Picks of the Week: September 9-15

Hope everyone is having a stupendous start to September! If you had to pick just one weekend this month to be out and about, this is the weekend to choose. With so many festivals in store, everyone is bound to find one (or two!) that captures their fancy.

Thursday, September 12-Sunday, September 22

The 87th Annual Feast of San Gennaro
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Streets
Various times
Little Italy’s Feast of San Genarro is back and better than ever. This annual 11-day celebration pays tribute to the Patron Saint of Naples and features live music, food, games, parades, rides, and street vendors. Plus, families will enjoy watching competitors compete in cannoli, pasta, and pizza eating contests. Admission is free.

Saturday, September 14

Kite Festival
Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park
10am-1pm
Join other kite-flyers during the Kite Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park! All ages can spend the morning flying kites while enjoying views of the city’s skyline. Participants are encouraged to bring their own kite. Don’t have one? No problem! Kites will be available for purchase in the park. Festival is free.

Sunday, September 15

Special Day for Special Kids
New York Transit Museum
10am-2pm
This Sunday, the New York Transit Museum is hosting its third annual Special Day for Special Kids. The event is exclusively for children with special needs/disabilities and their families. Throughout the morning and afternoon, kids will be treated to science demos, art projects lead by Extreme Kids & Crew, and live music from the M Shanghai String Band. Event is free.

92Y Annual Street Festival
Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street
12pm
A favorite with families, the 92Y Annual Street Festival is not to be missed. This year, the festival will include a full city block of activities for children including a gaga pit, arts and crafts, and live musical entertainment at the 92Y Kid Central Stage. Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Wellness Way will provide community health services, and raffles and auctions will be held throughout the afternoon. Festival is free.

DayLife 2013
Orchard Street between East Houston and Delancey Streets
12pm-5pm
Check out DayLife 2013, a three-block street fest dedicated to the food and fashion industries of the Lower East Side. Activities include fantastic face painting, an oh-so-cool obstacle course, great games of urban croquet and badminton, and fab free DJ lessons from Scratch DJ Academy. While you’re there, be sure to chow down at food havens like The Meatball Shop, Melt Bakery, Pop Karma, and others. DayLife admission is free.

British Swim School - Long Island

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!

Academics West

Academics West is an accredited high-support college preparatory school designed to meet the academic and social-emotional goals of its students. Our unique model allows for each student to benefit from a customized educational experience to ensure they are acquiring the skills necessary to navigate their post-secondary lives whether they attend college or pursue another path to future success. Students can select different tracks to construct the most beneficial program to suit their needs and goals. Unlike conventional education, this innovative model enables students to prepare for an ever-changing world that requires young people to have advanced executive functioning, interpersonal and leadership skills to become independent and resilient adults. &nbsp;

WCS Education - Wildlife Conservation Society

Explore nature, learn about the planet, and get close to animals&mdash;all in New York City! WCS zoo and aquarium day camps are for every young adventurer, from toddlers to teens. Campers experience hands-on learning, from STEAM classrooms and animal exhibits to nature trails and the beach. Recognized as industry leaders, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Education Department was the first of its kind to offer zoo camps and continues to provide award-winning programming. Visit wcs.education/camps to explore summer camps at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and New York Aquarium!