Simple Pleasures, or a Central Park Picnic

According to the song "the best things in life are free" and I'm inclined to agree especially after a Sunday picnic in Central Park. Despite the chill in the air our group found a nice patch of sunshine in Sheep's Meadow where we could relax. I think one of the great things about the park is that it allows us to regress from our grown-up lives for awhile, even if just for a minute. Our poison was hula hoops, with some intrepid souls balancing more than one on arms and legs…and some places you don't want to think about. I saw others in the park playing touch football and throwing Frisbees. Our picnic was 21st century adult, with hummus, crackers, and cheese, but our music was pure 20th century childhood, including a sing-a-long to a ukulele rendition of the Muppet classic, "Rainbow Connection" (some people stared, but you know they wanted to sing along with us.) Despite my assertion above, this wasn't a totally free event (it was cheap tho!) since we all contributed to a potluck lunch, but as we relaxed on blankets and watched children running relay races, games of catch, and couples reading the New York Times as the sun set behind the Time Warner Center, it was definitely worth the cost of a bag of carrots.

I encourage my Cheap Chick followers to take advantage of all the diversions Central Park has to offer while the weather is still sunny (I know, not for long!). Take some snacks, a blanket, and a good book and lose yourself in a story among the trees, browse at the Strand Annex Store near the Fifth Avenue entrance, picnic with friends, take a boat ride, hike or bike the trails, and visit some of the iconic landmarks such as the carousel, the zoo, the Delacorte Clock, Belvedere Castle, and Strawberry Fields-and if you haven't heard of these sites, then get thee to Wikipedia!

Here are links to some interesting upcoming (free!) events in and around the park:

Pumpkin Festival
Saturday October 26th, 2008 (tomorrow)
http://www.centralpark.com/ev_details.php?showev=182.

The Chanel Mobile Art Exhibit (all-day, free, ticketed event)
October 20, 2008 - November 09, 2008
Rumsey Playfield
Check out art inspired by Chanel's iconic quilted bag.
http://chanel-mobileart.com/

The New York City Marathon
November 2nd, 2008
11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Watch runners from around the world compete in this NYC tradition.
http://www.nycmarathon.org/home/index.php

The Perfect (Free) Weekend-Part 2 (Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th) Governor's Island Jazz Festival

An event of a different vintage is the Governor's Island Jazz-Age Lawn Party and Festival. This is another great (FREE) event usually held in the summer, but this year, due to popular demand, there is an encore weekend being held September 13th and 14th.

The festival is held at Governor's Island (a former military base) easily accessible from lower Manhattan via a free ferry ride (just down the street from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, you can't miss it…) Once there you can head over to the picnic grounds, where the jazz band Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will be playing (Saturday and Sunday), with the Boilermaker Jazz Band performing on Sunday. There is a dance floor set up for folks to Charleston-away the music in their best flapper gear, or you can simply enjoy the fun while picnicking nearby in your ordinary 21st century clothing. When the bands aren't playing vintage records played on a 1920's Victor Credenza phonograph machine will be played, and other happenings include a display of 1920's vehicles, croquet games, a horseshoe toss, tug-of-war, and a pie recipe contest (on Saturday). If you feel left out because you're not wearing beads or feathers, or you forgot your hat, don't fear, a slew of vintage clothing dealers and boutique milliners will be on-hand hawking their wares.

If you're not too worn out from dancing, feel free to explore the historic sights on the island including historic homes, and a fort. There may be free guided walks around the island, check for signs and info when you get there!

There are a few food vendors on the island, (think hot dogs, and ice cream) but I would recommend (esp. if you are living like a cheap chick for a day) that you bring your own food/drink. This event is the perfect excuse for one last picnic before the weather turns cold!

Here's the ferry information:
Ferries depart on the hour from downtown Manhattan to Governor's Island: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m.

Ferries return to downtown on the half hour from Governors Island to Manhattan : 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. , 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. (final boat leaves at 7 p.m.)

Governor's Island Ferry 10 South Street, in lower Manhattan, just northeast of the Staten Island Ferry. Take the R train to Whitehall Street

Cheap Chick Info: Totally free!
Location/Subway Info: See above.