Welcome to The Nassau Dad Drop, the free weekly guide to Nassau County family life - written by a dad who got tired of missing stuff.
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🧔🏽♂️ Dad Thoughts: Salmon Sashimi
My niece and nephew were visiting from India for a few weeks, and this past weekend we all went out for my dad's birthday to one of our favorite spots. (Jani in Jericho. RIP, Alex.)
I was amazed watching them eat piece after piece of salmon sashimi. No hesitation. Meanwhile my son sat there and refused to eat anything but rice.
Their grandparents keep telling my cousin, "stop feeding them raw fish!" And here I am trying to sneak the tiniest piece of chicken into Niam's next bite.
We expect kids to be a certain way because of their surroundings. What they eat, what they'll try, what they won't. It's hard to shake our assumptions.
But it's a good reminder that as much as nature and nurture matter, these kids have their own minds. Their own tastes. Their own whole thing going on that has nothing to do with us.
And I'd rather be along for the ride than try to steer it.
🚗 FAMILY FUN FIELD TRIPS
Dad-approved outings.
This Weekend → 🤠 Wild Wild West End at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center A Western-themed family day of games, crafts and prize coins at the nature center. “Earn gold coins at different activities to redeem for a prize and ride off into the sunset with your loot.”
💰 FREE (vehicle-use fee may apply)
📅 Sat July 18, 10am-3pm
🔗 jonesbeachenc.org/events
This Weekend → 🎶 Free Nassau County Concerts at Eisenhower Park 🎸 The Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre keeps the free shows coming. Sat July 18 is Simply Stapleton (Chris Stapleton tribute); Sun July 19 is Last Exit (Pearl Jam tribute) and Foo For All (Foo Fighters tribute). Bring chairs and/or blankets!
💰 Free
📅 Sat July 18 7pm & Sun July 19 at 6pm
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov/parks
Next Week →🧱 Seasonal Sprouts at Old Westbury Gardens
A guided walk through the Sean Kenney LEGO sculpture trail followed by free-play building time. Ages 4-10, and it's included with regular admission - which means you also get the 200 acres of gardens for the rest of the afternoon.
💰 Included with admission ($22 adults / $12 kids 7-17 / free under 6)
📅 Wed July 22 2 PM
🔗 oldwestburygardens.org
Next Weekend → 🎸 Classic Rock Night: Jefferson Starship + more at Eisenhower Park 🎤 The single biggest free show of the window: Jefferson Starship (on their 50th-anniversary "Runaway Again Tour"), Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall and Pure Prairie League on one bill. A classic-rock night at the Lakeside Theatre.
💰 Free
📅 Sat July 25, 6:30pm
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov/parks
✏️ PENCIL IT IN
Future you will be glad you read this.
🇮🇹 Massapequa Festa del Giglio (Italian Feast) A Long Island summer tradition unlike a standard carnival - the Giglio is a Neapolitan religious procession where an enormous tower is carried and "danced" through the streets, surrounded by music, food, rides, and zeppoles. One of the most distinctive cultural events on the Island.
💰 Free admission (pay for food/rides)
📅 July 30 - August 2
🔗 massapequa-giglio.org
⚾ Doc Adams Old Time Base Ball Festival at Old Bethpage Teams from multiple states compete in a weekend tournament under 1860s rules - the marquee vintage base-ball event of the year.
💰 Village admission $15 adults / $12 kids 5-12
📅 Scheduled Aug 8-9
🔗 oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org
Two Things:
Forward this to Nassau County parents you think would appreciate it.
Hit reply and tell me anything - what you liked, what you want more of, what I missed. I read every single reply.
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See you next Thursday,
Akash