Jay Day returns to the Jay Estate in Rye on Sunday, Oct. 25, with a hot-air balloon theme tied to America's 250th anniversary.
The annual fall family festival, organized by the Jay Heritage Center, runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 23-acre grounds overlooking Long Island Sound. Admission is $50 per family or $20 per individual, according to the Jay Heritage Center's website.
This year's edition ties into America 250, the national commemoration of the country's founding. Liberty Balloon Company will teach visitors about the thermodynamics of hot-air balloons, a nod to the Montgolfier Brothers' 1783 invention.
Families can also view centuries-old Revolutionary War artifacts inside the Jay Mansion, the historic first home of founding father John Jay.
The activity list is long. Rye Boy Scouts Troop 2 will run boat racing in the estate's reflecting pool.
MakeInspires offers a robotics and STEAM station. Mad Science brings a rocket show. Pony rides and a petting zoo round out the kids' lineup.
Silhouette artist Varin Acevado will cut heirloom portraits on site. Artist Jing (Ellen) Xu of ColorWorld leads a self-portrait workshop.
Volunteers from Harrison's Japanese community will help children fold origami animals. A geocaching course highlights John Jay's role as a Revolutionary War spymaster.
Live music comes from the Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective. Pelham Bit Carriages provides horse-drawn carriage rides and a hayride. Stilt walkers and jugglers will roam the grounds, and face painters from James Daniel Entertainment will be on hand.
Food trucks include Cousins Lobster Roll, Jimmy's Soft Serve, Crazy Taco Mex, Food Truck Refinery, Westchester Burger and Mangones Market. Vendors selling jewelry, fine art, handcrafted Japanese pottery and sweaters include NS Lifestyles, Beehive, Crichlow Fine Art and Hiroko's Ceramics.
The Jay Estate is part of the Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, according to New York State Parks. The nonprofit Jay Heritage Center has managed the property for New York State and Westchester County since a 2013 agreement.
Jay Day co-chairs Lindsay Bello Martin, Claire Weschler, Jennifer Soliman and Julia Thalhammer are organizing the event with support from 2026 RCDS Community Engagement Fellow Ellora Shah. Volunteers can sign up at [email protected].
Upcoming at the Jay Estate: The Revisit the Revolution exhibit opens Sunday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. at the 1838 Jay Mansion. Regular hours run Oct. 20 through Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Mondays. Admission to the exhibit is free.
