Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: May 4-6

Happy Wednesday Smarties! To kick off May, Movies in the Park are back and the last Symphony Lollipops concert is the weekend. It is also Strawberry time and our neighbors in Ft. Mill are hosting the 3rd Annual Strawberry Festival. Want to take your pet, then head out to Pet Palooza and help support the Humane Society. On a personal note, a shout out to my son Trey, who turns 12 on Sunday and to my nephew, Alex who is turning two and shares his cousins birthday! Get out and Enjoy!

Grand Opening – Marvin-Efird Park
Marvin-Efird Park, 8909 New Town Rd., Marvin, NC
May 5, 10:00am-3:00pm
Crafts, Games, Equestrian Demonstrations, Trails, Pony Rides, Food Vendors, Treehouse Playground. Cost is $3.00 a person / $10.00 a family, purchase at Shuttle Stop or Village Hall.

The Charlotte Symphony Lollipops Series Presents: Peter And The Wolf
Knight Theatre
May 5, 11:00am
The Charlotte Symphony presents an extra-special retelling of Prokofiev’s popular orchestral adventure, Peter and the Wolf, featuring the members of PROJECT Trio. PROJECT Trio (flute, cello, and bass) has performed for more than 80,000 students across three continents. Blending their classical training with an eclectic taste in musical styles, PROJECT Trio has made an impact on audiences of all ages. “PROJECT Trio is packed with musicianship, joy, and surprise!” writes Downbeat Magazine. Pre-concert festivals begin at 10 am and put the musical experience right into kids’ hands, with crafts, activities, and instrument exploration with the Symphony Guild’s Musical Petting Zoo. Cost is $12.50-$21.50.

Mint Hill Highland Games
Mint Hill Park on Fairview
May 4-5, Fri., 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat., 9:00am-5:00pm
Musical entertainment by the Maidens IV and Thistledown Tinkers. Highland Athletics, Border Collie Demonstrations, Falcons & Goshawks, Children’s Events, Scottish Clan Gathering, Celtic Merchandise, Food. NO PETS ALLOWED!!!

Discovery Place Kids – Fun Fridays
Discovery Place Kids, Huntersville
May 4
Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate the Mexican culture during a special daylong fiesta, a day before the real Cinco de Mayo on May 5.

Movies in the Park-Happy Feet
North Mecklenburg Park
May 4, 6:00pm, movie starts at dusk
MOVIES IN THE PARK HUNTERSVILLE is back this summer with more FREE entertainment! Popular family movies displayed on a gigantic 20’x25’ outdoor screen with a concert-grade sound system. All of it takes place on the big soccer fields at the back of North Mecklenburg Park. Radiant Life Fellowship will provide FREE admission, movie, drinks, popcorn and more. Bring your lawn chair or blankets.

Family Campfire
McDowell Nature Center
May 4, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Enjoy Stories, eat s’mores, and sing songs around a campfire with family and friends. Groups are welcome to attend, come early to get tickets to the Nature at Night Hayride immediately following the Campfire (May – September). For more information call McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival
Walter Y. Elisha Park,Fort Mill,SC
May 4-5, Fri., 6:00pm-11:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-10:00pm
The Town of Fort Mill and the SC Strawberry Festival Planning Committee are pleased to announce the 2012 South Carolina Strawberry Festival! This year will mark the third year for the Festival. Hosted in the historic Town of Fort Mill, the 2012 South Carolina Strawberry Festival will be a celebration of spring… and all things strawberry! Friday is Kid’s night with a Kids Zone, presented by the Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company Kids Night: Unlimited rides for only $15 per child! (Friday Only). There are rides, inflatables, face painting, pig races, petting zoo, art and crafts and much more.

Fishing Derby
Reedy Creek Nature Center
May 5, 9:00am-12:00pm
Let’s go fishing! Reedy Creek Nature Preserve is hosting a fishing derby for children ages 3 t o15. Bring the whole family to enjoy this wonderful outdoor adventure. All children must be accompanied by a parent of guardian and al participants must have their own fishing equipment and bait. all fishing adults must have a North Carolina fishing license. Registration Required.

Matthew’s Summer Concert & Movie Series: The Smurfs
Stumptown Park
May 5, 7:00pm
Come out to Stumptown Park every Saturday nighs for free concerts and movies in the park! Concerts begin at 7 PM, pre-movie activities begin at 7 PM, movies begin approximately 8:30 PM or dusk. Vendors will be on site selling dinner food, treats, and drinks. No pets please. Pre-Movie activity by KidzArt.

Messy by Nature
McDowell Nature Center
May 5, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Visit the Nature Center between 1 and 4 pm and enjoy a variety of messy crafts outside in our natural play area, including painting, pottery, mud-pies and more. Dress to mess! No registration required. Contact McDowell Natrure Center at 704-588-5224 for more information. Cost is free.

Family Art Day
Charlotte Art League
May 5, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Come join in on another fun filled creative art experience. Create artwork visiting different stations where you can let your imagination go wild. Fun for the whole family.

Pet Palooza – benefitting Humane Society of Charlotte
Independence Park
May 5, 8:00am-1:00pm
Pet Palooza is the Humane Society of Charlotte’s largest annual fundraiser. The event attracts over 2K participants who enjoy the Kennelly 5K run, a 1K dog walk, refreshments, entertainment, & vendor fair. The annual fido fashion show is always a huge hit, with HSoC “alumni” pets strutting their stuff on the runway. Agility and flyball demonstrations, a puppet show and games. Help make Pet Palooza a success by signing up to run, walk or fundraise as an individual or team. Just $25 to run or $15 to walk. Raise $50+ & receive a special t-shirt!