The 4th of July Holiday Weekend has started! While it may be hot and humid for the Friday, the first day of the long weekend, July 4th itself may be a little rainy, followed by sunshine again on Sunday. So think extra sunny thoughts to keep those clouds away! This roundup is an enhancement of the weekend events that are also listed in A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Events Guide, which is part of the Things To Do In Beacon Guide.

Here's a breakdown of things to do in and around Beacon this July 4th weekend:
FIREWORKS - JULY 3
Looks like someone read the Farmer's Almanac and decided to have Fireworks on the 3rd, which is nice for those who like to double-dip in nights with sparklers. There is a whole big fireworks list at 101.5 WPDH of where you can see fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights up and down the Hudson River. If you're in or near Beacon, you may want to hit up:

Fishkill
Day: Friday July 3rd at Dusk
Where: East Fishkill Recreation Park, New York 82 & New York 376 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Time: Starts at 7 p.m. with an oldies concert featuring Adam & the NewHearts. Fireworks will go off at 9:15 p.m.
Free

Wallkill
Day: Friday July 3rd at Dusk
Time: Starts at 6 p.m.
Where: Town of Wallkill Golf Club, 40 Sands Road, Middletown, NY 10940
Free


FIREWORKS - JULY 4

Beacon!
Day: Saturday July 4th at Dusk
Where: Memorial Park, 7 Robert Cahill Drive, Beacon, NY 12508
Time: 3pm till dark.
What: Presented once again by a collaborative community effort by the City of Beacon, Beacon-Fishkill Kwanis Club, The Costellos and I Am Beacon. Bring the whole family to enjoy! Fireworks begin at dusk. A ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence happens at 11am at City Hall.
Free

Mohonk Mountain House
Address: 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz, NY 12561
Admission Price: Call (855) 883-3798 for reservations.
Details: Mohonk Mountain House’s 4th of July weekend will include demonstrations at the Firehouse, a carnival at its Kids’ Club, a log roll and porch dive, and a parade. Mohonk will hold its Illumination of the Mountain fireworks display on July 4th. The weekend events also include a live performance by Cathi Lou and Roger Thorpe and a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Poughkeepsie
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Address: Waryas Park, 1 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Admission Price: Free for a view from a public place, and $12.50 at Walkway Over the Hudson; Free at Waryas Park
Details: A bit of a drive, but the views are pretty great. The City of Poughkeepsie’s annual fireworks spectacular on July 4th can be viewed either from Waryas Park (free of charge) or from up on the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park).
More details

West Point
Time: 8 p.m.
Address: Trophy Point, West Point NY
Details: People who want to feel deeply historic often enjoy fireworks at West Point. Additionally, The West Point Band will present its annual Independence Day celebration with music followed by a fireworks display over the Hudson River. It's kind of emotional.


POOLS & COOLING OFF
Stay hot, please! If you need to cool off and take a dip, you have several options!

Beacon's New Community Pool - Friday, 3pm
Pool Party on Friday at 3pm! The pool is open for the first time in 6 years, and there is a party for it. The pool is easy to get to and swim in, with a shallow end of 2ft deep that gradually gets deeper to 8ft. Plenty of picnic green space surrounds the pool. See our article about it here, and get thee to the pool. Day passes are available if you don't have a season pass yet. Located at the University Settlement Camp, 724 Wolcott Avenue aka 9D.

Splash Down Water Park
If you've been longing for the days of your childhood when you climbed tall towers with an inner tube to slide down a really big slide, then Splash Down is for you. If you want to float down their Lazy River with your family, then Splash Down is for you. If you even wanted to rent a private cabana situation with waiter service and pretend you are on a beach when you are actually lounging next to Rt. 9, you could even do that too. Located on 16 Old Route 9 West in Fishkill, just off Rt. 9.
www.splashdownbeach.com

Sprinklers at Bowdain Park. Free.

Bowdoin Park
Perhaps one of the most beautiful public parks in the Hudson Valley, Bowdoin Park offers a sprinkler water system to run through (kids and adults!), a giant rock that kids love to climb, and an impressive set of jungle gym setups, donated by various businesses in the region. Pack a watermelon, snacks, and even a full picnic to grill out on grills in the picnic areas. Located at 85 Sheafe Rd.
Learn more

Beacon River Pool in the Hudson River
The Beacon River Pool is a circular pool that floats on the Hudson River and is connected to the shore. River pools were common in early New York history, and experiencing one is very special. There are benches all around and the floor is a thick net. It's a little odd at first, but very relaxing. Even if you are swimming with kids. It's free, so take a dip!
Learn more

All Sport's 3 Pools
If you don't feel like packing a lunch and you'd like to order some grill food and a beer, then the All Sport Pool is a fit for you. They have a kiddie pool, a family pool, and a pool dedicated to older adults who love to play water volleyball and other water sports. Day passes are available.
Learn more
Editorial Note: All Sport is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, but this mention is not sponsored and is an editorial recommendation.

PICNICS

Artisan Wine shared their summer wine picks for different occasions.

WINE!
Pack wine and beer, and revisit our Summer Wine Picks with recommendations from Artisan Wine! This list is from last year, but if you go in this year they may have different brands for you to try depending on the type of picnic or BBQ you are having.

FOODIES!
No time to pack a picnic from scratch? Pick up cheeses, pre-made odds and ends or order to go! Here are a few recommendations:

BJs: Deep fried chicken and mac cheese. Also get collared greens and other soul food selections. Across the street from the M&T bank.

Beacon Bite Food Truck: Order a to-go basket of very fine fare. Recently off the grill have been chilled poached squid, charred chilli cabbage, nasturtium dill butter, and jalapeño. Woa. Located at 416 Main Street just past the middle of town.

Beacon Bite is in the middle section of Main Street and in the same lot as Beacon Pie Company's bike stand.

Raddish: A clean-eater's delight! With meat! Raddish is obsessed with...raddishes, lettus and green things from the ground. Order grilled chicken or tuna to top your salad. NOTE: Closed early on Saturday July 4th at 2pm. Located at 505 Main Street, at the far east end near the mountain.

Tito Santana Taqueria: A great space for easy ordering of fresh, cilantro based corn salads, tacos, quesadias, chips, and summer beer. Has a large outdoor space with plenty of picnic tables for indoor or outdoor eating.

Harry's Hot Sandwiches: Beacon's newest sandwich shop! A great take-away option. Look for serious sandwiches like the Chimichurri Roast Beast, and soups like a Black Bean Arepa. Loated at 449 Main Street, right next to the very large Beacon Theatre.

PIE + DESSERT!
BJ's also scores big points for having lots of mini-pies on demand. These are your basic pies, like apple, cherry, and sweet potato. We blogged about BJ's pies a few summers ago.

Beacon Pie Company: And then an official pie company came to town and they even deliver pie on bikes! Otherwise you can find them parked next to Beacon Bites, and sometimes there are a few pies in Barb's Butchery. You'll find flavors like Salted Honey Butter, and Chocolate Lavendar from their sweet list, and also pot pies, quiches, and shepherd’s pie on their savory menu.


HIKING
Will you be hiking this weekend? Do read our special hiking series for Family Friendly Hikes from the Cronins with your little people, and the Historical Hikes from Dylan Price to inspire your history hungry mind as you hike!

A walk to Earl's Chimney with the Cronin Family.

The view from Mt. Beacon. Dylan Price remembers a history you can walk through.