Here’s a list of family and kid-friendly events in the Fayetteville area for the coming week or so. As always, please feel free to send me your event listing at jjoyner@wral.com.
The thought of snakes sends cold shivers down my spine, but I suppose I could swallow my fear for my kids’ sake. Mazarik Park hosts Snakes Alive Tuesday, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 19. A park ranger will talk about North Carolina’s 36 species of snakes (!) and kids (and moms!) can learn more about these misunderstood reptiles. All ages welcome, but pre-registration required. Call 910-433-1575.
Fayetteville doesn’t have its own established farmers market, and I miss having the chance to explore locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables with my children outside of a grocery store environment. The
Murchison Road Community Farmers Market provides such an opportunity. Each Wednesday, they set up in the Bronco Square parking lot across from Fayetteville State University, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain or shine!
Market Fair 15 in Fayetteville wraps up its Summer Kids Series on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. with “Rio 2." Admission, popcorn and drink available at minimal cost, and what I love the most, the theater makes a sensory-friendly environment available for special-needs children and their families. Call 910-868-9791 for more details.
Lots of folks don’t know Fayetteville was once the capital of North Carolina. In fact, North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in Fayetteville on Nov. 22, 1789. To celebrate that 225th anniversary, the Museum of the Cape Fear is offering kids the chance to use a feather quill to add their name to a photocopy of the Constitution. Come out to Cross Creek Mall, in the JC Penney wing, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22. Children can also make a colonial tri-corn hat or mob cap.
It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to raise money for children’s charities. And what better way to give than to shop the Gently Loved Purse Sale at Fayetteville's Max Abbot Middle School, 590 Winding Creek Rd.? It’s happening 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 22 at the school. Thousands of donated purses, wallets, scarves and jewelry, new or mostly new, will be offered at bargain prices. Proceeds go to the
Child Advocacy Center of Cumberland County.
Jennifer is a mom of two and WRAL-TV assignment editor in Fayetteville. Her food obsession memoir, “Designated Fat Girl,” came out in 2010. Read more about Jennifer and her book on her website. She writes about motherhood and family-friendly events in Fayetteville here on Go Ask Mom. 
