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• Thursday, March 27, 2025

  10 Free Events in April for Military & Veteran Families

  

  Albany, NY – The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) announced ten in-person, free, family-friendly, fun events statewide throughout April to celebrate “Month of the Military Child.”

  The ten free events are open to all military and veteran Families and offer opportunities and experiences for children.

  Military and Veteran Families can RSVP by emailing DVS Deputy Counsel Benjamin Pomerance at benjamin.pomerance@veterans.ny.gov, as spots are limited. Please RSVP with the number of children and adults attending.

  DVS’s Month of the Military Child Event Schedule for April:

  Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m., Via Aquarium Visit (Rotterdam, NY): Enjoy a morning immersed in the underwater realms. See stingrays, sharks, starfish, and more. Don’t miss the walk-through under-the-sea tunnel. Co-sponsored by the Military Family Foundation and the Joseph P. Dwyer Program of Albany County (EVENT FULLY BOOKED);

  Saturday, April 5, 2 p.m., FASNY Museum of Firefighting Experience (Hudson, NY): Climb aboard real fire engines, put on firefighting gear, take part in a bucket brigade, and try out firefighting equipment at the world’s largest museum dedicated to the history of firefighting in Hudson, NY;

  Sunday, April 6, 1 p.m., Madison Square Garden Behind the Scenes (New York, NY): Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the world’s most famous arena! Explore areas not accessible during games or concerts and get a unique perspective on the home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and blockbuster concerts (EVENT FULLY BOOKED);

  Saturday, April 12, 11:30 a.m., Zoo New York Private Tours With An Animal Encounter (Watertown, NY): Learn about wolves, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, and more on private tours led by Zoo New York guides. Each tour ends with a special animal encounter;

  Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m., Buffalo Bills Ballpark Behind the Scenes (Orchard Park, NY): Step onto the field, enter the press box, and check out the premium spaces at Highmark Stadium. Plenty of photo op moments for Buffalo Bills fans of all ages(EVENT FULLY BOOKED);

  Sunday, April 13, 12 p.m., Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park with Lunch Aboard Ship (Buffalo, NY): Enjoy private tours and hands-on activities aboard historic vessels. Plus, a pizza lunch aboard the USS Little Rock, sponsored by WNYHeroes.org;

  Sunday, April 13, 2 p.m., Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Rides and More (North Tonawanda, NY): Learn how carousel horses and band organs are made on a private tour, then enjoy rides on historic carousels;

  Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m., Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology and ExploraDome Show (Syracuse, NY): Make slime, stroll through the Dino Zone, play with bubbles, and cap off the day with a private viewing of “Space: The Last Frontier” in the ExploraDome, with popcorn for all;

  Saturday, April 26, 2 p.m., National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Experience (Cooperstown, NY): A kid-friendly guided tour and educational program delving into the history of baseball. Wear your favorite team’s cap or jersey; and

  Sunday, April 27, 10 a.m., Fenimore Farm and Fenimore Art Museum Combo Day (Cooperstown, NY): Visit two world-class sites with hands-on, interactive experiences from great works of art to cuddly farm animals and up-close looks at nineteenth-century trades.

  “Month of the Military Child is a wonderful opportunity to salute and celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of military children. Our Department of Veterans’ Services, along with our partners, is proud to offer these ten, free, fun, family-friendly events to honor military children by providing them with memorable and enjoyable experiences,” said Viviana DeCohen, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran,