Weekend Plans: Science, flowers, baseball and more

It’s a big weekend with lots of activities, so let’s get to it. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for even more activities for families this weekend.

The N.C. Science Festival kicks off this Friday, launching dozens of events across the state over the next couple of weeks. Many of these events are free and inexpensive. This weekend, they include skywatching parties, the UNC Science Expo in Chapel Hill and New Hope Valley Railway’s Engineering STEAM events. Lots going on!

On Friday, the Raleigh Little Theatre opens its run of Charlotte’s Web, a stage production based on the classic book. Tickets are on sale now and some shows are getting pretty full! The show runs through April 17.

The N.C. Museum of Art’s second Art in Bloom is a four-day festival celebrating flowers and art. The event includes several activities for families, including a scavenger hunt, workshop and interactive tour. It runs through Sunday.

It’s time for baseball! The Durham Bulls launch its season on Thursday with games all weekend. (Another congrats to Wool E. Bull for being named best minor league mascot!). This weekend, the games include fireworks on Thursday and Friday and kids run the bases on Sunday. (Opening night for the Carolina Mudcats in Zebulon is April 14).

The Streets at Southpoint in Durham will host a driving simulator so drivers can find out how distracted they actually are when they text and drive. The simulator will be at the mall from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday. It’s free.

Frog Fest is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, at Crowder District Park in Apex. The free event designed for all ages focuses on frogs and clean water. The day includes crafts, games, live music, food trucks and opportunities to meet and greet frogs and reptiles.

Live & Local: Earth Day 2016 is 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, at Compiegne Park, just off the 2300 block of Hillsborough Street. The free event includes music, a kids zone, bouncy houses, food trucks and environmental workshops.

Park Village West’s Spring Fling is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, in The District, which is located in front of Stone Theatres at Park West Village, 3113 Market Center Dr. The event includes an inflated mega-slide, climbing rock wall, a trackless train circulating The District, field day games, bouncy house, free face painting, a free petting zoo, all set to live music from local band Four Founders.

Schoolhouse of Wonder will host the Brumley Forest Family Fun Day and Orange County Camp Parent Orientation from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, at the Brumley Forest Nature Preserve, 3223 New Hope Church Road, Chapel Hill. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., take part in activities such as primitive fire making. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., parents can ask staff more about Schoolhouse of Wonder’s camps. This event is free, but spaces are limited. RSVP by emailing schoolhouse@schoolhouseofwonder.org.

The Carolina Youth Ballet will present “Cinderella” at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in Raleigh. Talented dance students present the fairytale ballet, complete with beautiful costumes, backdrops, and a magical carriage to transport Cinderella to the ball. All ages. Purchase tickets online. Tickets start at $12. It’s 3:30 p.m., Saturday.

And, a note: If you didn’t get a ticket for the Birthday Party for Addy at Historic Stagville in Durham, the slots are full. There is now a wait list for both events. Historic Stagville was once home to Mary Walker, a slave who Addy, the American Girl doll character, was based on.