ParkGeek.com is also on Facebook! "Like" ParkGeek and let us know where all your adventures take you while we keep you up to date on the latest and greatest events throughout the Triangle. The weekly newsletter is posted there as well as daily updates of fun things to do all week long.

 

Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr Day and there are several observances here in the Triangle.

 

The Paige Walker Arts & History Center will host the annual Women of Action Gathering Friday evening as part of Cary's MLK, Jr. Dreamfest events. Keynote Speaker, Dr. Gloria Ward Wright, will share her story "From the Back of the Line."

 

Dreamfest continues Saturday with An Arts Tribute to Martin at the Cary Arts Center. Celebrate Dr. King's birthday through dance, spoken word and song!

The North Carolina Museum of History will be showing the 2010 documentary, Freedom Riders, on Sunday afternoon. The film depicts the period in 1961, when black and white Americans risked their lives by traveling together on buses and trains through the Deep South.

 

Downtown Raleigh will host a Memorial March on Monday morning as a peaceful and somber way to show appreciation for the contributions of the historic Civil Rights Movement.

 

Accomplished film, television, and stage actor Hill Harper will be the keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture at Memorial Hall on the UNC Campus Monday evening. Click through for information on all the celebrations and observations taking place starting Sunday at UNC Chapel Hill.

 

The MLK Day of Service is a national campaign urging citizens to give back to their community on the King holiday. They will meet at Middle Creek Community Center Park

 

Help them celebrate community heroes on MLK Day at Marbles. Meet local heroes like a firefighter, police officer and a paramedic. You can be a helpful hero too - join them in packing food for the Backpack Buddies program to feed local children in need.

 

 

This Thursday's Science Cafe at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science will sum up 2013: The Year in Science. Along with extended hours, you can enjoy BOGO tickets to Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution.

Come visit Mordecai Historic Park for Free Friday. Take a guided tour of the Mordecai House and grounds, St. Mark's Chapel, and the birthplace of our 17th President, Andrew Johnson. Free tours only happen twice a year, so don't miss out!

 

Art in the Evening returns this Friday night with the band Sidecar Social Club. In addition to the 1954 movie On the Waterfront, you can enjoy a lively, in-depth exploration entitled the Art of Design with a Museum docent.

 

Come on out to Downtown Durham to enjoy a Gallery crawl with live music and more for Third Friday.

 

 

Come on out to Umstead State Park Thursday evening for a Night Ride. Its a great opportunity to ride your bike in the Park after hours.

 

Join a ranger at Eno River State Park Friday morning for a strenuous cross-country hike to the Holden Mill Home site

 

Come back to Eno River State Park Saturday afternoon for an on/off trail adventure to a special place within the park as you learn about Fanny Breeze and how she became a legend. Also Saturday at Eno River, you can join a volunteer on a kid friendly hike out to the ruins of the Cole Grist Mill or learn about the Busy Beaver.

 

Blue Jay Point County Park invites you to join them Saturday afternoon for some Letterboxing.

 

Join a Falls Lake park ranger for a night hike to listen for Night Owls after dark Saturday. The hike will conclude with a camp fire and s'mores.

 

Prairie Ridge Ecostation will be hosting another Citizen Science Saturday as well as a Photography for Science program this weekend.

 

All bird enthusiasts are invited on a Winter Waterfowl Hike Saturday morning at Harris Lake County Park with John Gerwin, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Curator of Birds and Wake Audubon member

 

Join an Umstead State Park Park Ranger Saturday morning to share the classic children's story Owl Moon and learn about the owls that call the park home.

 

You can take a Winter Wonders Hike Saturday and explore where some of the millpond's wildlife takes cover when it's cold outdoors.Celebrate National Popcorn Day at Yates Mill this Sunday! Learn about all different varieties of corn and what gives popcorn that unique POP! Take part in a creative popcorn-themed craft, and enjoy some fresh popped popcorn.

 

This Sunday's Winter Hike at West Point on the Eno Park will explore the Cabelands Trail with lovely views of rocks and rapids in the river.

Fossils tell scientist how animals and plants lived a long time ago. Join them at Crowder District Park Sunday afternoon as you become Paleontologists and explore Fantastic Fossils.

 

Join Harris Lake County park staff on a hike along the lake to find Tracks and other clues left behind by active winter wildlife Sunday afternoon.

 

You'll learn what makes Opossums unique, practice playing 'possum, and get to see and touch a real opossum mount on Monday along the American Tobacco Trail.

Calling all home schoolers and Track 4 students to Harris Lake County Park for an all day Eco Tracks on Tuesday. Wandering Through the Woods will have kids 8-14 spend the day outside, sharpening their observation skills and experiencing life in the winter woods.

 

Come to Umstead State Park on Tuesday afternoon to learn how to build a Campfire with a Park Ranger!

 

 

Pop some popcorn and bring the kids over to the Holly Springs Cultural Center for their Saturday morning family movie. This weekend they feature the kid favorite, Finding Nemo.

 

The Raleigh Winterfest Ice Rink is still open in Downtown Raleigh's City Plaza. The rink will be open Monday and offers Two for Tuesday pricing specials, Date and Skate Thursdays and Rock around the Rink Fridays.

 

The Ice Factory at American Tobacco will be open through January 20th and Thursday night is Super Hero Night.

 

Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution is an amazing special exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences through March 23rd. The interactive exhibit documents all 39 varieties of Birds-of-Paradise through an 8 year expedition that included 18 trips to New Guinea. On Thursdays and First Fridays they offer Buy One Adult ticket and get a second free.

 

 

Coins, postcards and stamps (U.S., foreign, ancient, gold & silver) will be available all weekend at the Carolina Coin and Stamp Show.

 

The Hunt Horse Complex at the Fairgrounds will be hosting a Hunter Jumper Horse Show. Admission is free and the atmosphere is very casual, but its a great opportunity to get up close and see some beautiful horses and their riders perform at their best.

 

Repticon, a reptile and exotic animal convention will be at the Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday showcasing vendors from around the country offering live animals, animal supplies and related merchandise.