KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date
Sat, Jul 25 - Sun, Jul 26: Centennial Expo at GCV&M July 25 & 26
Sat, Jul 25 - Sun. Jul 26: Ganondagan's Indigenous Music & Arts Festival
Sat, Jul 25: Christmas in July at the Reindeer Farm
Wed, Jul 29: Creatures of the Night: A Porch Talk at BANC
Thu, Jul 30 - Sat, Aug 1: 2026 Puerto Rican Festival - Parcel 5
Mon, Aug 10: American Motherhood Tour: ROC Film Screening at Central Library
Mon, Aug 10 - Sun, Aug 16: Wayne County Fair
Wed, Aug 12 - Sun, Aug 16: Erie County Fair 2026
Sat, Aug 15 - Sun, Aug 16: Fiddle & Folk Festival at GCV&M
Sat, Aug 15 - Sat, Aug 22: Wyoming County Fair
Fri, Aug 21-Sun, Aug 23: Annual Egyptian Festival at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church
Fri, Aug 28: RAMS 23rd Annual Northeast Model Helicopter Jamboree |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Sometimes, paradise itches. While on vacation recently, I discovered an almost-perfect trail adjacent to our rental house: flat, sandy, well-maintained, and, that morning, completely empty except for my family, Penny, and Skye. The dogs raced ahead and back as we wandered at a gentler pace. But the farther we ventured from civilization, and the
more times we lingered to check out a surprising little stream or colorful mushroom, the more the mosquitoes flocked. And when we got back to the house, I found a tick on Penny. Software people have an old joke: “It’s not a bug; it’s a feature.” After 25 years of publishing on the internet, I can confirm that anything complicated you create with software requires plenty of debugging. Bugs are part of the creative process, whether the creator is a human being or Nature itself.
They’re built-in features of a world busy being alive. An entirely bug-free life would be a pretty sterile one. Kids take their cues from us about what counts as a good experience, which is why I advocate looking at life through rose-colored lenses. Was the picnic still fun if it rained? Was the trip worthwhile if someone got cranky? Did the missed turn spoil the adventure? If one inconvenience earns the whole day a rating of RUINED, we teach children that delight is fragile
and reality perpetually defective. They may start waiting for perfect conditions before letting themselves have fun... and that is a lot of power to hand a mosquito. Tweezer out the ticks. Then keep walking.
—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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In 2026, we’re celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. But how did Americans in 1876 celebrate the country’s first 100 years? With an expo for the ages! Explore what was brand new, cutting-edge, and mind-blowing in America’s first hundred years; who came and went through the Genesee Valley; the shift from craft to commerce; and innovation’s impact on everyday life. From magic lantern shows and a tent of wonders to talks exploring the impact of industry in the 19th Century, learn about America’s first 100 years. Join us July 25 & 25 from 10 am - 4 pm.
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Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Try your hand at operating a railroad velocipede on the tracks at the New York Museum of Transportation. The 1890s velocipede was once used on railroads by supervisors and track inspectors. Under careful supervision, you take a seat, grab the handles, and row your way up the line. Adults and kids are welcome. It's just like rowing a boat! The velocipede, trolley rides, huge model railroad, highway and horse drawn vehicles and the Midtown Plaza Monorail are all included in the family friendly admission prices: $12 adults, $10 age 65+, $6 youths age 3 - 12. 6393 E. River Rd, Rush. (585) 533-1113.
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Join us at Henrietta CountryMax on August 8 from 12:00 PM–2:30 PM for a fun-filled family event supporting the Pirate Toy Fund and their mission to provide toys to children in need all year long! Enjoy exciting activities for just $10 each… pony rides, kangaroo encounters, unique animal petting zoo, and tie-dye your own Pirate Toy Fund T-shirt. Best of all, proceeds benefit the Pirate Toy Fund. There's plenty of FREE fun too! Enjoy balloon twisting, crafts, games, and a bounce house. Bring a new toy donation—or purchase one at the event— donate at the Pirate Toy Fund tent to receive a FREE cookie from JoJo's Bakeshop and entry to win great prizes. Refreshments available to purchase. Help make a difference for local children while enjoying a day filled with animals, food, and family fun. Click for details: https://www.countrymax.com/christmas-in-august/
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Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 7:30 - 9:00 PM at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center Clubhouse in Powder Mills Park: Join long-time members and retired biologists Martha Zettel and Bill O’Neill for a casual evening on the porch, learning about the insects and bats that inhabit the late summer nights at BANC. We will have lots of examples to look at, as well as bat detectors and sound analysis software. Registration required so we can notify you of weather postponements.
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Next week, the Rochester Red Wings take on the Syracuse Mets for a six-game homestand at ESL Ballpark, July 28–August 2, packed with special promotions! Tuesday features half-price tickets and an Ernie Clement bobblehead giveaway, followed by Wednesday’s Camp Day matinee. Bring your pup to Thursday’s Bark in the Park as the Wings become the Rochester Plates, plus enjoy giveaways, college discounts, and happy hour. Friday’s Survivors Night and Saturday’s game both conclude with fireworks. Wrap up the week Sunday with Princesses in the Park, Knot Hole Kids Club Day, and a chance for kids to run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy! Head to: https://www.milb.com/rochester/tickets/promotions.
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Experience the 2026 Indigenous Music & Arts Festival , featuring the Zuni Olla Maidens, Haudenosaunee social dancing, storytelling, and artists and performers Shelly Morningsong and Fabian Fontenelle and singer-songwriter, Tonemah. Enjoy artist demonstrations, a Native American Arts Market, children’s activities, raffles, Indigenous cuisine, live interviews, exhibit gallery, trails and more!
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Sat, July 25, 11:30am: Cruise departing from Fairport to the Village of Pittsford and back to Fairport. Booking deadline 1pm two days prior, or before sold out! Mrs. Claus and a her most trusted elves are trading the North Pole's chill for a mid-summer cruise on the charming Colonial Belle. This Christmas in July brunch experience offers a unique festive escape along the Erie Canal, far from the usual hustle of the holiday season. The boat will be decked out in holiday splendor, and guests are invited to join Mrs. Claus for a delightful brunch as they gently glide through the scenic waterways.
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Sunday, July 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Break up the summer blues with some holiday cheer! See the reindeer, take a hay ride to Santa's cabin, enjoy reindeer games and crafts. Browse the big sale of "new-to-you" Christmas decor. There will be cookies, ice cream, donuts and cold drinks for sale. This is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Red Jacket Community Library.
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This summer, Seneca Park Zoo will transform into an immersive outdoor storytelling experience with a new traveling sculpture exhibit. Opening Memorial Day weekend and running through August 18, the Tales of Conservation sculpture exhibit includes 12 larger-than-life sculptures of animals that were brought back from the brink of extinction, all with the assistance of zoos. Running Memorial Day Weekend through August 18.
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT! Enjoy a night out while we handle the kids! We will have a FUN FILLED night of dancing, partying, crafting, and gaming!
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Visit Archangel School during its July Friday open houses, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tour the school and discover a welcoming, academically challenging Catholic education for students in PreK through Grade 12. Affordable tuition and small classes help students thrive, with strong foundations in reading, phonics, traditional math, and cursive writing. Middle and high school students can also participate in Section V sports, theater, STEM, chess, other clubs, and dual-enrollment college courses. Applications for the 2026–27 school year are still being accepted. Visit 2400 Chili Avenue in Gates or ArchangelSchool.com
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Enjoy midway fun for the whole family with exciting rides and games, favorite fair food and festival offerings Thursday - Sunday including live music, kids' entertainment and activities, and spectacular Saturday night fireworks. Carnival and festival admission are both free.
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The 187th Genesee County Fair will be held July 18th - 25th, 2026. The Midway Rides will be open Tuesday July 21st – Saturday July 25th. There will be Kids Day Ride Specials on Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday. Enjoy great food, rides, contests, races, demolition derby, animals, and so much more!!
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Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical.
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Cruise with birding experts Randi and Nic Minetor and observe some of the 100 species of birds that make their home along the Erie Canal and Genesee River. Perfect for every bird watcher from novice to die-hard enthusiast, you’ll see local birds in their lush habitat and learn to identify them from sight and sound. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars, though binoculars will be available on board for use during the cruise.
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Saturday & Sunday, July 25 & 26: Come explore, discover, and play! From 11-3pm at The Autism Nature Trail (The ANT) in Letchworth State Park, enjoy a hands-on Water & Nature Exploration activity where curiosity flows naturally. Build, splash, observe, and connect with the wonders of water while discovering the beauty of the outdoors. This inclusive experience is designed for all ages and abilities to enjoy nature through sensory-rich exploration.
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Join Genesee River alliance for a FREE summer celebration to engage with and build connections among residents in the Edgerton and El Camino neighborhoods. We'll be celebrating the Genesee River together and learning more about the future of High Falls State Park, as well as what it means for our community.
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Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse a variety of local vendors, take a wagon ride, and enjoy a walk along the nature trail through the orchard. Come hungry for Fork It food truck fare, tasty samples, fresh produce, baked goods, refreshing slushies, and Morgan’s famous apple cider fry cakes. The market itself is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving you even more time to shop and explore. Visit Morgan’s Farm Market at 3821 Cory Corners Road in Marion.
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Organized by Rochester's Elim Sanctuary Choir, Gospel Jubilee is an annual, free inspirational music extravaganza at the City of Rochester Public Market, held the last Sunday of July. Even if you don't consider yourself a fan of gospel music, do yourself a favor and attend a Gospel Jubilee!
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Monthly model rocket launch Saturday and Sunday at the National Warplane Museum grounds in Geneseo, NY. We launch everything from small Estes rockets to high power rockets that could fly up to 8,000 feet. The club does maintain a collection of small rockets and motors so youngsters can learn how to prepare a rocket and launch it. Guests and visitors discover our fantastic flying field, our highly organized operations and most importantly our extremely SAFE launches.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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