Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 9/24-9/26

Happy Wednesday Smarties! We are bringing you a wonderful treat – American Idol fan, want to meet Ruben Studdard? Then email me at Courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com and the first 4 emails I receive will get to meet Ruben at the Boys and Girls Club 75th Anniversary Festival and you each get to bring 3 friends!!! Email away for your chance to meet the Velvet Teddybear. This is the weekend for local festivals and fairs. Make it a crazy weekend and visit them all!! Have fun and ENJOY!

Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte 75th Anniversary
Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall
September 25, 2:00pm
This year we’re celebrating our 75th year in Charlotte. Since our earliest times here, we have been positively affecting the lives of young people and helping to make a difference in their lives
There will be music and fun for the whole family throughout the entire day. Come hang out in our Kid Zone and listen to some great musical talent, win prizes, and have a blast. Musicians Damien Horne, The Chad Mackey Band, Marshall Crenshaw and American Idol’s Ruben Studdard.

Sardis Presbyterian Consignment Sale
Sardis Presbyterian Church
September 25, 8:00am-noon, ½ price 12:30pm-2:30pm
Kid’s and Teen’s Fall and Winter clothing, Maternity clothing, toys, games, videos, books, bikes, baby equipment and much more!!

Festival in the Park
Freedom Park
September 23-26, Thurs., 6:00pm-9:00pm;Fri.-Sat.,10:00am-9:30pm; Sun., 11:00am-6:00pm
Festival in the Park is designed to promote and stimulate interest in the arts. It provides the opportunity for all to see, hear, and learn from over 150 artists who actively demonstrate and display their art. Entertainers provide performances at the main stage and stages surrounding. Make sure to drop by our friends Cloister Honey. Their booth is on the Lake side and they will have honey to taste and bees to watch. Look for the Pink and Green hive. Stop by our tent and mention Charlotte Smarty Pants. When you purchase directly, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to LungStrong in Jennifer Bunich’s/Charlotte Smarty Pants honor. This promotion does not have an expiration date – so mention it every single time you purchase Cloister Honey!

Artfest of Matthews
Matthews Town Square
September 25-26, Sat.,10:00am-5:00pm; Sun.,12:00-5:00pm
The 25th Annual ArtFest of Matthews, a fine art and master craft show features juried work, The show will be held in Town Square on Matthews Station Street in front of the Town Hall-Library in downtown Matthews. Our “Gallery On The Green” offers visitors an up close opportunity to meet and interact with artists and purchase their art. Art-Fest is produced and sponsored by the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. Entertainment and food will be available throughout the weekend.

Mint Hill Madness
Downtown Mint Hill
September 24-26, Fri., 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 9:30am-10:00pm; Sun.,10:00am-5:00pm
Parade, arts and crafts booths, food, games, dog show, fireworks, beauty pageant and live entertainment.

Disney’s Aladdin
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn
September 24-26, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 11:00am, 2:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
Join us for a theatrical magic carpet ride, as we kick off our 63rd season with this exuberant family musical. In the heart of an enchanted city, poor but charming Aladdin meets free-spirited Princess Jasmine, whose royal status places her beyond his reach. His whole life changes with one rub of a lamp, as a fun-loving, fast-talking Genie appears and grants him three wishes. Beloved characters and Academy Award-winning songs like “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me” make Disney’s Aladdin an incredible journey of discovery and adventure. Cost is $18-$24.

Annie
Theatre Charlotte
September 22-26, Wed.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sat.- Sun., 2:30pm
Leapin’ Lizards! One of the world’s best-loved musicals is back! Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her at a NYC orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In one adventure after another, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plans, becomes friends with President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a new family and home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. With its upbeat ending and bright, tuneful score, it’s no wonder this heartwarming show has become an international sensation. Cost is $8-$24.

Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010
N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer, NC
September 24-26, 8:30am-5:15pm
If your kids enjoy Thomas the Train, this is something you don’t want to miss! Join in the fun on Sept. 24-26 and Oct. 1-3. To celebrate Thomas’s 65th birthday, there will be food, games, train rides, arts and crafts, storytelling, a magic show and more! Cost is $18 or $16 on Fridays for ages 2+.

Hit The Brixx 10K/5K and Kids Fun Run
Start and finish line at Brixx-Uptown
September 25, Starts at 7:45am; 5K/Baby Jogger, 9:00am
This is the tenth event in the 2010 Run For Your Life Grand Prix Series presented by ASICS. 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.

Operation Medicine Drop
Harris Teeters at Morrocroft; Stonecrest; Steele Croft; University; and Mint Hill Town Hall
September 25, 10:00am-2:00pm; and noon-5:00pm at Mint Hill Town Hall
Drop off unused or expired medication to keep them out of the hands of kids and the soil.

UNC Charlotte International Festival
UNC Charlotte Barnhardt Student Activity Center
September 25, 10:00am-6:00pm
Throughout the day the music and dance of a variety of nations will be presented on indoor and outdoor stages. In addition, the festival, which is family-oriented, offers a number of elements such as mimes and face painting designed especially for children.

Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze
Rural Hill, Huntersville
September 25-26, 10:00am-6:30pm
See how fast you can find your way out of the seven-acre corn maze while searching for the 12 map pieces. Music and food will also be available. Visit the website for advance tickets, times and special activities. Cost is $7-$15, free under 4.

Something’s A-Flutter
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Ongoing, 9:00am-5:00pm
The butterflies are back! Something’s A-Flutter returns to The Orchid Conservatory as hundreds of butterflies fill the conservatory. Enjoy butterfly releases, exhibits, demonstrations and lots more fluttering fun! Cost is $6 ages 4-12, $12 adults.

Cold-Blooded Encounters
Charlotte Museum of History
September 26, 12:00pm
Join Sean Amidon for a reptile adventure in which you will get to interact with a variety of creatures from the reptile world. Reservations are required. Space is limited.

Register for our latest Smarty giveaway:
Got mess? Well momma (or daddy), our Smarty friends at Rubbermaid have just the solution! Want a shot at taking the first step in organizing your whole home, including family room, closets, garage & more?! Register today to win a free 2-hour in-home consultation with a Rubbermaid specialist.
We could ALL use this, but only one lucky Smarty wins a free 2-hour in-home consultation valued at $130. Click here to register AND leave a comment on the official giveaway blog including what your most challenging area to keep organized is (make sure you leave your name in the comment!). We’ll pick our favorite Smarty answer! Good luck from Rubbermaid & all of us at Charlotte Smarty Pants!