🐉 Playland's Dragon Coaster Catches Fire Over the Weekend

The Who's Roger Daltrey comes to town, The Ark drops a loaded spooky season calendar, and a toddler rave is on the horizon

September 22, 2026

Hello, Westchester!

 
Scary news for one of Westchester's most famous attractions: Playland's Dragon Coaster caught fire Saturday night in a suspected electrical issue. Playland is already closed for the season so no one was hurt, and Rye Fire Department was on scene in minutes with Larchmont and Harrison in support. Damage is said to be minimal, with repairs expected during the fall. As Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins optimistically put it, “rest assured: this Dragon will rise again for Playland’s 99th season” in 2027.
 
Earlier Saturday, we took the trip north along the river to Peekskill’s Riverfront Green where the Hudson Valley Irish Fest was taking place. This family has strong Irish roots with Bec hailing from Dublin and we make trips back over to visit as often as schedules allow, so we take any chance we get to reconnect with the culture closer to home… usually in Woodlawn. The fest itself was a great time. With non-stop Irish music, Irish food truck staples, a field full of kids wearing Irish jerseys, and a slightly overcast, cool day on the water, we may as well have been overseas.
 
The drive had us stopping for two favorites: the coffee lemonade at First Village in Ossining (yes, again), and The Blue Pig in Croton-on-Hudson, where the kids got Fluffernutter ice cream and we shared the Homegrown Asian Pear sorbet with Chai Tea ice cream. Both highly recommended. Hint: there may be a sticky note for a free scoop for one of our readers on Blue Pig's board!
 
Shifting focus now to the upcoming calendar… this week is completely jammed with things to do around the county. Westchester’s stages, farms, fields, and main streets will all be bustling with activity, starting with legendary The Who frontman, Roger Daltrey, at The Cap tonight.
 
Enjoy and see you out there!
 

 
📍 Know Your County
 

Last Tuesday, we asked:
 
Westchester County has an ancient oak landmark, managed and preserved by one of the county’s local historical societies. In which town would you find it?
 
The answer is… Bedford!
 
The Bedford Oak is estimated to be over 500 years old with branches spreading 120 feet tip to tip. When development threatened it in 1977, locals raised $51,000 to buy two acres around the tree and gift them to the Bedford Historical Society. Well done to 40% of you who had the location of Bedford’s oldest resident pegged!
 
Here’s this week’s question…
 
You’ll see a common theme as you read through this edition that spooky season is well and truly here. One town synonymous with the season is Sleepy Hollow which is pretty all-year round but really comes alive this time of year. It wasn’t always called “Sleepy Hollow” though…

When was North Tarrytown renamed to Sleepy Hollow?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

 
Happy haunting!
 

 
In today’s edition:

Plus, a message from our partners The Ark, bringing you a full calendar of spooky entertainment to their Tarrytown stage, and QueenBHive, giving you, your business, or brand the visibility and support it needs.

 

Now let’s get to it!

💓 The Pulse

Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!

🎸 Roger Daltrey
Tue., Sep. 22 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | $95+
 
The voice of The Who returns for a personal show blending Who classics, rare gems, and solo favorites with a semi-acoustic band. Between songs, Daltrey shares candid stories from rock history for an intimate night with one of rock's legendary performers. Amy Helm, daughter of Levon Helm, opens.
A founding voice of rock, telling the stories behind the songs →
 
👻 Walking with Ghosts: Real Life Hauntings with Amy Bruni
Fri., Sep. 25 | The Ark, Shames JCC on the Hudson, Tarrytown | 7p-9p | $20+
 
The Ghost Hunters and Kindred Spirits star digs into the real hauntings behind The Conjuring, The Shining, Annabelle, and The Amityville Horror, using eyewitness accounts, historical records, and paranormal evidence to separate Hollywood fiction from the true stories that inspired it. Explore her mini museum of haunted artifacts before and after, with a limited meet-and-greet add-on. A fitting kickoff to spooky season.
The true stories behind the scariest movies you know, from someone who chased them down →
 
🎧 Lenny Pearce: Toddler Rave World Tour
Thu., Oct. 1 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 6p | $39.50+
 
Event alert! The pioneer of "Toddler Techno" and "Baby Raves" brings his 20-plus-city US tour to The Cap, spinning kids' favorites remixed into modern dance hits that keep toddlers and parents moving alike. With sold-out shows worldwide, collaborations with Nickelodeon, and an album with The Wiggles, this is a dance party you can bring a stroller to. All ages.
The one rave where the whole family knows every word →

 
Have an event you want to feature in Loving Westchester?

🍎 Pick Your Poison!

The Ark at Shames JCC has been building one of Westchester's most versatile stage rooms in Tarrytown, and this fall they're leaning all the way into Halloween. Five nights of Spooky Season programming across late September and October, and each one hits a completely different note:
 
👻 Fri., Sep. 25: Real-life ghost stories with paranormal expert Amy Bruni
☠ Thu., Oct. 8: Forensic psychologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland on the serial killer code
🔮 Sun., Oct. 11: An evening with mediums Daisy and Arlene
🧹 Sun., Oct. 18: A family Hocus Pocus screening + a Q&A with the film's oral historian
🎸 Fri., Oct. 30: Stevie's Blue Lamp, a Stevie Nicks tribute band closing it all out
 
Bundle three tickets and save up to 25% with The Ark’s “Spooky Pass”!

📆 What’s Happening?

Family Fun!

🎶 Honoring Dolly with a 9 to 5 Family Storytime
Fri., Sep. 25 | Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown | 4p | $10/child
 
Stories, a sing-along, and organic kids' mocktails on the second floor of the Music Hall, celebrating Dolly Parton. Limited availability.
 
🌙 Mystic Moon at Harvest Moon
Select evenings through Nov. 1 | Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, North Salem | Evenings | $39+
 
An enchanting nighttime trail through the orchard woods, dramatically lit with mystical characters, interesting scenes, and fun photo ops. Kid friendly… whimsical rather than scary. Twilight Hour slots are softer-lit for young children.
 
🎃 The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
Select evenings through Nov. 8 | Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson | Evenings | Ticket prices vary
 
Illuminated hand-carved jack o'lanterns across an 18th-century landscape, with themed displays, special effects, and an original soundtrack. New for 2026: an expanded Creature Feature Forest and a fairy-tale Little Literary Lane.
 
🥟 Parents Night Out: Dumpling Squishies
Fri., Sep. 25 | Shake It Off, Scarsdale | 5:30p-8:30p | $35/child, $25/sibling
 
A drop-off evening for ages 3-8 where kids make and decorate their own squishy dumpling, plus games, crafts, and bounce time. Potty trained, socks required. Minimum of 6 kids to run.
 
🐕 Puppy Pals Live: The Action-Packed Comedic Stunt Dog Show
Sat., Sep. 26 | Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, Peekskill | 11a | $36 ($22 children 12 and under)
 
As seen on America's Got Talent, a cast of rescue dogs performs stunts, tricks, and comedy in a family-friendly show celebrating adopted animals.
 
🐦 Family Birding Workshop
Sat., Sep. 26 | Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville | 9a-10:30a | $4/child (adults free, parking $6)
 
A beginner-friendly bird walk with park educator Joe Zarzhevsky, covering how to use binoculars and identify resident and migratory birds by sight and sound. Ages 5 and up, capped at 25.
 
📚 Chappaqua Children's Book Festival
Sat., Sep. 26 | Chappaqua Train Station, Chappaqua | 10a-4p | Free
 
Meet authors and illustrators, catch live storytimes and author talks, watch illustration demos, and explore the Family Fun Zone at one of the country's largest children's book festivals.
 
🎨 Armonk Outdoor Art Show
Sat.-Sun., Sep. 26-27 | North Castle Community Park, Armonk | 10a-5p | $18 adults, $15 seniors, under 18 free
 
The 64th annual show brings roughly 165 juried artists working in painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, fiber, and more. Food and drink vendors on site, plus a family tent with free art activities for kids all day. Tickets are good for both days.
 
🎃 Sleepy Hollow Street Fair
Sun., Sep. 27 | Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow | 10a-5p | Free
 
More than 145 arts, crafts, and food vendors along Beekman Avenue, heavy on Halloween-inspired items. The Headless Horseman appears from 1p to 4p, with Witches Along The Hudson, storyteller Jonathan Kruk, five live bands, and a Kids' Zone.

 

 

Grown Ups & Date Nights

🎸 Sons of Legion
Wed., Sep. 23 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | $39.50+
 
The Nashville rock-and-soul duo with over 2 million monthly Spotify listeners and tracks featured on ESPN, Netflix, and NBC, with Nashville singer-songwriter Kenny Sharp opening. 18+ unless with a guardian.
 
😂 Anthony Jeselnik
Thu., Sep. 24 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 7:30p | $65+
 
The stand-up known for his dark, precise style, three Netflix specials, and the cult series The Jeselnik Offensive brings his act to Port Chester. 18+ unless with a guardian.
 
🎤 Like a Star: Celebrating 20 Years of Corinne Bailey Rae
Thu., Sep. 24 | Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown | 8p | $59.50+
 
The Grammy winner marks two decades since her debut album, playing the soul-pop hits "Put Your Records On" and "Like a Star." VIP includes a meet and greet and signed poster.
 
😂 Westchester Comedy Club
Thu., Sep. 24 | Rye Grill and Bar, Rye | 7p-8:30p | $25
 
Comedy in Rye featuring Goumba Johnny, Liz Barrett, Michael Brigante, John Campanelli, and Ben Rosenfeld.
 
😂 Hard Headed Comedy at Captain Lawrence
Fri., Sep. 25 | Captain Lawrence Barrel House, Mount Kisco | 7p-9p | $25
 
A no-nonsense stand-up lineup of Ariel Evans, James Murph, Big T, and Luz Michelle, paired with award-winning beer at the brewery. Ages 16+, free parking.
 
🎸 Songwright: Westchester Songwriters' Circle
Sat., Sep. 26 | Mercy University Recording Studio, Dobbs Ferry | 7p | Free, suggested donation $20
 
Join Siobhan O’Malley, Nev Cadesca, Mike Death, and TJ Douglas for a night of songwriters in the round in the style of Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe. Tickets are limited.
 
😂 Vic DiBitetto
Sat., Sep. 26 | Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, Peekskill | 8p | $48.50+
 
The comedian known as the Italian Hurricane, a cast member of Amazon Prime's Gravesend with more than a billion views online, brings his high-energy act to Peekskill.

 

Got 99 ideas, but can’t execute 1?

 
Hit me.

 
Hey, everybody. This is Bec.
 
I’ve spent 20 years helping businesses, brands and community organizations grow through better strategy, communications and partnerships. If you’re a local business owner with 100 ideas but never enough time to move them forward, that’s exactly why I created QueenBHive. Think of me as the person in your corner. Helping you decide what matters most, connecting the right dots, creating momentum, and making sure the good ideas actually happen. Whether that’s your visibility, social content, a launch, a partnership or simply having someone strategic to think alongside.
 
Send me a message and let me be your WingWoman.

🎬 Meet and Greet: Dolph Lundgren
Wed., Sep. 23 | Books & Greetings, Northvale, NJ | 6p | Book purchase required
 
Meet the actor known for Rocky IV, The Expendables, and Creed II at a book signing. Each attendee must buy a book, with entry ordered by a number system based on preorder date.
 
🥒 Putnam County Pickle Fest
Sat.-Sun., Sep. 26-27 | Patterson Recreation Center, Patterson | $13.99+
 
Dozens of vendors serving pickle-inspired creations, food, cold drinks, shopping, and live music at Putnam County's first-ever pickle festival.
 
🎭 Meet and Greet: Kate McKinnon
Mon., Sep. 28 | Books & Greetings, Northvale, NJ | 7p | Book purchase required
 
The former Saturday Night Live cast member signs the latest book in her bestselling children's Millicent Quibb series. Each attendee must buy a book, with entry ordered by a number system based on preorder date.

 

🏡 Where the Heart Is

Incredible homes are listed in Westchester every week. Here’s one that caught our eye

 

The Key Details: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3,015 square feet on 0.49 acres ($330 / square foot)
 
What We Love About It: Old Post Retreat is a classic brick Colonial just minutes from Bedford Village's boutiques, restaurants, and the beloved Bedford Playhouse. A main-level primary suite is the standout, with its own wood-burning fireplace, sitting area, and en-suite bath, while upstairs adds three more bedrooms plus the nicknamed "Slate Room," complete with its own bath for guests and poolside entertaining. Out back, an in-ground pool and expansive patio make the private backyard the real gathering spot. Under $1M for nearly half an acre in one of Westchester's most storied villages is a combination worth paying attention to.
 

We love to hear from you! Give us a shout at [email protected] or find us on Instagram @lovingwestchester. And don't forget to forward this to a friend who's always asking "what's going on this week?"
 
See you out there!