Weekend Plans: 'Space Spectacular,' Fresh Fest, food truck rodeo, more

Here’s what’s happening on the weekend family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more ideas.

For public pools, check our public pool database. More are opening this weekend. And check our Summer Break Toolbox for details about lots of summer events, including 41 free summer break ideas for families.

N.C. Symphony’s Summerfest series at Booth Amphitheater in Cary continues with a “A Space Spectacular” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday. I’ll be there with Mix 101.5’s Two Men and Mom to emcee the event. Tickets are free for kids 12 and under. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. when you can take a picture with Star Wars characters and try some instruments in the Instrument Zoo.

North Carolina's own Sarah Dessen, an award-winning winner author with a long list of New York Times bestsellers, will stop at Quail Ridge Books with her new book, "Once and For All," best for ages 12 and up. The event is at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the book store. This is a signing line ticket event, which means it's free to attend the reading and hear Dessen's talk, but you'll need to buy a copy of her new book from Quail Ridge to get a ticket to meet her and get the book signed. Here's a quick description of her new book, published by Viking Books for Young Readers, courtesy of Quail Ridge: "'Once and For All' features her trademark humor and romance to perfection, as Louna's summer job as a wedding planner assistant throws her into the 'happily ever after' world she no longer believes in."

And, another acclaimed North Carolina author, Jean Claude Bemis, will celebrate the release of his latest book, "Lord of Monsters," the second in his Out of Abaton series, published by Disney-Hyperion. The release party is from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the Eno River Farmers' Market Pavilion in Hillsborough. There will be music, giveaways, refreshments, entertainment, reading and signing. Books will be for sale from Purple Crow Books or you can bring your own copies to get autographed, according to Bemis' website. The book is best for kids ages 8 to 12 or, generally, third grade to seventh grade.

Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh will host Fresh Fest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. Celebrate fresh produce, pollinators and local products. Visitors will learn from community members who plant, grow, prepare and deliver food from farm to table. It’s free with admission, which is $5 per person.

Garner will host an outdoor movie and camping Friday night at Lake Benson Park. The movie - the PG-rated "Moana" - is free and starts around 8:30 p.m., Friday. Pre-registration is required if you want to camp overnight, which requires a fee. Concessions will be available for purchase.

A pop-up cat cafe to raise awareness of the planned Purr Cup Cafe is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, at Read With Me, the new children’s bookstore in downtown Raleigh. A special 1:30 p.m. storytime is planned.

Select Sitters will host another babysitter speed dating event from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, at SnickerDoodles, 3721 Lynn Rd., north Raleigh. Registration is required.

Peter Pan, Wendy and Hook will stop at Northgate Mall in Durham for an anti-bullying workshop that benefits the Family Exchange Center, which works to prevent child abuse and neglect. It’s 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at the mall’s center court. Activities include coloring sheets and easy games for early birds, a Peter Pan-themed crocodile ring toss, walk the plank pirate style game, and photo opportunities. Donations are encouraged.

“Finding Patience: The Story of Holly Springs” continues its run at the Holly Springs Cultural Center with a show Saturday and more from June 12 to June 17. Based on the history of the town, Finding Patience uncovers the roots of Holly Springs from the Civil War to the present day. Tickets are $18.65.

New Hope Valley Railway has rides and ice cream on Sunday for Slow Down Sunday. Rides are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are between $7 and $10 and include an hour-long ride aboard the railway’s open-air train.

Lumina Theatre in Chapel Hill will feature an outdoor screening of “Men in Black,” around 8:40 p.m., Saturday. The PG-13 movie is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. It’s free.

And downtown Raleigh hosts a food truck rodeo with lots of trucks from noon to 7 p.m., Sunday, along Fayetteville Street. Admission is free.