I'm getting off this crazy train ... only to board another. It's the weekend, folks, and after the past five days I'm a think I'm a gonna drowned my sorrows in piles of laundry and lukewarm cups of coffee. Maybe I'll start packing. Or maybe -- just maybe -- if the kids are more funky than feverish and I've lightened up from the sobering thoughts of late, I'll venture outside to check out one of the family-friendly things happening around the region:

ALL ABOARD …

You don’t want to miss GE Kid’s Day at the plaza
Children's entertainment including face painters, clowns, puppet shows, jugglers, music and pony rides, with special guests Choo Choo Soul from Playhouse Disney will be in attendance. The event, which takes place Sunday at the Empire State Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. is presented by the State Office of General Services. Free.

A day of family activities revolving around the Beatrix Potter classic "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" including playing in Mr. McGregor's garden and finding Peter's shoes takes place at the Washington County Fair Farm Museum Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. The museum is located on Old Schuyler Road in Greenwich. Call 692-2464 for information.

OTHER GOINGS ON …

A Celebration of the Quadricentennial of the Dutch settlement of the Hudson Valley will take place Saturday at Knickerbocker Mansion. The event includes a 400-year living history time line of the mansion and cemetery tours, sale of a first edition Will Moses poster, vendors and lecturers. A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. and an Authentic Dutch Colonial dinner will be served at 11 a.m. A re-enactment of the planting of the 1676 Witengamot Oak (with local dignitaries) commemorating a peace treaty between the Native Americans and European settlers will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. Knickerbocker Mansion is located at 132 Knickerbocker Road, just off State Route 67 midway between Schaghticoke and Mechanicville.


The Uncle Sam Foundation will host the Uncle Sam Picnic Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Prospect Park in Troy. The goal is to raise money to commemorate the site of the first home in Troy of Samuel Wilson, who was the model for the nation's iconic Uncle Sam characterization. Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the door. The price of admission includes food, soda, entertainment and entry in prize drawings. Musical entertainment includes the Pearl River Dixieland Jazz Band, Donnie Elvis, the Greg Baker Band and P.J. the D.J., along with master of ceremonies Rudd Young.

UPCOMING...

Kids cooking classes are heating up at Hawthorne Valley Farm in Harlemville. Children of all ages will head out from the farm to harvest fresh, organic vegetables and use their harvest as the main ingredients of the day’s cooking lesion. Events also include stores and a fiber arts activity.
Two sessions of classes are available: Session One, for grades 3 through 5, will meet July 15 through 31; Session Two, for grades 6 through 8, will meet August 5 through 19. Classes for both sessions meet Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for three weeks. Cost is $180 per session. Call 672-7500, extension 105 for more information or email caroline@hawthornevalleyfarm.org.

V-Ville Hoopla and Village Tag Sale will get underway July 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the village of Valatie. The event promises family fun including food, amusements, face painting, a rock climbing wall, kettle corn, and Music by the Reverberators (from 2 to 4 p.m.) not to mention great bargains in the fabulous tag sales all along Main Street.