Weekend Plans: Cirque du Soleil, finding Waldo, theater and dance for kids, more

As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar and our Summer Fun Guide for more ideas. And don’t forget that Waldo, the classic search-and-find character, is hiding at businesses across Raleigh. Read my earlier post about that. My kids and I had a blast finding the little guy last week. He's also hiding in Orange and Durham counties.

Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam begins shows at the PNC Arena in Raleigh Wednesday. The show is here through Sunday. Quidam, Cirque’s classic hit, “takes you on the journey of a young girl's escape into the imagination” and features the company’s classic aerobatics and athleticism. There are family four pack deals and special pricing for kids ages 2 to 12.

Saturday is the second Saturday of the month and that means that historic sites and state museums across North Carolina are hosting special events that are mostly free. It’s a great opportunity to visit your local state historic site or make a day trip. A sampling of the events includes a focus on summertime fun and old fashioned games at Bentonville Battlefield in Johnston County; a day focusing on North Carolina food at Duke Homestead in Durham; and a celebration of African-American influences on music at Historic Stagville.

The American Dance Festival’s children’s matinees wrap up for the season with a 1 p.m., Saturday, performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The show features the Paul Taylor Dance Company. After the hour-long performance, there’s a party in the DPAC lobby with activities and snacks. Tickets are $15.

Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre, about 30 minutes west of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, kicked off its 40th season last week and features several shows for families. They include two historical shows, The Sword of Peace and Pathway to Freedom, and two family shows, Sleeping Beauty and The Ugly Duckling. Both historical shows are scheduled for this Friday or Saturday. The Ugly Duckling is scheduled for Saturday. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for kids under 12 for the historical shows. All tickets for the children’s shows are $5. You also can make reservations to have lunch with characters from The Ugly Duckling on Saturday. 

Downtown Hillsborough offers a family fun day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. These special days are held on the second Saturday of the month from June to September. You’ll find guided history tours, children’s activities, a farmers’ market, shopping and more. You can start at the Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, where you can pick up a passport to track the places you visit in town. A sampling of the activities: It’s cupcake day at the Eno River farmers’ market and the Burwell School Historic Site has free tours.

Logan’s Trading Company, the nursery near downtown Raleigh (with a yummy little cafe too), is having a big sale this Saturday. As part of that, the store is holding Wipe Out from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a free family-friendly event with a bounce house water slide, cool treats, water games and more. Kids are encouraged to wear their bathing suits.

Alpha & Omega 5K with superhero training for kids is in Cary on Saturday. Read my earlier post for more information.

Saturday is Tomato Day at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market. Sample some of the more than 70 varieties at the market, along with tomato dishes from Acme and Pazzo. It starts at 8:30 a.m., Saturday. There’s also a raffle from local businesses with prizes totaling more than $850.

Southpoint 17 in Durham will offer a sensory friendly screening of “Despicable Me 2” for families affected by autism. Read my earlier post for details. It’s 10 a.m., Saturday.