Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: October 21-23

Happy Wednesday Smarties! As October winds down, the activities ramp up. There are many celebrations, festivals, plays and corn mazes to enjoy. Up north visit Discovery Place Kids, the Renaissance Festival or the Balloon Race, in town catch a Children’s Theatre performance, do some shopping at the Showcase of Artisans or Julia’s Coffee booksale. To the south celebrate Halloween at Carowinds. There are no wrong choices, get out and Enjoy!

Discovery Place Kids 1st Birthday Celebration
Discovery Place Kids, Huntersville
October 22-23
We are giggling, wiggling and growing!
Little partygoers can celebrate today and Sunday with activities throughout Museum including:
– I CAN Create: Make hats, birthday decorations and cards for Discovery Place KIDS first birthday and help decorate a special sign with birthday messages
– I CAN Be Healthy: Get your body moving with yoga, dance, games and healthy-eating activities
– I CAN Move: Check out the Museum’s special “move station”
– I CAN Build: Help build a first birthday cupcake for Can Can
– Town Hall Stage: Happy birthday Can Can! Join the Discovery Place KIDS mascot for Big Fun birthday singing and dancing
Plus, there will be free cupcakes for kids visiting the Museum on Saturday (while supplies last) sponsored by Plum District. Other weekend activities include story time, puppet and science shows, balloon animals, meet-and-greet with Can Can and prize giveaways each hour.

Tarradiddle Travels
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn
October 22-23, Sat., 11:00am and 1:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
Designed especially for preschoolers, Tarradiddle Travels explores the world of live theatre with an engaging experience. Young audiences will enjoy four simple stories from around the world, from classics like “Caps for Sale” to less familiar stories like “Mouse Marriage.” Three actors tell the tales in a playful style that makes clever use of colorful prop pieces and encourages audience interaction. For ages 3-5. Cost is $10-$12.

Seussical
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
October 21-23, Fri., 7:30pm; 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.

Charity League of Charlotte presents “Showcase of Artisans”
October 22, 9:00am-3:00pm
St. Gabriel Catholic School
Charity League presents our annual Showcase of Artisans showcasing area artists whose talents include pottery, jewelry design, woodworking, fashion design, glass art and more. As always there will be the popular crafted holiday décor, holiday gift items, and baked goodies.

Fall Festival and Book Tent Sale
Julia’s Coffee & Books
October 21, 9:00am-4:00pm
With over 7,000 books to choose from, face painting, kids activities and prizes, a bouncy pit, caramel apples and popcorn. You will be helping us fundraise for building houses in the Charlotte community.

2011 Carolina BalloonFest 38!
Statesville Regional Airport
October 21-23, Fri., 3-8:30pm; Sat., 7am-8:30pm; Sun., 7am-6pm
Experience a Special Event in North Carolina! Arrive Early & Stay Late! Join us for a fun-filled weekend of family entertainment with outstanding attractions. Enjoy the beautiful Carolina autumn weather as the backdrop to the magical sights and sounds of 50 colorful hot air balloons. North Carolina wines and craft brews, an Artisan Village & MarketPlace, Eat Street, Live Entertainment and a Kids Zone. Don’t miss the Saturday evening hot air balloon glow. Cost is Adults -$10; Teens & Seniors – $5 and Free under 12 (cash only).

Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast
Carowinds
October 21-23, 12:00pm-5:00pm
A little potion for a Halloween treat. Take a sprinkling of pumpkins, and some live shows. It’s not scary, everyone knows. Throw in some rides and a hay bale maze. It’s all for Halloween, during the days.
Carowinds has the perfect recipe for Fall family fun! It’s spooky fun for the little one’s at Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast. Families can enjoy Halloween together with a street party of frightful fun. It’s trick or treat with just the treats in the Carowinds Paladium Amphitheatre Plaza (park operating hours are from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.). Cost range from $12; $24.99; $31.99; $35.99; $41.99.

Boo at the Zoo
Riverbanks Zoo
October 21, 6-9pm
Put on your cutest costume and head over to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for the popular Halloween spook-tacular, Boo at the Zoo. Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-fest complete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance party and a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more. This family-friendly festival runs for 13 nights leading up to Halloween. October 14-16 and Oct. 21-30. Cost is $9; children 2 and under free.

Huntersville UMC 11th Annual Fall Festival
Huntersville United Methodist Church
October 22, 9:00am-3:00pm
This year’s festival will feature over 50 indoor craft vendors, bounce houses and games for the kids and much more! Walgreens Pharmacy will also be on hand administering flu shots (fee required)The United Methodist Men and Women are selling their world famous BBQ and homemade desserts as well! There is something for everyone to enjoy! Festival is free to attend!!!

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.

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.

Garden Exploration
Latta Plantation Nature Center
October 23, 1;00pm-2:00pm
Gardening can be exciting. Come learn some fun things you can do to make gardening fun. We will be playing games and even making crafts from things in the garden. Ages 3-10 years. Cost is $2.

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 21-23, 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 21-23, 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 21-23, 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.