Keep 'em hoppin'

OUT AND ABOUT THIS WEEKEND

LONG POND BEACH at Grafton Lakes State Parks open for the season this Saturday. If you're planning to get a jump-start on your tan, you might also practice your skills at sand castle building so you'll be able to recreate your masterpiece on Monday when park officials host a Sand Sculpture Contest beginning at noon. Sand sculptors will have about 2 1/2 hours before the judges make their decisions and present their awards at 3 p.m. All ages welcome. Call 279-1155 for more information, or visit nysparks.com.

GARAGE SAILING: The Town of Hillsdale, NY will hold a town wide community flea market on Saturday, May 23. The main event will be held in the hamlet’s town park located at the junction of Rtes. 22 and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hillsdale residents will be holding tag sales on their property as well as the town’s businesses offering special events and sales. Proceeds will benefit the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee for beautification projects and future town events.

JUST CHUGGING ALONG: Have a Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine at Upper Hudson River Railroad, 3 Railroad Place, North Creek today from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. twenty-five- minute train rides depart on the hour. For $18 ($16 on Friday), kids ages 2 and up can ride the rail, meet Sir Topham Hatt and hear storytelling, live music, play with Legos and make arts and crafts. Call (866) 468-7630 for more information.

LIFE IS A JUGGLING ACT: So why not join the club? The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is hosting a series of open Juggling Club sessions in the basement gym of John L. Edwards Elementary School, 360 State Street, in Hudson. The club will meet Monday nights starting May 25, from 6 tp 9 p.m. through June 22. These are informal practice sessions not formal lessons. A small fee will cover space rental. For more information, contact Stephanie@bindlestiff.org. Visit www.bindlestiff.org for more information. ... And once you get good at juggling ... you might want juggle on down Route 66 to Chatham and join the Chatham Unicycle Club. They meet on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. at Mary E. Dardess Elementary School, 50 Woodbridge Ave or at Crellin Park during nice weather. Check out hueydog for more information.

ONGOING AND UPCOMING

ACT OUT YOUR SUPERHERO: New York State Theater actor-director John McGuire will host "Books on Stage V" at the Troy Public Library, 100 Second St., Troy, starting this Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. - and continuing every Wednesday until June 24. Children in grades 4-8 will develop and perform their favorite comic book character in front of a live audience. Participation also includes free tickets to see "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown" at NYSTI. The Books on Stage workshop is free but registration is required. Call 274-7071 to reserve a space. Visit the library's Web site for more information and other events for youth.

THE KING HAS LEFT THE WAX MUSEUM: The sixth annual Elvis Festival in Lake George will be held Thursday, May 28th through Sunday, May 31. The event's Italian dinner buffet, Friday night, and barbecue buffet, Saturday night, will provide Elvis fans an opportunity to meet the Elvis tribute artists up close. Starting at 6 p.m. nightly, the meals take place at the Painted Pony Saloon. Tickets for each dinner cost $22 each. The Great Pretenders: Elvis and Friends take place at 8:30 p.m. Friday evening in the main pavilion. "On Stage: 1969 Opening Night at the International" will be part of Saturday's grand finale featuring Dwight Icenhower, along with Ronny Craig and The Change of Habit Tribute Band at 8:30 p.m.

... Thankyouverymuch.