Mat 10th - May 16th 2012

by Pam & Michael Davison

Here comes another amazing Spring weekend just in time for Mother's Day. There are so many fun festivals and special Mother's Day events to choose from this weekend.

Mothers Day Events & Spring Concerts

Learn about North Carolina's rhododendrons and make a paper version to take home to Mom or Grandma during a Make It, Take It activity at the North Carolina Museum of History on Saturday afternoon. Spend Mother's Day weekend at Marbles Kids Museum with special activities on both Saturday and Sunday as well as free admission for mom to see the IMAX film, To the Arctic 3D. If you're too busy this weekend, this week is Target $2 Tuesday Night where Marbles stays open late and everyone gets in for $2. Honor your mother and Mother Nature by taking a Mothers May Day Hike at Historic Yates Mill County Park on Sunday. See what wildlife is out and about, and learn about the kinds of baby animals and their moms that call the park home. All moms get half-priced admission to the Natural Science Center of Greensboro with the purchase of a child"s ticket at regular price on Sunday.

Its time for Turtlefest! The annual festival at Bass Lake Park will feature a variety of live turtles, interactive exhibits, games, crafts and a children's art contest.

Its the fifth Annual Festival for Wildlife at Leigh Farm Park on Saturday. There will be live animals, live music, food, crafts, games, displays, and plenty more to entertain you for the entire day. The festival is a fundraiser for the Piedmont Wildlife Center and advanced tickets are available at a discounted price.

The State Fairgrounds offers a wide variety of events this weekend. There will be over 80 exhibitors buying, selling and trading at the Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia 3-Day Show. The AKC will be sponsoring a Mid Atlantic Hound Association Dog Show. And over at the Hunt Horse Complex, you are invited to come watch the NC Plantation Pleasure Walking Horse Tarheel Classic Horse Show.

Art Day at the North Carolina Museum of Art offers you the rare opportunity to bring your works of art to the museum to learn more about them, research artists and learn how to care for your artwork. Also on Saturday, this week's Family Fun Saturday event will explore color.

Buffaloe Road Athletic Park will host this year's Hershey's Track and Field Local Meet. The event is open to boys and girls ages 9-14.

Everyone is invited to the Raleigh City Museum for a living history presentation of The Ladies Wayside Hospital that was established in Raleigh during the Civil War. This program will also explore a number of soldier's aide societies as well as other contributions citizens of Raleigh made to the war effort.

Learn about the lives of Wake Forest's men and women from generations past on a Historic Wake Forest Cemetery Walking Tour. Docents will be stationed at various locations throughout the cemetery to share interesting stories about specific gravesites and representatives of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will be on hand to talk about soldiers who served in the War Between the States.

Durham's tobacco heritage will be explored through the stories and experiences of Durham residents on a Durham Tobacco Heritage Walking Tour Saturday morning.

Sunday kicks off Bear Awareness Week at the Museum of Life and Science. Join them all week to learn about bears and the issues they face.

Fun Starts Friday

Do you remember the 1987 dramedy, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles"? Well, the Cary Town Band will feature music about all those modes of transportation during a free concert at Bond Park.

Turtlefest is this Saturday at Bass Lake Park. The festivities start Friday afternoon with the kick off of the Turtlefest Art Contest.

Also at Bass Lake Park Friday night, Family Bingo promises to be a fun night of friendly competition for the whole family.

Yankovic Day is a free concert designed to bring polka fans together to hear the music of the late Frankie Yankovic in Downtown Cary. Pack a picnic, bring the family and come enjoy the fun for the 17th annual concert.

The Nature Ranger Cart, a traveling science cart in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Fridays provides creative adventures in addition to the beautiful flowers.

Art in the Evening at the North Carolina Museum of Art will feature the sounds of Ed Stephenson. You can also Join the Congregation and examine the work of South African artist Ledelle Moe. The featured flick will be the 1980 classic, 9 to 5, starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman.

The Apex Latino Arts Festival will take place in Downtown Apex on June 1st & 2nd. This Friday, they will mark the opening of the Latino Art Exhibit at the Halle Cultural Arts Center with a Gallery Reception.

Fuquay will be buzzing Friday night with Art After Dark , a Movie Under the Stars and the Fuquay Cruisers.

Downtown Wake Forest will come alive with food, merchants and music during Friday night's Art After Hours.

Music Maker Relief Foundation Blues Revue on Friday night at the American Tobacco Campus Amphitheatre will feature Piedmont Blues legends Captain Luke, Cool John and John Dee Holeman.

Getting Out to the Parks

You early risers are invited to go Birding with Vernon Saturday morning at Lake Crabtree County Park. While you're there, check out the Triangle Model Yacht Club.

The CAST program for kids is back at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Join them Saturday mornings for basic fishing instruction.

Eno River State Park also starts Saturday morning with some Birdwatching and rounds out the afternoon with an open house at the Historic Piper Cox House. Take a short hike Sunday afternoon with the Naturalist to look for Lichens.

Celebrate National Garden Month by making your own Terrarium at Crowder District Park.

Join a park Ranger at at William B. Umstead State Park to learn about Hiking in the Park and how to navigate through the park. You will discuss hiking safety tips and take a short walk in the park.

Join an arborist on a stroll through the Walnut Creek Wetland and learn how to do Summer Tree ID.

Bring your mom on a Spring Hike with the Eno River Association. Come enjoy the spectacular blooming rhododendron and mountain laurel.