5 Memorial Day Weekend Ideas

For those who are also looking forward to a three-day holiday  to spend time with family and friends, Memorial Day weekend is also the unofficial pre-game kick-off for summertime, with the opening of local pools and parks, and hundreds of other fun activities. Here are a few of our favorites.

Go Running: Love to run, and have the day off on Monday? Greenwich’s Department of Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with Threads and Treads, are hosting the annual Jim Fixx Greenwich Memorial Day Road Race, a five-mile run that kicks off at 8:15 a.m. The run starts at the Senior and Arts Center on Greenwich Avenue, winding through central Greenwich and Bruce Park before concluding on the Havemeyer Field Track. There’s also a half-mile “fun run” for the little ones (all kids get a prize!). Register in advance at Threads and Treads (17 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, ThreadsandTreads.com) during store hours, or between 7 and 8 a.m. on Race Day at the Greenwich Senior Center.  

Enjoy Great Music: The best ticket in town this weekend is the first-annual Greenwich Town Party, scheduled for Saturday, May 28, at the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. The all-day, 12-hour community event offers a wide array of activities and music for all ages. Kids will enjoy strolling magicians, face painting, caricaturists, and arts and crafts. Meanwhile, grown-ups can get down to 11 hours of live music from hot local artists and national acts, including bluesman Buddy Guy. There will be food sold by several Greenwich restaurants. If you didn’t get tickets to the event (which was sold out - but there's a chance more may become available), we suggest living it up with a night of Karaoke at nearby Stamford night spot Casey’s Tavern (85 Woodside St., Stamford; 203-363-0804). A dance floor by the bar provides ample space to get your groove on, deep into the night.

Stretch Out: Want the perfect way to relax your body and mind? Just up the street from the Cos Cob-Stamford border, Yoga Souls (1930 West Main Street, Stamford; YogaSoulsCT.com) is hosting a half dozen or so classes in its spacious, new remodeled studios. Bikram-style hot yoga classes will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. A hot-yoga with variations class at 4 p.m. is perfect for veterans and newcomers alike. On Monday, arrive a few minutes early to score a floor spot at the 9 a.m. open-level Vinyasa class (which will also be held at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday). Newcomers to the studio may purchase an unlimited yoga “intro week” pass for just $30. Namaste!

Go Swimming: Even if you don’t have a pool in your backyard or know someone who does, you can still take a dip at (281 Byram Shore Road, Greenwich), which a public pool at the water’s edge for residents, open through Labor Day. Whether you take a dip or hang out at the beach, keep in mind that park passes are required until Oct. 31 at Byram, and are available at Greenwich Town Hall, the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center on Pemberwick Road, and the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center on Harding Road in Old Greenwich.

Eat Up: It’s time to light up the grill and get the barbeque going in your backyard or nearest park! But if the weather doesn’t permit an outdoor fiesta, try making a new summery recipe at home, like this one, offered to Patch readers by Jordan Caterers Executive Chef Kevin Cottle (of “Hell’s Kitchen” fame):

Kevin’s Summertime Watermelon Gazpacho:

INGREDIENTS:

●      One-sixth pan diced watermelon

●      3 cups orange juice

●      6 oz.  extra-virgin olive oil

●      2  seedless cucumbers, peeled and  dice

●      ½ cup roasted red pepper, seeded and dice

●      1 large shallot  diced

●      2 medium garlic cloves, diced

●      1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)

●      ¼ cup  fresh lime juice

●      ¼ cup rice wine vinegar

●      2 tablespoons  fine chopped cilantro

●      2 tablespoons  fine chopped mint

●      Salt and white pepper

Garnish

●      2 cups small dice water melon

●      2 cups small dice cucumber

●      1 cup small dice yellow tomato

●      2tablespoon minced cilantro

●      1 tablespoon minced basil

●      1 tablespoon minced mint

●      2 extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Process watermelon, along with the orange juice, cucumber, red pepper, garlic shallots, jalapeno, lime juice rice wine vinegar, in a blender or food processor until pureed. Transfer to a medium bowl, along with remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made several hours before serving.