Weekend Plans: Fireworks, insect hunt, kindergarten kickoff, more

Here’s your weekend family fun! As always, check WRAL.com's Out & About calendar for more weekend activities.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Dralion stops at the PNC Arena in Raleigh with shows Wednesday to Sunday. The show is a fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the Cirque du Soleil style. Tickets start at $28 plus fees for kids (at some shows).

North Hills in Raleigh will wrap up its Beach Music Series on Thursday with fireworks. The North Tower Band will play from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kids can dance on their very own dance floor. It’s all followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. North Hills gets very busy for the popular concert series. They say the best place to park is across Six Forks Road in the CapTrust Tower (on the Harris Teeter side).

The Museum of Life and Science offers one of its regular Black Light Insect Hunts from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday. I have not been to one of these events, but it’s definitely something I plan to go to when my kids are a bit older. Museum staff sets up black lights to attract insects to screens set up along its board walk. You can see all kinds of insects, including small and large beetles, moths and others. Bring a flashlight. The cost is $5 per person and $3 for kids under 10. You’ll need to call 919-220-5429, ext. 313 to reserve your spot before you go.

Kickoff to Kindergarten at Marbles Kids Museum is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. The event is free for new kindergartners and their families. Kids can board a real school bus, go through a pretend lunch line and take a PE class, among other activities. Read my earlier post for details.

The Paperhand Puppet Intervention’s 13th annual puppet pageant, called City of Frogs this year, continues this weekend with shows at the Forest Theatre in Chapel Hill. This massive production features live music, masks, stilt walkers, shadow puppets and more started last weekend. Performances are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus Labor Day, through Sept. 9 with some matinees and mostly evening showtimes. Suggested donations are $12 for adults and $8 for kids (though nobody is turned away for lack of funds). The show moves over to the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh on Sept. 14 to Sept. 16.

SmartMomma will hold its second storewide baby shower from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. There’s a Daddy Diaper Changing contest, thousands of dollars in giveaways and a one-day sale. Check the website for all the details.

In Fayetteville, Hugs & Kisses Consignment Sale runs Wednesday through Friday. Read my earlier post for more.

Meet the Blue Devils, an opportunity to meet players and staff from Duke’s football program, starts at 6 p.m., Saturday. It’s in Pascal Field House, which sits next to Wallace Wade Stadium. Fans can tour the new indoor practice facility and get autographs and photos with Duke players and staff. There will be free 2012 team posters to take home. Check the website for parking information and other details.

The third Carolina Classics at the Capital Car Show starts Friday afternoon in downtown Raleigh and continues to Sunday. The format is different this year. During the first two years, visitors could see classic cars parked along Fayetteville Street for free. This year, you will need a ticket to see the cars inside and in a special area outside the Raleigh Convention Center. Tickets to see all vehicles, vendors and exhibits are $10; $5 for children 6 to 12; and free for children under six. IN addition to many classic cars, the show will feature the stars of Lizard Lick Towing and include an assembly demonstration of a Model T Ford.

ArtSpace in downtown Raleigh will hold a Family Fun Day from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The event is held as a wrap up for its Summer Arts Program. But it also offers other activities for the public, including artist demonstrations, face painting, carnival treats and more. I will add that ArtSpace, a collection of artists galleries in City Market, is just a fun place to walk around with kids.

Wake Forest parks and the N.C. Coastal Pines Wake 13 Girl Scouts are celebrating the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary with a family movie night at Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, in Wake Forest. It begins at 8 p.m., Saturday, with a sing-a-long followed by a free showing of “Dolphin Tale” at 8:30 p.m. There will be free popcorn, along with food vendors selling snacks and drinks. The Girl Scouts will be collecting pet supplies. Tip: Get there early to get a good spot as viewing space is limited.

And to mark the running of the bulls, north Raleigh's LaFayette Village will have Spanish music and entertainment, along with other activities, from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday.