Happy Wednesday, Smarties! It is shaping up to be an awesome weekend. There are events in and around town that you will want to participate in with your family. If you get the opportunity head up to the mountains – the Highland Games are phenomenal. Our local destinations, parks, museums and gardens are in full swing with summer activities and this weekend there is something for everyone. Get out and enjoy!
Top of our list this week is a CSP exclusive preview sale with our friends at kixx Shoes in Parktowne Village (you know, right next to our favorite cupcake place:-) kixx is offering a private sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday just for CSP readers (and their regular customers of course!). On top of their kickin’ Pre-Season/Summer Clearance 40-70% off sale starting tomorrow, if you mention CSP Smarty Scoop, you’ll get an additional 10% off Thursday, Friday and Saturday only. This isn’t just summer shoes either, Smarties. You’ll find a cool selection of fall shoes including back-to-school and fashion boots. It just doesn’t get any better than this! Hurry in because our Smarty deal ends Saturday (regular sale ends July 25th)!
kixx – cool shoes for kids
Parktowne Village Shopping Center (across from Park Road Shopping Center)
1730 East Woodlawn Road
704-676-1517
10a-6p M-F, 10a-5p Sat
Run For Your Cause 4-miler
Run For Your Life Dilworth
July 11, 6:30 am registration
This year, Run For Your Life Dilworth will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary with a new kick to the Run For Your Life 4 Miler – rather than proceeds going towards only one beneficiary, participants get to choose which cause receives their race proceeds! There is a 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run and a Baby Jogger Division. This is part of the Run For Your Life Grand Prix Series presented by Asics and it is the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Run For Your Life.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Grandfather Mountain
July 9-12, Thu., 4-8pm; Fri., 8am-midnight; Sat., 7am-8:30pm; Sun., 8am-4pm
Offering traditional Scottish dance, music, food, sheep herding, children’s activities and more. Cost is $25-$45/four-day pass.
Summer Gemstone Mining
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
July 7-12, Tue.-Sat., 10:00am-4:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm-4:00pm
Visit the gemstone mine to find mineral treasures like garnets, topaz, rubies, emeralds and rose quartz. Learn about the geologic forces that create gemstones and search for tiny fossils from the Carolina coast. Take home what you find. Cost is $10-$14.
Terrific Twos Series: Fantastic Fish
McDowell Nature Center
July 10, 10:00am-10:45am and 11:00am-11:45am
Have some fishy fun with your little one through an age appropriate group time and parent-child activities.
Family Fun Saturday: Animals in Art
Mint Museum of Art
July 11, 10:30am-2:30pm
Leaping Lizards, there are creatures all over the museum. In the artwork, that is…Go on a sketching safari in the museum galleries and draw/paint your favorite animal in the classroom. Cost is $10/kids are free when accompanied by adult. Museum members free.
Ice Cream Social
McDowell Nature Center
July 11, 12:30-2:00pm
Get to know your neighbors and your local park, while enjoying free ice cream! Enjoy fishing, games, crafts, activity tables and live animal encounters. Bring lunch and make it a family picnic! Program meets at the Waterfront Deck. For more information, contact 704.588.5224. All ages.
Junior Naturalist Series
McDowell Nature Center
July 11, 10:00am-11:30am
Want to know all about nature and its creatures, just like naturalists Jack Hanna, Jeff Corwin or Terri Irwin? Join us for a monthly series designed to train the young mind to explore and interpret nature. Ages 7-10. Cost is $3.
Pan for Gold
Historic Latta Plantation
July 11, 10:00am-4:00pm
Learn about Charlotte’s rich gold mining history and pan for gold at the miner’s cabin. Also participate in regular guided house tours, explore the grounds, and visit the animals. Cost is $5-$6.
Wild About Summer-Wild About Life
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
July 11, 9:00am-3:00pm
Join The Carolina Raptor Center and the Schiele Museum will for this fun filled day. Get up close and personal with creatures of the wild. Cost is $5-$10.
CMPD Free Rabies Clinic
CMPD Animal Care & Control
July 11, 7:00am to 11:00am
All dogs, cats and ferrets four months and older residing in Charlotte, Mint Hill, Pineville and the unincorporated areas of Mecklenburg County must be licensed annually. Dogs must be leashed and cats in carriers. Please bring ID with your current address or a utility bill that shows your current address. If you do not bring written proof of a prior rabies vaccination, only a one year shot will be given. Everyone who is in line before 11AM will be served. Line cuts off at 11AM.
The Knack Free Family Event: Summer Fun Tote Bags
Michaels
July 11, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Stop in and make your own personalized tote bag using a variety of paints and stencils from Tulip® at most participating Michaels. Ages 5-12 welcome. While supplies last.
Build a Treasure Chest
Lowe’s
July 11, 10:00am
Create a treasure chest at most participating Lowes. Make sure to register online.
If you have an event you would like to share, please email me at Courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com.
