Longleaf Festival at Harris Lake County Park

Posted on April 12, 2013 by daddyweekly

Harris Lake is a beautiful park, albeit a bit of a drive from (downtown) Raleigh. (~25 minutes) This Saturday, they celebrate their Longleaf Pines, and they have about 60 acres full of them. The Festival features hayrides through the longleaf preserve, entertainment, crafts, live animals and even a fire engine. Since this is not hipster downtown, but rather the rural fringe of Wake County, food will not be provided by some fancy food trucks, but catered by Chick-Fil-A. (So you might want to bring your own kale chips and alfalfa sandwiches.)

The festival takes place this Saturday, April 13, from 11a to 3p at Harris Lake County Park.

Longleaf Pines by Chris M Morris, licensed under the CC BY license.

Reptile and Amphibian Day

Posted on March 15, 2013 by daddyweekly

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is holding its annual Reptile & Amphibian Day, and the focus is on Snakes!

If you have the guts, go for the snake feeding at 2p and 4p. Otherwise, visit one of the many info booths with turtles, snakes and other lovely critters. There are local snakes like the copperhead, and international visitors like Gila Monsters and Geckos from Madagascar.

Copperhead by P. Wood used under the CC BY_NC_SA license.

Darwin Day (2/16/2013)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by daddyweekly

A high of 48 and a chance of rain means the weather is perfect for a visit to the museum. The Science Museum is hosting Darwin Day this Saturday, with a variety of presentations and a large number of displays from various area schools and universities. Some if sounds more geared towards adults, but then there is certainly something for the younger generation (Earthworm Race? Caterpillar Experiment?) as well. Plus, at 1:30 and 2:30, there are two Meet the Animals presentations.

Darwin Day, Sat 2/16, 8a-5p, NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Charles Darwin 1880 by Elliott & Fry [public domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Night Owls and Candle Magic (11/17/2012)

Posted on November 16, 2012 by daddyweekly

Blue Jay Point County Park has an intriguing event this Saturday night. “Night Owls and Candle Magic” is an outdoors event at night, so prepare accordingly. Bring a travel mug for the hot cocoa, and a baby backpack for the kids, since strollers are not allowed. (And neither are dogs.)

There are some craft activities etc. at the education center, combined with a 40min walk, illuminated by candle light, through the night forest. Have your kids never walked through the woods at night? Then do take them to this event, where they can explore the magic of a night in the woods in a safe setting.

No pre-registration is required, but make sure you read the flyer to determine suitability for your kids. Add dress for the weather. Saturday, 6:30pm-9:00pm. Here are directions. It is a half hour drive, but worth it.

Image is Rohan’s Owl by My AngelG, used under the CC-BY license

Benson Mule Days (9/22/2012)

Posted on September 21, 2012 by daddyweekly

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

BugFest 2012 (9/15/2012)

Posted on September 14, 2012 by daddyweekly

Every year in September, Centennial Plaza and surrounding areas turn into a crawly, fluttery, buzzing celebration of our dear friends, the insects. Everybody working with insects will be there, from the Franklin County Beekeepers to Alberti’s Flea Circus. Special guest this year: The mantids. (The picture above is from our own Boylan Heights backyard; parying mantis are not uncommon around here.)

The one attraction I haven’t been able to stomach in previous years, but may attempt this year is Cafe Insecta. If you have a funny feeling about what this might be, you’re right. We’re not talking about ladybug shaped cookies or spaghetti “worms”. We’re talking bugs. Real bugs. You eat them. The good news? Prepared by famous Raleigh chefs. Try Cricket Bruschetta, courtesy of Wilmoore Cafe. Or Peanut Bugger Crunch from buku. I dare you!

BugFest is on Saturday from 9am-7pm, and beyond grilled bugs, there are tons of other exciting activities and presentations.

Briefly noted (6/22/2012-6/24/2012)

Posted on June 22, 2012 by daddyweekly

Since the two featured events (Garbage Truck Rodeo and Kirby Derby) are somewhat similar, I’d like to mention a host of alternatives. As always, check websites etc. for details, I have not researched these events in detail.

First off, on Friday night, Historic Stagville in Durham is hosting a stargazing and stroytelling event together with the Morehead Planetarium. This event repeats fromtime to time, and I definitely want to go one day.

Secondly, Lake Crabtree County Park has a program called Creepy Crawlies on Saturday from 9a-11a (But you MUST pre-register today.) Less creepy, but also crawly is the ladybug release party at Marbles.

Another exciting event that would’ve deserved its own article (but is more for older kids and adults) is the Reenactment of events from the War of 1812, organized by the City Museum of Raleigh. It consists of a series of events at the Capitol, Mordecai and the museum itself (Not all directed at and suitable for children.)

Last but not least, Marbles has a Science Solver guest star from the NC Zoo on Sunday and there is an Antique Car Auction at the fairgrounds Friday and Saturday.

Jazz in the Park (and more) at Oak View Park (6/9/2012)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by daddyweekly

Oak View Park, a few minutes East of downtown, is “a 19th-century historic farmstead with a mission to interpret North Carolina’s agricultural heritage and rural history” and a destination in its own right. This Saturday afternoon, a visit is even more worthwhile because they have partnered with the Shaw University radio station WSHA to create “Jazz in the Park”.

Jazz may not be the type of music your kids hear at home every day, and something new in their ears can never hurt. (Speaking of “ears” and “hurt”: The reason I prefer outdoors concerts with kids is that you have much more control over sound levels by just staying away from the speakers, which is not always possible indoors.) Plus, Jazz performers with their shiny instruments and (usually) classy attire always fascinate kids.

Once you’re done with Jazz, stay for the agricultural exhibits, pet the Nubian goats or take stroll to the fishing pond.

The park is by the Poole Rd. exit of the beltline. The concert is from 12-3.

The photo is Googa Mooga by JP-Flanigan, used under the CC BY-NC-SA license

NC Junior Beef Round-Up (6/2/2012-6/3/2012)

Posted on June 1, 2012 by daddyweekly

This is about the 2012 event, which I did not visit; the 2013 Beef Round-Up is on 6/1-2.

I’ve found that the website of the State Fairgrounds is a treasure trove of unique event, some agriculture related, and some not. This one is definitely about agriculture, more specifically about Beef. It is actually so much about beef and farming that I admittedly have a hard time even finding out what is going on. This much is clear: It is about beef (cows, calf, steer) and about ‘farm youth’ (I gather that includes an age range from 6-22.) Farm youth with show their skills and showmanship with their animals, and other “family activities that involve cattle…”

Their website is more or less a collection of perhaps somewhat cryptic word docs, so I recommend to just go out there over the weekend and see what is happening. Judging from previous excursions to agricultural events, this will be a hootenanny for sure. Starts at 7:30am, both Saturday and Sunday.

If you do go, PLEASE let me know how it was!

Got to Be NC Festival (5/18-20/2012)

Posted on May 18, 2012 by daddyweekly

I have a feeling that calling the good old “NC Ag Fest” a smaller version of the State Fair will offend some Agricultural Commissioners, but if you’ve never been, that is probably a good comparison. The Festival draws over 100,000 people, a lot, but also much less than the State Fair. There a rides and food stands, and anything you would expect to find on a farm: tractors, hogs, country music, and cows with big ass horns. (I’ve been told that ‘ass’ is appropriate when used for livestock…)

Specifically for the little ones I would point out the pig races, the petting zoo (with a porcupine?), and the antique tractors and cars. And maybe some of the tamer rides.
(if you follow the links, click Animal Encounters, Motorized Muscle, and Rides, respectively.)

Moving slightly outside the traditional scope of a farm, there will be a Roller Derby on Saturday and a BMX contest on Sunday. There are also country music concerts at night.

Support local agriculture and visit this annual event! It takes place out at the fairgrounds, and admission is free. (But rides, concerts and some other stuff require tickets.)

Pig Race at the Orange County Fair by szeke , used under the CC BY-NC-SA license

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Things to do with Kids in Raleigh, NC

Category Archives: Animals