Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: Nov. 16-18

Happy Wednesday Smarties! This weekend has Tree Lightings, a parade, Zootastic lights and it is the last weekend of the Southern Christmas Show. If you are int he mood for Turkey, there is Turkey Talk, Harvest Day and GobbleFest. The only problem is choosing. Get out and Enjoy!

Come to the JWV Artists Judith Williams Event!
JWV Artist, 3330 Cambria Road, Mountainbrook Neighborhood
November 14-16, 10:00am-2:00pm
JWV Artists is a full-service gallery. In-home consultations are very reasonably priced and applied towards any future purchases. Consultations and Installations are FREE with the purchase of artwork.

Southpark Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Symphony Park
November 16, 5:00pm
An annual event that includes entertainment for the entire family. A trackless train, musical guests and Santa. After the Tree Lighting, stay for a screening of Arthur Christmas. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Early Literacy Expo
ImaginOn
November 16, 11:30am-12:30pm
Come join us as we explore the five skills that are essential to help your child’s early literacy development. This workshop will also provide concrete examples on how to incorporate these skills into your everyday interactions with your child. Cost is free.

Little Explorers Series: Camouflage
McDowell Nature Center
November 16, 10:30am-11:15am
Bring out your little one for an adventure on the trails of McDowell. Look for bugs, birds, and critters of all types and sizes! Toddlers and adults discover nature together through crafts, games, songs, animal encounters and outdoor exploration. Each week features a different theme – try one to start or sign up for them all! Registration required. For ages 2 -3 years. Cost is $3.

Southern Christmas Show
The Park Expo and Conference Center
November 8-18, Sun.-Tues. 10:ooam-6:00pm; Wed.-Sat. 10:00am-9:00pm
The South’s favorite holiday tradition. A charming Olde Towne, extraordinary crafts, decorating ideas, and more than 600 merchants create a can’t-miss event. Cost is $3-$10; Children under 6 are free.

Zootastic Park Christmas Wonderland of Lights
Zootastic Park, 448 Pilch Road, Troutman
November 16, 6:00pm-9:00pm
It’s that time of year again…Zootastic Park’s 4th Annual Christmas Wonderland of Lights presented by McDonald’s. The Christmas Wonderland of Lights features over 2 Million Lights over a 2 mile drive-through and ends with a light show set to music in our Western Town. We also have Santa Claus joining us every evening, pony rides, petting zoos, concessions, roasting pits for marshmellows, and much much more. Cost is $5 per person.

Birkdale Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
Birkdale Village
November 17, 5:00pm
Join Santa Claus for Birkdale Village’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony! Santa will arrive to the beat of the Hopewell High School Jazz Band and then light our 34 foot Tree! Don’t forget to visit Santa at his new location next to JD Rockers!

Fall Harvest Festival
Latta Plantation
November 17, 10:00am-4:00pm
Bring the family out for a fun fall day at Latta! Meet the farm animals and enjoy numerous harvest presentations, listen to live music and shop from local artists and vendors! Children can visit the Farm Chores area and milk the cow, gather eggs, try the water bucket relay, participate in a kiddie tractor pull, and more! See antique tractors courtesy of the Stumptown Tractor Club! Free with regular site admission.

Gobblefest
Harris YMCA
November 17, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Bundle up and join your family and friends for food, game and fun at the Harris YMCA for a celebration of Fall and Family! Cost is FREE – Please considering bringing one non-perishable food item as your entrance fee.

Harvest Day Celebration
Schiele Museum
November 17, 10:00am-4:00pm
Join us for our annual Harvest Day Celebration-the 18th century version of 21st century Thanksgiving. Visit the Farm as skilled interpreters labor by open hearth and outdoor fires roasting, baking and stewing a “grand Fare” of traditional delights. Watch as hunters make ready their firearms while swapping stories of the “ones that got away.” At the close of the day, costumed interpreters sit down to partake of the Harvest meal in the manner and spirit of our ancestors. Cost is $6-$7.

Musical Petting Zoo
ImaginOn
November 17, 11:00am
Make your own music! The Musical Petting Zoo, presented by the Symphony Guild of Charlotte, brings real instruments to ImaginOn for children to try. Cost is free.

Turkey Talk
Charlotte Nature Museum
November 17, 10:00am
Fine feathered friends will rule the roost for Turkey Talk including Mr. T., a domesticated turkey [Meleagris gallopavo] from Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, and the Museum’s resident common quail [Coturnix coturnix). Guests can forage for information about wattles, snoods and beards, plus special turkey talents including the ability to gobble with a distinctive sound that can be heard from a mile away. Birders also can listen to Museum volunteers doing turkey call demonstrations with various turkey callers. Ruffle your feathers during Story Time with titles to strut about including “Turkey Pox”, by Laurie Halse Anderson, “Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving”, by Dav Pilkey and “Arthur’s Thanksgiving” by Mac Brown. Turkeys big and small can take time to give thanks to someone special by making thumbprint turkey thank-you cards in The Naturalist Lab. Cost is $6.

Concord Christmas Parade
Downtown Concord
November 17, 2:30pm
Get a jump start on the holiday season by attending the 84th Annual Concord Christmas Parade.

The Commedia Pinocchio
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn
November 17-18, Sat., 3:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
The little puppet who wishes he were a real boy comes to life in a slapstick spin on the classic story. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Tarradiddle Players perform this heart-warming story for the whole family, told in the humorous acting style of Italian Commedia dell’arte. Puppetmaker Geppetto carves Pinocchio out of a magical piece of wood, but the talking puppet can’t stay out of trouble. Can he learn his lesson – and stop lying so his nose will stop growing – long enough to become a real boy? For ages 5 -12 and cost is $16.

Into the Woods, Jr.
Armour Street Theatre, Davidson
November 16-18, Fri., 7:00pm; Sat., 1:00pm. 4:00pm; Sun., 4:00pm
The Brothers Grimm “go Broadway” in Stephen Sondheim’s cockeyed fairy tale where all of your favorite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and The Witch – meet and interact on their journeys. A junior version of the Tony-award winning production, this irreverent fantasy will stir your heart. Cost is $10.

Family: Great Graham Crackers!
The Secret Chocolatier
November 18, 2:00pm
Join us to roll, cut, bake, and decorate graham crackers before Thanksgiving! You can expect to make at least 4 of our regular sized graham crackers. However if you choose to make one giant one, or multiple smaller ones, that choice is yours. We will have different shaped and themed cutters along with lots of fun colors to finish your grahams once they are baked up. Our graham crackers are made with 3 flours and local honey from Cloister. A perfect pre-holiday moment. Come and make table decorations and treats for the family! Cost is $10. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are for participants, you may accompany a participant and help free of charge.