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- 🐲 We Pull Back the Dragon Coaster's Scaly Curtains Ahead of Opening Day
🐲 We Pull Back the Dragon Coaster's Scaly Curtains Ahead of Opening Day
64% of you are staying close to home this Memorial Day Weekend, it starts now...
Happy Friday, Westchester!
Memorial Day Weekend has arrived and with it, the unofficial start of summer.
After this week’s heatwave, it finally feels like the county is tipping fully into summer as well, even if the forecast has decided to humble us a little heading into the long weekend. Expect a mixed bag weather-wise, and temperatures dropping back down after a seriously scorching few days.
Earlier this week we asked where everyone was headed for Memorial Day Weekend. An overwhelming 64% of you said you’re staying close to home here in Westchester… and we can’t say we blame you. Between Playland reopening, farmers markets returning, seasonal restaurants and their outdoor spaces dusting off the cobwebs, outdoor events filling the calendar again and local parks finally buzzing back to life, there’s a lot to love about staying local this time of year.
And speaking of summer traditions… we got a sneak peek inside Playland ahead of its official opening weekend and came away genuinely impressed by the care Westchester County Parks has taken since stepping in. Over 90% of the Kiddyland rides are back in action, more than 80% of the major rides are operational, and the well-loved Dragon Coaster is flying again after updates. For quality control purposes only, one of us may or may not have ridden it twice in a row. It feels good to see the park alive again, and being taken care of.
For those escaping east, our top polling destination was the Hamptons, followed closely by the Catskills and Hudson Valley… which conveniently lines up nicely with this week’s Worth A Drive section. And if you are making the long haul out east this weekend, consider this your public service announcement to take your pitstop at Flux Coffee in Farmingdale. So many of the words you’ve read in this newsletter have been written next to a cup of Flux (we’re subscribers and brew at home, we couldn’t face a drive out to Long Island every day!). Best coffee ever. Not an ad.
Whether you’re staying local, heading north, or sitting in traffic somewhere on Sunrise reading this from the passenger seat… enjoy the long weekend and travel safely.
Now let’s get into it.
Bec+Wes
In today’s edition:
Featured events… New York State’s #1 farmers market returns for the season.
Family fun… hide away from any weekend rain at a solar system show for the kiddos.
Grown ups & date nights… an award-winning night of comedy returns to Larchmont.
Live music beat… 8 countywide gigs for your holiday weekend.
Worth a drive from Ardsley Car Wash… Bob Ross at a vineyard, Colin Quinn on the East End & 125 antique dealers in Rhinebeck, the long weekend looks good..
Playland Park sneak peek… we got inside the gates early, here's what to expect when you arrive this weekend.
Plus, a message from our partners, WingWoman by QueenBHive, giving you, your business, or brand the visibility and support it needs, and QueenBPoker, hosting your epic game night.
Let’s go!
💓 The Pulse
Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!
Sat., May 23 | Patriots Park, Tarrytown | 8:30a-1:30p | Free
The award-winning Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market opens its season at Patriots Park, with fresh produce, local vendors, and the rivertown setting that makes it a Saturday morning fixture through fall.
Sat., May 23 | Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow | 11a-4p | $12+, children under 18 free
Historic Hudson Valley's annual celebration of the oldest African American holiday returns, co-curated by poet Malik Work and DJ Will Ellis, with musical, spoken word, and dance performances alongside cultural foods and crafts.
🥁 Memorial Day Parades
Mount Vernon | 9:30a | City Hall to Hartley Park
Rye | 9:30a | Rye Train Station down Purchase Street to City Hall
Valhalla | 9:30a | Westlake Drive down Columbus Avenue
White Plains | 10a | Church Street between Hamilton Avenue and Main Street
Pleasantville | 10a | Bedford Road School down Bedford Road to Memorial Plaza
New Castle-Chappaqua | 11a | Steps off from Ridgewood Terrace at Bedford Road
Pound Ridge | 12p | Pound Ridge Elementary School to the Pound Ridge Cemetery
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📆 What’s Happening?
Family Fun!
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Fri., May 22 | Keeper's House, Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, Dobbs Ferry | 10:30-11:30a | Free
Ms. Gina from the Dobbs Ferry Public Library leads a nature-themed storytime and craft activity at the historic Keeper's House along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. For ages 2-4.
Sat., May 23 | Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah | 10a-12p | Included with admission
Drop into the Pollack Family Learning Center for hands-on art projects and activities inspired by the current exhibitions on view. Open to all ages and abilities, every Saturday morning.
Sat.-Sun., May 23-24 | Playland Park, Rye | Park: 12-10p, Beach: 11a-6:30p | Park: $20+, spectators free, Beach: $6+ (combo tickets available)
The gates officially open for Playland's 2026 season debut, with a lineup of rides, Kiddyland, the Grand Carousel, the Gondola Wheel, and Playland Beach back in action for another summer on the Long Island Sound. Check out our full sneak peek further down today’s newsletter.
Sat.-Sun. in May | Hudson River Museum Planetarium, Yonkers | 3:30p | Ticket prices vary
Showman "The Great Schiaparelli" guides audiences on a wild 25-minute journey through the solar system, from sun-scorched Mercury to the outer reaches of Pluto and beyond, in this live planetarium show recommended for ages 6 and up.
Sun., May 24 | Muscoot Farm, Katonah | 1:30p | $20
Kids ages 12 and up get to brush and groom Haley, Muscoot Farm's resident horse, in this hands-on program focused on animal care and positive socialization. Pre-registration required.
🎉 Memorial Day Celebration at WCM
Mon., May 25 | Westchester Children's Museum, Rye | 10:30a-12:30p & 2-4p | Included with admission
Kids create symbolic poppy flowers and red, white, and blue wreaths, then make kindness cards for veterans at this Memorial Day drop-in at the museum. A quiet gratitude and reflection area offers a moment of remembrance alongside the activities.
Grown Ups & Date Nights
Fri.-Sat., May 22-23 | Levity Live, West Nyack | Check the link for showtimes & tickets
Six-season SNL cast member Jay Pharoah brings his stand-up to Levity Live with his gift for impressions supported by his film and TV range: The Blackening, Spinning Gold, ABC's live Good Times revival, and Nickelodeon's Unfiltered.
Sat., May 23 | River Outpost at Factoria, Peekskill | Doors 6:30p, Show 8p | $27
Next Stop Comedy comes to River Outpost’s waterfront venue in Peekskill featuring Christian HB, Jake Vevera, and award-winning headliner Michael Harrison.
Sat., May 23 | The Idea Kitchen, Larchmont | 8p | $25+
The award-winning Comedy From Scratch show returns with Keith Chase (HBO, SiriusXM) and Mike Capozzola (SF Sketchfest, Edinburgh Fringe, Men in Black International) performing extended sets on an intimate stage, hosted by Ben Asher.
Sun., May 24 | Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville | 5p | $15+
Philip Hartman's 1986 debut feature, a time capsule portrait of New York's East Village starring David Brisbin, with appearances from Steve Buscemi and Luis Guzmán, returns in a new 4K restoration. Hartman joins for a Q&A post-screening.
Wed., May 27 | Bedford Playhouse Café, Bedford | 7p | $35
Acting coach and life coach Gianna Palminteri leads an intimate women's wellness workshop in the Bedford Playhouse café, centered on self-reflection, goal-setting, and personal reinvention through the frameworks she has developed.
The Beat… Westchester’s Live Music Scene
Thanks to our partner, QueenBPoker!
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Fri., May 22 | Duck Walk Vineyards, Water Mill | 6-9p | $100
Certified Ross Instructor Sandra Evans guides a relaxed Bob Ross-inspired painting session surrounded by vineyard views, with a glass of wine and a curated cheeseboard included. No experience needed, just happy little grapevines.
Sat., May 23 | Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, Westhampton Beach | 8p | $64+
SNL Weekend Update anchor, Tough Crowd host, and one-man show veteran Colin Quinn brings his sharp stand-up to the East End. His recent Red State Blue State special aired on CNN and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Sat.-Sun., May 23-24 | Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck | Sat.: 10a-5p, Sun.: 11a-4p | $15, kids under 18 free
Over 125 antique dealers from across the country fill three indoor buildings at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds for this Memorial Day Weekend show, with furniture, art, jewelry, and decorative objects spanning styles and eras.
💌 Looking for more fun up north? Check out our friends at Catskill Crew for a weekly rundown of the best of the Catskills.
🐲 A Sneak Peek at Playland Park
Earlier this week, we got a sneak peek at Rye's Playland Park as it prepares to officially open this weekend in its 98th season. And let us tell you, despite its ripe old age and a cloudy, rainy day, Playland is looking sharp.
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We were joined by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and First Deputy Commissioner of Westchester County Parks Peter Tartaglia, who guided local media on a first-look tour of the park, stopping at iconic attractions like the Gondola Wheel and the Dragon Coaster to detail restoration and ongoing efforts to make sure those rides and others remain safe and operational throughout the season.
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First Deputy Commissioner Tartaglia estimated that 90% of Kiddyland and 80% of adult rides (including the Dragon Coaster) are ready to rock for opening day and that Playland's website will be the best source for ride availability info as the park moves through the season. Nathan's returns as the quintessential summer amusement park fare (with more options to join through the season) while skill and arcade games will keep the entertainment levels high for those needing a break from the adrenaline rush of the rides.
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With Tiki Beach Pier Restaurant also opening its doors this weekend (more to come from us on that!), it's all happening on Rye's boardwalk. No wonder 64% of you are staying close to home this weekend...
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Until next time,
