The Nassau Dad Drop: May 14th, 2026

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.

Forwarded this email? Join other Nassau County parents here.

This year America celebrates 250 years. It's also the 50th anniversary of my grandfather moving here alone, leaving his family behind so we could have what's now ours.

He loved this country. As do I. 🇺🇸 And it's thanks to him my family is here - parents, cousins, the people I love most.

But this isn't really about my grandfather. It's about the weight every parent carries.

What we do today doesn't just shape our kids. It shapes generations to come. That's the honor. And it’s also the stress.

With a toddler and a newborn, I have to catch myself sometimes - getting too caught up in setting them up, planning their lives, building their future. Then I saw this clip from Bluey, and it stuck:

"Work on their heads later. For now, just hearts."

This Weekend → Cradle-Con 🦸 Pop culture con at Cradle of Aviation. 2026 theme: Celebrating GI Joe. Cosplay, 60+ free-play arcade cabinets, vendors, kids' activities.
💰 At the door Adults $30, Kids $20
📅 Sat May 16 & Sun May 17 | 10 AM - 5 PM
🔗 cradleofaviation.org

Ending This Weekend →Hicksville Summer Carnival 🎡 Last weekend before Dreamland packs up the Ferris wheel and heads to Levittown. Big rides, fried dough, zero parking fees.
💰 Free admission; unlimited rides wristband $42 on-site, single ticket $1.50
📅 May 7-17
🔗 dreamlandamusements.com

This Sunday →Bethpage Spring Street Fair 🎪 75+ vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, live music on Broadway between Benkert and Washington.
📅 Sun May 17 | 10 AM - 5 PM
💰 Free admission
🔗 nassaucountyfairs.com

Levittown, Merrick, and Westbury Carnivals 🎢 Dreamland's Long Island carnival tour rolls right back into Nassau the week after Hicksville wraps. All three run May 21-25: Levittown - behind P.C. Richard & Son, Merrick - LIRR Station, Westbury - Samanea Mall by Dave & Buster’s.
💰 Free admission, paid rides (~$42 wristbands on-site)
📅 Thu May 21 - Sun May 25
🔗 dreamlandamusements.com

Jones Beach Revolutionary War Village - America250 Kickoff 🇺🇸 Memorial Day weekend kickoff at Field 3½: reenactors playing George Washington, Ben Franklin, and the four NY signers of the Declaration. Plus Revolutionary War encampments, fife and drum band, colonial cooking demos, inflatable play areas for the little ones, and a patriotic drone show.
💰 Free ($10 parking fee)
📅 Sat May 23
🔗 parks.ny.gov

Town of Hempstead Beaches Open 🏖️ Lido Beach, Lido West, Point Lookout, and Sands Beach all open for the 2026 season Memorial Day weekend. Bring your ID to prove residency. Lifeguards on duty weekends and holidays only until June 21.
💰 $12/car residents | $55/car non-residents
📅 Opens Sat May 23 | Daily through Labor Day
🔗 hempsteadny.gov

Nassau Memorial Day Parades 🇺🇸 Just about every Nassau town honors the day with a Monday morning parade and ceremony. Show up, pay respects, let the kids see what Memorial Day is actually about. Most step off between 9 and 11 AM. Check your town’s website for specific details. Quick rundown of some of the Nassau parades with confirmed step-off times:

Nassau County Pools Open 🏊 The Cantiague, Wantagh, and North Woodmere park pools opens daily starting June 23rd. Get your Leisure Pass renewed now to avoid the June rush.
💰 Leisure Pass required for residents. Parking fees apply
📅 Opens June 23 | Daily through Labor Day
🔗 nassaucountyny.gov

FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach ✈️ The Blue Angels headline the rescheduled air show on July 4 weekend (NOT Memorial Day this year) as part of America250.
💰 Free | $10 parking
📅 Sun July 5 & Mon July 6 | 10 AM - 3 PM
🔗 bethpageairshow.com

Bluey on Disney+ 🐕 If you liked the clip above and haven't checked out the show yet, catch it on Disney+. (Cough cough, you can also find episode links on YouTube.) When Niam does get screen time, this is top of our list - and honestly, it's a blast for adults too. Lots of humor the kids won't always catch.
🔗 disneyplus.com

Bluey's House at CAMP NYC 🏠 And on that note - if your kid is fully obsessed, CAMP NYC has a fully built-out Bluey's House experience. Kids get transported right into the Heeler house, exploring all the rooms where Bluey and Bingo play. The perfect activity for a family trip into the city.
💰 Tickets from $29
🔗 camp.com

Two Things:

And if someone forwarded this to you, welcome. You can subscribe here: nassaudaddrop.com

See you next Thursday,
Akash