Hello Smarties. With the end of the school year nearing and the temperature climbing, outdoor activities are ramping up. An event to put on your calendar, the Morgan Stanley Family fun Fest on June 10. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte. Thomas is arriving at Tweetsie, turtles invade the lake and Rocks Rule at the Nature Museum. You also don’t want to miss a busy weekend at the Whitewater Center and The Symphony Pops in the Park is back. A very busy weekend to kick off the month of June. Get out and enjoy.
Morgan Stanley Family Fun Fest
Blakeny, corner of Rea Rd. and Ardrey Kell
June 10, 5:00pm-9:00pm
This is a great event with all proceeds to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte. Event features the band, The Loafers, celebrity appearances (Larry Sprinkle (event MC), Bobcat dancers, Panther cheerleaders, Rufus and Sir Purr. There will be free activities, clowns, balloon animals, face painting and a Fun Zone($5 wristbands) that will include train rides, carousel, sand art, climbing wall, inflatable’s. Food vendors will also be on site.
Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010
Tweetsie Railroad
June 4-13, Sat., 8:30am-5:30pm; Sun.-Th., 9:30am-5:30pm. Train rides with Thomas depart every 30 minutes.
This is Thomas’ 65th birthday season, and fans can enjoy the Imagination Station as well as a special birthday display highlighting special moments and events over the years. Tweetsie guests can make birthday cards for Thomas and participate in other fun activities. And, don’t forget, trains depart every 30 minutes, rain or shine! Cost is $32 adult, $22 3-12, 2 and younger free.
Uh, Oh!
Story Slam, 1401 Central Ave., Suite 103
June 4, 10:00am
Performed by members of the PlayPlay! Theater. PlayPlay! Theatre strives to create meaningful first theatre experiences for little ones ages birth to 3 and their loved ones. PlayPlay! encourages our audience to move, make noise and generally act their age. The “very young” learn to explore and experience new environments in the arms of a loved one. Captivating sights and sounds engage even the very youngest child.
Cost is $12.
Rocks Rock
Charlotte Nature Museum
June 5, 10:00am-5:00pm
Be a rock star and get ready to show off your shine! Join Charlotte Nature Museum and The Charlotte Gem & Mineral Club for a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the beauty and magic of rocks, gems and minerals. You can learn about geodes, sluicing, the art of wire trapping, and cutting and polishing gems. Bring in your own rocks for free identification by visiting experts. Cost is $6 ages 2 and older; under 2 is free.
Gemstone Mining
Schiele Museum
June 5-6, Sat., 10:00am-4:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm-4:00pm
Visit our gemstone mine to find mineral treasures, including garnets, topaz, rubies, emeralds, rose quartz and more. Learn about geologic forces that create gemstones and search for tiny 10-million-year-old fossils from the Carolina Coast. Take home what you find! Cost is $4 plus museum admission.
American Military through the Ages
Charlotte Museum of History
June 5, 11:00am-3:00pm
Walk through the chronology of America’s military history on the museum grounds. Learn about the role the military has played in the world and on the home front.
Redlair NatureFest
Redlair Farm and Forest, 144 Redlair Lane, Gastonia
June 5, 11:00am-4:00pm
We hope that you’ll join your friends at Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Carolina Thread Trail for this free, family festival celebrating the land, conservation and the great outdoors. Redlair Farm & Forest is a private, 730-acre nature preserve with over 80 miles of hiking trails along the banks of the South Fork River. On June 5, the preserve will be open to the public for this very special family event. Enjoy live music, food and refreshments, local artisans, animals, face painting, crafts and hayrides. Canoeing and float trips along the Carolina Thread Trail blueway are available for a small fee. Register online at www.catawbalands.org. Cost is free.
Turbo Turtle Race
Midtown Sundries on Lake Norman
June 5, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Adopt a turtle (plastic) today for $5 and help LifeSpan and Speedway Children’s Charities meet its goal of having 10,000 turtles race for fabulous prizes on Lake Norman on Saturday, June 5. It will be a fabulous, fun family event with plenty of children’s activities, including a petting zoo from Zootastic, and special …turtle drinks thanks to Midtown Sundries. Come get in on all the fun and adopt a turtle or turtles today!
Celebrate National Trails Day!
Reedy Creek Nature Center
June 5, 9:00am-12:00pm
Join Reedy Creek Nature Center as we celebrate National Trails Day at the park! We will hike 5-6 miles enjoying the trails and while working to improve the Nature Preserve. For ages 5 and older. Cost is free. Must call 704-598-8857 to register.
Whitewater River Jam
U.S. National Whitewater Center
June 5, begins at 5:00pm
Come out with friends and family to experience an incredible sunset over the river while enjoying great music, food and drink. If you get a chance to paddle, run or bike the trails or climb before or during the concert, Chef Ben and the folks at the River’s Edge now have over 20 beers on tap and plenty of food waiting for you afterwards. Bring your dog, bring your spouse, bring your kids, bring your friends but whatever you do, just get out here. This weekend features Orange Crush, an alternative 80’s band. Cost is free, $5 fee to park.
Girls Day Out
U.S. National Whitewater Center
June 5, 8:00am–3:00pm
Bring your sister, mom, or best friends out to the Whitewater Center for a Girls’ Day Out Saturday, June 5th! Women’s clinics will include Mountain Biking, provided by the Dirt Divas, Whitewater and Flatwater Kayaking, Yoga, and more. In the afternoon we will offer food, wine/beer sampling, cooking demonstrations, healthy living booths, and more! Cost is $45.
Dog Sports Day
U.S. National Whitewater Center
June 6, Begins at 2:00pm, dock diving finale at 5:00pm
Come to the USNWC for Dog Sports Day! Watch and support amazing dogs participate in activities such as: fly-ball, agility, herding, urban mushing, water rescue, and the always spectacular dock-diving! Remember to bring your pup because dogs are always welcome at the Whitewater Center. Take advantage of the free giveaways, dog adoptions, and activity clinics. Cost is free, parking is $5.
Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops 2010
Symphony Park
June 6, Prelude at 7pm; Orchestra at 8:15pm
Pack a picnic and enjoy the Symphony under the stars! Albert-George Schram conducts orchestral favorites, from movie music to popular sing-alongs, dance tunes, and the best of Broadway. Cost is free but donations accepted.
