Weekend Plans: State Fair, Track or Treat, International Fest, Pete the Cat

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.

Also … be sure to check our fall fun database too for pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses and other special events.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention with guest artists The Rusted Rails will perform at the fourth annual Halloween Spooktacular from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, at Northgate Mall in Durham. It’s free and open to the public.

Also, New Hope Valley Railway’s Track or Treat starts up this weekend with departures that begin at 2:45 p.m., Saturday, and run until 7:45 p.m. This is fun for all ages - though it gets spookier as the sun goes down so bring young or easily spooked kids to the day-time rides. Tickets are $15.

Of course, the N.C. State Fair runs through Sunday in west Raleigh. Our State Fair guide for families has lots of practical information if you’re taking kids and highlights some free, fun and educational activities when you need a break from the rides and food.

Raleigh Little Theatre’s “Grace for President,” a musical version of the popular picture book about a girl who realizes that a woman hasn’t served as president yet, continues with shows through Sunday at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.

Carolina Ballet’s production of “Sleepy Hollow” at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh continues through Oct. 29.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid stops at the Durham Performing Arts Center through Sunday (though tickets are VERY limited for this show).

The Poe Center for Health Education opens its doors and playground to the public for Poe Fest from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The center is on Sunnybrook Road not far from WakeMed near downtown Raleigh.

The 32nd International Festival is at the Raleigh Convention Center Friday through Sunday. You’ll find all kinds of music, demonstrations, food, vendors, activities and more. A special “children’s corner” includes activities for kids. Tickets are between $5 and $15.

In Cary, Kids Together Playground's annual fall foliage stroll is 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday. Take a guided tour of the trees, shrubs and flowers at the park and create some art using plant materials collected during the tour. It’s free. Refreshments are included.

At 2 p.m., Saturday, children's author Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton will celebrate another launch of their book series called Jada Jones. It takes place at Richard B. Harrison Library in Raleigh, which actually gets a mention in the first book in the series, “Jada Jones: Rock Star.” Gem Wagon Miners will also be there so kids can learn a bit about rocks. Registration is requested.

Theatreworks USA will present “Pete the Cat,” at 3 p.m., Sunday, at N.C. State’s Stewart Theatre. Tickets are $12. The show follows the character of the popular picture book series.

Carve a pumpkin alongside the steady hands of a WakeMed pediatric surgeon during Operation Pumpkin, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. This event is free with museum admission. All participants receive a free pumpkin (while supplies last).

Historic Stagville in Durham will host its Harvest Festival from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday. The festival explores the season with games, music, food, crafts, vendors, mule cart rides and hands-on activities for all ages. It's $5 per person or $15 per family.

Midtown Pumpkin Palooza at North Hills’ Midtown Park is 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 to 14; and $20 for families. The afternoon includes a Halloween costume contest, smartphone scavenger hunt, kid zone, beer garden, music and more. The fundraiser benefits Teen Cancer America.

And Sharon Baptist Church, 116 Britt St., Smithfield, will host a Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunday. It’s free. Truck-or-Treat happens from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.