10 Great Family Events for August

August 4, 11, & 18 SPORTS IN THE STREETS [All Ages] On three Saturdays this month, Park Avenue will be closed to cars for nearly seven miles as Summer Streets returns for its fifth year. New Yorkers can enjoy the rare chance to glide along a 160-foot-long zip line, munch on healthy treats at the Whole Foods Market City Picnic, or scale the 25-foot climbing wall to view the massive festival from above. Don't miss the free football games, dance and yoga classes, and other exercise- and sports-themed activities for all ages. Free, 7am-1pm. Park Avenue between Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, [nyc.gov/summerstreets](http://nyc.gov/summerstreets). August 4 & 5 RIVER RACING [All Ages] Bask in the festivities of Asiawithout leaving the city. Celebrate the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival-traditionally held on the fifth day of the lunar calendar's fifth moon, which fell on June 23 this year-by watching more than 170 teams compete in one of America's largest dragon boat races. Boogie to live international music and root for your favorite crew as bands of colorful vessels tear across the water in time with booming Chinese drums. Feast on yummy ethnic cuisine, participate in martial arts demonstrations, or create themed arts and crafts projects. Free, 9am-5pm.Meadows Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 718-767-1776, [hkdbf-ny.org](http://hkdbf-ny.org./)[.](http://hkdbf-ny.org./) August 11 & 12 HISTORY IN THE MAKING [All Ages] You don't need a time machine to travel back to the 19th century-simply venture on to Governors Islandfor Civil War Weekend where you can commemorate the 1860s with Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners themselves. Bonding with reenactors aside, kids can foster a love for history by designing fortresses, learning drill instruction, and witnessing live cannon and small arms demonstrations. Extras like a Civil War-style medical exam and the Civil War musical performances will be one for the history books! Free, 10:30am-5pm.Governors Island, Fort Jay and Castle Williams (10 South St. #4), 212-825-3045, [nps.gov/gois](http://nps.gov/gois). August 16 ALFRESCO THEATER [All Ages] What better way to enjoy a classic summer picnic than with a side of classic theater entertainment? From 12:30pm-1:30pm, Broadway in Bryant Park presents the stars of Broadway and Off-Broadway's hottest musicals as they heat up the lunchtime stage on everyone's favorite midtown lawn. Little ones will love numbers from "A Christmas Story" and "Bring It On: The Musical," while older kids can get a dose of culture with favorites from "Avenue Q" and "Rock of Ages." Free, 12:30pm-1:30pm. Bryant Park Lawn, Sixth Avenue and West 42nd Street, 212-768-4242, [bryantpark.org](http://bryantpark.org/). August 18 ALL ABOUT HARLEM [All Ages] Join over 60,000 attendees in sampling exotic cuisine, crafts, clothing, and more from an assortment of vendors and exhibitors along West 135th Street. This year's Summer in the City, a part of the Harlem Week heritage and art festival, celebrates Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence with a special tribute to Bob Marley: an outdoor film festival, rock and hip hop concert with regional dance acts, and college step dance competitions. Free, 12pm-6pm.West 135th Street between Malcolm X Boulevard and St. Nicholas Avenue, 212-862-8477, [harlemweek.com](http://harlemweek.com/). To read the full article at New York Family Magazine [click here. ](http://www.newyorkfamily.com/10-great-events-for-august/)