Happy Wednesday Smarties! July is here with a big bang and our Queen City is delivering with tons of great family activities. If you can take a quick road trip, head up to Grandfather Mountain. The Highland Games are amazing and a great way to spend some family time. Locally at historic Rosedale enjoy an old fashioned MusicJam and Ice Cream social. Get out and enjoy!
56th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
MacRae Meadows, at the base of Grandfather Mountain
July 7-10
Brawny athletes, delicate dancers, noisy bagpipe band parades, rocking Celtic music and a spectacular highland setting makes this colorful celebration of Scottish culture the best highland games in America. More than 100 clans and societies sponsor the Games. Admission charged.
Alice in Wonderland Jr
Dale F. Halton Theater, Central Piedmont Community College
July 6-9, 10:00am
Alice’s madcap adventures in Wonderland as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game as only Disney could imagine her. This fast-paced stage adaptation of “Disney’s Alice In Wonderland” animated feature updates the dialogue and contains new arrangements of such classic Disney songs as “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Cost is $7-$10.
Energy at Discovery Place
Discovery Place
Ongoing through July
Join us throughout July in the Explore More Stuff lab! Create power with a hand crank generator and feel the increased resources needed as the load on a circuit is increased. Test wind turbines and solar panels for power output, measure the efficiency and cost of different kinds of lighting, and add units of energy to a train set to increase speed.
Movies in the Park
Freedom Park Amphiteater
July 8, Movie begins at sunset
Enjoy free movies at the amphitheater. Bring a blanket or chair. Free popcorn and prize giveaways. All ages. This week’s movie is “Despicable Me”.
Blakeney Summer Concert Series
The Village Green, Ardrey Kell and Rea Roads
July 8-9, 7:00pm
Grab your family and friends and join us for a summer night of great entertainment. Enjoy the sounds of Jazz, Acoustic, Blues and R&B every Friday and Saturday night from 7pm – 10pm! Cost is free.
Build and Grow: Tow Truck
Local Lowe’s Home Improvement stores
July 9, 10:00am
Your child will love this kit! This awesome Tow Truck comes with stickers and a working tow hook! Ages 3 and older.
Kids’ and Preschool Triathlon
Harris YMCA
July 9, 7:30am; Preschool Triathlon follows
Join the Harris YMCA for our inaugural Kids’ and Preschool Triathlon. The Kids’ Tri is for age 5 to 12 years. Their events: 75-yard swim, 2-mile bike, and 1/2-mile run. The Preschool Tri is for ages 3 to 5 years. Their events: 25-yard swim, .25-mile bike, and 200-yard dash. Cost is $30 Kids’ Triathlon; $15, Preschool Triathlon.
Snack Time Saturday!
Matthews Library
July 9, 3:00pm
An afternoon storytime for children 5-9years, followed by a snack-craft activity. Ages 5-11. Cost is free.
Old-Time Music Jam and Ice Cream Social
Historic Rosedale Plantation
July 10, 1-4pm
Historic Rosedale provides the perfect setting for families to enjoy an old-fashioned summer Sunday afternoon. Activities on the grounds are free and include open jam sessions, a slow jam, a Celtic jam, a song circle, a clogging demonstration, and, of course, ice cream — as long as it lasts. Storytellers Guild of Charlotte members will share another traditional family pastime — telling tales to listeners of all ages.Hosted by Charlotte Folk Society.
Fantastic Fish
Latta Plantation Nature Center
July 10, 2:00pm-4:00pm
This is a chance for you to learn more about fish and go fishing all in the same day. First we will talk about why fish are unique and then we will go fishing on Mountain Island Lake. For more information, contact Shelby.Harrison@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.948.5380. Ages 5-12. Cost is $3.
Rita’s Italian Ice Grand Opening – Free Ice
Rita’s Italian Ice, Plaza Midwood location
July 9, 12:00pm-10:00pm
To celebrate this grand opening, all guests who visit the store between 12-10 p.m. will receive a free regular size cup of Rita’s Italian Ice of their choice. The first 100 people through the door that day will receive free ice for one full year. Guests can also enjoy a ribbon cutting by the President of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Rita’s mascot, Ice Guy, music and free face painting for all children.
Saturdays On Selwyn
FABO Cafe
July 9, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Selwyn shopkeepers offer a casual way to celebrate summer and showcase their stores with fun, family-friendly live music events every Sat. throughout the summer. Hosts include: Clean Catch, Crossroads Charlotte, Dixon Wells, FABO Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, Metro Fitness Club, MostlyChocolate.com, The New York Butcher Shoppe, Petit Philippe, Rococo, Shain Gallery, Tranquil Court on Selwyn, UPS, Yelp Charlotte and Yoforia.
