Weekend Plans: Wide Open Bluegrass, Marbles' 10th birthday, storytelling and dance festivals

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 peruse our fall fun database too as more pumpkin patches and corn mazes are opening this weekend. And, Take a Child Outside Week wraps up this weekend. Lots of related TACO activities are planned across the region.

Wide Open Bluegrass, a free festival, takes over downtown Raleigh Friday and Saturday. We have five places to check out if you’re going with kids.

Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh turns 10 on Friday and has special events planned all day - from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday.

Festifall takes over downtown Chapel Hill from noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. The free festival features all kinds of art, food, entertainment and activities, including some from Kidzu Children’s Museum, The Scrap Exchange, Tumble Gym and a giant Mega Mural.

Carolina Ballet continues its performances of “The Ugly Duckling” at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in Raleigh.

Author Kelly Starling Lyons will celebrate the launch of her new chapter book series for young readers - Jada Jones - with a party at 2 p.m., Saturday, at a party at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh's North Hills. Illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton will join in the fun to talk about her art. Lyons will talk about her stories. Both will take questions. There also will be a craft, refreshments and prizes donated by Gem Wagon Miners in Youngsville. The event is free, but, to get a book signed by Lyons and Brantley-Newton, you'll need to purchase either of the Jada Jones books from Quail Ridge to get a ticket for the signing line.

We have four consignment sales in the region in Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Cary and Chapel Hill.

A day-long Wake Forest Dance Festival starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, with an open technical rehearsal and continues through the day, wrapping up with a festival concert starting at 5 p.m. It’s at Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd., Wake Forest. It’s free. You’ll see national and regional professional dancers, along with local rising advanced dance performers.

Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio at North Hills will host an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday. The free event will include a magician, a visit from two animal rescue groups and, of course, a couple of cooking stations where kids can make treats. The Flour Power Kids Cooking Studio in North Hills is at 201 Park at North Hills St., Raleigh.

The 35th annual Wake County Storytelling Festival is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, at Historic Oak View County Park. The free event features nationally celebrated storytellers, music and a wagon shuttle. Food vendors will be on site. Bring a blanket or chair.

Circus 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus runs through Sunday at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The description: “Sensational puppetry puts elephants back in the ring as never seen before along with a huge cast of the most unique, amazing and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the world, from strong men to contortionists, acrobats to musicians, knife throwers, high wire and much more.” Seats start at $30 plus taxes and fees.

And a Children’s Business Fair is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, at Acton Academy Durham, 1201 W Woodcroft Pkwy, Durham. The fair will feature kid-owned businesses. It's a fantastic way to support young entrepreneurs.