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🎆 Three Nights of Playland Fireworks, Hot Air Balloons & Bluegrass at the Orchard

Mariano Rivera meets fans at Walter's Hot Dogs, Melissa Etheridge plays Tarrytown Tuesday & Emo Night Brooklyn hits Port Chester

September 04, 2026

Hello, Westchester!
 

This is it. The summer finale. We’re mere days away from white pants being shelved for sweaters and flannel. Iced coffees for pumpkin spice lattes. Ok, maybe that’s a bit dramatic but a gradual move into autumn would be welcome and even nicer to have that stick around for a little while before it starts to get genuinely cold. For now, though, there’s still summer business to attend to. Which has us wondering…

Where will you be for Labor Day Weekend?

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The kids may be disappointed to see September roll around but Walter’s Hot Dogs is giving everyone something to look forward to next week when they welcome New York Yankees legend and Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera to Mamaroneck. Walter’s will pair their famous dogs with Mo’s hot sauce line and fans can meet Mo and try it out. If you see us there, say hello!
 
In other food related news, we took a drive up to Katonah on Thursday for the estate sale of artist and cookbook author Edward Giobbi. Art and vintage cookbook fans will have no trouble finding something of interest in the beautiful old home and, at a minimum, you’ll get to daydream over the pond and barn studio on the grounds. The sale continues Friday and Saturday.
 
As for us, the daydreaming and cookbooks had us hungry and we quickly solved that problem at nearby Amore Pizzeria just across from the Katonah Reading Room. We tried some Grandma slices (the Vincenzo and Nonna Maria) and took home their recently added New Haven Supreme Pizza for good measure, which delivered on the crispiness without the drive out to Connecticut. Loved all of it and we’d highly recommend checking them out if you find yourself in the area.

If you’re sticking around for the long weekend, we hope you enjoy it!
 
… and don’t forget the Playland fireworks, which will run on Friday, Saturday, and Monday night at 9p! See you out there.
 
 

 

Loving Westchester is written by a real-life husband and wife team, completely free, and in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday. If it adds something to your week, contributions help us keep growing - including our first in-person Loving Westchester event we're working toward for the fall.
 
"Thank you for your emails highlighting the wonderful events happening throughout Westchester. They are such a great resource and reminder of how much Westchester has to offer." — A Loving Westchester Reader

 
In today’s edition:

And a message from our partners, QueenBHive, giving you, your business, or brand the visibility and support it needs, and QueenBPoker, hosting your epic game night.

 

Now let’s get to it!

💓 The Pulse

Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!

🎈 Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival
Fri.-Sun., Sep. 4-6 | Tymor Park, Lagrangeville (Dutchess) | Evenings and mornings, check link for scheduling | $13.95+
 
Five mass balloon ascensions across the weekend, over 120 flights in all, plus nightly balloon illumination moon glows and fireworks. Take a tethered or full-flight ride, catch live music at the beer and wine tent, and let the kids visit the animal exhibit, drone obstacle course, and bubble zone. Advance tickets only, none at the gate.
More than 120 balloons, glowing after dark over the Hudson Valley →
 
🎸 Bedford Music Festival
Sun., Sep. 6 | Caramoor, Katonah | 2p | $64 advance, $70 day of (free for 12 and under)
 
A full day of roots, folk, and rock across Caramoor's grounds, headlined by funk band The Motet, with the Jamie McLean Band, Summer Fling, and a Rock and Roll Playhouse Taylor Swift set for the kids. Local food vendors, lawn games, an instrument petting zoo, tie-dye, and cookie decorating. Bring a blanket, settle in, and explore the sound art while you are there.
A day of music on Caramoor's lawn, with plenty to keep the kids busy →
 
🎸 Bluegrass, Beer and BBQ
Sat.-Sun., Sep. 5-6 | Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, North Salem | 3p-8:30p | $20 (3 and under free)
 
Authentic bluegrass acts from Tennessee take over the orchard for two afternoons, led by the Hogslop String Band with Hannah Marie Kelly and Williamson Branch. Add food trucks, wood-fired pizza, craft beer, hard cider, and farm soft serve, plus a kids harvest train, and it is a full Labor Day weekend day out in North Salem. Cashless event.
Real Tennessee bluegrass, a cold cider, and the whole family at the farm →

 
Have an event you want to feature in Loving Westchester?

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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.
 
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📆 What’s Happening?

Family Fun!

🎆 Summer Sendoff at Playland
 
Playland celebrates Labor Day Weekend with a bang with fireworks displays on Friday, Saturday, and Monday night, all starting at 9p. One of the most reliable summer treats, the shows run about 10-15 minutes long and are definitely worth catching. They’ll also host Broadway Sings in the Robison Summer Concert Series on the Playland Stage Friday night at 7p.
 
🍎 Fall Festival at Outhouse Orchards
Runs through Nov. 1 | Outhouse Orchards, North Salem | Daily times and ticket prices vary, check the link for details
 
The annual fall festival at Outhouse Orchards returns with apple picking, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, hayrides through the farm, and the stand stocked with produce, homemade treats, and hard cider.
 
🌳 Family Tree Bingo
Sat., Sep. 5 | Merestead, Mount Kisco | 10a-11:30a | Free
 
A tree-identification bingo stroll through Merestead, on the hunt for tulip, red oak, katsura, and white pine. Good for ages 5 and up.
 
🍵 Tea with the Animals
Sat., Sep. 5 | Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown Heights | 10a-11:30a | $15
 
A mid-morning tea where you meet the farm animals and harvest and make treats for both people and animals to share. Adults and children 6 and up. Pre-registration required.
 
🏛️ Summer Saturdays: Global Grains
Sat., Sep. 5 | Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow | 11a-3p | $13-$18 (members free)
 
The final week of the series, with cooking demonstrations of grain-based dishes from around the world by chefs Rene Leon and Voila Afrique. Kids make a grain collage, paint with flour paste, and hear bread stories, plus mill and manor tours.
 
🎨 Hudson River Arts and Crafts Fall Festival
Sat., Sep. 5 | Senasqua Park, Croton-on-Hudson | 11a-5p | Free
 
An outdoor festival of 80 handmade artists on the Hudson, with kids' bracelet-making and watercolor painting and food from Baked by Susan. Free parking and a free shuttle from Croton-Harmon station. Rain date Sun., Sep. 6.
 
🐤 One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure
Saturdays and Sundays in Sep. | Hudson River Museum Planetarium, Yonkers | 12:30p | Ticket prices vary
 
A planetarium show that follows Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend Hu Hu Zhu from Sesame Street to the Moon, introducing the Big Dipper, North Star, sun, and moon. Recommended for ages 4-7.
 
👽 We Are Aliens
Saturdays and Sundays in Sep. | Hudson River Museum Planetarium, Yonkers | 3:30p | Ticketed
 
A planetarium show narrated by Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films, exploring the search for life beyond Earth. Recommended for ages 8 and up; 25 minutes plus Q&A.
 
❤️ Heart Healthy Learning
Sun., Sep. 6 | Westchester Children’s Museum, Rye | 2p-4p | Included with admission
 
The youth-led nonprofit Guardians of the Heart comes to WCM for hands-on crafts and activities focused on heart health.

 

 

Grown Ups & Date Nights

🎸 LC Band x Summer Fling
Fri., Sep. 4 | Garcia's at The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | Doors 7p, Show 8p | $20 advance, $25 day of
 
LC Band plays pop-rock covers from The Killers to Pearl Jam, paired with Summer Fling, a seven-piece NYC band blending funk, soul, pop, and jazz behind a three-piece horn section. We’ve seen both… you’re in for a fun Friday night!
 
🎸 Emo Night Brooklyn
Sat., Sep. 5 | Garcia's at The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | $20+
 
A late-night DJ dance party spinning emo and pop punk, with the occasional surprise guest artist. Scream along, mosh, and dance to the songs you grew up on. 21+.
 
😂 Tristate Comedy Club: Dan St. Germain
Sat., Sep. 5 | 189 E Post Rd, White Plains | 8p-9:30p | Ticket prices vary
 
Headliner Dan St. Germain plays Westchester's newest stand-up room attached to Z Prime Italian Steakhouse, with a full dining menu available.
 
🛍️ Pound Ridge Artisan and Vintage Market
Mon., Sep. 7 | Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge | 10a-4p | Free
 
A Labor Day flea market of 70-plus local artisans and vintage vendors along a closed-off stretch of Westchester Avenue at Scott's Corner, with food and live music.
 
🎤 Melissa Etheridge: RISE
Tue., Sep. 8 | Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown | 8p | $98.50+
 
The two-time Grammy winner and Oscar recipient behind "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One" brings her raspy, confessional rock to Tarrytown. Two dollars from each ticket benefits her Etheridge Foundation.
 
🎬 An Afternoon with David Duchovny: Reverse the Curse
Sun., Sep. 13 | Irvington Theater, Irvington | 3p | $25+
 
A screening of Reverse the Curse about a son orchestrating a Red Sox winning streak to reconcile with his dying father. The X-Files and Californication star then sits for a Q&A moderated by The New York Times' Alex Barron, followed by a book signing.

 

Game nights are having a moment in Westchester, and if you've ever wanted to host a poker or casino night without the stress of figuring out the rules or rounding up chips, QueenBPoker is the answer. They come to your home, venue, office, and handle everything you may need from teaching the table to running the night. Casual, corporate, charity. No experience needed, just people who want a good time.
 
Plan your game night →

😂 Damon Wayans
Fri.-Sun., Sep. 4-6 | Levity Live, West Nyack | Fri. 7p, Sat. 6:30p, Sun. 6p | $73.58+
 
The In Living Color and My Wife and Kids star, a New York Times bestselling author with three HBO stand-up specials, headlines a weekend run of shows.
 
🎸 George Thorogood and The Destroyers: The Baddest Show On Earth
Mon., Sep. 7 | Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT | 7:30p | Ticket prices vary
 
More than five decades, 8,000 shows, and 15 million albums in, the band behind "Bad to the Bone" and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" brings its 53rd-year tour to Ridgefield.
 
🌻 8th Annual Sunflower Festival at Barton Orchards
Through Sep. 7 | Barton Orchards, Poughquag | Times vary | $22.45+
 
A hayride out to a five-acre field of about 100,000 sunflowers you can cut yourself; each ticket includes two blooms. Live music, a carousel, petting zoo, and craft beverages.

 

🏡 Where the Heart Is

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

 

The Key Details: 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2,903 square feet on 5.67 acres ($534 / square foot)
 
What We Love About It: Real Pound Ridge history here, the Horace Reynolds House dates to 1784, with a 1930s renovation courtesy of philanthropist Hiram Halle, and it still carries the character to prove it: wide board floors, hand-hewn beams, and four fireplaces throughout. A local interior designer has since brought the inside up to today's standard without losing any of that old-hamlet charm. Outside, the showstopper is nearly six acres anchored by a two-acre pond with its own private dock. A rare find that blends centuries of history with genuine move-in-ready polish.
 

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!