Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 10/03-10/05

This is a great weekend to be in Charlotte! First, join the Walk or just go cheer on the walkers and remember 1 in 8 – get your mammogram!! There are also two events tomorrow to help the cause, get your coffee fix at Dilworth Coffee for just 8 cents or take the kiddos to the Parktowne Village Ben & Jerry’s for an 8 cent cone. Another must do event is Touch a Truck, my kids love it. Fall Festivals are in full swing and many of them benefit a lot of great local causes. Get out and enjoy!

Charlotte Radiology would like to share 2 exciting events that they have taking place tomorrow! 8 cent cups of coffee with Dilworth Coffee on East Blvd and other surrounding locations.
October 1st, 7:00am-10:00am
Ann Sheridan will be our guest barista from 8:00am-9:00am. Money will be donated to help fund local mammograms!

2nd Annual 8 cent cone night at Ben & Jerry’s Parktowne Village location
October 1st, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Molly Grantham will be our guest scooper from 7:00pm-8:00pm!
Tips and donations will go to Charlotte Radiology’s Doc for the Cure team for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Touch a Truck
October 4, 11:30am-2:30pm
North Mecklenburg Park, Huntersville
Event to feature a collection of vehicles, such as helicopters, dump trucks and police cars, for kids to climb on and explore. Activities including inflatables and face painting also available. Additional parking will be available at Christ Community Church after 12:30 PM. Cost: $3 minimum donation per person, children under 1 are free. All proceeds benefit Addi’s Cure, a local non-profit created to raise funds and awareness for lung cancer and lung cancer research.

Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure
October 3, 7:30am
Uptown Charlotte
The Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure is where runners and walkers ather to honor survivors who are winning the battle against breast cancer and to remember those who have lost their lives to this disease. Here is the race day schedule: registration/packet pickup, 6:30 a.m.; competitive 5K race, 7:25 a.m.; non-competitive 5K run/walk, 7:55 a.m.; 1 mile fun run/walk, 8:30 a.m.; Komen kid’s 50 yard dash, 8:30 a.m.

2nd Annual AdamFest Family Fun Day
October 3, Noon-5:00pm (rain date Oct. 4)
Hunter Berry Farm in Weddington (across from the Harris Teeter on Providence Rd)
Come to the 2nd Annual AdamFest Family Fun Day for food, fun and raffle prizes at the Hunter Berry Farm in Weddington, NC! Pumpkin patch, face painting, hay rides, petting zoo, live music, games and more! All funds raised go to the Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation. Cost is $10 Children (4-17) / $20 Adult (18+) / Children 3 and under (free). The Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation, established in honor of young cancer survivor Adam Tanksley, is a non-profit corporation established solely to make a difference in the lives of children and their families affected by pediatric cancer. The organization has committed $500,000 to support pediatric cancer research at Levine Children’s Hospital. Donations and funds raised will directly impact the hospital’s ability to provide local access to high-level clinical trials and cancer related studies for its pediatric cancer patients so that children can receive the care they need right here in our community rather than traveling out of state. Visit http://www.chompchildhoodcancer.org/ for more information; to purchase tickets, email info@chompchildhoodcancer.org.

Charlotte CROP Hunger Walk
October 4, 1:30pm
Grady Cole Center
The Walk is part of a nation-wide endeavor to raise money to alleviate hunger and poverty in this country and around the world. The concept is simple: We walk because they walk. Over 5,000 people will join together, walking a 6 kilometer route, the average walk a citizen of the developing world walks to obtain potable water. Since the first walk in Charlotte in 1978, the Charlotte community has raised over $6 million to relieve hunger. The Charlotte CROP Hunger Walk continues to be the most successful walk in the world—-Thanks to your efforts!

Day Out with Thomas
October 2-4, 8:30am-6:00pm
N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer, NC
Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer for “Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour.” This event offers preschoolers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends series. Activities will be available for the whole family, including arts & crafts, storytelling, video viewing and live music. Cost is $18 per person.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
October 2-4, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 3:00pm and 7:30pm; Sun., 2:00pm
McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn
The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is proud to bring the beautiful Belle, Monsieur Lumiere the candlestick, Mrs. Potts the housekeeping teapot and the mysterious Beast to their stage for the first time in this classic story of the redeeming power of love. Ages 5 and up. Cost is $18-$24.

Mr. Nigel’s Music & Friends Story Time
October 2, 11:15am
Joseph-Beth Booksellers & Bistro, SouthPark
Have fun with Mr. Nigel as he sings, plays intruments and reads books. Children will have fun while learning!

Moonlight Trolley Ride
October 2-3, 8:00pm
Charlotte Trolley, 1507 Camden Road
Start your weekend off with a guided tour of the Queen City under the stars. Tickets sold at the Charlotte Trolley Museum. Cost is $1.50-$3. Children 5 and under free.

4th Annual Whitewater Festival
October 2-3, Fri., 5:00pm-9:00pm, Sat., 8:00am-10:00pm
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Annual event to feature races, live music, used gear sale and the USA Canoe/Kayak 2009 Canoe Slalom National Championships. Watch afternoon races, listen to live music and check out the Kid’s Zone from 2-6pm. Cost is Free, $5 parking.

Great Grapes Wine, Arts and Food Festival
October 3, 11:00am-7:00pm
Symphony Park at SouthPark
Bring the friends, family and a picnic blanket to Symphony Park for a day on the lawn listening to music and tasting a wide variety of NC wines. The event also includes wine and food seminars and over 50 exhibits. Cost is $18 advance online or $20 on-site includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited samples, all performances and cooking demonstrations. Designated Driver tickets are available for $10 and kids 12 and under are free.

Ghost Train Halloween Festival
October 2-3, 7:30pm
Tweetsie Railroad
Hop aboard for a trip to “The Boneyard” for the 3-D Maze, the infamous Black Hole and the Freaky Forest (for 8 and older). Younger guests can visit the Haunted Palace Saloon. Also trick-or-treating and the Creepy Carnival for all ages. Cost is $26, free 2 and under.

All American Dog Show
October 3, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Bailey Road Park, Cornelius
Dogs with and without pedigrees compete in fun contests such as biggest, best dressed and most “ear-resistible” ears. There will also be vendor booths, children’s activities and a Shelter Strut parade. Cost is $5 preregistration, $8 showday.

Scarowinds Halloween Haunt
October 3, 7:00pm-midnight
Carowinds
Visit eight haunted mazes, three scare zones, a themed show and most of the park’s regular rides and attractions. This event is rated PG-13 and may be too scary for young children.

For Teens Only Expo
October 03, 8:30am-7:00pm
Charlotte Convention Center
This educational conference for teens 11-17 and parents is designed to bring awareness to and to provide solutions to relevant teen issues including cyber safety, dating violence, gang violence and more. The expo includes workshops, seminars, talks by national and local speakers and more than 80 vendors showcasing products and services targeted at youths. Parents and teens can visit “University Row” where they can talk to college admission officers. Cost is $10, free 5 and under.

Are You Smarter than a Middle Schooler?
October 1, 6:00pm
Center Stage@NODA
Partners in Out-of-School Time (POST) is hosting a trivia night to raise money to support POST’s work and mission to ensure that all school-age children and youth in Mecklenburg County have access to high-quality programs, activities, and opportunities when school is closed. For more information or to register, call 704-376-1845, ext 802.

If you have events you would like to share please email me at courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com.