Albany Mommy Blog - Fun things to do in the Albany New York Capital District area for kids and parents

Clown College Brings Out The Grins

{Guest post by Sandra Foyt of Albany Kid}

Clowning around might come naturally to some, but to become a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown you have to go to college.

And not just any college – the Ringling Bros. Clown College! There are only a few locations around the country, but this week they brought their class to the Times Union Center where fifteen kids from the Make a Wish Northeast New York Chapter learned how to get the audience laughing.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns Joel Jeske and Mike Richter worked the crowd, singling out a couple of manly men who could take a little teasing before pairing off the children with local celebrities.

Our  own Albany Mommy drew a shy young man, who at first hesitated to perform in front of a crowd, but that ended as soon as he found out that when he returns for graduation, he will get to throw a pie in her face.

Now that’s a shot that I would love to capture!

The circus will show May 5-8 at the Times Union Center in Albany, you can purchase tickets here.

For more photos from this awesome event, check out the Clown College Album.

Hudson Children's Book Festival

Check out this incredible book festival coming May 7th!

It's free: free admission, free activities, and each child gets to take a book home!

The schedule of events is chock full, see everything they have to offer here.

There are activities for all ages.

All this less than 45 minutes from Albany!

 

 

The winner is:

Suzie!  Congrats I just sent you an email. Another chance to win coming this week.

Oops!

Due to a technical glitch I didn't get all comments people were trying to leave to win circus tickets.

Problem fixed and the contest will run through 8pm tonight!  Keep answering the trivia questions and I will post all comments and let the winner know tonight.

No comments will show up until 8pm tonight...

Good luck!

Circus trivia and ticket give away

Ready to win more circus tickets? I have ANOTHER 4 pack of tickets to give away to one very lucky person.

You just have to answer this question: How many musicians are in the Barnum 2000 live band? Want an extra chance - how many instruments are played in the show?

Good luck!  Contest will run through Saturday at 10am.

The circus will show May 5-8 at the Times Union Center in Albany.  If you don't win you can purchase tickets here.

The bunnies are coming - real ones

George's Market in Latham will have real live little bunnies this weekend.

Friday and Saturday from 10am-2pm there will be cute bunnies for the kids to see.

While you are there they can answer questions about gardening too.  We want to start growing vegetables soon and I hope they can answer lots of questions!  I heard they are going to have seminars on various Saturdays too, interesting.

Something else fun to do with the kids this weekend.  Enjoy!

~Albany Mommy~

Volunteers still needed!

Encore Kids Consignment Sale, Saratoga's largest children's sale, will be holding its Spring/Summer Sales Event from May 11th thru May 14th. As always, volunteers get the first opportunity at the best of the best bargains - opening day AND half-price day, and they still have a number of volunteer spots open.

Check out the website, and for specific information about volunteering, you can go here.

Oh yeah, it's also worth mentioning that all volunteers get a $10 gift certificate for each 3-hour shift they work (valid for the 2011 Fall/Winter Sale).

Circus tickets winner

And the winner is Melissa A!

Congrats! You have won a 4 pack of tickets to Friday's show.

If you didn't win there are still more chances, check back next week.  Hmmm, which day should we start the contest? When should we end it?

Swimsuit Sale

Select Old Navy stores will be opening at 7am on Saturday the 16th and have swimsuits 60% off from 7-11am.

Call your store to see if they are opening early! {If anyone finds one that is, will they let me know?? I am assuming Crossgates will - hopefully!}

Going quickly!

{Want free movie tickets to see Thor?}

The first 25 people to respond will get a pair of passes!

“THOR spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the mystical realm of Asgard.  At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.  As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is forced to live among humans.  When the most dangerous villain of his world sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.”

 

Opening Date:           May 6, 2011

 

Rating:                       PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence.

 

Website:                     http://thor.marvel.com/ 

 

 

The first 25 people will win a pair of passes. 

 

Below is the website and code to enter.  

 

www.gofobo.com/rsvp enter the code MOMSQDC2

 

Sales!

40% off everything at Ann Taylor in stores and online with code SPRING40. 

Also, 40% off at Loft in stores and online using code TAKE40.

Summer clothes shopping time!

Win circus tickets!

The circus is coming to town and I am going to be giving away a 4 pack of tickets each week!

To win you just have to find the answers to some circus trivia.

This week's trivia question:

How many cars are in the train that brings the whole circus to town? 

Post your answer to the comments below, no comments will be shown until the contest is over to be fair. Contest runs through 5pm Friday April 15th.

Check out all the circus details at www.ringling.com, maybe you'll even find the answer to the trivia question!

More to come....

PS- this year I will have an "in" to know when the elephant parade will be, so keep checking back!

 

 

Win a $100 Target gift card!!!

Albany Mommy is teaming up with CrowdSavings.com for an amazing contest!! The prize?  $100 gift card to Target.  Oh boy!!

Crowdsavings is a new, local "deal a day" type site that has deals you have to see to believe.

Some of the deals I've seen so far are - Tumbling Tykes 10 visit pass, huge discounts on massages {I got a massage at CNY spa for more than 50% off}, EcoMaids discounts, and more.  Almost all the deals are for Albany area companies and I have yet to see one that's not more than 50% off, usually 60-75% off regular price.

Best way to get in on the deals? Sign up for their email list.  If you sign up through this link not only will you get the deals to your inbox every day, you'll also be entered to win the $100 Target gift card!!

Hurry, contest runs through April 18th and one lucky Albany Mommy reader will win!!