Weekend Plans: Soccer, baseball, outdoor movies

It’s the middle of summer and there’s always a bit of a lull in big events - what with the hot weather, vacation plans and pool time. But there's plenty to keep families busy. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About section and our Summer Break Guide for more ideas. Don't forget: Fuquay-Varina's new splash pad is open. Admission is free. It's open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily, through Labor Day.

We have a couple of opportunities for an outdoor movie this weekend. At Knightdale Station Park, “Night at the Museum” will start around 8:45 p.m., Friday. Concessions will be for sale. Picnics are allowed. The movie is free (but bring your lawn chairs or blankets!).

And Raleigh Little Theatre’s outdoor summer movie series will feature “Charlotte’s Web” on Sunday, along with a pet adoption event with Second Chance Pet Adoptions. The movie will start around 8:30 p.m. Pre-show activities start at 7:30 p.m. It’s free! Concessions will be for sale, but you can bring your own food too. Don’t forget blankets and chairs.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill has a special Pluto-themed version of its Carolina Skies star show on Sunday to celebrate the New Horizons fly-by. The museum also has a new Peek at Pluto presentation, part of its Science 360 programs, which combines discussion by a Morehead educator with photos, graphics and other visuals of the dwarf planet. It's about 30 minutes and is free (the usual ticket fee applies to Sunday's Carolina Skies show). This summer, Peak at Pluto is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m., Sundays. It's best for ages 10 and up.

Holly Springs-based Screaming Owl, an online boutique for women and children, will host a factory sale. The sale is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, at The Meeting Corner, 135 South Main St. in Fuquay-Varina, featuring samples, overstocks and irregular items. I’m told nothing will be more than $10.

American Idol Live stops at the Durham Performing Arts Center for a show at 7:30 p.m., Sunday. Tickets start around $50 for this one, which features the top 5 winners from last season’s show.

Mardi Gras Bowling in Chapel Hill will host a Clean Comedy Open Mic Night at 5 p.m., Sunday. It’s designed for all ages. Comics get three minutes of stage time. Participation is free and open to all ages. Audience admission is $5 at the door or free with the purchase of a snack bar combo meal.

And we have plenty of opportunities to catch a game this weekend. Both the Carolina Mudcats in Zebulon and the Durham Bulls have home games with fireworks planned after some of the games. During Saturday’s games, the Mudcats will be giving away snow globes to the first 1,200 kids ages 14 and under as part of a Christmas in July promotion. And the Carolina RailHawks will play at home in Cary on Saturday. A pre-game Pig Pickin Festival is set for 5:30 p.m. Tickets to the festival, which does not include a ticket to the game, are $12 for under 21 and $17 for everybody else.