Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 9/25-9/27

Happy Fall Smarties! This is my favorite time of year – football, festivals, consignment sales and the weather cooling off so you can enjoy everything. There is an abundance of activity in town this weekend with something for everyone. No excuses not to get out and enjoy all our city is offering this weekend. If you have events to share, please email me at Courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com.

Hit the Brixx 10k/5k Run/Walk
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Uptown, 225 East 6th Street
September 26
Your participation in the Hit the Brixx 10K/5K will support the Kids Path®* pediatric care program of Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. This specialized program helps children and teens coping with long-term or life-threatening illnesses through services tailored specifically to them and their families’ needs, with the goal of helping them achieve a sense of normalcy during their illness. Within the Kids Path program Chameleon’s Journey grief camps help children and teens learn to cope with the loss and grief. The race day schedule is: 7:45 AM 10K Run, 9:00 AM 5K/Baby Jogger, 9:05 AM 5K Memorial Walk, 9:50 AM Kid’s Fun Run and 10:00 AM Awards Ceremony. The 10K is the eighth race of the 2009 Run For Your Life Grand Prix Series presented by Asics

Kids and Teens Fall/Winter Consignment Sale
Sardis Presbyterian Church
September 26, 8:00am-12:00pm, ½ price – 12:30-2:30
Fall & Winter Clothing (infant – teen), Maternity Clothing, Toys, games, videos, books, bikes, baby equipment, sporting equipment, furniture, strollers and Much More! Early Bird begins at 7:00am-8:00am, $2 for Early Bird. Cash Only!

Kids Konsignment Sale at the Harris YMCA
Harris YMCA
September 26, 8:00am-12:00pm
Shop for quality clothes with children’s sizes infant through size 12, toys, games, books, bikes, baby equipment, strollers, furniture, gently worn children’s shoes and current, in-season maternity wear.

Festival in the Park
Freedom Park
September 24-27, Thurs., 6-9pm; Fri. and Sat., 10am-9:30pm; Sun., 11am-6pm
Bring the whole family to this four-day outdoor arts and crafts festival with 150 artists and craft exhibitors and nearly 1,000 entertainers. This annual event showcases local and regional artists in a wholesome family environment around Freedom Park Lake. The festival features a Kid Zone with inflatables, clowns, pony rides, a merry-go-round and more. Enjoy “Kid’s Day,” from 10am-1pm on Sept. 25.

Mint Hill Madness 2009
Mint Hill Park
September 25-27, Fri., 6-10pm; Sat., 9:30am-9pm; Sun., 10am-5pm
Presented by the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce and Title Sponsor Carolinas HealthCare System, this three-day festival in downtown Mint Hill includes carnival rides, arts and crafts, live music and fireworks.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn
September 25-27, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 3:00pm and 7:30pm; Sun., 2:00pm
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.

Camp CARE Walk-A-Thon fundraiser
Butler High School
September 26, 10:00am
Sign-in starts at 10:00 a.m. Participants who raise $50 or more will get a free Camp CARE t-shirt. Hot dogs will be served after the event. Camp CARE is committed to providing a camp and other year round activities for children age 3-17 who have or have had cancer, along with their families, in the Charlotte metro area.

Can We Talk? Ways to Ensure an Effective Parent-Teacher Conference
Northlake Mall, LiveWell Center (Entry 3)
September 25, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools’ Parent University and CMS Family and Community Services Department. Learn how to keep the lines of communication open between home and school. Cost is free.

Day Out with Thomas
N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer NC
September 25-27, 8:30am-6:00pm
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.

A Night at the Nature Center
Reedy Creek Nature Center
September 25-26, Drop off between 6-7pm and pick up next day between 9-10am
Are you wondering what happens in the preserve and the nature center when everyone goes home for the night? Join a naturalist and discover the preserve after hours. Activities include a night hike, campfire, animal program and more. Must be able to hike 4 miles at night on uneven terrain. Cost includes snack, breakfast, use of tent and programming. Ages 8-17. Registration required. Cost is $30. Call 704-598-5587.

Children’s Schoolhouse Fall Carnival
Davidson Village Green
September 26, 10:00am-3:00pm
The Children’s Schoolhouse 28th Annual Fall Carnival will include a rock-climbing wall, pony rides, bounce house and giant slide. There will be an assortment of games suitable for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school-age kids.

Charlotte Tailgate Farmers Market Fall Festival
100 West Park Avenue, Charlotte
September 26
Cooler temperatures and the appearance of greens herald autumn’s arrival. Come celebrate the beginning of our fall market season on Saturday, September 26th with music and SouthEnd community activities! Acclaimed local music artist Matthew Alexander will perform an original acoustic set at 11 am – his talent is not to be missed! And there will be free coffee and activities for the kids in our community. The Tailgate is located at 100 West Park Avenue. Fall season hours are Saturday mornings from 9 am to 1 pm and Tuesday evenings from 4 pm to 7 pm. We are close to the Bland station on the CATS light rail system, and have plentiful parking nearby!

Bug Ball
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
September 25, 5:30pm-9:00pm
This family-friendly fundraiser features live butterfly releases, creative children’s activities, bug presentations, entertainment and specialty foods and drinks throughout the evening. Come dressed as your favorite bug. Proceeds from the event benefit the Garden’s school programs. Reservations required. Call 704-829-1252.

Family FunFest
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
September 26-27, 9:00am-3:00pm
Experience the magic of nature with butterflies, caterpillars and bugs of all types. Join the Bug Jam Dance, take in the Magic of Nature comedy show, get a buggy balloon and more. Food and drinks available. Cost is $5-$10. Members free.

Revolutionary Charlotte
The Charlotte Museum of History
September 26, 10:00am-3:00pm
Spend a day at the Charlotte Museum of History and discover the Revolutionary War in the Carolinas by exploring the way soldiers and families lived, worked, played and fought during this important part of history. Enjoy free general admission for you and a guest by presenting the “Museum Day” admission card, available in the September 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine or downloadable via the Smithsonian Museum Day Web site.

Aw Shucks Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Aw Shucks Farms, Monroe
September 25, 6:00pm
Fall fun for all ages. Six-acre corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patch, animal barn, pony rides, haunted trail, horseshoe tournaments, fishing lessons, day fishing, bonfires, corporate teambuilding, and more.

PlaySpanish(c) Stories And More!
ImaginOn
September 26, 10:30am to 12:00pm
It’s free, it’s fun, it’s a PlaySpanish(c) storytime! Children of all ages are invited to join us for an hour of stories, games, arts and crafts and lots of fun!