Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: October 14-16

Happy Wednesday Smarties! There is so much to do around town this weekend, I don’t even know where to begin. Fall in Charlotte is my favorite! I do want to bring attention to one event – The 2nd Annual Energy for Life Walkathon. I will be walking with many friends and sisters to honor my Kappa Delta big sis, Kris Shields and the work she does everyday to help find a cure for her children and others who have Mitochondrial Disease. Smarty Pants also has featured Smarty Mom Amber Greenawalt and her efforts to raise awareness of this disease. If you would like to get out and enjoy a beautiful, fall morning – join us at Freedom Park and walk to support these incredible families! Get out and enjoy!

Second Annual Energy for Life Walkathon
Freedom Park
October 15, 8:30am-3:00pm
The Carolina Foothills Chapter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation is holding its Second Annual ‘Energy for Life Walkathon’ to raise funds for research towards a cure for mitochondrial disease. Contact your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers and build a team that will provide the energy for those in our community who suffer from mitochondrial disease. All proceeds will help the UMDF fund critical research projects that may lead to a better diagnosis, treatment or cure.

12th Annual CMG Children’s Consignment Sale
St. Gabriel Catholic Church Ministry Center
October 15, 8:00am-2:00pm
Selling quality used children’s clothing, toys, furniture, accessories and maternity items.

North Carolina State Fair
State Fair Grounds, Raleigh
October 13-23
Celebrate all that is North Carolina! Food, rides, games, agriculture exhibits and contests, all in one spot.

Free Admission to Wing Haven
Wing Haven
October 15, 10:00am-5:00pm
Bring the family to enjoy 3 acres of formal and wooded walks, and lots of little garden critters. Story books and pint-sized tools for use in the Children’s Garden during your visit. This free day was made possible through the generous support of Wells Fargo as part of the Wells Fargo Community Celebration.

Fall Festival
Sharon Presbyterian Church
October 15, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Fall Festivities include hay rides, petting zoo, bounce houses, carnival games,raffles, fire engine, police car, caramel apples, ice cream, pony rides, face painting and bingo. Don’t forget to pick some delicious BBQ available for purchase. $8 for BBQ plate and $5 for Hot Dog plate.

Seussical
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
October 15-16, Sat.11:00am, 2:00pm; Sun, 2:00pm
Oh, the thinks you can think, when you think about Seuss! Dr. Seuss’ beloved stories collide in a family musical adventure that has delighted audiences across the country since its 2000 Broadway debut. Steadfast Horton the Elephant, insecure but mighty Gertrude McFuzz, and the mischievous Cat in the Hat take center stage in this colorful extravaganza that celebrates the bonds of friendship, the richness of individual differences, the importance of tolerance and the incredible power of the imagination. Cost is $18-$24.

Carolina Renaissance Festival
The Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville
Weekends, October 08 through Nov. 11, 10:00am-5:30pm
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 11-stage theater, a 22-acre village marketplace, an interactive circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast — all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure! Cost is $10-$20; Free for ages 5 and under.

Family Free Day
The Charlotte Museum of History
October 15, 11:00am-4:00pm
This program offers families the opportunity to explore the diverse and rich us in Hispanic culture that is in our community during Hispanic Heritage Month. See traditional and non traditional art work, listen to specialized lectures, and participate in educational crafts and activities. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration that brings families and communities together to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have past. Please bring non-perishable items and photos for the community Dia de los Muertos alter installed inside the museum. Cost is free for children (ages up to 12) with paying adult.

The Haunting Hayride
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve: Latta Plantation’s Equestrian Center
October 14-15, 7:00pm
Park Avenue Properties & the Latta Equestrian Center present The Haunting; a Halloween themed hayride through the Equestrian Center’s wooded trails. Other on-site activities include a kid-friendly straw maze, pony rides, cow train & bonfire marshmallow roasting. Food concessions are provided by Brian’s Dog House Grill. Cost of hayrdie is $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger. Straw maze cost, $3. Pony rides, $3. Cow train rides, $2. Marshmallow rosting, $1.

All Hallow’s Eve
Historic Latta Plantation
October 15, 10:00am-4:00pm
Experience the interesting history of Halloween and meet its famous characters. Children can participate in crafts, join the costume contest, find treats, and more! Cost is free with regular site admission ($7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students, ages 5 and under and members are free).

Pineville Fall Fest
Pineville Lake Park
October 14-15, Fri., 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-10:00pm
Music, rides, games and food. Cost is free.

Sunday Fun Day
Mint Museum Uptown
October 16, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Make your own “Mecklenburg memories” at this celebration of master collage artist Romare Bearden! Make a collage, garden with Sow Much Good, attend a book reading, and see a film about the artist.

Carrigan Farms
1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville
Mon.-Fri., 9:00am-4:00pm (call ahead); Sat. 9:00am-4:00pm; Sun., 11:00am-4:00pm
This fall season we have tons of fun activities planned, from Scarrigan Farms to Pumpkin Patch Hayrides to Night Time Hayrides. Won’t you join us for some ol’ fashioned fun! Pumpkin patch open daily 9am to 6pm. Hayrides every Saturday and Sunday in October from 9am to 4pm. Weekday hayrides run every Tuesday & Thursday afternoons at 2:00pm, 3:00pm, and 4:00pm. We accept cash or check for payment. NO debit or credit cards! Cost is $9; night hayrides $10.

Rural Hill Amazing Maize
Rural Hill, Huntersville
October 14-16, 10:00-6:30pm
Come visit our giant seven acre maze of corn, relying only on your group of friends and/or family to navigate your way out. Water stations and maze assistance are available throughout. Concessions for sale. You may purchase tickets in advance via our website or also at the gate. Weekend Maze runs September 3 – November 13. Family Friendly Friday Flashlight Mazes will run every Friday night from Sept 30 – Nov 4! Cost is $7-$10; free for ages 4 and under.

Aw Shucks!
3718 Plyler Mill Road, Monroe
October 14-16, Fri., 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 11:00am-10:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm-6:00pm
Aw Shucks® Farms continues to be a treasured destination each fall with something to offer for all ages. Step back in time in the Old Fashioned General Store, enjoy a Hayride, and visit the Pumpkin Patch. Folks love our Animal Barn and visiting the Old Rail Car from the 1800s. The 6 acre Corn Maze is always fun and will entertain even the youngest of outdoor adventurers. Our Kids’ Play Area gets bigger every year! Top the evening off with a cozy Bonfire by the pond. Cost is $8; free under age 3 on weekends with paying adult.

Country Time Farms
Hwy. 218 and Clontz Road, Indian Trail
October 14-16, Fri., 5:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-10:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm-8:00pm
Come join us at the “Country Days Corn Maze”, conveniently nestled between Hwy 218 and Hwy 601 in the community of Fairview, NC. The maze opens on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. and concludes on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Concessions are available, offering a variety of foods that will satisfy any hungry appetite. While you’re at the maze, stop by and visit us at the General Store. We sale all types of novelty souvenirs, nostalgic candies, and T-shirts. And then don’t forget to take home a pumpkin or some homemade jams before you leave. So whether you’re from out of town or live in the local area, we invite you to stop in for a fun-filled day that the entire family can enjoy at an affordable price! Cost is $7-$10; free under age 3.