Kind of a slow weekend on the family fun front, but here's what's happening ...
This is the final weekend for downtown Raleigh's ice skating rink.
Raleigh Winterfest is closed to the public after Sunday. Thursday also is the final stroller skating session of the season. Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday for stroller skating (where parents can push their child around in the stroller while they skate) and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday for traditional skating. They are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. It costs $8 total for admission and to rent skates.
To mark the end of the season, Polar Ice House, which operates the rink, will have a special event from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday where participants could win $500 or four Carolina Hurricane tickets. The first of the two shooting competitions will be a Shoot-to-Win contest where a lucky contestant will have one 80-foot shot on goal for a chance to win $500. The hole in the net will measure 3.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches high. The second competition gives five contestants the chance to take part in a shooting competition with prizes for first, second and third place. To participate in the contests, people must register at the rink between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday. Hockey players with varsity, junior hockey or higher qualifications are not eligible. It's free to enter. Spectators can enjoy some free hot chocolate, along with free chips and salsa from Moe's Southwest Grill. Polar Ice House also will offer mini-skating lessons for any age.
The N.C. Museum of History's
11th annual African American Cultural Celebration is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The free festival at the downtown Raleigh museum features more than 75 presenters, including well-known musicians, award-winning authors, storytellers, dancers, playwrights, re-enactors and others who will highlight the contributions of African Americans to North Carolina. Among them is
local mom and children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons, who will read from her new book Ellen's Broom at 2:30 p.m. The celebration also will salute the state's 11 historically black colleges and universities this year. The event kicks off with a performance from the Tryon Palace Jonkonnu drummers and Westover High School Drum Line percussion section.
Celebrate the year of the dragon at the Triangle Area Chinese American Society's eighth annual
Chinese New Year Festival at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. It's 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the fairgrounds' Exposition Center. Tickets are $5 in advance online and at some local businesses (check the website for details) and $8 at the door. Children 6 and under are admitted free. The event offers live performances, a showcase of the Triangle's best Chinese cultural talents, activities for kids, a variety of regional Chinese food, crafts and cultural exhibits. Hands-on activities include origami, games and Chinese yo-yo lessons.
Raleigh Little Theatre's Storytellers to Go! series has started to offer free shows of
"A Rollicking Tale of Blackbeard! Pirate of the Carolina Coast" around the region. This weekend, the group of teen actors will be performing at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Cameron Village Library in Raleigh. The one-hour show is best for kids ages 5 and up. The show explores the history of Blackbeard and the state's 18th century coastal history.
Southeast Regional Library in Garner will hold a
Special Friends Storytime for children with special needs. The storytime is designed for kids with special needs, age 2 to elementary level, and their families. Children who have a hard time sitting still are welcome. There will be stories, movement and music. The event listing notes that teenagers who are on an elementary level are welcome. It's 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday.
And the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham will hold one of its free
Nasher Family Days from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. Families can explore the museum together with gallery hunts and hands-on activities. Local children's theater group Rags to Riches will perform at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Activities are designed for kids ages 3 to 12 and their adults. All ages are welcome.
