Happy Wednesday Smarties! Time to gear up for the Labor Day Weekend. If you are traveling, please be safe. If you are in town there are tons of Smarty Activities to enjoy. Fireworks and free concerts at the Whitewater Center, Matthews Alive, The American Presidential Experience and cap it all off with Carolina Fest (no politics – just fun!!!). Get out and Enjoy!
American Presidential Experience
407 West Third Street Charlotte
August 31 – September 8
The American Presidential Experience is a nonpartisan educational exhibit celebrating American history, democracy and the US Presidency featuring more than 35 exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts along with a vendor marketplace. Appearing for the first time in North Carolina, this nonpartisan tribute invites everyone to learn more about how the Presidency operates with exhibits celebrating three centuries of presidential history.
Matthews Alive!
Downtown Matthews, corner of John and Trade Streets
August 31-September 3
Matthews Alive is a family-oriented festival with lots of music, food, arts and crafts, and fun. Entertainment includes all genres: Shenandoah, Tim Clark Band, Band of Oz, Odyssey Road (Journey Tribute), The Alter Eagles. The festival is made up of four live music stages, 150 regional artisans, a Family Fun Zone with rides, games and amusements, a Kid’s Connection with pony and train rides, food vendors, Labor Day Parade. The weekend celebration is dedicated to the support of local non-profit organizations. Cost is $1 per ticket for rides.
Patriotism Bowl
August 31, 5:00pm
Charlotte Catholic High School Football Stadium
High School football game between Charlotte Catholic and Charlotte Country Day Schools Benefits three area organizations dedicated to patriotism, veterans, active military and their families. Features a Navy flyover and pregame jumpteam delivering the game ball.
Carolina Fest 2012
Uptown Charlotte
The Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee will host CarolinaFest 2012, its family friendly Labor Day celebration to kick off the Democratic National Convention in Uptown Charlotte. The committee hopes CarolinaFest 2012 will engage more Americans in the convention than ever before and celebrate Labor Day, our democracy, the Carolinas, Virginia, and the South. This free, but ticketed, event will feature interactive expositions, family oriented activities, live music, and speakers. Check www.charlottein2012.com for details closer to the event.
Labor Day Celebration at the USNWC
US National Whitewater Center
September 1, Music begins at 4:00pm
Come and join us on Saturday, September 1 to celebrate the Labor Day weekend with a free concert and fireworks show. We’ll be featuring Megafaun, Psuedo Blue and Annabelle’s Curse throughout the day before launching a fireworks show over our whitewater river.
Cowboys: Dust of the Trail
Schiele Museum
Sat., 9:00am-5:00pm; Sun., 1:00pm-5:00pm
Take a ride back in time to the real Wild West. Journey beyond the fiction and beyond the myth, to the real world of the American Cowboy. Retrace their evolution from the Mexican vaqueros of the old Spanish southwest to the hardworking cowhands of today’s Great Basin ranches. Along the way you’ll learn the true story of the historic Texas cattle drives-when men moved thousands of unruly animals north across hundreds of miles of prairie, mountains and desert. As you travel from ranch, to trail camp, to cow town, you’ll discover the tools and techniques necessary for work in the cattle trade. It’s a story of adventurous lives lived in the saddle and under the hat. It’s an epic tale of doggies, drifters and drovers-roundups, reatas and rodeos-bunk houses, bronc busters and buckaroos! Cost is $6-$7.
Picnic & Play: Buzzing Bugs
Latta Plantation
September 1, 11:00pm-12:30pm
Pack a picnic lunch and join us as we search for flying insects of all shapes and colors! We will use special nets to catch and observe these winged critters as we hike up the Hill Trail towards the prairie where we will eat lunch among the wildflowers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Best for ages 5-12. Cost is $2.
Slimy Snails and Slugs
Reedy Creek Nature Center
September 1, 2:00pm-3:00pm
These animals are so overlooked and misunderstood. Learn about their habits and habitats in a log rolling adventure in the forest. Best for ages 6-12. Cost is free.
Family Stream Exploration
McDowell Nature Center
September 1, 3:00pm-4:30pm
Kids and adults of all ages are invited to dip their hands and toes into our babbling stream. An educator will be on hand to help you find and catch all sorts of aquatic critters. Nets, buckets, and ID sheets will be provided but feel free to bring your own supplies. Registration required at the 4 Seasons Trailhead. Cost is free.
Concerts on the Green
Village Green, corner of Main Street and Concord Road in front of Davidson Public Library
September 2, 6:00pm-8:00pm
A summer family favorite, Concerts on the Green are the first and third Sunday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family, comfy chairs, a blanket or a picnic and to come early to find seats. You can also make it a date night in Davidson by visiting some of our local restaurants and retail establishments, then strolling on over to the Village Green and enjoying some great music under the stars.
Iredell County Fair
Iredell County Agricultural Fair, 630 N Main St. , Troutman
September 3-8, Mon.-Fri. 5:00pm-11:00pm, Sat., 1:00pm-5:00pm
A classic County Fair – animals, entertainment, food, rides, and more. Cost is $5; Children under 6 are free.
Geology Show & Tell
Schiele Museum
September 3, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Stop by to see an assortment of beautiful and interesting rocks and minerals from the museum’s collection. Bring in your own rock and mineral specimens for identification by museum staff. Cost is $6-$7.
Story Time Monday
Chick-fil-A Cotswold
September 3, 10:30am-11:30am
Chick-fil-A Cotswold and Books-A-Million have teamed up to bring you FREE Story Time on Monday Mornings at Chick-fil-A Cotswold. Recommended for children 18 months to 4 years of age.
