activities

Did you ice skate as a kid? You know I’m a Charlotte girl – I’ve lived here all my life – so ice-skating wasn’t something we did very often. It was a very special treat. My dad would haul my sister and I over to Eastland Mall maybe once or twice a year where we’d be absolutely giddy as we’d lace up those rental skates. Our visions of perfect figure eights were quickly squashed the minute those blades (and our rear ends) hit the ice, but we didn’t care. Those were some of my favorite memories as a kid – ask any other native and I bet they’ll say the same thing.

I know a lot of you aren’t from the South. I bet lots of you grew up ice-skating on ponds (that seems like an urban legend to me, but whatever you say). Your childhood memories are probably overflowing with days spent on the ice, and you’re probably a little scared that your kids won’t have the same memories because I can guarantee you, you DO NOT want to ice skate on any of our ponds.

Well, you’re in luck. Eastland is gone, but now Charlotte’s got something so much better: Extreme Ice Center. And I can’t think of a better time than the holiday season to get the whole family bundled up and on the ice. Newcomers and natives alike will love this experience.

Smarties, don’t let the title “Scarowinds” scare you away from Carowinds if you have little ones. They have something for everyone of all ages in this fun-packed theme park right in our backyard. Last weekend, I took our fam to Carowind’s Howl-O-Fest’s Boo Blast and the kids had just that.

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!

Smarties, we have LOTS going on this week, actually over the next month! So don’t forget to wake up with us over your morning joe every single day! Here are your reminders for this week:

The Extreme Ice Center Giveaway registration ends on Wednesday!

We’re giving away $140 worth of skating lessons (boy or girl!) and we’re picking our winner on Wed at 8p, so don’t hesitate. You can’t win if you don’t enter. Click here for details.

Happy Wednesday Smarties! The Monster Trucks are back. This is one of my family’s summer favorites – I don’t know what it is except that it is good, family fun. Head up to the speedway today to help kick off the fall season. Discovery Place and the Charlotte Nature Museum have a full array of activities/movies this weekend. Get out and Enjoy.

Parade of Power – TODAY!!!
Charlotte Motor Speedway
August 8, 2012 Begins at 10:00am, parade begins at noon
Charlotte Motor Speedway will make Bruton Smith Boulevard roar to life with some of the fastest and most powerful machines on the planet when the Parade of Power thunders down the popular thoroughfare to roll out the speedway’s Fall Season of Speed. The parade will include vehicles representing all of the events planned at the legendary superspeedway complex throughout the fall, including a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car, an NHRA Top Fuel dragster, a World of Outlaw sprint car, a monster truck and many more. NASCAR and NHRA drivers, including Joey Logano, Erica Enders and Doug Herbert will take part in the event, which will also include an autograph session and driver Q&A following the parade. Fans in attendance can participate in a question and answer session with the drivers and the first 100 fans to arrive at the speedway Wednesday morning will be invited to an autograph session in the speedway ticket office following the fan forum. Children 13 and under can take a ride in a monster truck and photo opportunities will be available with the cars. The POWERADE Play Zone, which includes the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Van, face painters and a bounce house will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fans can also enjoy live music and inexpensive refreshments during the event. As part of a one-day-only promotion, fans who purchase tickets to any fall Season of Speed event will also have the chance to spin-to-win other great prizes, including camping chairs, collectible diecast cars or tool kits.

There is a new place for the farm experience in town – Darby Acres Farm. My kids love it, I love it and the folks that run it, love what they do. Makes for a great day on the farm!

Darby Acres is a short drive from town, right off 16 before you get to 485. As you drive down the gravel road, do not be afraid of the signs, you are in the right place. As you reach the end of the road, drive through the gates, you will be greeted by a row of antique John Deere tractors. If you have a child that loves tractors, this will be paradise. Continue up the drive until you see the small tent. Park and get ready for the adventure to begin.

Happy Wednesday Smarties. Welcome to August and the winddown of Summer. This weekend there are several fantastic sales, performances and activities to take advantage of. Head to Daniel Stowe to see the butterflies, see one of the plays performed by the students of NoDa School of the Arts or visit the castles at ImaginOn. Have fun, get out and enjoy!

Happy Wednesday Smarties. This will be a great weekend to head Uptown, visit Discovery Place and then have some family fun at EpiCenter as they host a Kids Central event to kick off the Olympic Games. Give your kids a taste of the farm and take them to Darby Acres Farm. This is my family’s new favorite spot to meet new animals and have a hands on experience with a variety of animals that have been rescued and given a new home. Get out and enjoy!

Let the Games Begin!
EpiCenter
July 28, 11:00am-3:00pm
Our Kids Club Central event for July: Let the Games Begin! Event will be held in The Commons on the first level. The whole family can compete in games of skill, and take home prizes and awards. Mascots from college and professional teams from our area will greet you, and we even have our very own parade for contestants at 1:30 p.m. Our friends from Radio Disney will join in the fun! It’s all for fun, and all free.

Rural Hill Food Truck Rally
Rural Hill,Huntersville
July 27, 5:00pm-9:00pm
The first-ever Food Truck Rally in the Lake Norman area! Check out the great food that can be found in our local food trucks. In addition to great food options, the Rally will feature live music, corn hole, local merchants, children’s activities, and living history experiences.

Happy Wednesday Smarties! Get out the phone and be ready to book your reservation – Queens Feast is here. Up for a girls night for a good cause? Painting with a Twist is hosting a Bachelorette Event and 50% of the proceeds will go to the Ricky Hendricks Foundation to benefit the ICU @ Levine’s Childrens Hospital of Charlotte. Hayrides, campfire stories, dinosaurs and a family movie round out the weekend. Get out and enjoy!

Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®
July 20-29
Enjoy a foodie fantasy during Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week®, July 20-29, 2012!
Discover the best of Charlotte’s ever-evolving restaurant landscape as top chefs, new hot spots, and popular favorites show off their wares during this 10-day eating extravaganza. Over 100 upscale restaurants will offer 3 courses (or more) at dinner for only $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended. Take a tour through the participating restaurants’ special menus, and book your table today!