Weekend Planner: Barn Dance, Children's Book Day, Ice Age

When/Where: Saturday, September 15 from noon to 6 p.m. at estate in Tarrytown.

Why Go: More than 60 authors and illustrators will read from or sign their latest books at the 15th annual Celebrate Children's Book Day. The activity-packed program includes readings, demonstrations, magic tricks, costumed book characters wandering about, roaming artist Dikki Ellis, live music and, of course, thousands of books for sale and signing by their authors and illustrators. Food will be available all afternoon and musical entertainment will be provided from 4:30 to 5:20 p.m.

Price:  Admission cost is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors; $8 for children 3 to 17; and free for children under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members. Parking is free.

Mohegan Volunteer Fire Assoc. 90th Anniversary Parade

When/Where:  Saturday, September 15, 2-4:00 p.m. beginning on Route 6 at the Van Cortlandtville Elementary School in Cortlandt Manor.

Why Go: The Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association is celebrating its 90th Anniversary of providing fire and EMS services to the communities of Yorktown and Cortlandt. Watch the parade that will be attended by 30 fire departments from surrounding areas.

Price:  Free

Barn Dance

When/Where:  Saturday, September 15, 5-10 p.m. at the

Why Go:  Support a local historical gem by attending The Barn Dance at John Jay Homestead. It includes an informal barbecue, ice cream sundaes and music by local bands. The swimming pig races, a crowd favorite, will be held at 5:30 and 7:30 P.M. sharp.

Price:  Admission is $20 - $30 for children and $50 - $200 for adults.

When/Where: Fri. Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, adjacent to , Bedford. 

Why go: An evening of good food, good friends all for the benefit of a local charitable organization of students and adults that supports the education of young people living in a Nicaraguan refugee camp in Costa Rica.

Pricing: $50 tax-deductible donation

Ferry Sloops "Concert for the River"

Where/When: Saturday, September 15, 4:30 p.m. at 6 Elliot Way, Croton on Hudson

Why Go: Come enjoy a day of great folk music and help support Ferry Sloops “Concert for the River” fundraiser. The 5-hour event begins under the big tent at the Croton Yacht Club, on the shore of the beautiful Hudson River. Check out musical performances by Jan Christensen, Hope Machine, Hudson Valley Sally, Jim Keyes, Kathleen Pemble, and Jessica Perl. Plus, Mistress of Ceremonies, Roxy von Popov.

Price: Admission is $15 day of show. Bring your own chair. Food & beverages available.

“Foreigner” to Perform in Fundraising Concert

When/Where: Saturday, September 15, 8 p.m. at

Why Go: One of the most popular rock acts in the world takes the stage at The Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill for the 9th Annual Red Carpet Night Gala Fundraising Concert. The show will feature a catalog of multi-platinum gems including "Cold as Ice," "Juke Box Hero," "I Want to Know What Love Is" and critically-acclaimed wonders from the 2009 "Can't Slow Down" album

Price:  $95-$150

Criterium Bike Race in White Plains

When/Where:  Sunday, September 16, 2012, 7 a.m. at 160 Martine Ave, White Plains

Why Go:  At the Inaugural White Plains Downtown Criterium Bike Race, there will be both professional and amateur cyclists racing through closed-off streets in the downtown area. The Classic Criterium course is comprised of a .5 mile loop with four corners and sloping streets through downtown White Plains. The event will help promote a healthy and active lifestyle and a and vibrant downtown— all excess proceeds benefit the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence/Westchester (NCADD/Westchester).

Price:  Free for spectators, riders can get more information on this website.

Where/When: Sunday, September 16 through January 20 at the

Why Go:  “Ice Age” to the Digital Age: The 3D Animation Art of Blue Sky Studios," KMA's new exhibit opens this Sunday. It unpacks the process of animation from A-Z through workshops, gallery talks and family activities that include professional animators and filmmakers from Blue Sky Studios, including Katonah resident collaborating with participants at both the Katonah Museum and the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville.

Price: Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. - noon: Free; Noon - 5 p.m.: $7 adults, $5 seniors & students; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: $7 adults, $5 seniors & students Sunday: noon - 5 p.m.: $7 adults, $5 seniors & students

Members & children (under the age of 12): free

Westchester County Nature Center Events

Here is a sampling of  Nature Center events from around the region.  Click here for a full list.

Bird Walk at the John Jay Homestead Farmers’ Market

When/Where:   Join Bedford Audubon Naturalist-in-Residence Tait Johansson for a bird walk onsite one hour before the market starts, then stay and visit us and shop for local flowers, produce, and more! No registration necessary. Please meet at the John Jay Homestead.

Take a leisurely walk around the preserve in search of fall migrants, such as warblers and maybe a late hummingbird. Take a walk around the preserve while you search for natural objects in the park and get rewarded with a prize from the curator when you are finished.

Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Playland Parkway, Rye: International Coastal Cleanup – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join in data collection of litter along the coasts of the world by collecting and documenting tidal debris from one of the islands at the preserve. All materials provided and can be picked up at the visitor center. Help make the beach trash-free.

Croton Point Nature Center, Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson – Seining – 1 p.m.

Explore the rich biodiversity of the Hudson River up close and personal and see fish, eels, crabs and more. Great for families with kids ages six and older.

The Incredible World of Insects— 1 p.m. Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River

Use nets to discover the many six-legged creatures that inhabit the meadows and forest of the reservation. Take a closer look with magnifiers and learn what makes an insect.

Know of any events we missed? Add them in the comments below!