Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 9/18-9/20

Happy Hump Day Smarties! This is a very full weekend. There is something for your pet, the young artist, the $ saver, athlete, adventurer and fair goer. I think this covers most everyone and you will have a great time at any event you choose. Get out and enjoy. If you have an event you would like share please email me at Courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com.

Charlotte Race for Fetal Hope 5K
Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane
September 19, 8:00am-noon
The Charlotte Race for Fetal Hope is a 5K run/walk with a unique Stroller Division for those pushing little ones. There is a free Kids Fun Run and one of the area’s largest post-race Expos and Family Festivals complete with games, food and entertainment. All proceeds benefit the Fetal Hope Foundation, a national non-profit organization focused on providing support in regard to fetal syndromes for families affected and the medical community who provide their care. Cost is $25 pre-registered participants ($30 race day).

Children and Teen Consignment Sale
Matthews United Methodist Church
September 19, 8:00am-12:00pm; Half price sale 1:00-3:00pm
Shop for fall/winter clothes and shoes from newborn to junior sizes. Maternity items, baby equipment, toys, furniture, books, games, and much more. Cash only; no strollers or carts allowed in sales area.

Rural Hill Flashlight Maze
Rural Hill, Huntersville
September 18, 7:00pm
Seven-acre cornfield labyrinth has more than two miles of pathways that can be navigated in 1-2 hours and help is available if needed. Bring your own flashlight.

Something’s A-Flutter At the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
September 4-Ocober 11, 9:00am-5:00pm
This event includes the return of hundreds of butterflies to The Orchid Conservatory. The lives of these creatures will be revealed from their unexplainable metamorphosis to the equally mysterious migration of the monarchs. View Demonstrations, butterfly releases and a centerpiece chrysalis exhibit. Cost is $5-$10. Members free.

Southern Women’s Show
The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart)
September 17-20, Thurs., 10:00am-5:00pm; Fri., 10:00am-8:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-7:00pm; Sun., 11:00am-5:00pm
Don’t miss savvy shopping, creative cooking ideas, healthy lifestyle tips, trendy fashion shows, great celebrity guests, and fabulous prizes. Meet reality TV’s Kate Gosselin, from “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” Cost is $5-$9 per person.

Family Fun Saturday: Romie’s Birthday Bash
Mint Museum of Art
September 19, 10:30am-2:30pm
Drop by the Museum’s classroom art studios and enjoy art-making together. Prepare to get messy! Concoct a Birthday Cake Collage using fancy papers and glue in celebration of Charlotte’s own Romare Bearden, then view his colorful collage masterpieces in the museum. Projects are geared for all ages. Groups of eight or more are encouraged to call ahead. Cost is $10; members and children 4 and under free.

Neighborhood Block Party
Sharon United Methodist Church
September 19, 12:00-4:00pm
Sharon United Methodist Church invites the community to this free event featuring fun for families with children of all ages. Activities include moon bounce, inflatables, pony rides (from 1-3 pm), carnival games, book walk, clowns, chili cook-off, live music, and more. Hot dogs, chili dogs, Frito pies, drinks and desserts will be available at no charge.

Lil Kickers Free Open House
Charlotte Sports Center
September 19, 10:00am
The entire family will enjoy our FREE Open House featuring our Lil Kickers program. Kids can sample our Lil Kickers Program, jump on our inflatable bouncers, get their face painted and play on our indoor field. Program is for children ages 18 months to 9 years. The first 50 kids to register for Lil Kickers receive a free Lil Kicker T-Shirt.

Johnny Appleseed Day
Discovery Place
September 19, 10:00am-6:00pm
Celebrate Johnny Appleseed with Discovery Place! Join us in KidsPlace for a variety of fun apple activities and cute crafts to take home.

Lunch With The Cat In The Hat
Theatre Charlotte
September 19, 11:30am
Enjoy lunch from Nothing But Noodles, a tour of the Seussical set, prize drawings, performances by The Cat in the Hat, and photos with The Cat in the Hat! We will not eat green eggs and ham We will not eat a leg of lamb But we will have fun! And a big yummy munch At the super spectacular Cat in the Hat Lunch! The food-they’ll be oodles From Nothing But Noodles And Prizes! And Photos to pose for! With the Cat as your host, You’ll be having the most Funniest fun you can have! You can tour his Seuss set And I think you can bet That he’ll sing a Seuss song while you’re here! Buy your tickets today! Don’t forget! Please remember! It’s Lunch with The Cat in the Hat! It’s gonna be great! Come on! Save the date! We’ll see you the 19th of September! Cost is $12

Sunset Jazz Festival
SouthPark Mall
September 19, 1:00pm to 10:00pm
Outdoor family festival to showcase local and national musicians.

Cabarrus County Fair
Cabarrus Arena and Events Center
September 11-19
Cabarrus County Fair begins September 11th – September 19th. Ticket prices will be Ages 12 to Adult $7.00, ages 6-11 will be $3.00, children 5 and under will be free. Wristbands will be on sale for $20.00 for rides. Entertainment schedules and more information can be found on the fairs website.

Child Proofing your Home
Matthews Community Center
September 19, 10:00am
The Matthews Community Center is sponsoring classes on child proofing the home on September 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Those interested can contact the Community Center as follows:
100 East McDowell Street
Matthews, NC 28105
Phone: 704-321-7275
E-Mail: <a href="mailto:communitycenter@matthewsnc.com"target="_blank"
>communitycenter@matthewsnc.com

5th Annual Fido’s Fall Fun Fest
AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Waxhaw Animal Hospital Corner of N. Broome St. (Hwy 16) & Church St. in Waxhaw
September 19th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Join us on this Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a great time — we will have many activities for the dogs and the kids, and lots of great information and special opportunities for discounts, raffles, prizes, and much more… Enter the Breed Parade by 1:30, the “Beach Buddies” Fashion Contest or the Halloween Costume Contest by 2:00, or “Fido’s Feats” Doggie Competition beginning at 3:00, plus many other events and activities. Kids can participate in the AKC Drawing Contest, and many events have prizes or trophies, plus many opportunities for raffles and door prizes. Some events will have a $1 entry fee, and raffles will be sold for $5 or 3 for $10, with all proceeds going to SAFE Animal Haven, Carolina PAWS, and the Waxhaw Animal Hospital Rescue Fund.