, North Salem)
A Purdys Homestead in 1775, RNS250 joint event. Family style dinner at Purdys Homestead under the tent for North Salem residents. See a display and hear a discussion on the Purdy family and the Purdy Homestead. Tix $65. Email northsalemhistoricalsociety@gmail.com if you want to get on the waiting list. »
6:00 PM-8:00 PM — 🎶 Redding Concert on the Green (Redding Town Green)
Bring a blanket, a picnic and relax to some great music. Looks like a great time. »
ONGOING EVENTS
June 6-September 21 — 🦋 Amazing Butterflies Exhibit (Grace Farms, CT)
Interactive maze and traveling exhibit created by The Natural History Museum in London. Don’t miss the cafe and library on site. On display through September 21. Tix $8/pp. Check the website for visiting hours. »
Every Friday (4:00 PM-7:00 PM) — 🍷 Happy Hour at The Aldrich (The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield)
Every Friday through Labor Day, this gorgeous museum extends its hours and invites you to explore the galleries, take part in hands-on activities in the studio, and experience the newly-renovated sculpture garden. Kids are welcome, and beverages are available for purchase for grown-ups. If you haven't been to this Museum, this would be a great event to check it out. Free to attend with museum admission (Tix $20/adults, $9/students, U13 free) »
Every Friday & Saturday (5:00 PM-9:00 PM) — 🍻 Cider Nights 2025 (Hardscrabble Cider, North Salem)
Read my review here. We love this place. »
Every Saturday (8:30 AM-1:00 PM) — 🥕 Pleasantville Farmers Market (10 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville)
60+ vendors and held outdoors, year-round. Located just off Bedford Road, right in a historic walking village. »
Every Saturday (8:30 AM-1:30 PM) — 🍅 Tarrytown Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market: TaSH (Patriots Park, Tarrytown)
A bit of a drive, but worth it. Make a day of it! Outdoor market runs from May 24-Nov 22. »
Every Saturday (9:00 AM-2:00 PM) — 🫛 John Jay Homestead Farmers Market (Lot No. 2, Downtown Katonah)
Friends of John Jay Homestead in partnership with Katonah Chamber of Commerce, have relocated the Farm Market to downtown Katonah for the 2025 season. Stop by the market and walk around downtown afterwards. Runs every Saturday from May 3-Oct 25. »
Every Saturday (9:00 AM-1:00 PM) — 👩🌾 Gossett Brothers Farmers Market (Gossett Brothers Nursery, South Salem)
Stop by this one to browse for local goodies and see all the gorgeous spring & summer greenery in the newly-renovated greenhouse. Great selection, every Saturday morning. »
Every Saturday (10:00 AM-1:00 PM) — 🍅 Ridgefield Farmers Market (Jesse Lee Church, Ridgefield)
Always a great time: Food, music, crafts. Gorgeous location on the lawn of Jesse Lee Church. This year, they’re going weekly, yay! Click here for my interview with Exec. Director Corrin Arasa on how to do a farmers market RIGHT. »
Every Saturday (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) — 🥕 New Canaan Farmers Market (244 Elm St, New Canaan)
This one’s right behind the train station, so you can stop here and then stroll Elm Street to window shop. »
Every Saturday (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) — 🧑🌾 Georgetown Farmers Market (4 Old Mill Rd, Redding, CT)
A small but good one. Right in the heart of Georgetown. »
Every Saturday (10:00 AM-12:00 PM) — 🛍️ Take it or Leave it Shed (Bedford Hills Train Station)
You never know what you’ll find at the Take It Or Leave It Shed. Great community initiative to reduce waste and inspire sustainability. Open through Oct. »
Every Saturday (10:30 AM-2:30 PM) — 🎨 Open Arts Studio (Grace Farms, New Canaan)
Held every Saturday at this magical place. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon. Recommended ages 4-12 (w/ adult). Non-member $5, register online. »
Every Saturday (12:00 PM-1:00 PM) — 🌍 Saturdays at Earthplace (Earthplace, Westport)
Pay the admission price ($10/adult, $5/kid) and drop in for a nature-based activity with your kiddo. Think: eco-art, science experiments, miniature pond exploration. »
Every Saturday (1:00 PM-1:45 PM) — 🎨 Young at Art: Saturday Fun for Kids (Pound Ridge Library)
Get your hands messy with your kid at this fun afternoon event. Runs through June 28. Free! »
Every Saturday (7:00 PM-10:00 PM) — 🍕 Outhouse Orchards Summer Saturdays (Outhouse Orchards, North Salem)
This is a new one from Outhouse, which is the orchard across the street from Hardscrabble. It's a gorgeous setting. Every Saturday through August 23 they'll have live music, pizza, burgers, and craft beers. Occasionally they'll bring in kid stuff like a bounce house or a sandbox, so stay tuned. »
Every Sunday (9:00 AM-2:00 PM) — 🌼 Farmer's Market (Honeybee Grove Flower Farm, Somers)
Held rain or shine on the grounds of this gorgeous flower farm, right in the center of town. Small, but lovely. Runs June 1–Oct 26. »
Every Sunday (9:30 AM-2:30 PM) — 🍅 Farmers Market (Muscoot Farm, Katonah)
Browse the vendors, visit the animals, grab a snack at the concession stand. It's a great afternoon for the whole fam. Goes until Nov. 17. »
Every Sunday (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) — 🧺 Sunday Farm Market (Stamford Museum and Nature Center)
Great products and produce at a gorgeous setting. We love this market. Admission to the market is free on Sundays through Nov 2. Park in the North parking lot. »
Every Sunday (11:00 AM-3:00 PM) — 🌽 Mt. Kisco Farmer’s Market (South Moger Ave, Mt. Kisco)
Live music and fresh produce, every Sunday. This is a good one. Ends Nov. 16. »