Weekend Plans: Letterland, Rex Open, Public Safety Day, festivals, more

Here’s what’s happening on the family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more great ideas and our strawberry farm database if you’re looking for some fresh berries.

Pullen Park will turn into Letterland from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The park near downtown Raleigh will feature characters from the popular early literacy program, along with lots of other activities for preschoolers, young grade schoolers and their families. The event is free. (Tickets are, as usual, $1 each for Pullen’s amusement rides).

The Rex Hospital Open runs through Sunday at TPC Wakefield Plantation in north Raleigh. This year, 156 professional golfers from around the world are competing as part of their quest for status on the PGA Tour. Proceeds will benefit the new North Carolina Heart & Vascular Hospital, which is under construction at UNC Rex's main Raleigh campus. Daily grounds tickets are $10. Kids 16 and under can attend for free. Competition begins at 8 a.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And Saturday is family day, presented by the Carolina Hurricanes. They'll have free snow cones, face painting, putting, bounce houses, rock climbing and a photo booth. Some Hurricanes players will be signing autographs and hanging out with the kids. You'll also find music and food trucks.

Kids will get an all access pass at the Junior League of Raleigh's first Touch-a-Truck event this weekend. It's 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at the Julia Jones Daniels Center for Community Leadership, 711 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Tickets are $5 or $15 for a family of four. Kids under 2 are free.

Legacy Repertory Company has multiple performances of "The Little Mermaid" at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, including a special free performance for people with special needs and their families on Friday.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosts a teen science night all about antibiotic resistance starting at 5:30 p.m., Friday. A free skywatching session is 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, at Jordan Lake State Park. (Just check Morehead’s website for up-to-date weather information and directions).

LoneRider Brewing Company will host a fundraiser for an Odyssey of the Mind team from Sycamore Creek Elementary School. The team is raising money toward its trip to the OM world championship in Iowa later this month. The event is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, at the brewery, 8816 Gulf Ct., Raleigh. The evening includes a large silent auction.

Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater will screen the movie “Rio” at dusk, Friday. It is free and open to the public. Be sure to bring chairs and a blanket if it gets chilly. A concession stand and food trucks will be open for business.

From noon to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Ritmo Latino will take over downtown Cary. The free family festival includes Latino music, dance and arts. Activities for kids include storytimes, bounce houses and more.

Also in Cary, on Sunday, Public Safety Day is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m., on West Chatham Street between Academy Street and Harrison Avenue. Meet town of Cary police and fire crews, explore public safety vehicles, watch K9 demonstrations and learn about the town’s safety initiatives. There also will be a Kids Fun Zone and food trucks.

Tickets are still available for Marbles’ Superhero Power Party on Saturday.

TurtleFest is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, at Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs. There will be exhibits, crafts, games and more. It’s free.

And Morrisville hosts its SpringFest from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, on Town Hall Drive. Midway games, rides, live music and food trucks are planned. Admission is free, but there will be a charge for the games and food trucks.

Cary’s Applause! Youth Theatre will present “Lyle the Crocodile” with shows Friday through Sunday at the Cary Arts Center. A description from the show’s website: “Lyle the friendly crocodile turns up in a New York City apartment bathtub and becomes instant friends with everyone - except for mean Mr. Grumps, who hates Lyle, parades, people, and pretty much everything. Finally, even Mr. Grumps learns not to judge others by how different they may seem, but instead to love people (and crocodiles) for what they are.” Advance tickets are between $5 and $10.

There’s the Fam-Jam YMCA event from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, at University Place in Chapel Hill. The afternoon includes games, food trucks, live music and information about all of the Y’s programs.

In Durham, the Scrap Exchange will host one of its free Scrappy Crafternoons from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Space is limited. Best for ages 16 and up. Kids 8 and up can attend with an adult. Bring a project or learn a new skill with help from one of the Scrap Exchange’s teaching artists or community members.