All Over Albany

Stuff to do this weekend

The rest of the weekend will look just like today -- the kind of day you want to bottle and open up in February. But that doesn't work. We tried it. We were disappointed.

So don't waste the weather while it's here. After the jump, some things you might want to try. Got plans that aren't listed here? Share them with the group.

And, as always, have a fantastic weekend!

River Street Festival
The annual Troy River Street Festival is Saturday in downtown Troy. River Street is closed off for arts, activities, music, and food. The festival also includes one of our favorite events: the Street Painting Competition, in which people chalk designs on the sidewalk along River Street. Saturday 10 am-5 pm

Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery. A few local events on Saturday:

Troy
A handful of orgs -- including the Sanctuary for Independent Media, Missing Link Street Ministry, and Troy Bike Rescue -- have organized a celebration at Freedom Square in Troy from 3-7 pm. Music, food, activities.

Albany
There's a festival in Washington Park from 11 am-4 pm with music, food, and activities. (It also looks like Nanny's Double Dutch Team might be there.)

Swim
The Victoria Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park opens for the season on Saturday. Beaches at Grafton Lake State Park and Moreau Lake State Park are open for the season.

Brewfest
The 3rd annual Saratoga Brewfest is this weekend at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Sample from 125 beers and 50 craft brewers at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Saturday 3-7 pm - $55

Roller Derby
The Hellions of Troy have a bout this Saturday at Rollarama. The Herculadies premiere against the Lumber Jills. doors at 7 pm, first whistle at 8 pm - $12, $3 for kids 12 and under

Etsy at Olana
Etsy is hosting a handmade fair at Olana historic site the beautiful Persian style home of Frederick Church in Hudson. Saturday from 1-4:30

Strawberries

Pick them
Strawberry season has started at farms around the Capital Region. Here are a bunch of places where you can pick your own. The next week or two will be the prime time for picking. The season doesn't last long, so don't wait.

Festival them
The Upper Union Street Strawberry Fest and Art Show is Saturday in Schenectady. There will be strawberry everything (from the blurbage): strawberry gelato, bagels and Strawberry Cream Cheese, strawberry lemonade and daiquiris, strawberry Salsa, strawberry shaped dog biscuits, strawberry colored hair extensions - feathers and tinsel, strawberry Tarts, strawberry Shortcake, strawberry cupcakes, and wines that pair with strawberries. Music and other activities, too. Saturday 10 am-3 pm

Old is New
The first Old is New consignment sale is this weekend at the Albany Academy field house. Old is New is based on the very popular Pass it On sale for kids stuff. Here's a preview.

Food

Grilling
Saturday at Gio Culinary Studio: a cooking class on grilling. The class will be making: London broil, grilled wild boar, and grilled vegetable pizza, as well as marinades, rubs, and barbecue sauce. 3 pm - $65

Sushi
Duo Japanese restaurant in Saratoga is offering a Sushi class on Sunday. Learn how to make sushi rolls and eat what you make. Students take home a bamboo mat to practice their sushi making skills at home. Sunday 1-3 pm $50 Register by contacting Duo

Father's Day Concert at the Corning Preserve
Put together a picnic dinner filled with some of Dad's favorites and head to the Corning Preserve for a free Father's Day concert by the U.S.O. Liberty Bells and the The Army Materiel Command Band's Tennessee River Ramblers . Sunday 6-9:30 pm - free

Music

Friday: Cake at Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown)
Outside, lawn chairs allowed. 8 pm - $42.50

Friday: Alejandro Escovedo at The Egg
Austin's eclectic icon. 8 pm - $29.50

Friday: Levon Helm Tribute at Valentine's
A big slate of performers from local bands. 8 pm

Friday: Sweetback Sisters at The Linda
"Recall the best of country music from the Everlys to The Judds..." 8 pm - $15

Saturday: Flogging Molly at The Palace
Celtic punk. 8 pm - $24.50 and up

Saturday: Civil Twilight at Jillian's
They're from South Africa. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 at door

Sunday: Sunday Night Baseball Punk Show at Valentine's
With: hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jack. 8 pm

Sundae on the Farm
On Sunday afternoon Eildon Tweed Farm in the Saratoga County town of Charlton is hosting the 17th Annual Sundae on the Farm. They'll have guided tours of the working dairy farm, food demos by local chefs using local products, wagon rides, music, a Stewart's Ice Cream Eating Contest, and more family-friendly activities. Admission is free, but there's a charge for ice cream.

Farmers' markets outside
The outdoor seasons for farmers' markets are in swing in Troy (Saturday -- on Front Street this week because of the River Street Festival), Delmar (Saturday), Saratoga (Saturday), and Schenectady (Sunday).

Troy Flea
Troy Flea, a new TightKnit Saturday market that includes "handmade, vintage and antique art and goods," has opened for the season. It's on the block of River Street in Troy south of the farmers' market, from 9 am-2 pm.

For the birds
The Berkshire Bird Paradise is open for the season. As long as you don't have any Tippi Hedren-like phobias, this place is really neat. There's clucking and squawking and colorful feathers. It's a fun diversion on a trip out to Grafton Lake.

Ice cream

Tour de Hard Ice Cream
The results of Daniel B's Tour de Hard Cream are in. Now you can try the winners out for yourself.

Moxie's
Moxie's in Wynantskill is open for the season. If you like ice cream, you owe it to yourself to go at least once. They make six different types of vanilla -- and you can get them all in a sampler!

Grant's View
The cottage where Ulysses S. Grant spent his last days, has opened to the public for the season. The view is fantastic and there's some neat history there. Tours of the cottage are $5 for adults, $4 for students and seniors. Under 6 Free.

Wooden shoes
The new Sculpture in the Streets exhibit is made up of giant wooden shoes. Take a walk around Downtown Albany and check them out.

Brunch
It's one of the best ways to spend a lazy weekend morning. Here are a few fun brunch options and some great diner breakfast stops.

SPAC and MopCo advertise on AOA. And AOA is a media sponsor of the Hellions.