To be honest, I’ve only read one of the Harry Potter books. It was the first one. The second one was a little boring and then I never picked up another HP book. But, to try and redeem myself, I’ve always watched the movies and I can admit that I’ve enjoyed them. It’s a known fact that my generation is ALL ABOUT The Boy Who Lived and that when the last movie came out, it was like everybody’s childhood was officially over. I haven’t seen that movie yet, so thankfully I’m still a kid in my own right. Anyway, Quidditch is all the rage at Hogwarts. Even though Harry doesn’t play anymore and is now happily married to Ginny, just hanging out with Hermoine and Ron far far away from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the game must go on! The International Quidditch Association actually exists and is ALL ABOUT Muggle Quidditch. In fact, the Quidditch World Cup Game happens every year here in NY. Seriously, what DOESN’T go on in this place, huh? The World Cup Quidditch Game 2011 is happening November 12 & 13 at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island. More than 100 teams come from all across the country [click the link to see a FULL LIST] and only ONE of them gets the trophy. Teams are in full wizard costume, playing what is a cross between lacrosse & basketball while carrying brooms. I saw some pictures, and it’s way cooler than it sounds. I suggest that all spectators come in full costume too, that way the whole stadium can feel like Hogwarts. I’ll be rocking a forehead lightning bolt scar, thats for sure. Saturday November 12th is the first day of the games. There you can watch all the teams compete, along with a halftime show. Anytime during the day, you can wander away from the 10 playing fields to find bands [guys, WTF is a Wizard Wrock Band, I've never heard of that before], Coney Island sideshow performers, fire jugglers, sword swallowers, and live animals [including owls! RIP Hedwig.] Saturday night there will be a performance by a MAJOR artist who hasn’t been announced yet but lets hope it’s something really good. Sunday November 13th is pretty much the same thing, but this time the winner will be announced. It’s an action packed weekend!  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and CLICK HERE for more information on the games.

The leaves are changing colors. The air is getting crisp. People are pulling out their hats and flannels. AND everything is all about pumpkins and apples. Fall is officially here! Speaking of, what better way to celebrate the season than with apples?! I know that sounds kind of weird, but the Queens County Farm Museum is having an Apple Festival! We PoppedUp at the Queens County Farm last fall to hang out and grab an exclusive tour of the grounds. I even got to have my very own hayride! To recap on our Farm Fun, CLICK HERE to see the episode! As for the Apple Festival, it’s jam packed with fun down to the core. That pun was completely intended. On October 2nd, from 11 AM-4 PM, stop by the farm for $3 cobbler, $2 apple cider, live music from a country/western band, and a whole variety of apples from upstate producers. The most special part is a demonstration on how to MAKE apple cider, where YOU get to work that hand-press crank and make it yourself! Even after you’re all Apple’d out, you can wander the grounds to see the animals and the extra-special historic farmhouse. The Farm is located in Floral Park, Queens. To get there, take the E or F Train to the Kew Gardens Stop! See ya there!

If you’re not familiar with the worlds most famous Grandma, then click here to check out our Big Apple Circus PopUp Segment! I was lucky enough to get the chance to hang out with Grandma the Clown for a day and get to know a little bit more about Big Apple Circus Life. Grandma The Clown, otherwise known as Barry Lubin, is one of the most popular attractions in the Big Apple Circus. Unfortunately, this will be Grandma’s final season in the show, from October until July, after 25 seasons since 1982. But, no worries, Grandma won’t be retiring anytime soon! After Grandma/Barry is done performing for Big Apple, he’s relocating  to Sweden to work in European circus festivals and do a theater tour with the best European clowns! Pretty cool, if you ask me! Go get ‘em, Grandma! We wish Barry the BEST of luck in his final season and in his European clown travels. Dream Big!