Photo provided by Cross County Center
By Josefa Paganuzzi
May 23, 2023: Cross County Center is bringing back Summer Fest 2023, bigger and better than ever! The series kicked off on Thursday, May 18 with a free Zumba class which continues throughout August.
New events for 2023 include an Adult & Child Chef Series entitled Cooking Together with Gather Culinary and the Summer Fest Style Lounge with a Clothing Swap.
Summer Fest 2023 is "the ultimate destination for fun and excitement all summer long!" said Liz Pollack, Senior Manager of Marketing for Cross County Center. "We expanded our events this year to represent our multicultural and multigenerational shoppers – so we have something for everyone!"
Westchester residents looking for fun, free summertime entertainment need to look no further than the 2023 Summer Fest series (plus, there's always great shopping, dining, and year-round FREE parking too!)
NEW: COOKING TOGETHER WITH GATHER CULINARY: Adult & Child Cooking Classes Led By Chef Melanie Underwood
Join Yonkers resident and 26-year licensed culinary arts teacher Melanie Underwood, founder of Gather Culinary, on the Green throughout the summer for an educational cooking series. Kids will have a blast, develop autonomy, and gain essential life skills while bonding with the family.
These hands-on one-hour sessions will inspire children to explore new ingredients and flavors and develop a lifelong healthy relationship with food. Each session will be geared to a different no-bake/cook theme.
The class will teach kitchen safety, cooking techniques, how to read a recipe, as well as table setting and etiquette. The price is $30 per person and includes all supplies. Advance registration is required signing up here. Children must be 5+ and accompanied by a legal guardian on the following dates:
-Wednesday, 5/24, 6:15PM – 7:30PM
-Friday, 6/9, 6:15PM – 7:30PM
-Wednesday, 7/19, 6:15PM – 7:30PM
-Saturday, 7/22, 11AM – 12:15PM
-Wednesday, 8/2, 6:15PM – 7:30PM
-Saturday, 8/12, 11AM – 12:15PM
SUMMER STYLE LOUNGE & CLOTHING SWAP
Shoppers will get an inside look at fashion and beauty trends for summer while being treated to free makeovers and fashion shows on Saturday, June 3 from 11 AM-4 PM.
This FREE one-stop shop for fashion is right in time to refresh your summer wardrobe and see the latest trends.
Professional stylists from Blogger House Curvy Closet, Barbizon Modeling of NY, Macy's and Ulta Beauty, will be on-hand providing local shoppers with beauty makeovers, accessorizing tips, and more.
Plus, for the first time ever we will be hosting a Clothing Swap event. In an effort to up-cycle our closets, shoppers will be invited to bring new or gently worn clothing to swap with others.
Whatever clothing remains un-exchanged will be donated to local non-profit organizations. Details are available here or at www.crosscountycenter.com.
YONKERS ROTARY CHARITABLE CAR SHOW
The Yonkers Rotary will present their annual charitable car show on Sunday, June 11th from 10am-4pm in the North Lot. (Rain Date: June 25)
The event is open to all types of cars and motorcycles.
Money raised from entrants will provide scholarships to high school seniors in Westchester currently in Automotive programs going on to post-secondary education in the automotive field. Free to spectators, who will also enjoy food trucks and music.
FREE ZUMBA CLASSES
Join Yonkers own Zumba instructor extraordinaire Guillermo Ruiz for a FREE Zumba class that feels like a party!
The class mixes low and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party, accompanied by Latin and World rhythms.
Classes take place on Thursday nights from 6:15 PM- 7:00 PM starting May 18 through August 10 .
PAINT & SIP NIGHTS
Get in touch with your creative side and relax your mind.
Join instructors from We Art One of Yonkers as they show you step-by-step instructions on how to paint museum favorites and whimsical scenes.
No experience is necessary. Price is $25 per person and includes all supplies. Pre-Registration is required by signing up through the Cross County Center website, adults 21+ Only. Tuesdays from 6:30 PM-7:30PM.
-Tuesday, May 23
-Tuesday, June 13
-Tuesday, June 27
-Tuesday, July 11
-Tuesday, July 18
-Tuesday, August 8
FREE CONCERTS
Shoppers are invited to bring their beach blankets and chairs to The Green Lawn at Center Court to enjoy different genres of music. This year we have concerts featuring 4 BRAND NEW bands, on select Wednesdays from 6:30 PM- 8:00 PM, June through August including:
-Wednesday, June 21: The Wood Vibrations Instrumental Band of Top 40 Music
-Wednesday, June 28: FDR Drive Band Top 40 Band
-Wednesday, July 12: Willie Villegas Y Entre Amigos Salsa Band
-Wednesday, July 26: Captain Jack Billy Joel Tribute Band
-Wednesday, August 8: The Sidecar Tribute Experience Cars and 80s Tribute Band
-Wednesday, August 16 Gentlemen of Soul R&B & Soul Tribute Band
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
It's the most wonderful time of the year - it's summertime and half-way to the holiday season!
Join Cross County Center on Saturday, July 22 from 11AM-1PM for an action- packed family fun day of exciting almost-holiday events!
Children under 12 years old will enjoy festive celebrations including: Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Dance Party with Rockin' Elves, Arts & Crafts, and more!
The event is FREE and will take place on The Green, in the center of the mall near Gap and Victoria's Secret.
For more details on Center happenings, log on to www.crosscountycenter.com or follow Cross County Shopping Center on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.