Weekend Plans: Sing to Sound of Music, N.C. sports celebration, more

School's out (at least for many traditional calendar and private school students). Be sure to check our public pools database, summer fun guide and free and cheap summer movie list, which includes outdoor, evening movie series. It's also time to sign up for summer reading programs.

Sing-a-Long-A Sound of Music returns to Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Friday. Watch the classic movie starring Julie Andrews and sing along (subtitles included on the big screen). If you're crafty, pull down those curtains and whip them up into a fancy dress for a competition. Everyone in costume will be invited on stage. (Fancy dress is not required, but definitely a lot of fun!) Gates open at 7 p.m. The movie starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 2 to 12. A family four-pack, which is not available on the day of the event, is $25.

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is kicking off its Second Saturdays summer series, which features mostly free events at historic sites and museum's across the state on the second Saturday in June, July and August, beginning this Saturday. These provide great opportunities to explore our local historic sites or take a day trip. For a full list of all of the Second Saturday events this weekend, click here.

The N.C. Museum of History showcases the history of North Carolina sports with a free event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The event at the downtown Raleigh museum will take a look at how sports has changed over the years and feature opportunities to play now. Local sports teams will be there, along with lots of activities for kids. There's a scavenger hunt at the museum's N.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Read my earlier post for details.

Historic Stagville in Durham offers the annual Juneteenth Festival & Lantern Tours from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday. Juneteenth is considered to be the date the last slaves were free. Stagville will have free music, vendors, demonstrations, crafts, games and food. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Bare Theater will offer Lantern Tours of Stagville's original slave quarters. The company will reenact North Carolina slave stories. Tickets are $10. Registration is recommended. Because of the nature of the narratives, the program *is not* recommended for young children.

The State Capitol in downtown Raleigh will host a living history event to show what life was like for Civil War-era Raleigh residents during the summer of 1862. It's from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 9. The free event includes a recreated Confederate post office, reeanactors and costumed interpreters demonstrating how women helped during the war effort, including knitting, sewing, bandage rolling and more.

And Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site in Johnston County will focus on camp life and the role of Civil War enlisted man during a free event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Historians in period dress will demonstrate how Union and Confederate soldiers made meals, maintained weapons and uniforms, and trained for battle.

Curious George will spend Saturday at Northgate Mall in Durham with free shows. He'll also visit with kids and ride Northgate's Mini Express Train. Read my earlier post for more information.

Marbles Kids Museum will have a special Marbles Day at the Carolina Mudcats game Friday at 7:15 p.m. Kids ages 3 to 12, military and seniors get tickets for $5; tickets for adults are $7.50 (regular price: $10). You'll sit with other Marbles fans in reserved box seats. Buy your ticket at Marbles and a portion of the sales will benefit the museum. Future Marbles Days at the Mudcats are July 31 and Aug. 25. Marbles also will have a Green Energy Workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The workshop, which does not require reservations, explores renewable energy sources. Click here for information about both events.

Carrboro Craft Market, a monthly gathering on Main Street in downtown Carrboro, will have crafts, antiques, prepared food and other items for sale. You'll find live music and a tent with a craft for kids. It's 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is Saturday morning at Meredith College. There's still time to register for the event, which includes events for kids.

The Raleigh City Museum holds its Back to the Beach Book Sale. Find books for as little as 25 cents. Read my earlier post for details.

Historic Oak View County Park, which is a wonderful place to visit, will host Jazz in the Park from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday. The park has partnered with Shaw University Radio (WSHA 88.9 FM) to present the live jazz concert featuring the Raleigh Jazz Orchestra and jam session at the park, which has plenty of open spaces for kids to dance, play and explore. Area musicians are invited to bring their instruments and play. Pack a picnic and a blanket. Sit under the park's more than 100 pecan trees and enjoy the music.

And Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Precious Lambs Early Learning Center, 1100 Newton Rd., Raleigh, will host a Kid's Clothing Exchange this week. Bring clothing or shoes to exchange or donate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday or Friday (it began Wednesday). For each item donated, parents will receive a ticket. On Saturday, parents can use their tickets to take that number of new items for their children. No money is exchanged - only clothing and shoes.