Weekend Plans: Mardi Gras, Engineers Week, free theater, more

Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening on the family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more weekend activities.

It’s National Engineers Week! Marbles is celebrating with daily activities, including the Future Me Kids Fair from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, and the opening of “Dream Big 3D,” a movie that explores how engineers change the world.

Wake Forest celebrates Mardi Gras with an event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, on South White Street in downtown Wake Forest. The family-friendly street festival includes a walking parade, children’s activities and more. Admission is free.

The NC Interfaith Food Drive in honor of Deah, Yusor and Razan is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Islamic Association of Raleigh, 808 Atwater St. I featured two local parents behind the event, which honors the three college students who were killed two years ago in Chapel Hill. Bring your nonperishable food items to donate to the cause.

N.C. State Gymnastics will hold its Sweetheart Meet at 7:30 p.m, Saturday, at Reynolds Coliseum. The team will be competing against Kent State and George Washington universities. During the meet, the team will recognize breast cancer survivors. There also will be some activities for kids. Tickets are $7 and $5 for kids. I’ll have more about these meets on Go Ask Mom on Friday. These are a lot of fun for families.

Raleigh Little Theatre will present Soar! The Hero Pigeons of WWI at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh. The free show is 2 p.m., Saturday, and features teen actors from Raleigh Little Theatre’s Storytellers to Go program. The story commemorates the 100th anniversary of the United States entering WWI on April 6, 1917, by retelling the true story of Cher Ami, a carrier pigeon who became a war hero. The story is told from the pigeons' perspectives and is appropriate for ages five and older.

Triangle Rowing Club has a sneak peek week this week for middle school and high school students interested in the sport. Daily sessions are planned through Saturday. Seventh to 12th graders get a chance to check it out for free.

The Monkey Exchange consignment sale, featuring higher end, boutique clothing for kids, is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Raleigh.

N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will host a volunteer fair for teens ages 12 and up. It’s 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, at the downtown Raleigh museum's environmental conference center on the fourth floor of the Nature Research Center.

Fuquay-Varina FFA Community Day is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, at Fuquay-Varina Tractor Supply. The free event includes activities for kids, crafts, food trucks, a pallet sign board fundraiser and more.

Barnes & Noble stores in the region will mark Dr. Seuss’ birthday and the popular Lego Batman movie with activities this weekend. Check your local store for details. Events are free.

At Chapel Hill Public Library, Bright Star Theatre will present “George Washington Carver & Friends” from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Saturday. The free, fast-paced performance is best for preschoolers to fifth graders.