Weekend Plans: Art in Bloom, Mickey, festivals, Family Sundae

Here’s hoping for a gorgeous spring weekend. There’s plenty to do. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About section for more weekend activities.

Egg hunts really start next weekend, but we have some activities this weekend, including lots of opportunities to meet with the Easter Bunny at local malls. Our Easter events database has more information. (There’s also an Easter tea party in Raleigh).

Art in Bloom takes over the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh. The four-day festival runs from Thursday through Sunday and showcases 45 floral masterpieces created by world-class floral designers. The festival includes a slate of family activities, which are required with admission to the festival. They include a scavenger hunt, storytime, walks and more.

Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show stops at the Durham Performing Arts Center this weekend. The show, which runs about two hours with a 15-minute intermission, features lots of Disney characters. Shows are 7 p.m., Friday, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday. Tickets start at $25.

Nearly 5,000 reenactors will be at Bentonville Battlefield this weekend for the Bentonville Battlefield Civil War 150th Anniversary commemoration. The state historic site in Johnston County is expected to draw as many as 60,000 people for daily battles, period music, lectures, displays and more. Tickets to watch the battles are required. They are limited and cost $10 for kids 9 to 12 and $15 for adults. Children 8 and under are free. It's free to see the other activities.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” continues at Raleigh Little Theatre through Sunday with several shows this weekend.

Marbles Kids Museum’s IMAX theater will host a screening of “Humpback Whales 3D” on Sunday for kids who want to participate in its Kid Critic Challenge. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

Wake Forest will hold its annual Arbor Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Joyner Park amphitheater, 701 Harris Rd. The day features a tree seedling giveaway and Arbor Day Expo. An Arbor Day ceremony is set for 11 a.m. The day also includes a soccer demonstration by Soccer Genome, urban beekeeping information and the release of a rehabilitated hawk into the wild. For kids, there will be various art activities and a raffle prize drawing.

Northgate Mall and the Durham Arts Council are planning the fourth annual Children’s Festival, which runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, at the mall in Durham. The free event includes food, entertainment and vendors specializing in children’s activities. Performers will be on stage from 11:20 a.m. to 3 p.m. Throughout the mall, you’ll find more music, face painters, fairy hair, a ride on the mall’s carousel and storytimes and programs at the mall’s Discovery Nook. Attendees are eligible to register to win great door prizes throughout the day.

We have a couple of consignment sales this weekend in Raleigh and Chapel Hill.

With categories like best crash and best tangle, anybody can win Cary’s annual Kite Festival at Bond Park. It starts at 12:30 p.m, Friday, and includes the contest, along with kite flying tips and help mending kites. There’s also music, concessions and other activities. It’s free and open to the public. You don’t have to participate in the contest. The public is welcome to just watch all the fun or join in.

The Museum of Life and Science is marking Brain Awareness Week with special activities in its lab from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., through Saturday. They are free with museum admission. The Duke Institute for Brain Sciences also has a free family-friendly tour of the Levine Science Research Lab, 308 Research Dr., Durham, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, with demos and activities for kids.

The second annual Durham County Storytelling Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. It’s free and open to the public. The festival will feature performances by storytellers Willa Brigham, Alan Hoal, Ron Jones, Louise Omoto Kessel, Cynthia Raxter and Brian Sturm. There's also crafts, a “tattoo parlor,” story booth, family storytelling workshop, refreshments and other family activities.

Keep Durham Beautiful hosts Connect with the Creek from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at Durham Central Park. The afternoon includes a parade with Bulltown Strutters, scavenger hunt, cistern auction, creek murals, children's activities, and more.

Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill offers one of its family days from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Families can take part in activities such as Ackland Art Bingo, Art in a Jar puzzles, crafts and guided tours. It’s free and open to all ages.

CAM Raleigh in downtown Raleigh will host its first Family Sundae of the year from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday. The event includes an interactive ice cream sundae bar, an all-ages creation station and guided tours from middle school docents. It’s free with the price of admission. Kids 10 and under are free. General admission is $5.

Added: A reader shares that the Kennel Club Dog Show at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh this weekend also is a lot of fun for families. Registered dogs will compete in dog shows and obedience and rally trials. Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 7 to 12 and senior citizens. Kids under 7 are free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. And if dogs aren't your thing, the reader points out there is a cat show at the fairgrounds as well from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6; $4 for seniors and students; and $3 for kids ages 3 to 12.