Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 4/16-4/18

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Hellooooo Smarties! It is going to be a very busy and fun-filled weekend. Spring has arrived in the Queen City. You can enjoy everything from the Duck Race (my duck floats faster than your duck!), Children’s Carnival, theatre, consignment/warehouse sales, healthy kids celebrations, and the Loch Norman Games. You can choose to support worthy causes and have a great time while doing it, find a deal for family or just enjoy the wonderful festivals our city offers. All sounds great to me so GET OUT AND ENJOY!

Family Fun Event to benefit the “Lift up Ellie Fund”
Salon42 in Dilworth –
April 16, 6:00pm-8:30ish
This event is to celebrate Ellie Potvin and raise funds for the “Lift Up Ellie Fund”. Salon 42 has graciously donated their space to host the event and they will be blocking off some of the side parking lot, next to the salon. Chubby from the Charlotte Checkers will come at 6:30 for an hour and there will be one or two surprise Princess Appearances. Among the other fun stuff you can enjoy:
Fresh Popped popcorn with different popcorn toppings to choose from
Pink Lemonade and cookies (Fran’s Filling Station)
Waxing services will be available in the salon, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Potvin Family.
Colored Hair Extensions
A Wine Tasting by the Wine Shop with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Potvin Family.
Run for your Life has donated a “basket” for raffle (Asics shirt, Run for Your Life T-shirt and a pair of women’s running socks)
Ice Cream Truck, they will donate 15% of their proceeds made that evening.
Kicks and Grins will stay open late and make a donation directly to the Potvin Family
La Tea Da’s will be providing some of their pimento cheese and chicken salad in pastry cups.
There will also be and old fashioned Cupcake Walk!
www.salonfortytwo.com
salon42@live.com

6th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race
U.S. National Whitewater Center
April 18, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Thousands of yellow rubber ducks take over the U.S. National Whitewater Park and race to the finish line. If your duck crosses the finish line first, you will automatically be the Grand Prize Winner – $5000! All proceeds will support the KinderMourn program. There is a zip line for adults and big kids along with jump-houses, face painting, music and entertainment for children. The event culminates with thousands upon thousands of ducks coming down the channel “racing” to the finish line which is always everyone’s favorite part.

The Children’s Circle Annual Carnival
Myers Park United Methodist Church
April 17, 10:00am-2:00pm
Annual carnival with games, pony rides, Radio Disney, Chick-fil-a and much more! The carnival benefits The Chidlren’s Circle at Myers Park United Methodist Church. A portion of the proceeds goes to Freedom School.

Myers Park Presbyterian Church Annual Consignment Sale
Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Providence Hall
April 17,8:00am-12:00pm, half-price from 12:30pm–2:00pm
Gently used baby and children’s furniture, clothing, toys, accessories, maternity clothing, car seats, strollers, and much more. CASH ONLY!

Warehouse Sale – Combi
April 15-17, 8:00am-noon
Combi, 1962 Hwy 160 West, Suite 100, Catawba Distribution Center, Ft. Mill, SC
Everything sold at cost. Carseats, strollers, travel sysetems, play yards, high chairs, bouncers, jumpers, feeding accessories.

Goodnight Moon
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
April 16-18, Fri.,7:30pm; Sat., 11:00am(soldout), 2:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
We believe Margaret Wise Brown herself would applaud this whimsical and wise adaptation of her family bedtime classic “Goodnight Moon.” While she penned a gentle lullaby that has lulled countless children safely into dreamland, the stage version takes us into the imagination of the child who quite simply is not interested in falling asleep! Imbued with theatre magic, the Great Green Room comes to life before our eyes. The kittens, the mittens … the red balloon and the cow jumping over the moon … the bowl full of mush and the old lady whispering “Hush” are all there … tucked in with a few surprises. Although the book was written for the preschool set, ages 3 to 103 will be moonstruck by this joyous, gently mystical bedtime treat. Cost is $18-24.

Nature: Flowering Fun
McDowell Nature Preserve
April 16, 1:00pm
Join us with your preschooler as we read a fabulous animal tale and then enjoy crafts and activities related to the theme. For more information, contact McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224. Newborn-5 yrs.

Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games
Rural Hill, Huntersville
April 16-18
17th Annual Event with Scottish heavy althetic competition, amateur athletics, Scottish & Celtic music, piping and drumming, highland dancing, Scottish Country dancing, harp and fiddle competitions, demonstrations and more. Scottish clan registries, genealogy search and Family Tree DNA. Children’s activities, climbing wall, and food and beverage vendors.

World Family Festival
ImaginOn
Apilr 17, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s World Family Festival is presented in collaboration with International House. The Festival celebrates artistic expression and communities around the globe, with particular emphasis on Native American, African, Latin and Asian cultures. The events are sponsored by the Arts and Science Council, with support from the North Carolina Arts Council. Activities will include crafts, music, free performances, and games.

Healthy Kids Day
Harris YMCA
April 1,7 2:00pm-4:00pm
Come to the Harris YMCA sports fields for inflatables and games, family fitness activities, summer camp information and more.

Breakfast with the Birds
Reedy Creek Nature Center
April 17, 9:00am- 11:00am
Enjoy breakfast around the campfire before venturing out into the Preserve in search of our feathered friends. Birdwatchers of all abillities are welcome, binoculars are provided. No experience needed! You need to call 704-598-8857 to register. For ages 8and older.

Nature Art
Reedy Creek Nature Center
April 17, 3:30pm-4:30pm
The beauty of nature will come alive as you create your own masterpiece using only natural materials! Must call 704-598-8857 to register in advance. All ages and cost is free.

Charlotte Clean and Green Festival
CPCC campus – Elizabeth
April 17, 10:00am-3:00pm
An outdoor, family festival featuring exhibits about saving energy, eating local and organic, greening your home, as well as a tree planting, dance workshops, music and hands-on activities for kids. Cost is free.

Charlotte’s Web
Armour Street Theater
April 17-18, Sat., 10:00am & 1:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm & 4:00pm
Davidson Community Player’s Connie Company presents the classic children’s story that delicately weaves a tale of friendship, loyalty, and loss that has captivated young readers for generations. Ages 4 and older. Cost is $7. Call 704-892-7918 for reservations.

The 5th Annual Walk for Wags
The Dog Salon
April 17, 10:00am
Grab your dog, kid, friend or partner! Come take a walk with us through beautiful Plaza Midwood to help raise money for The Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love. We will have many amazing animal-related vendors on site before the walk and will be raffling away some pretty awesome gifts along the way. Dont miss it! You can register early and reserve your event tee shirt by visiting The Dog Salon or downloading a walker form off of walkforwags.com. See you there! Cost is free.

Kids in Motion
Symphony Park – SouthPark
April 18, 12:00-5:00pm
Festival that showcases cars, trucks and things that go. Children have the opportunity to explore, get involved and be entertained while parents gain valuable tips on improving the mental, dental and physical well-being of their children and families. Sponsored by the Junior League of Charlotte.

Earth Day at the Charlotte Nature Museum
Charlotte Nature Museum
April 18, noon-4:00pm
Kick-off Earth week and learn what you and your little one’s can do to have a positive impact on the environment. Families can get their hands dirty during lots of fun, eco-friendly activities that demonstrate how our actions impact Earth. Kid-friendly programs include arts and crafts where little ones can recycle newspapers to create their very own paper hat, and transform pinecones into native-bird feeders. Green-themed puppet shows and story time run regularly during the event.

Family Field Days
April 18, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Latta Park
Spend your Spring Sunday afternoon with other families playing organized games. There will be kickball, wiffleball, ultimate frisbee and more.

Check out our latest Giveaway:
Just in time for Spring family outings, our friends at Children’s Theatre are giving one lucky Smarty (4) tickets to “Goodnight Moon,” the Margaret Wise Brown family bedtime classic. So presh and perfect for all ages from 3 to 99! Click here to register for your family 4-pack. Giveaway ends Sunday, April 18th at 5p. Good luck, Smarties!