Go Ask Mom
15 family-friendly activities for weekend of May 17 to May 19
The weekend includes three major festivals - Got to Be NC, Artsplosure and the Bimbe.
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By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor
Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening on the family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more ideas.
What’s up this weekend for families?
It’s strawberry season! Check our database for pick-your-own farms in the area.
And here’s more family fun …
Raleigh
The Got to Be NC Festival takes over the NC State Fairgrounds this Friday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free for this event, which is a bit like a mini-fair. We have tips if you’re taking kids.
And Artsplosure is Saturday and Sunday in downtown Raleigh, featuring all kinds of art, music and hands-on activities. We have the rundown in the post below.
Molly the fire safety dog will be at Marbles Kids Museum as part of its screenings of "Superpower Dogs 3D" at its IMAX theater this Saturday and Sunday. Get tickets for the movie and get an opportunity to learn more about fire safety from Molly.
Historic Oak View County Park’s Barnyard Bash is 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 18, at the Wake County park. The free event celebrates the park’s popular goats and their birthdays and includes games, activities and cake.
And the NC Museum of Art will host a Family Day of Artful Play from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18. The event includes working artists, toys, games and more. It's free, but tickets are required.
Durham
The Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival will mark its 50th anniversary this year with music, crafts, art, ethnic food and more from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 18, at Rock Quarry Park. It's free and includes a Family Fun Zone for kids.
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University will host a free family day from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 19. The free afternoon includes hands-on projects and gallery hunts.
Growga's Mindful May series at the American Tobacco Campus continues this weekend with yoga and mindfulness for families with kids ages 3 and up. It's free. It starts at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 18.
And, for those 18 and up, Polka Dot Mama will attempt to set a Guinness Book of World Record for “largest skin cancer screening” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 18, at Duke Health Center at Southpoint. You can sign up in advance or just show up on Saturday. The day also will include food trucks, giveaways, massages for participants and more. Skin screenings are free, regardless if you have insurance or not.
Chapel Hill
Bloom Fest is 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at 140 West Plaza. The new festival celebrates all things spring with arts and science activities, performances, and floral displays. The event is a collaboration between We Sense, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, the Town of Chapel Hill’s Community Arts & Culture Division, and other community partners.
Ackland Art Museum's Family and Friends Sunday will have a flower frenzy theme. It's 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 19. You'll get to draw flowers, make flower sculptures and join in a flower-themed scavenger hunt.
Kidzu Children's Museum's Superhero Smash Family Bash is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 18. Tickets are $35 per family and include pizza, crafts and other special activities.
Apex
Kids can explore all kinds of vehicles at the town's Touch-A-Truck event at Apex Community Park. It's free and runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 19. A horn-free hour is 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Carrboro
The ArtsCenter hosts family-friendly improv from Transactors Improv from 6 pm. to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 18. "Sum-Sum-Summertime" is a show all about long days, sandy feet, fireflies, and barbecues. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids.
Cary
Kids also can get up close with trucks and vehicles of all kinds and see even more at Cary's Wheels on Academy. It's 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18, on South Academy Street. The car show includes a celebration of public safety vehicles and a touch-a-truck area.
Morrisvlle
SpringFest is 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 18, along Town Hall Drive. There will be entertainment, midway games, rides, food trucks and live music. Admission is free, but you'll need money for the food and activities.
New Hill
The Longleaf Festival is at Harris Lake County Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18. Learn more about the longleaf pine and its importance to North Carolina. It's free.
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