If the youngens are old enough to last until 10:30p, Cary may have a quite unique event for you: The Firing of a public art installation made from clay. The artist Nina Hole and members of the public have built this piece over the last two weeks. And they weren’t stingy – three tons of clay have been used so far.
Festivities start at 7:30 and culminate around 10pm, when the (still pliable) mass will be fired and unveiled.
I’m sorry, no you can’t. Unless you stay home and hide, which may not be the worst plan given the rainy weekend forecast.
This weekend, you can pretty much go to any of your favorite hangouts and expect to find a Halloween-themed happening. Long-time readers will know that I often have outdoorsy, or science-y, or artsy, so here one event for each of these three categories:
Let’s start with the outdoorsy stuff: There is a haunted hike on Tuesday at Jordan Lake State Park; walk the 1/2 mile trail anytime between 7p-10p and meet real (and not-so-real) nighttime creatures.
New Hope Valley Railroad does haunted rides this Saturday at 4p, 5:15p, 6:30p and 7:45p. (The 7:45p ride not for small kids, I read.)
The NC Symphony is playing spooktacular music at 1p and 4p. Show up early to try out some classical instruments yourself.
Then there is a new event, Raleigh Living Dead taking place on City Plaza. The website states it is for all ages (before 8p at least) and it does have kids activities, but all the grown-ups walking around in zombie costumes might be a little bit too much. Tickets are $10, and $5 for kids.
The Red Hat Amphitheater is hosting (and PNC is sponsoring) a nice fall mini-festival this Saturday. Admission is FREE, so you might want to get there early. Weather forecast (clear, 70F) should be just warm enough to comfortably sit on a blanket; for running and tumbling around it is warm enough for sure. (But bring a warm jacket and hat; by the time Michael Franti hits the stage, the temperature will drop below 60 despite the funky reggae sound). But first things first – here the line-up:
Sandbox is the band that I wrote about a few weeks back, when they were supposed to play in Fletcher Park. (A threat of rain cancelled that concert.)
Mommie is what happens when rock stars become dads: It is the kiddie music project of Doug McMillan of The Connells fame. Songs like “Dumptruck” or “Mama’s Pajamas” meander between Connells guitar pop and punk rock. Hear (and buy) their album on CD Baby.
Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba are based in Durham and Orange County, but they sound like West Africa; indeed, Diali is from Senegal, while his bandmates grew up in places like Pittsboro or Saxapahaw. I didn’t know them until researching this article, but their music is beautiful.
Michael Franti & Spearhead, the headliner, will hit the stage at 8p (I hope we’ll last that long!) with their mix of funk, hip-hop and reggae. Like most, I only knew the up-beat “Say Hey! [I be gone today, but I be back around the way]”, but some previews on iTunes promise equally cheerful (and also politically conscious) music.
All in all, an outstanding way to end the festival season 2012!
The image is Michael Franti and Spearhead by Rich Anderson, used under the CC BY-SA license
The new Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
Update: Buffaloe Aquatic Center is closed for maintenance until Aug-27, 2013.
Eagerly awaited, but it still took us a couple of weeks to get to check out the new indoor pool, also known as “Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center”. (Side note for map geeks: If you look at the location on Google Maps, the top-down view still shows forest, whereas the 45-degree view shows the center under construction; toggle back and forth to see how the location changes.)
Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center with water slide, river, vortex, toddler area, volleyball and basketball
I am impressed by how much was packed in a relatively small space; I would say the building envelope is about a third of the size of Pullen Aquatic Center. However, it does not feel cramped, even though you can find a wading pool with implements, toddler slide, water volleyball, water basketball, a river, a “vortex”, and towering over everything, a three-story water slide for “anyone between 48 in. and 300 lbs”. There are only 3 lap swim lanes, and they are not Olympic length. (However, an Olympic size pool is planned for phase 2, in an adjacent building.) The building features a nice, open design, and is equipped with the latest sustainable features. Solar heaters, green roof, etc.
Spacious family changing rooms
The changing rooms are of course also brand spanking new, and I was particularly pleased to find two family changing rooms. (In other pools, no children above 5 are allowed in the changing room of the opposite sex, and I will one day be slightly nervous about sending my 5-year-old daughter alone to the changing room.) So the family room is much appreciated, and is very convenient. (Not perfectly labeled, though: Just enter the door that says “Pool” next to the regular changing rooms.)
Not open when we went, but available in a month or so were a concession stand and a birthday celebration “room”; it can be reserved ahead of time.
We (2-year-old and daddy) both liked the pool, and for this age-group, it is well worth the 15-minute drive from downtown instead of going to Pullen with its “big-boy-pool”.
Toddler area with gradual entry, toddler slide, water curtain, tumble buckets
Hours: (check website)
Monday: Closed
Tue-Sat: 10am-7pm
Sun: 1pm-5pm
Admission: (check website)
Slightly more than other pools; $3 for kids, $7 for adults, and double that if you’re not a Raleigh resident. (It did cost $8 million to build.)
Directions:
“Up Capital and right on Buffaloe”. Or look up 5908 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh NC 27616.
Fall is upon us, and with it the annual visit out to the pumpkin patch at the local farm(s). There are several farms who have fall activities, two of which I’d like to present in more detail:
First off is Ganyard Hill Farm, on the outskirts of Durham, about 30 minutes from downtown Raleigh. (Address: 319 Sherron Rd, Durham, NC 27703). What I like about Ganyard is that it caters well to the wee little ones. It has Haystack Mountain, basically a “jungle gym substitute” complete with giant tunnel, a hay maze (see image below) and a corn crib (see image on the left). Some animals can be fed by the kids, and of course there is a Pick-your-own-Pumpkin field. When we went, the boys (father and son) really enjoyed rolling around in the corn crib, although mom insists that this is how we got our bug bites. A hay ride and a corn maze are also available, but perhaps not a exciting as at other locations.
If you do look for a ginormous-tastic corn maze, head in the opposite direction to Ken’s Korny Corn Maze in Garner. (Take Hwy. 50 South, Ken’s is just before the intersection with Ten-Ten Road.) The maze has 2.5 miles of paths, and you should plan
2-3 hours to enjoy all the attractions. When you enter the corn maze, you are given a flag on a long pole that you’re supposed to wave if you’re hopelessly stuck – it seems that does happen. Besides the maze, there are the usual hay maze, pumpkin patch, etc., all arranged very nicely.
Check websites for hours and special events, as all attractions depend on the harvest season and the weather.
Last year, I think I stumbled upon the Festival in Motion by accident on one of my green-way walks. This year, I’ll make a point to go again. If you haven’t been on the greenway system much, this is an excellent “show case” opportunity, Because with some planning, you can check out
Eliza Pool ParkAll in one loop! See a custom map that I’ve put together, which is a (long) loop walk for anyone living in downtown proper or nearby. Here is how you could spend your Saturday:
I’ve walked (and biked) this loop several times now, and it truly is an excellent cross section of Raleigh Parks and Rec; note that this is 6.25 mi, and thus 2-3 hours of walking, breaks not included. Plan to be out for most of the day…
Note: The title originally stated Fri-Sat; this was typo; the festival is through Sunday. Thanks to J. for alerting me!
If taking your kids out of school to travel the world for a year or so sounds crazy, here is your local, low-risk, short-term alternative: The International Festival that is held annually at the Convention Center in downtown Raleigh. More than 11% of Wake County’s population, which is over 100,000 people (including Yours truly) are foreign-born, and want to share their heritage with you. While not specifically directed (only) at children, there are at least three areas that are perfectly suited to give little one a taste and a glimpse of the world:
First, and perhaps the best kept secret, are the dance performances. In some cultures (think India, Brazil), dance plays a much more important role than here. Where American expats abroad may teach their children American history and children’s songs or cook out on 4th of July, expats from other countries living here may in turn teach their children traditional folkloric dances. On the main stage, there is a different group performing every 10-15 minutes. From a Teen African Drum Ensemble to Lebanese Belly Dancing or Korean Percussion, there is a wide variety of exciting performances, many of them by earnest teens and adorable children.
Food is of course another great cultural bridge, and there are Food booths from just about any ethnic cuisine you’ve heard of. Thai, Lebanese, Italian and Mexican of course, but also Dutch, Turkish or French. Dig in, and let the little ones sample the foods that taste so different from their everyday meals.
Third, the festival does have a genuine “kids corner”, with the usual face painting and balloon animals and storytelling, all with an international twist.
The festival is taking place Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday; tickets are $8 and kids under 6 are free! At this low price, it is worth dropping in for even an hour or so sometime over the weekend, and see what is happening.
Korean Dance by Dance Photographer – Brendan Lally, used under the CC BY license
Not just Raleigh has its fall festivals. I suggest that after Hopscotch and SPARKcon, you head out for a somewhat different program at the Benson Mule Days. First, where is Benson? Have you ever noticed that going to and coming from the beach on I-40, the signs say you’re going to “Benson”, but then you actually never go through Benson? Well, for future reference, “Benson” is code for “the intersection of I-40 and I-95”. And Benson is also the location of the annual (63rd this year) Benson Mule Days.
A long weekend filled with small town fun, rides, parades, a rodeo and many four-legged animals, mules and others. Here is the website and their program.
The photo is Mule Riding Couple by Mangrove Mike, used under the CC BY license
I featured another touch-a-truck event a while back that was in Chapel Hill, but this weekend we’ll have one in Raleigh: The best thing do do on Sunday afternoon is to head out to Dorton Arena on the fairgrounds and not only see, but touch, feel, smell, hear and operate all sorts of cool vehicles. From 11-12 is a ‘silent hour’ for special needs children (or others who hate loud noises), and no horn will be blown and no lights will be flashed.
After 12, “all the fire trucks go berserk!” (free after Sandra Boynton) as kids are allowed to sound the horns and activate the sirens!
There is an admission fee of $5/child (max. $20/family), but it is for a good cause. The event is put together by the Cary Pilot Club, and proceeds go towards helping people with brain-related disorders and injuries.
Update for 2013: SparkCon does not appear to have a “KidSpark”, but I believe that the KidZone on Hargett and Fayetteville will have similar items.
Also, see my 2013 SparkCon article for current links, this one is from last year.
SparkCon features again a corner just for the kids, located at Davie and Fayetteville. Build a pinwheel (and keep it). Walk the runway (with a paper hat). But you would miss a lot if you only go to the kids’ section: circusSPARK promises some sparkling performances, and wheelSPARK is all about skateboards, with demos all day Saturday and Sunday. And what child wouldn’t like streetpainting? The good thing about SPARKcon is that most everything is close together; head out to Fayetteville Street and see what you like!
SPARKcon started yesterday and continues through Sunday; check out the schedule on the website or just head out and see what exciting thing you run into.
Photo: groundSPARK, 2008 by twbuckner, used under the CC BY license