Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: October 19-21

Happy Wednesday Smarties! It will be difficult to chose what to do this weekend. The Carolina BalloonFest is in Statesville and it is worth the drive. There are plays, festivals, benefit walks/runs, Carowinds, ghost tales and art. How will you ever decide? Pick one and go from there, just get out and enjoy!

13th Annual Walk With Me Charlotte benefitting Easter Seals UCP
Freedom Park
October 20, 9:00am-1:00pm
The non-competitive 5K walk starts at 10:00 a.m. Check-in and festival activities begin at 9:00 a.m. and a complimentary lunch for all participants will follow the walk. Walkers are able to make a positive difference in the life of someone with a disability by participating and raising funds. Money raised supports Easter Seals UCP’s lifelong programs and services that provide support, care and hope to children and adults living with disabilities and mental health challenges in the community.

Carolina BalloonFest
Statesville Regional Airport
October 19-21
Join us for a fun-filled weekend of family entertainment with outstanding attractions! Bring lawn chairs and blankets (pets & coolers are not permitted) to bask in the beautiful Carolina autumn weather as the backdrop to all the sights & sounds of colorful, majestic hot air balloons. Come Early & Stay Late! 50 Hot Air Balloons, Live Entertainment, Balloon Glow, Sanctioned Competitions, Hot Air Balloon Flights & Tethered Rides, Kids Zone, NC Wines & Brews, Artisan Village and more! Cost is $12 Adult, $6 Teen, under age 5, Free.

Simon Fashion Now
SouthPark Mall
October 19-20, Fri., 5:00pm; Sat., noon
This fall, fashionistas embark on a style adventure as seasonal trends arrive in Charlotte during Simon Fashion Now. The weekend features free runway shows, beauty events and more at SouthPark on October 19 & 20. Stylish shoppers can discover new looks and spot chic must-haves from the hottest stores at SouthPark. Featuring budget-friendly choices, style splurges and everything in between, Simon Fashion Now navigates couture-conscious shoppers through the excitement of high-fashion runway shows.

Howl-o-boo Blast
Carowinds
October 20-21
Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast is a way for kids to show off their cute costumes and celebrate the fun of Halloween without the scary. It brings Halloween themed shows, attractions, and hands-on activities to the plaza just outside the Carowind’s Paladium Ampitheatre every Saturday and Sunday in October. Costumes encouraged! Add this Halloween fun to the 12 acres of rides and attractions in Planet Snoopy and you’ll have some serious happy campers! Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast activities are included with the price of daytime admission to Carowinds. The park is open from 10a-5:30p, the Boo Blast party runs from 12-5p. It offers an excellent value for families looking to enjoy some extra Halloween fun, along with everything Carowinds has to offer.

Scarowinds
Carowinds
September 21, 7pm-Midnight
Evil takes over the park. Zombies, Psychotic clowns and other twistedness that will haunt your dreams. This event is too intense for anyone under the age of 13. Cost is $35.99-$38.99.

The Fisherman and his Wife
ImaginOn
October 20-21, Sat. 11:00am, 1:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
Remember the tale of the fisherman who catches an enchanted fish and uses his three wishes (and hers) to try to bring happiness to his wife? Designed especially for preschoolers, this delightful new dramatic adaptation taps into the magic of audience participation. As the Fish grants the Fisherman’s Wife’s spiraling wishes, the audience creates sea and storms, goes fishing, becomes chickens and ducks in the farmyard, and servants in the magnificent castle the Fish provides for the Fisherman’s wife. Cost is $10.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
ImaginOn
October 20-21, Sat., 1:00pm, 4:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
The Peanuts gang’s all here – Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Sally – in this delightful musical that will have you celebrating childhood, or revisiting it! Charlie Brown just wants to win the heart of the Little Red-Haired Girl, while Snoopy and Linus want to daydream. Meanwhile, the rest of the group battles book reports, kites, baseball and misunderstandings in this classic Broadway musical based on the iconic comic characters of Charles Schulz. For ages 5 and up. Cost is $20.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Matthews Community Center
October 19, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat.- Sun., 2:00pm
Join us as Icabod Crane, the awkward and superstitious school teacher disappears on Halloween night. Icabod has cast a spell over the town by impressing the ladies, but the men folk; especially Brom Bones, are less than thrilled. Using local folklore and superstitions the men plan and plot to rid the town of the unwelcome and unlikeable Icabod Crane. Icabod learns of the legend of the headless horseman; only to disappear himself leaving behind only a pumpkin head and furthering the legend of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. This production will scare and delight, a perfect Halloween treat. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Cost is $9-$10.

The Children’s Schoolhouse 31st Annual Carnival
Davidson’s Village Green
October 20, 10:00am-3:00pm
Games, food, bounce houses, cake walk, music, pony rides, crafts and much more.

Ghost Tales in the Dark
Latta Plantation
October 19-20, Fri. 8:00pm, 9:00pm, 10:00pm; Sat., 7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm, 10:00pm
Tour the plantation by candlelight and hear real ghost stories from staff, volunteers, and previous ghost hunts. RSVP is required and the cost is $12 per person (only $6 for members). You must be 10 years or older to take the tour!

Haunted Carriage Tour
Uptown Charlotte, Corner of Trade and Tryon St.
October 19-20, see website for ride times.
Charlotte may feel new, but it has an old, restless soul. Step into the past on a horse-drawn carriage to hear tales of serial killers, haunted homes and public executions. Let us introduce you to the darker side of the Queen City. Cost is $12-$19.

Nature at Night Festival
McDowell Nature Center
October 19, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Peer at the moon through a telescope, sniff out a spider and prowl an owl, roast a marshmallow and go on a hayride, better yet do them all and more at our nature at night festival. Enjoy $1 hotdogs (cook your own on the campfire) and a special visit from the Carolina Raptor Center.

Pineville Fall Festival
Pineville Lake Park
October 19, Fri. 6:00pm-10:00pm; Sat. 11:00am-10:00pm
Music, rides, games, food, children’s art show, crafts, clowns, jugglers and a BMX show on Saturday.

South End Community Day
Lunch Lot
October 20, 11:00am-7:00pm
The entire community is invited to join in on Family-friendly outdoor movies, food from area restaurants, Fall-Fest Activities, and live music at one of South End Charlotte’s most popular outdoor venues, Lunch Lot. Hosted by Citylight Charlotte and Fun Inflatables from Bouncing Your Way. With activities for kids young and old, the South End Community Day is anticipating a large turnout with dynamic entertainment.

Children’s Consignment Sale
St. Gabriel Catholic Church
October 20, 7:30am-2:00pm
Selling gently worn, quality children’s clothing (newborn to Y-16), maternity clothing, toys, games, children’s books, bikes, baby equipment, strollers and furniture. Shoppers get the opportunity to buy great quality name brand and boutique items for less. We accept cash, Debit and Credit Cards ($10 minimum purchase). No personal checks. We do allow children inside the sale, though we ask that they be closely monitored. No strollers please.

Free Family Fun at the Dilworth Fall Festival! (Dilworth Church)
Dilworth United Methodist Church
October 20, 10:00am-2:00pm
Join us at Dilworth United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 20th for our annual Fall Festival. Free food, inflatable’s, games, a train ride, music from the Lemonds Family Bluegrass & Gospel Band, and a visit from a local fire truck. All are welcome!

Criss, Cross Mangosauce Bilingual Storytime
Mint Museum RANDOLPH
October 20, 10:30am-11:30am
Join this dynamic duo of Latina moms for a fun and exciting bilingual music and storytime. This program is geared especially for children ages 2-8, but the whole family is welcome! Cost is free.

Sunday Fun Day – An American Story: The Weir Family Painters
Mint Museum UPTOWN
October 21, 1:00am-4:00pm
Roam through 100 years of painting history by an American father and sons, dabble in Impressionism with pastels and paint, try out sketching from a manikin, watch and collaborate with painter Elizabeth Bradford, and enjoy a popular 19th century pastime, jump-roping, 21st century style, with Jump X-Treme!
FREE for children and Mint members, half-price museum admission for adults.

Hall Family Farm Pumpkins and Corn Maze
Hall Family Farm
October 19-21
Hall Family Farm Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze will have pumpkins and fall activities. The farm will be open Fri-Sun, 9-6pm for September. Hours for Oct 1st – Nov 4th are Sun-Thurs, 9am – 6pm; Fri – Sat, 9am – 10pm. Come enjoy hayrides, kids mazes, duck races, bonfire, and pumpkin picking. Free Admission but there is a fee for some activities. Hayride – $3, Corn Maze $8 for age 9 and up , $6 for kids 3-9, and free for 2 and under.

Aw Shucks Farms
Aw Shucks Farms, Monroe, NC
October 19-21, 6:00pm-10:00pm
An all new 40 ft. Grain Bin slide and a new hayride through the woods to a large pumpkin field to go along with the corn maze!

Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze
Rural Hill, Huntersville
Ongoing, 10am-5pm
A 7 acre corn maze with over 2 miles of paths. Designed to be navigated in 1-2 hours, help is available when needed. Water stations are placed throughout and comfortable shoes are suggested. Food and drinks available for purchase. Hayrides and additional activities for a small charge on select days. Group discounts available. Maze also open through the week by reservation. See website for full details! Cost is $10 per person; $7 for ages 5-12; children 4 and under – free.