Jay Day is our classic fall family festival! Enjoy live a cappella performances by the Yale Spizzwinks and learn about archaeology with Dr. Eugene Boesch plus custom silhouette portraits from Varin, face painters, pony rides and a petting zoo from Bronx Equestrian. Stilt walkers and jugglers provide super photo ops for the whole family! Guests can snack on nibbles from food truck vendors like Crazy Taco Mex, Leila’s Empanadas, and Jimmy’s Soft Serve ice cream, and more local treats from Rye and surrounding towns.
Admission is $50 per family or $20 per individual for ticketed activities. Buy advance tickets here.
For more info, email Meredith Slater at mjslater.jhc@gmail.com.
ACTIVITIES AT THE 1838 JAY MANSION!
- 12:30pm & 1:30pm A cappella sets with The Yale Spizzwinks (?)
- 2-4:00pm Citigrass Urban bluegrass band from Brooklyn
- Get a one-of-a-kind Hand-Cut Silhouette of your child from Varin Acevedo of Sweet Silhouettes in the 1870 Dining Room – (Children 10 & under please)
- Mansion Guided Tour On view- rare internment camp painting by master sumi-e painter Koho Yamamoto thanks to the Japan Society of Greater Fairfield County (JSFC) and the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah
LUNCH and GAMES IN THE MEADOW
- Delicious Bites! Enjoy lunch offerings from local food trucks Crazy Taco Mex, Leila’s Empanadas, Westchester Smoothie, and Sunrise Pizza
- Try your hand at Old Fashioned Hoop Roll, Cornhole and Ring Toss in the Jay Meadow
- Get Artsy with One River – Channel your inner Van Gogh with centuries old vistas
- John Jay Stilt Walker- Super photo op for the whole family!
STROLL THE HISTORIC AND REIMAGINED JAY GARDENS
- Meet JHC Director of Horticulture and Garden Education Lucia Maestro and join her to Collect Seeds to grow your own garden and Transplant your own strawberry seedling to take home!
- Mini Boat Races with Rye Boy Scouts Troop 2- Take control and race your boat on the reflecting pool
- Garden Passport– Enjoy the gardens with all your senses. Make sure to visit all three garden rooms to find what you’re looking for.
- The Art of Origami-Learn the ancient craft of Japanese paper folding and make a flower or butterfly with friends from the Harrison Origami Volunteers.
- Visit the Westchester Land Trust Pop-up Pollinator Tent to learn how to bring more birds and butterflies to your garden.
WALK “JAY WAY”
- Archaeology with Eugene Boesch– Hold artifacts in your hand from 4000-year-old projectile points to an 18th century slate pencil used by one of Rye’s earliest students
- Pony rides– Take a ride on a pony and imagine a time before cars, trucks and buses
- Say hello to goats, rabbits, sheep and more at our friendly Petting Zoo from Bronx Equestrian
- Join Sew Happy for an exciting crafting activity (Kids 6 & older please)
- One of a Kind Local Jewelry- Shop handmade products from beehive designer collective
- Sensory Stories with Miss Lisa and Wunderkind Early Learning
SWEET TREATS, CRAFTS & MUSIC AT THE 1907 CARRIAGE HOUSE!
- View the spectacular flower show hosted by International Ikebana New York
- Music with Bach to Rock, Mamaroneck – Try out the drums or an electric guitar plus student performances throughout the day
- Sample Ronnybrook Farm’s chocolate milk and learn about Starlight Dairy delivery service.
- Visit the talented Face Painters-Don’t be shy! Ask for a rainbow or tiger face
- Build a robot with MakeInspires and take home a 3-D printed surprise
- Treat yourself to home baked goodies from local baker, Snackery
- Stay cool with a refreshing iced beverage and tasty bite from Rye’s own MKT
- Ooh La La – Treat yourself to some classic French crepes from Petite Bretagne
- Enjoy a cone or a shake of soft serve from Jimmy’s Soft Serve
Immense thanks to our Jay Day Committee Tracy Edwards, Caroline Wallach, Lindsay Bello Martin and Amy Villalba; and to our many tireless volunteers. We couldn’t do it without Richie Castellano and all of Rye DPW, our very own JHC Staff and all the families who support us!