Category Archives: Family fun

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. December 10, 2021. A light show is projected on south side of Westbury House during Shimmering Solstice, a walkthrough light show designed for historic Old Westbury Gardens. Event runs through January 9, 2022.

Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens: light show magic!

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 18, 2021

UPDATE: Shimmering Solstice Returns! 11/25/22 – 1/1/23
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Shimmering Solstice • 11/20/21-1/9/22 • must buy Advance Tickets • Map

SLIDESHOW – Shimmering Solstice  (Full Screen: Click bottom right corner)

“I took the best photos of my life at Shimmering Solstice!” my friend posted online next to his pictures of the holiday light show at Old Westbury Gardens. Since I also had visited the walk-through wonderland, I wasn’t surprised he was thrilled.

Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Lighted trees and architecture cast colorful reflections in pond at west side of Westbury House during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

During my hours (!) visiting Shimmering Solstice on the grounds of Old Westbury Gardens, the Long Island Gold Coast estate, I saw families with young children and grandparents, friends from their late teens to seniors, and photo enthusiasts.

VIDEO – Shimmering Solstice  (Full Screen: Click bottom right corner)

Breathtaking scenes include the Rose Garden, the pond, the Walled Garden, and South Lawn and Allee leading to Westbury House, with its decorated front, and a stunning projection show on its south facade.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Visitors walk down geometrically lit South Allee during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice, running through Jan. 9, 2022. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Visitors walk down geometrically lit South Allee during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice, running through Jan. 9, 2022. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Lightswitch – a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers – worked together with Old Westbury Gardens to create the show that celebrates the OWG’s history and environment.

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. A mother watches her children make the the Walled Garden colorfully light up during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Catholic Health is the presenting sponsor of Shimmering Solstice. Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, the President and CEO of Catholic Health, said, “This experience will bring families, friends, and communities together in a beautiful setting to reflect and make memories.”

Because the show both dazzled the senses and created emotional experiences, I do expect my memories will remain as vivid as the photos captured.

Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. A light show is projected on the south facade of Westbury House during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

How wonderful it would be to have the chance to create such memories at Shimmering Solstice for years to come.

Which is why I was so happy to learn that Nancy Costopulos, the President and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, said the non-profit intends to make the unique light show an annual holiday tradition at the historic state.

Old Westbury, NY, USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Three friends walk among gigantic lighted dandelions during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, N.Y., USA. Dec. 10, 2021. Three friends walk among gigantic lighted dandelions during Old Westbury Gardens Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

If you’re in the tri-state area and looking for an unforgettable outdoor holiday experience, it’s well worth the drive to visit Shimmering Solstice at Old Westbury Gardens.

Old Westbury, NY, U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Friends walk down colorfully lighted south allee during Old Westbury Gardens' Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Friends walk down colorfully lighted south allee during Old Westbury Gardens’ Shimmering Solstice. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Please note you must buy your tickets before arriving at the event, which runs through January 9, 2022.

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. Dec. 10, 2021. Families explore in front of Westbury House at Shimmering Solstice, a walk-through light show at Old Westbury Gardens, sponsored by Catholic Health, and running through January 9, 2022.

my Shimmering Solstice PHOTOS: bit.ly/annparryOWG2021

my Shimmering Solstice VIDEO: vimeo.com/annparry/shimmeringsolstice

Catholic Health: chsli.org

Lightswitch: lightswitch.net

Old Westbury Gardens: oldwestburygardens.com

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Merrick, New York, USA. May 24, 2015. Two Kayakers paddle around fishing pier at Levy Park on Memorial Day Weekend (c) 2015 Ann Parry

Memorial Day Weekend at Levy Park 2015

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
May 28, 2015

Around 3:30 the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, I went to Norman J Levy Park & Preserve. After parking in the crowded parking lot, I headed to the path with the sign “Shortest Way to Top” – since I hoped to get a hilltop view of the Bethpage New York Air Show in progress at nearby Jones Beach.

Merrick, New York, USA. May 24, 2015. At Norman J Levy Park & Preserve, visitor point south to contrails in the sky over Jones Beach where planes are performing in the Bethpage New York Air Show, Memorial Day Weekend.  (© 2015 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. May 24, 2015. At Norman J Levy Park & Preserve, visitor point south to contrails in the sky over Jones Beach where planes are performing in the Bethpage New York Air Show, Memorial Day Weekend. (© 2015 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Earlier that day, I heard that Jones Beach filled to capacity before the air show even started, so major roads leading there were closed. So I wasn’t surprised to see groups of people scattered throughout the hilltop and pointing south to where planes were leaving contrails in the sky. The performers, too distant from Levy Park to identify, included Thunderbirds, Golden Knights, and GEICO SkyWriters, and more.

Merrick, New York, USA. May 24, 2015. Rev. DAVID YI, of Douglaston, Queens, fishes on the pier of Levy Park & Preserve during Memorial Day Weekend.  (© 2015 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com) 

Merrick, New York, USA. May 24, 2015. Rev. DAVID YI, of Douglaston, Queens, fishes on the pier of Levy Park & Preserve during Memorial Day Weekend.  (© 2015 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com) 

When the show ended, I headed south on the winding trail leading down to the park’s fishing pier.

At the far end of the 500-foot-long wooden pier, I enjoyed the cool breeze and watched kayakers in Merrick Bay, and chatted with fellow visitors Rev. DAVID YI and his parishioners. They had planned to fish at Jones Beach, but finding Meadowbrook Parkway closed, cast their reels at South Merrick’s Levy Park instead.

Memorial Day Weekend 2015:  my PHOTO GALLERY

Site:  Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park

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2012 Nunley's Carousel Turns 100

Nunley’s Carousel Turns 100

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
June 11, 2012

Nunley’s Carousel Centennial Celebration

Nunley’s Amusement Park was a real treat for my daughters when they were young. After riding the carousel and a couple of outdoor rides, we’d have ice cream and play Skee-ball, winning red tickets to exchange for prizes.

So when Nunley’s closed in 1995, our whole family was sad to lose that Freeport-Baldwin landmark.

Garden City, New York, USA. June 9, 2012. Nunley's Carousel during 100th Anniversary festivities. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. June 9, 2012. Nunley’s Carousel during 100th Anniversary festivities. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Happily, by 2009 the carousel was beautifully restored and moved to its new home in Museum Row, Garden City.

Nunley’s Carousel Centennial Celebration held this past weekend, June 9th – 10th, gave visitors the chance to play croquet in front of Nunley’s Carousel Pavilion and have other old-fashioned fun.

Festivities also included a campaign visit from ex-President Theodore Roosevelt – portrayed by actor JAMES FOOTE. In 1912, the year Nunley’s Carousel debuted, Teddy Roosevelt ran again for President in 1912 – unsuccessfully, as Bull Moose Party candidate.

Jack Neary hopes to grab a brass ring while riding historic Nunley's Carousel during its Centennial Celebration on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Museum Row, Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA. Though most rings are steel, a carousel rider who grabs a brass ring wins a free ride. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. June 9, 2012. JACK NEARY hopes to grab a brass ring while riding historic Nunley’s Carousel during its Centennial Celebration. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

And your admission fee included a ride on historic Nunley’s Carousel, where lucky and athletic riders had a chance to grab a brass ring to win a free ride.

Nunley’s Carousel Centennial 2012:  my Photo Gallery

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