The Big Top is coming to Nassau Coliseum and the recreation department has secured some of the best seats in the house for the Thursday, March 13 and Saturday morning, March 15 shows.

The Thursday, March 13 show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this show are priced at $18.50. Tickets for the Saturday, March 15 performance will cost $23.50 each. This performance will begin at 11 a.m.

Tickets must be paid in cash, as the recreation department cannot accept checks for coliseum concerts. A maximum of six tickets per family may be purchased. For more information, call 465-4075.

The recreation department will hold registration for its preschool arts and crafts program on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. in St. Paul's Cluett Hall. This six-week program will cost $24 and will be held according to the following schedule:

Mondays 12:15-1 p.m.

Wednesdays 12:15-1 p.m.

Thursdays 10:45-11:30 a.m.

In order to register for this program, the child being registered must be a resident of Garden City and must be 3-and-a-half years old by the start of the session. Registration will be held on first come, first serve basis. Payment is due at the time of registration. Classes are scheduled to begin the week of March 3. For further information, call Grace Chianese at 742-4905.

The third session of youth tennis lessons will begin the week of Feb. 24. Lessons cover seven weeks of tennis instruction and are open to children ages 5-18 who live in the village. There are limited openings. For more information or to register, call the recreation department. The following programs are available for middle and high school students during February. For further information about any of the following programs, call the recreation department at 465-4075. Grade restrictions, if any, are noted next to the event. Now - Friday, Feb. 21 Holiday week open gym for sixth-12th graders 2-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through February for sixth through 12th graders (except for the holiday week) open gym from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 Rec Night for seventh graders 7:30-9:30 p.m.; $4

The recreation department's adult swim began at Adelphi University's indoor pool at Woodruff Hall. This free program is open to any adult 18 years or older who is a resident of the Inc. Village of Garden City. The pool is open Monday through Thursday at two sessions: 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

You must sign up each day you would like to swim by calling the recreation department at 465-4075. No reservations will be taken ahead of time. For further information; call the recreation office.

During the mid-winter recess, the recreation department will conduct a holiday gym program for village youngsters in the St. Paul's field house. This program will run now through Friday, Feb. 21. The recreation staff will run games and activities for all children in grades K-6. A supervised "open gym" program will be held for grades 7-12. The schedule for this program is as follows:

Children in K-1 9-10:30 a.m.

Children in 2-3 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Children in 4-6 12-2 p.m.

Children in 7-12 2-5 p.m. (open gym)