KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date Fri, May 8 - Sun, May 17: 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival
Sat, May 9: Pink & Teal Challenge from Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
Thu, May 14-Sun, May 17: Water for Elephants from Stages performed at ROC City Circus
Sat, May 16: Dino ROAR @ Stokoe Farms
2026 - special 20% off discount code Sat, May 16: Half the Price Day at the Strong!
Sat, May 16: Foster Care / Adoption
Informational Open House from Families Thrive Sun, May 17: OrKIDStra: Mother Goose with Rochester City Ballet at Hochstein Wed, May 27: Geva Theatre Presents Anastasia: The Musical |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to home. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically longer. Over the
years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet not quite here. The energy reserves
are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and
your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Connect more. Do more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Genesee Country Village & Museum is now open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm and every day is packed with family fun! Spark your curiosity in our 19th-century Historic Village where you can visit our new lambs and pig on the farm, take a hike on 5+ miles of nature trails, and explore an all-new 50th anniversary exhibit in the John L. Wehle Gallery! Plus, don't miss a variety of festivities for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10. Mom gets FREE admission - our treat! Don’t forget, next weekend is 1812: The Genesee Valley at War where we explore both sides of the conflict and the impact it had on the citizens of Western New York. See what else is coming up and purchase tickets…
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Join us Saturday, May 9th at Monroe Community College to walk or run and have FUN at the Breast Cancer Coalition's annual Pink & Teal Challenge! It's BCCR's largest fundraising event of the year; all proceeds stay local to provide cutting-edge programs and services free-of-charge to anyone touched by a breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Bring your spouse and family to the walk... it's a great cause! Women's-Only 5k Run starts at 9:30am, All-Inclusive Walk starts 9:45am. To register visit: Pink & Teal Challenge.
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Experience the thrill of a real safari right in the heart of Western New York at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg, New York. You’ll come face-to-face with majestic wildlife from around the world. From towering bison and graceful elk to camels, zebras and other exotic species, Hidden Valley offers a one-of-a-kind day trip that blends excitement, discovery, and the joy of connecting with wildlife hands-on. Take a guided safari bus or self-drive thru tour of the 63-acre park and include a visit to the Small Animal Adventure petting zoo. Perfect for all ages, the adventure is closer than you think! Check hours and order tickets online.
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Enjoy all your favorite exhibits for half the price! In recognition of the importance of play in all our lives, the museum has announced a half-price general admission day for Saturday, May 16, to make the benefits of play even more accessible to members of our community. (Please note: Other fees may apply.) Saturday open hours at the Strong are 10:00 am - 8:00 pm.
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Step right up! Be swept away by the wonder, romance, & raw emotion of Water for Elephants performed by A Magical Journey Thru Stages, at Roc City Circus! This spectacular musical brings the magic of the circus to life through breathtaking choreography, soaring music, & a powerful story of love, resilience, & finding where you belong. Join Jacob as he joins a struggling traveling circus and is introduced to a world of extraordinary performers, dazzling feats, & unforgettable characters. From circus sequences to tender, emotional moments, this production is filled with visual splendor & moving storytelling. An evening of unforgettable entertainment that will leave you inspired & wanting more!
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Weekends May 16-31, 2026, 9:30 am to 4 pm: Dino ROAR is BACK by popular demand! Dinosaurs have escaped their handler and have been spotted in the woods at Stokoe Farms. We need you! Help us capture the escaped beasts and get them home. Start your day with our Drive-Thru experience where you will use your Nerf Darts to stun the prehistoric beasts from your own vehicles. Tune-in and listen to the noise of the forest, do you hear the prehistoric footsteps echoing? Back by popular demand, this is the first event of a 2026 full of excitement and wonder. (Tickets are $26.99 - $38.99... Children 2 and under are free.) 20% discount off the price of your tickets with code KOAA20.
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Hochstein Performance Hall Sunday, May 17 2026 at 2pm: Classic fairytales come to life with the RPO and Rochester City Ballet performing Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. This whimsical journey combines music, movement, and imagination for an enchanting afternoon perfect for young audiences. Get your tickets now!
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Treat your family to a night at Geva Theatre this spring. Tickets to Anastasia are on sale now! This Tony Award-nominated musical inspired by the beloved films takes us on a journey to the past. Iconic songs like “Once Upon a December,” “Learn to Do It,” and “Journey to the Past” transport us from the darkness of Soviet Russia to the opulence of Paris in the ’20s. Could it be that Anya really is the long-lost Romanov? Anastasia runs from May 27th through June 28th. The show’s run time is approximately 2 hours, including a 15- minute intermission and is recommended for audiences ages 10 and older. Get tickets now by calling (585) 232-4382 or by purchasing online at GevaTheatre.org.
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Saturday, May 23, 2026, 7:30 AM -12:00 PM, Powder Mills Park in Pittsford: Powder Mills Park is a mature woodland and wetland park that can be productive for many late-migrating or nesting species. In recent years, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Red-tailed Hawks have all nested there. We will spend time around the hatchery, then drive to and walk the Daffodil Meadow trail (less than 2 miles total).
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Are your kids way into video games? GLG's Gaming and Esports Summer camps provide kids and teens ages 8-12 & 13-16 with the opportunity to build friendships, sharpen skills, and dive into organized competitive gaming. In just one week, campers will learn lifelong skills through team challenges, structured gameplay, and beginner-friendly STEAM activities such as designing their own board and video games!
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Summer camps slots are going fast at the RMSC for STEM-based, hands-on fun! Campers explore their curiosity and find answers to their questions using the Museum & Science Center as their guide. Dive into Med or Vet School 101, get messy and creative, attend private shows at the Strasenburgh Planetarium or the Electricity Theater, watch up-close science demonstrations, and enjoy access to our newly renovated labs. Let the RMSC be your bridge to summer learning, and sign up today!
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Eastman Community Music School prepared host of exciting summer programs for Rochester community. To fit your schedule, we’re offering programs in different formats—weekly rehearsals, weekend intensives, and half- and full-day options. From toddlers to professionals, blowers to bowers, pluckers to singers – we are here for you! Space is limited, start planning your summer and register today! Find the option for your family : https://www.esm.rochester.edu/community/ecms-summer-offerings/
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Spend your summer singing and dancing at Spotlight Studios! Programs for every age group. Jungle Book Kids and Willy Wonka Kids for K-4th graders, Mean Girls Jr and Willy Wonka Jr for 4-8th graders. Dear Evan Hansen for 8-12th graders. The Spongebob Musical for K-12th graders. Spotlight welcomes and invites all abilities – we will help beginners learn the ropes and love musical theatre; we will help experienced performers find and sharpen new skills! We teach everything young performers need to know from audition prep to valuable rehearsal skills. Everyone who registers will be cast. Come find your moment in the Spotlight!
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Ready to throw a birthday bash that truly climbs above the rest? At Central Rock Gym Rochester, our two-hour parties blend thrilling rope climbing, expert staff support, and a cozy party room to celebrate in style. Your group enjoys 1.5 hours of guided climbing time (or opt for two full hours on the ropes), complete with rental gear and a 1:4 staff-to-climber ratio. After the action, relax in our party room—pizza-friendly space with fridge/freezer—while the birthday crew kicks back. With safety, fun, and unforgettable challenges built in, it’s the perfect way to mark another year soaring to new heights.
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Your Adventure Begins Now! Girl Scout Camp encourages you to explore the outdoors, try something new, and build skills that last a lifetime. Whether you’re discovering the wildlife in your own backyard, swimming in a lake for the first time, or being a citizen scientist and observing bees in your neighborhood park, every outdoor adventure grows your “I’ve got this” attitude. And once you unlock that confidence, you’ll aim as high as the stars you see outside your cabin window. Head to https://www.gswny.org/en/camp-and-outdoors/summer_camp.html for the full list of 2026 programs.
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Do you know a college student who is coming home for the summer and looking for a great summer job? WXXI Public Media has several paid internship opportunities, offering students hands-on experience, valuable work lessons, and the opportunity to network. Openings include: The ROUTE (FM88.5) intern, WXXI Classical music intern, Marketing & Creative Services intern, IT intern, and WXXI News intern. They are accepting applications through May 11. Click here to learn more: https://www.wxxi.org/highlights/internships/
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The Corn Hill Arts Festival is July 11 & 12; each year, the family area has a section devoted to Fairy Houses called the Fairy House Showcase presented by Jess DeCotis Homes of Howard Hanna and supported by KidsOutAndAbout.Com and The Strong Museum of Play. This is a great way for kids of all ages to be creative and have fun in a way the whole community can enjoy. You, your family, your club, or your business can take part! Register to build a Fairy House and bring it to the festival. Winners will have their fairy house displayed at The Strong National Museum of Play following the festival! Register to enter your kids or team today!
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Interested in some FREE events? Head out this weekend to...
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Highland Park in Rochester hosts the 128th Rochester Lilac Festival from May 8-17, 2026. This beloved 10-day celebration of spring brings the community together for live music, blooming lilacs, Art in the Park, the Lilac Parade, walking tours, the farmers
market, family fun, and the annual Lilac Run.
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- 24th Annual Rochester Dachshund Parade - Washington Square Park, St Marys Pl, Rochester, NY, USA - Saturday, May 09, 2026, 10 AM - Noon
- Women's Perspectives 2026 - Image City Photography Gallery, 1695 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14604, USA - Friday, May 08, 2026, 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
- Love Your Library
Day! - Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580, United States - Saturday, May 09, 2026, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- FREE Upcoming Children's Book Festival - Barnes & Noble, Pittsford Plaza, Monroe Avenue, Rochester, Pittsford, NY, USA - Saturday, May 09, 2026,
11:00AM-3:00PM
- HFL High School Jazz Combo & Instrument Petting Zoo - Mendon Public Library, 22 North Main Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472, United States - Saturday, May 09, 2026, 1:00-2:00 PM
- Zombie Survival Challenge - Ogden Farmers' Library, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, NY 14559, United States - Saturday, May 09, 2026, 11:00am-12:15pm
- Star Wars Story
Time - Ogden Farmers' Library, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, NY 14559, United States - Saturday, May 09, 2026, 1:00pm-1:30pm
- Saturday Story Time - Mendon Public Library, 22 North Main Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472, United States - Saturday, May 09, 2026, 10:00-10:30
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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