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Weekend Plans: Legos, Star Wars, dinos and deals

Check out the latest from Lego Games, shop the massive Kids Exchange, take in the dinosaurs at Dino Days and more family fun this weekend.

Posted Updated
Star Wars in Concert
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Your weekend family fun ...

Check out the latest from Lego Games. The Lego Games Summer Tour is making a stop in downtown Raleigh's Moore Square (across from Marbles Kids Museum) from Friday through Sunday and will feature 10 new Lego Games, a mix of traditional board games and Lego building. You can play against other families and win lots of prizes. There's even a chance to win a trip to LEGOLAND Park in California. It's 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
The massive Kids Exchange consignment sale at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (when items are 50 percent off). The Kids Exchange kicks off the 2010 fall/winter sale season. Check our full consignment sale list for all the places you can find great deals on kids clothing, gear and toys.
Dino Days takes over the Museum of Life and Science in Durham Saturday and Sunday. The event celebrates the one-year anniversary of the museum's popular dinosaur trail. Collectors from the North Carolina Fossil Club will be on hand, along with paleontology experts and Buddy from UNC-TV's Dinosaur Train. Lots of hands-on activities and more. It's 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Most activities are free with admission to the museum.
The third annual Canes Summer Fun Fest is at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the RBC Center in Raleigh. The event, with free admission and parking, includes guest speakers from the team, live music, inflatables, sledding on snow, giveaways, discounted concessions and the showing of a classic Hurricanes game. You can roam the arena and pick out your seats for next season too.
The Scrap Exchange in Durham is hosting a Friends & Family Show in its Green Gallery, a showcase of "upcycling" artists. It includes some pieces created by kids. A reception is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday with free make-n-take activities for kids (and adults) and a brass band.
It's Tomato Day at the Carrboro Farmers Market starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. The event includes tomato facepainting for kids, live music and lots of tomatoes. Learn all about how the tomato was first considered a weed as it spread from Aztec developments and the Americas until it was domesticated in Mexico. There will be recipes, trivia and a special tasting of three dishes, along with samples of cherry tomatoes. Yum.
Learn all about butterflys at a special event at the Western Wake Farmers' Market in Cary. Suzanne Tilton, the Butterfly Lady, will talk about what to plant in your garden to attract butterflies and caterpillars and why butterflies are important. See butterflies in their various stages of growth. Kids will enjoy the live butterfly release at 11:30 a.m.
The American Dance Festival wraps up its Children's Matinees with a 1 p.m. Saturday performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The event is followed by a free Family Day at the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. See live entertainment with the Paperhand Puppet Intervention, make crafts with the Scrap Exchange and try African dance and a drum workshop. (You don't have to go to the matinee to attend the free event at the Nasher).
Carolina McAlister will stop by Quail Ridge Books & Music on Wade Avenue in Raleigh at 2 p.m. Saturday with her picture book "Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief," a legend of old Italy with a ruthless nobleman, a young man who'll risk his life for love, and brave Donatella, who'll do the same. Best for kids ages 5 and up.
Star Wars: In Concert takes over the RBC Center with shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. You'll see scenes from all six Star Wars films projected onto the big screen, with a live orchestra and chorus playing the soundtrack. It's all narrated by Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in all six films. And there's an exhibit with Star Wars art, costumes and more. In other words, if you're a Star Wars fan, this is for you. Tickets start at $25.
Marbles Kids Museum will offer a preview of the N.C. Theatre's production of Annie at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. The full production begins July 24 at Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts. The event at Marbles is free with admission.

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