Weekend Plans: Sesame Street Live, First Friday, Celebrate Fuquay-Varina, more

Public pools in the region continue to open. And be sure to check our list of free and cheap movies.

The PNC Arena in Raleigh will be packed with preschoolers for Sesame Street Live's Elmo's Super Heroes. The live show featuring Sesame Street characters stops at the arena for six shows Friday through Sunday. Tickets start around $12 for this family favorite.

It's the first Friday of the month, which means its First Friday in downtown Raleigh when museums, restaurants and galleries stay open late or offer special deals to encourage people to come downtown - and that includes families too. Among the special events, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will host a free screening of "The Wizard of Oz," starring Julie Garland at 7 p.m., Friday. And Marbles Kids Museum will stay open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, and feature monster truck painting, a giant paint pendulum and other activities, including a visit from Klausie's food truck.

The N.C. Symphony will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, at Southern village in Chapel Hill. Music director Grant Llewellyn will conduct.

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina runs this Friday and Saturday. The event begins with a free concert at 8 p.m. in historic Varina on Broad Street. The fun continues in downtown Fuquay from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, with live entertainment, an area for kids, a 5K, a BMX stunt show, arts and crafts, a classic car show and much more.

Watch "The Muppets" at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Rd. in Garner, at 8 p.m., Friday. Bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy this free outdoor movie. Refreshments will be for sale. Get there early for a good seat. UPDATE: The movie has been moved to Saturday night because of the expected bad weather and high winds on Friday.

The KidsWrite Performance Festival takes over Burning Coal Theatre in downtown Raleigh with performances Friday through Sunday. The fifth annual festival of new plays features works written by sixth to twelfth graders. This year, the festival will showcase the works of kids from Ligon Middle School, Leesville High School, Raleigh Charter School, Durham School of the Arts, and Green Hope High School. Shows are 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $10.

The Rex Hospital Open continues at TPC Wakefield Plantation in north Raleigh. The long-running event is a fundraiser for Rex Hospital and is on the PGA Tour's Nationwide Tour, featuring up and coming golfers. Tickets start at $10. Kids under the age of 16 are admitted free with an adult. The event includes some special family fun activities on Saturday including free snow cones. Military Appreciation Day is Sunday. All military are admitted free with proper ID.

Carolina Kinder will present a German Storytime from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, at Eva Perry Regional Library in Apex. It's best for kids ages 3 to 8 and their adults.

The 2012 APS Walk for the Animals is Saturday morning at Duke University's East Campus. The event includes contests, raffle, a 1.5 mile walk, Durham Sheriff's Department K-9 demonstrations and more.

Cary will host its Dog Days of June from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at Fred G. Bond Metro Park. The event includes a canine Frisbee disc competition and displays from local dog rescue groups and other vendors. You'll be able to do everything from adopt a new pet to get your own dog washed by members of Cary Teen Council. It's free. Leashed dogs are welcome.

And New Hope Valley Railway will be offering hour-long rides on its diesel and steam engines through southwestern Wake County. Departure times begin at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. It's best to get there at least 30 minutes before your desired departure time. There's plenty to see while you wait. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for kids ages 2 to 12.