Events – Page 3 – Rockland NY Mom

WPPAC Sister Act!!!- Review

Posted on December 21, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, RNYM's Picks, Things to Do!, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to a performance. All opinions expressed are my own.

-Sofija

Having the opportunity to take my girls to see Sister Act live on stage was truly a gift. My girls kept asking me what the story was about, what type of music they would sing and if they would have snacks. I kept everything a secret, I wanted the girls to experience it fully without any expectations.

The theater was very easy to get to from Rockland. A quick 30 minutes right over the bridge into City Center in White Plains. There was ample parking in a covered lot right outside the theater. White Plains is a great city for a dinner out, and there were a ton of restaurants within walking distance of the theater. There are snacks available in the theater before the show and during intermission, though.

When I was younger I remember watching the original movie with Whoopi Goldberg, and loving it. The jokes and one liners were what kept my attention, and had me laughing so hard I would get “stiches” in my side.

This rendition of Sister Act did not disappoint, and I laughed just as hard! The lead Lindsay Roberts was absolutely amazing. Her voice was truly powerful and her comedic timing was perfection. The chemistry among the actors was amazing. Played alongside Roberts was Paulette Oliva. These two actresses had such a great rapport and harmonized so well. It was truly a great match. The choreography, music and directing was magical.

Watching the performance, listening to the music and spending time with my family was great but I must say seeing the twins smiles and hearing their laughter throughout the performance was such a joy.

While in the car driving back to Rockland, I asked the girls what they liked most about the show and we all agreed that there was a tie between the costumes, which were amazing, seeing sister Mary Roberts wearing the red boots while performing was a hoot and of course hearing one of the nun’s rapping a verse was the icing on the cake. My Girls really enjoyed the show and laughed as hard as I did! Hearing them referring to the show as a “blast mom” and “Mom my tummy hurts from laughing so hard” made me smile and super happy that I was able to share this experience with them.

If you are looking for a way to enjoy the theater without breaking the bank, White Plains Performing Arts Center is a great option! Not to mention there is not a bad seat in the house! No matter where you sat in the theater, you had a great view of the stage, were able to hear the music and singing clearly, as well as see the actors costumes and the details of the set design. We really enjoyed seeing Disney’s Tarzan last year, and can’t wait to see what they are working on for the new year!

Tickets to Sister Act would make a great Christmas Gift for a family with tweens/teens. Have younger kiddos? Check out their upcoming performances which would be more suitable for the younger age groups here: www.wppac.com.

To purchase tickets visit www.wppac.com.

Sister Act will run until January 8th, hurry and get your tickets before they sell out!
7:00 pm Performances
December 16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 • January 6, 7
2:00 pm Performances
December 18, 22, 28 • January 7, 8
Previews (December 16, 22 & 23): $22-$42
All Other Performances: $29-$49

White Plains Performing Arts Center
11 City Place White Plains NY 10601
914 328 1600
wppac.org

LIGHTSCAPES

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, as we were invited back to visit LIGHTSCAPES. All opinions expressed are my own.

-Ashley

The rain and the crazy weather have been killer lately! All my boys want to do is be out of the house, and lets face it – so do I! So I was thrilled at the opportunity to visit LIGHTSCAPES at Van Cortlandt Manor.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the Great Jack-o-lantern Blaze that happens every fall, well this magical event is created by the same people. I have yet to bring my boys (4 and 3) to the Blaze, but after our experience at LIGHTSCAPES we will definitely be there this year!

I’ll start off with some main points: There are snacks available for purchase with cash or card: popcorn, baked goods, coffee, tea etc. However, the delicious ice cream from Blue Pig is cash only. There are no bathrooms, but port-a-potties available. I would also advise not to bring a stroller as it can get crowded, and parts are narrow and bumpy. A baby carrier is best.

The entrance is beneath a color changing rainbow that leads you to walk through a bubble storm, where I realized you are never really too old to enjoy popping bubbles!

A large number of the sculptures are made from recycled objects, so I had the boys guessing at each one what they were made of (a fun and interactive game). Yelling in excitement “Look, bowling pins! Water jugs! They are so silly, they used milk jugs!”

What a great way to have a conversation about waste, and art?!

(S) standing in the Castle made of milk jugs, large plastic bottles and water jugs.

Butterfly with a bowling pin as a body!

The boy’s favorite, the praying mantis.

As we walked through, I felt like Tinkerbell among the huge lit flowers, mushrooms, and insects. We were whisked away to someplace magical.

My favorite part, the flower garden.

Gorgeous HUGE vase of flowers, incorporating all different types of flowers.
This picture does it no justice.

We took our time and strolled the path, being sure not to miss anything and we were finished in about an hour. Driving home (W) asked if we could save some of our recycling to make a project. So we are saving up milk jugs and egg cartons to come up with a fun project for this weekend (I will show you all when we are done)!

Hurry and grab your tickets, this event is only through May!
May 12th-15th
May 19th-22nd
May 26th-30th
Buy Tickets HERE!

http://www.hudsonvalley.org/events/lightscapes

Stew Leonards Easter Bunny Brunch- Review

Posted on March 27, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Easter, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to attend. All opinions expressed are my own.

There are a lot of great activities out there to do for the holidays. So many that we bring you various posts for each where you can choose which to attend. We don’t list EVERY single event because it would be overwhelming. Instead, we bring you the ones we think are really great. We love the Trains (Delaware River. and Catskill Mountain), and last year we attended a great egg hunt at Greenburgh Nature Center that will remain on the list.

This year we attended the Stew Leonard’s Bunny Brunch (Yonkers), and boy did we have a great time! If you follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Youtube) you saw some of our real-time posts. This event was ADORABLE. We had such a good time, our Auntie and I really got to sit back and watch the kids enjoy themselves.

Firstly, many people shy away from events in Yonkers thinking its far away, but its such a straight trip and only takes about 25 minutes. There are a lot of great things to do on that side of the bridge that we have highlighted (keep an eye on our events page).

The brunch was held in the party room in a nice secluded area where we were let in and the door was closed (no fear that a child would escape or someone not involved could get in. This bit of safety and security really helped to put me at ease. The room was decorated very nicely with Easter embellishments everywhere. There were table markers with our name on it to indicate where we should sit (if you want to sit with friends let them know when you register, although you can also just ask one of the many helpers to be moved if necessary.

There was a buffet on the right hand side that we could begin eating right away. The event was such a great manageable size that the line never got very long and the kids were even able to get back up and have seconds without waiting. The meal included basic brunch elements, but I was very happy to see some great healthy options as well. The food was delicious (both kiddos wanted seconds). They especially loved the silver dollar pancakes (kiddo size) and the fresh fruit.

When everyone had eaten, there was an announcement and music started playing. Then came the entertainment. The Easter Bunny and his friends came in to play with the kids. They danced and walked around the whole room high fiving the kids (and parents) as well as posing for photos. Once they made it through the crowd they moooved to the front where they danced to some popular songs that involve the crowd (whip nae nae, cha cha slide, and the chicken dance). This was SO MUCH FUN! The kids really enjoyed dancing around with the characters (who were so good with them and really looked out for them), and watching it was really heartwarming.

You can watch (E) dance with the characters on this YouTube video and see how adorable it was :o)

Neither the kids nor the adults stopped smiling from ear to ear. After a few dances an announcement was made to go back to our tables where we would be called to come up for pictures with the Bunny. Photos can be purchased (right then and there) or you can use your own camera/device for free.

The event lasted about an hour and a half, which was perfect. The kids had fun, ate well, but there was no burnout like there can sometimes be at overwhelming events. On our way out the door the kids were given coloring pages and a book on eating healthy (a major plus in my eyes). I really hadn’t expected this either and the kids loved getting a “gift”.

Stew Leonard’s does a lot of these adorable events which we will be making sure to add to our “must do” lists and our events calendar. We highly recommend them (we will certainly be back)!

Frozen in Ice- Review!

Posted on February 16, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

The kids and I ventured out this weekend to Frozen in Ice at Skylands Stadium. There is no DIRECT correlation with the event and the movie “Frozen” other than the fact that it is fabulously made of ice. Despite that fact, my Frozen fans thought Elsa was responsible for the event and we had a great time.

Helpful Hints:

Dress WARM! We wore snow suits and the whole deal.
Hit the slide early (the line can get long).
Plan to take your photo on the throne before the kids are exhausted.
Kids under 36″ must be accompanied on the slide.

It took us a quick hour to get to the stadium (all highway until the very end). Once there the walk in was easy (we went as soon as it opened since it was to snow later in the day). Right when you walk in there is an ice cabin that we went into and checked out. The kids thought it was so “cool” that everything was ice. They were amazed at what could be made, and laughed when they had difficulty staying on the bed. They pretended to warm their hands by the ice fire and had an invisible meal at the ice table.

Once we walked out of the cabin the first thing you can see is the slide, so we did that next. (A) was old enough to go on his own and did it 3 times (he loved it) before the line got a little long. (E) had to go with me since she wasn’t 36″ tall. That’s ok because it gave me an excuse to try it. It moves FAST (pick your feet up at the end, don’t try to stop yourself, it hurts a little). I have video of (A) sliding on our YouTube page.

The mascots for the “Miners” baseball team were around the whole time high fiving and posing for photos.

When we had slid enough (A) noticed the ice maze. The kids spent a good 45 minutes running though, and hiding from one another. (Video of this can also be found on our YouTube Channel).

We finished walking around and admiring the other ice sculptures after the maze. That is when we found the Frozen Throne. This is great because you can have your photo taken and emailed to you for free. If you are there with the kids and want a photo of everyone (instead of always being behind the camera) you have a little momento.

Back inside the main entrance, there was food, and some raffle chances you could fill out to win. There were also some games you could play. Since we knew that there was weather coming, we skipped this part and went outside.

Outside there were some more great ice sculptures, and a fire pit where you could make smores. It smelled super yummy. There was also a “hayride” taking people around the stadium field. On a day that was a little less chilly (I chose the coldest day to go) this would have been perfect for us. Little (E) is 2 and was sooo cold. (A) who is 5 would have been fine.

Frozen in Ice is a great time. We ended up staying about 2 hours and that’s without all of the cool extras that we had to do without. Both kids fell into a deep sleep on the way home. I would absolutely recommend it.

Frozen in Ice is only available through February… To purchase tickets Click Here!

Play Fair! – Review

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to visit the Playfair.

We were so excited to head to the first event of PlayFair at the Javitts Center Saturday morning. Unfortunately the event is sold out, but I still want to share our experience with you!

We ordered our tickets before the mailing deadline, so we had our badges in hand so we were able to walk right in. Sadly, if you did not have badges it was a long wait outside. Due to the severe cold, this was rectified by the afternoon session. Right inside the door was a coat check, and plenty of employees directing you.

Lets start with the basics:

There are plenty of parking lots near the center. We chose one about 3 blocks away. Easy.
If you don’t NEED a stroller, don’t bring it. With the crowds it can get hard to maneuver.
Use the coat check so you have empty hands for taking pictures and having fun!
There are ample clean bathrooms with changing tables
There are food options – hot pretzels, popcorn, smoothies, fruit, ice cream etc. You can also bring in your own food.

One of the great parts is that once you are in you don’t need to pay for anything (except food). At certain booths you are able to purchase items, but it was also easily avoidable to prevent meltdowns.

The center is huge and full of interactive stations with games and toys to explore. Crayola, Legos, Thomas the Train, Nickelodeon, Toys R Us – you name it! With give-a-ways at almost every one!

There was so much to see and do, I am going to narrow it down to the big stuff!

Through out the session there were numerous Character Photo ops – Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Ninja turtles, Shimmer and Shine to name a few. Each Session has different characters available, so be sure to check the website for a list. The lines were long, and a bit unorganized so we decided to save our meet and greet for our favorite, PJ Masks!

There were also characters roaming around – Captain America, Princess Belle, Geoffrey the Giraffe, Play-dough, all available for photo ops.

There was a really neat camera at Crayola that would take your picture and turn it into a coloring page! Boys got a kick out of that.

The LEGO area was awesome. It was a lot like being at LegoLand! Buckets of legos to build with, racetracks to race your cars, a lego wall to build tiles. Super cool!

(W)’s favorite part was the pedal kart racetrack! Berg toys set up a racetrack letting the kids try out their amazing pedal bikes. He was so proud of himself afterwards. “That was really hard at first, but I really figured it out!”

We really wanted to get in to see the Nickelodeon station. It looked fun with slides, photo ops, and creative stations. But the line was incredibly long, so we had to miss that one.

The session went fast! We were so busy having fun, next thing we knew it was time to go! Being that it was a brand new event in its FIRST YEAR we expected a few bumps. The lines were long, and the event was over crowded, but the boys had a blast!

Free Paint with Underground Finds & Furniture! -Review

Posted on January 13, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Classes, Classes for Kids, Crafts, Events, Out and about..., Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as I was invited to a class at Underground Finds and Furniture. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love to craft. That’s no secret. I will try pretty much any craft once. I have taken the kids to a myriad of different crafting events. They really enjoy them as well, and I love the time we get to spend together being creative, and making memories. This past weekend Mary of Underground Finds and Furniture held her first in house crafting class. In this format Mary can share the techniques that she has learned when she first started her shop. This low cost class was a real blast for myself and for the kids. Mary shared different techniques and some really fantastic supplies with us while we were there.

I must disclose. This was NOT a typical crafting class. There were crafts and there was fun, but the laid back atmosphere made it that much more enjoyable. I used to take the kids to the Home Depot Kids workshops all the time because I like their vibe. They gave you a project with a general idea, and left paint so you could create in your own way. This class reminded me of that, but cooler because I was learning cool new techniques too.

The event was created a little over a month ago and sign-up filled quickly. Upon arrival you could see that Mary was prepared and excited. There was a little table in the adjoining room with some (healthy) snacks and water on it so that if people got hungry or needed a break they could take one. The Crafting room had a large table with chalk paint in the center (so many great colors it was like an all you can craft buffet!). There were plaques that we could make into signs with either a meaningful quote or a picture or both, AND she had boxes as well as blocks that the kids could paint as well.

Mary explained the project and had people pick their items to work on. She then told us about the two different techniques that we could use with her silhouette machine. I chose to do the relief technique for both of the kids projects. (A) decided to use a Star Wars Quote, and I wanted to make a sign for (E) that said “Always kiss me goodnight” for her new room.

The project was kicked up a notch when Mary also mentioned that she had “Glow in the Dark” spray paint. (A) was enthralled. He ended up using the paint on all 3 of his projects.

First we painted a base layer on both projects.

On (A)’s he then spray pained the glow in the dark. (E)’s got a blend of colors that are being used in her “shabby chic” bedroom.

Then we used the computer to plan out the sizes, fonts and graphics for the boards.

Once dry we placed the words and graphics on the boards.

Another coat of paint, in another color, went on top.

The vinyl was removed to show the negative space.

I then sanded and waxed ( I really like that look).

(A) is obsessed with the fact this his glows :o)

Here are the finished products!!!

The kids also worked on painting boxes which they are using around the house to store their “treasures”.

Mary’s next workshop is taking place on February 21st and will be making photo boards with a picture, a wooden board, chalk paint and some modge podge. The cost is $10 a person (for supplies) and the class is limited to 10 students. To register email: MDM441@gmail.com by 2/14/16.

WPPAC Presents Tarzan- REVIEW!

Posted on December 22, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Christmas 2015, Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, RNYM's Picks .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to a performance. All opinions expressed are my own.

I LOVE THE THEATER. I want my children to love it too. But its nearly impossible to just pick the correct age to begin bringing them. Then, you have to choose a good venue, not too large so that they can actually see and experience, not get bored because its too small and they are too removed. And then, you have to choose a show that is familiar enough to capture them, and keep their attention. Especially because of the COSTS associated with attending live theater. At WPPAC the family four pack (which is still available at this time) is only $135 which is amazing.

Well theater lovers, look no further. We attended the WPPAC show Tarzan this past weekend and it was everything I have been searching for.

Amenities:

It is a smaller theater, not a bad seat in the house. The seats are super comfortable with modern capabilities. There is lots of leg room and no matter where you are, you can really see and experience the show.

The view of the stage from our seat (excuse terrible cell phone picture).

Getting there is a quick 30-40 minute drive, and parking in the local lot a breeze. If you park on the 5th floor you can walk right into the theater in a well lit garage. Oh and parking is only $1 per hour.

There is a great little snack bar that you can take advantage of where they also have little souvenirs of the show for purchase. Right behind the snack bar is the restrooms, which were comfortable and SUPER CLEAN.

(A) and his cousin (F) at the concession stand.

REVIEW:

The actors at WPPAC are all professionals. The singing and acting was EXCELLENT. Tarzan’s mother had a voice that touched my soul. The child actors were also a great pleasure to see. (A) was very excited to see boys like himself performing on stage.

(A) has seen the cartoon many times before and was immediately into the show. He sat quietly through the first act (which is quite the feat if you know anything about 5 year old boys). At intermission when the audience stepped out to use the restrooms and get refreshments, he spent time running through our aisles pretending to be a gorilla.

He was ready and excited for the second act but wanted to sit in Nana’s lap. This was no problem because of the modern comfortable seats in the theater. When we could tell he had gotten a little tired she told him that he could put his head back and he said “No Nana, I want to see the show”.

It was also great to see him learning musical cues and wanting to show his appreciation. At one point when the cast had almost finished a number he was unsure if it was time to clap and so he leaned over and asked, “do we clap now?”

He made it through and at the end he wanted to know where the music came from, so we walked down to the stage and I showed him where the grates were that led to the pit. This amazed him. When he turned around and saw the monitors he also asked what those were for. We had a little musical theater lesson.

(A) and his cousin (F) down by the stage.

When we exited the theater we heard that the two young boys who had played leads were going to be in the lobby speaking to people. I have NEVER seen (A) get nervous or quiet, but with these boys he was. He was totally in awe. I was finally able to get him to ask if they would sign his playbill, and they happily agreed.

In the car I asked (A) if he wanted me to hold his playbill and he said “No mom, I’ve got it”. He is treasuring it. He already has it up on his high shelf where (E) can’t get at it.

BUY TICKETS:

Group packages, and Gift Certificates also available. Performances run December 26, 28, 29 January 2, 8, 9 at 7 pm and December 19, 20, 26, 27, 30, January 2, 3, 9, 10 at 2 pm.

Take advantage of our family four pack on Dec 18, 19, 26, 28 & 29 at 7pm. Get 2 adults and 2 child tickets for $135 dollars. That’s a 15% savings. Tickets range from $25-$47. For tickets and more information visit www.wppac.com or call (914) 328-1600.

White Plains Performing Arts Center is located at 11 City Place on the 3rd floor of City Center in White Plains, NY.

Santa Trolley- Review

Posted on December 18, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Christmas 2014, Christmas 2015, Day Trips, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Travel .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited for a ride. All opinions expressed are my own.

I OWE this review. Two years ago we went here and although it was cool I personally wasn’t blown away by the Santa they had used. I wasn’t sure how to approach it and so I didn’t post. I was so stuck on that one little detail (I thought it was a big deal) that I lost focus on who and what mattered most.

We researched and went because its close to my best friend (Aunt Shelby’s) house. It was a combined visit with her and Christmas activity to do with the kids. Its not super far away, but as many know the drive through CT can be a bear if you don’t know when to make the trip.

Meet Aunt Shelby

So here is our experience at the Shoreline Trolley Museum.

(E) was so young she has no recollection of the visit, but (A) is another story entirely. He remembers every moment. If my posting this is any indication, I have to tell you, he asks when we are going again all the time.

He remembers getting to ride on a cool Trolley (it was very cool) like Daniel Tiger. He remembers being able to drive (a little). He loved looking out the windows at the lights along the way.

Once there, he loved the train car and the other decorated Trolley cars around the yard. He still talks about the Hot Chocolate and the cookies that were out for us. He loved that the wait for Santa was short, and that Santa really spoke to him (he didn’t have 10,000 other boys and girls waiting for their turn so he was able to actually spend some time with him).

At the main building there is also an adorable little Trolley museum with some interactive displays as well.

He talks about it all the time. He was 3, he is now 5. We have gone on some pretty cool trips, been on the Polar Express (which he loved), and so many other attractions, and he still talks about this one.

For more information about the Shore Line Trolley Museum check out their website: http://shorelinetrolley.org/about/.

A Royal Christmas Spectacular- REVIEW!!

Posted on December 10, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Christmas 2015, Events, Out and about..., Party, Photography, Reviews .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Last year we went to the Glamour Girls Story time with Mrs. Claus (see review), so when I read about the Royal Christmas Spectacular, I KNEW this was going to be a fantastic event! The flyer promised princesses, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, The Clauses, professional photos and more fun that you can shake a stick at! Boy did they deliver.

Upon entering the Pearl River Elks Club we were escorted to our table by Belle. My little (E) was immediately captivated. Belle bent down to speak to her, and she took the cue to sit on the floor with her and have a chat. The funny thing is, (E) never actually said anything, she just sat there holding her hands and staring. It was MAGICAL.

A quick glance of the room showed a buffet full of delicious breakfast items, a photography station manned by Butterfly Kisses Photography with two different backdrops complete with adorable props, activity tables along the perimeter, a DJ (Total Djs) up on the stage, and tables for all of the royal attendees.

Once everyone was in the room we were introduced to all the Characters by Mrs. Claus who was our MC for the evening. All the kids were then invited to sit on the dance floor as a few of them sang us their signature songs. Well, with a group of kids this could have gone either way… with this group, they were entranced. The singing was quite good and the kids were really into it!! They sat while Belle, Captain Hook, Ariel, and Peter Pan each took their turn singing. Once they had all had their solos they got together and started singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. At the end while everyone in the room was singing, the big man himself made his appearance!!!

Santa took his time shaking hands and waving, stopping for photos and talking to each child. He then went over and took photos with Butterfly Kisses Photography’s Photographer Jillian. Throughout the event, people who had purchased the photo package were called to take photos with their favorite character. (E) made sure to jump in with Ariel, and The Arandale Sisters (wink).

(Photo Courtesy of Butterfly Kisses Photography)

There were stations assigned to the guest tables by time slot and Total DJs kept the atmosphere appropriate and fun throughout. We made our way to the tattoo station, the ice cream sundaes, the games and stories, and the craft station. Each activity was age appropriate and fun. A special shout out must go to Captain Hook who (A) paled around the whole time arguing that he was a bad guy as Hook proclaimed his renewed innocence. He loved it!

The highlight of our time there had to be watching the faces of the kids as they interacted with the different characters. They were all so precious. My favorites (I am a little biased) was watching (A) pretend sword fight with Hook and (E) dancing with Belle (which I luckily captured on video-check out our YouTube Channel to see).

A great time was had by all. The kids were so happy that when we got home (A) decided that he wanted to write Santa a Thank You letter for sending us the tickets. THIS IS HUGE!!! (A) strongly dislikes writing, its not “his favorite”. The fact that he wanted to WRITE a letter thanking him was HUGE!! This has solidified to me that this was a fantastic event.

Glamour Girls hosts special events like this frequently. Like their Facebook Page to keep up to date or check our Parties Directory. Not only do they host events, but they do party appearances for that special character in your life. See their website www.glamourgirlspartyplanner.com for more details.

Christmas Lights and Family Time at Boscobel Sparkle- REVIEW!

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Christmas 2015, Day Trips, Events, Out and about..., Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as Ashley was invited to attend this event with her family. All opinions expressed are her own.

I love Christmas lights. If I could leave mine up all year round without getting the side eye from my neighbors, I totally would. Growing up, every Christmas eve driving home from my Grandma and Grandpa’s house, my Dad would take the ‘long way home’ so we could see all the Christmas lights, we would drive for hours!

Disclaimer – I am not a photographer…please excuse the quality of the pictures.

This past Friday night we bundled up and headed out to Boscobel for the opening night of Sparkle. Getting there was super easy, up the palisades and right over the Bear Mountain Bridge into Garrison.

As we drove up to the entrance the boys were squealing in delight seeing all the Christmas lights in the distance. Parking was fast and free. As you enter the gardens there us a tent your left, where you can purchase tickets if you need. There are restrooms to the right of the ticket tent. There is also a cute gift shop full of books, children’s toys, home decor, jewelry and lots more.

Each night boasts different activities be sure to check the website before you go. http://www.boscobel.org/events-and-exhibitions/calendar-of-events/december/

As we made our way past the ticket booth, we met the Sparkle Queen Stilt Walker. Wow!
Absolutely stunning. The kids were mesmerized. Aside from how beautiful, all I could think was “How on earth does she walk on those stilts so gracefully?”

We started our stroll down a path lined by trees decorated with white Christmas lights.

Half way down the path was Santa’s Sparkle Garden. Inside the Garden house we met Santa and Mrs. Clause! The boys were speechless. Santa was really good! Perfect beard, and personality. Mrs. Claus was a delight as well. We weren’t rushed out, we we able to take our time. Plenty of time to have a chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take a few photos. You can take plenty of photos with your camera/phone, there is no photographer.
Except for on December 11, 12, 18 & 19^th from 5:30-8:30pm  you will get a free 4×6 Photos with Santa!
(While supplies last.)

We continued down the path to the colored light ‘maze.’ The kids loved this spot! The bushes were lined with brightly colored lights and glass jars. W and S walked up and down the paths at least 100 times, chasing each other and giggling each time they found one another in the dark.

Around the path and behind the house there is a heated food tent with yummy options for purchase from Hudson Hil’s Café and Market. A few items included popcorn, brownies, chili, soup, hot chocolate and hot cider. See menu here http://www.boscobel.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/11/menu.pdf. We decided to take a few minutes and warm up with some hot apple cider while listening to live acoustic holiday tunes.

After, we stopped into the Magic Show in the Gallery. The boys were interested, but I think it would be better suited for kids a little bit older. (W is 4 and S is just about 3).

As we walked out of the Magic Show the boys could hear a saw, (They are currently obsessed with all things construction) so we had to go check it out. In front of the House we found the Ice Sculptor. I have never seen this in person before, It was amazing to watch him work. Cutting meticulously to create such an intricate masterpiece.

There was also a Ventriloquist Puppet Show that looked really fun, but the boys were exhausted by this time, so we decided to head home.

Sparkle is the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit and to enjoy being with family. Wander the beautiful grounds listing to Christmas music and gazing at the lights. A perfect winters night.

We will definitely be adding Boscobel Sparkle to our yearly Christmas traditions.

Join BOSCOBEL for a series of brilliant evening events featuring thousands of lights, luminous displays and festive holiday happenings around the gardens and grounds of Bos cobel. Walk the candlelit paths with a hot cup of cocoa and celebrate the season with family and friends.

There are an UNLIMITED amount of Grounds Only tickets, while most of the Guided House Tour tickets are sold out.

5–9 pm

Fridays, December 4, 11 & 18

Saturdays, December 5, 12 & 19

To Purchase Tickets CLICK HERE

Friday, December 11

Mr. & Mrs. Santa in the Sparkle Garden*
The Sparkle Queen Stilt Walker
Ice Carving Demonstration with Bill Bywater
Magical Entertainment with Margaret Steele
Acoustic Holiday Classics with Rick Soedler
NEW! Puppet Power with Ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner (first show at 6pm)

Saturday, December 12

Santa and his Elf Helper in the Sparkle Garden*
Magical Entertainment with Margaret Steele
Period Music with Thad MacGregor
NEW! Holiday Jazz with the Libby Richman Trio
Illuminated Hoop Dancing with the Sparkle Spinners
WHUD’s Morning Show cohost Kacey will be on site 6-8pm along with the WHUD Family Fun Crew and Hudson the Bear offering photo opportunities, prizes and raffles!

Friday, December 18

Mr. & Mrs. Santa in the Sparkle Garden*
The Sparkle Queen Stilt Walker
Ice Carving Demonstration with Bill Bywater
Caroling with The Taghkanic Chorale
Acoustic Holiday Classics with Rick Soedler
NEW! Puppet Power with Ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner (first show at 6pm)

Saturday, December 19

Santa and his Elf Helper in the Sparkle Garden*
Caroling with The Taghkanic Chorale
Period Music with Thad MacGregor
NEW! Holiday Jazz with the Libby Richman Trio
Illuminated Hoop Dancing with the Sparkle Spinners

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