Weekend Picks

Get ready for a weekend of playing, eating, and dancing in the streets. Here are our top event picks for the weekend of June 6-8, 2008:

• Come Out & Play Festival -- Get outside and play in the street this weekend at this three-day festival featuring outdoor activities including scavenger hunts, Wiffle hurling, pinata pummeling, competitive picnicking, human blackjack, and much more. All games are free and will take place in locations around New York City (primarily on the Lower East Side).



• New York City Street Fairs -- Find street fairs and outdoor festivals all over town this weekend.



• Big Apple Barbecue Block Party -- The 6th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party brings America's finest barbecue to Manhattan for two delicious days in Madison Square Park. The nation's best pitmasters will smoke bbq specialties including ribs, pulled pork, and brisket for your dining pleasure. Live music on the outdoor stage will include jazz, blues and bluegrass. You can even check out bbq seminars and learn how to make your own prizewinning pork. Admission is free and the BBQ is just $8 per plate. Just be prepared to wait in line -- the mouthwatering aromas always draw a big crowd.



• Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island -- Get a taste of the roaring '20s at this two-day lawn party featuring picnicking and dancing to the music of the 11-piece Dreamland Orchestra. Admission and the ferry ride from Lower Manhattan are absolutely free.



• Housing Works Open Air Book Fair -- Stock up on summer reading material at this outdoor book fair. Browse through thousands of books and CDs for a dollar a piece, plus clothing, shoes and accessories from Housing Works Thrift Shops for $20 a bag. Proceeds go to benefit New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.



• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Rock and Run on the River -- Get a good workout with this 7AM 5K run/walk along the Hudson River and stick around for an outdoor festival featuring brunch goodies from local restaurants and live entertainment.



• Puerto Rican Day Parade -- Join crowds of more than two million to celebrate Puerto Rican culture at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday.