Darwin Day (2/16/2013)

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 in 1881

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

Review of Vet School Open House 2012

On 3/31/2012 we went to the Open House of the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University that I wrote about earlier. The event was very, very well organized, and I would say it is interesting for anyone 18 months old or older, and we will keep this on our radar for the coming years.

Our 2-year-old liked that his teddy bear with an old and nasty burn wound did finally receive proper medical treatment. He also enjoyed seeing the mares with their 6-week old foals, and observing how a cow gets milked.

I found it surprising that he recognized many of the skeletons on display throughout the building. Horse, Lion, Cat, Giraffe, were all studied with great interest. The only one that left him puzzled was the elephant; I wonder if that is because the trunk was not visible. (No bones about it!).

But the parents also got to see many interesting sights, some of them still lingering long after dinner: A documentary about animal parasites was shown while we waited for the teddy bear surgery, and I saw way too much of it. Some animal got spayed in the glass-walled OR, but I didn’t look closely enough to see if it was a cat or a dog. And yes, I went to see the fistulated steer. By my self. And only from far.

If you missed it, come back next year. We will, knowing that other displays will become age-appropriate and a return visit will not be boring. Original post here.

Ribbit! 13th Annual Frog Fest (3/31/12)

 

Note: This was written in 2012. In 2013, the event is on Apr-5 from 11-3p.

I continue to be amazed about some of the more outlandish “Annual xyz events” I come across. This one looks promising though, for a couple of reasons: First, if an event has lasted for 13 years, it must be good. Second, I’ve had Crowder District Park on my list-of-parks-to-visit for a while, and this will be a good reason to do so.

The event promises educational activities for the whole family centered around frogs and clean water. Hours are from 11am – 3pm and ‘food is available for purchase’, whatever that means. (Hot dogs and snow cones, I guess!)

The park is a 25 min drive south of downtown, at 4709 Ten-Ten Road in Apex.

Ribbit!