The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences invites you to join them every Thursday night for extended hours and Science Cafe's on a variety of interesting topics. This week, a Veterinarian will be discussing Pets, Pain & Rehabilitation. This week is are also Game Night.

 

Marbles Kids Museum kicks off every weekend early with Twilight $2 Thursdays. Enjoy extended evening hours and discounted admission every Thursday!

 

North Carolina Museum of Art starts every weekend off in their lobby-turned-lounge. Join them this Friday with live music by the Hey Brothers. Instead of their regular weekend tours and movies, the museum will be celebrating Art in Bloom. There are numerous events and activities starting Thursday and running through Sunday. Most events do have admission charges so click through for all the details.

 

Running through Saturday, the Museum of Life and Science will be celebrating Brain Awareness Week with lots of hands on activities. The special event is included in your museum admission.

 

Looking to spend an evening without the kids? Drop them off at Walnut Creek Wetlands Center Friday for Kid's Nature Night. Kids 6-12 will spend a fun night doing crafts, taking a nature walk and watching a movie all around a theme.

 

Traditional Dance Caller, Connie Carringer will teach fun dances for the whole family Friday evening at the Halle Cultural Arts Center's Family Dance.

 

Enjoy the beautiful weather Saturday at Cary's Annual Kite Festival at Bond Park. There will be an expert kite flyer on hand for stunt kite demonstrations as well as a variety of award categories. Come early and your kids can make and decorate a kite in one of their Kite Making Classes

 

Visit North Carolina's largest Civil War reenactment both Saturday and Sunday as they commemorate the 150th Battle of Bentonville. Battle scenarios are ticketed, but all other activities are free including the encampments and speakers.

 

Head on over to the North Carolina State Farmers Market Saturday for the NC Arbor Day Celebration. There will be exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for kids.

 

Garner will also be celebrating Arbor Day on Friday over at White Deer Park. Go to the Nature Center to pick up your tree and planting instructions.

 

This year Wake Forest will host its Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Seedling Giveaway on Saturday at E. Carroll Joyner Park. During the expo, local organizations will offer special activities, treats, and information related to trees, gardening, and related topics.

 

Celebrate Arbor Day in Cary at the Ivey-Ellington House with a tree dedication, crafts, education and entertainment. Pick up a free tree to plant at home, enjoy time for Q&A with their certified Arborist and try the downtown tree identification scavenger hunt.

 

Starting Wednesday and running through Sunday, area Kennel Clubs will be holding a Kennel Club Dog Show. A different club sponsors each day so click through for the schedule. On Saturday, the Irish Wolfhound Association of Mid-South is hosting a Picnic for all Irish Wolfhound owners or those wishing to meet the breed.

 

The FIRST Regional Tournament will be going on at the State Fairgrounds both Friday and Saturday featuring a high school varsity robotics competition featuring 54 teams from across the US. Spectators are encouraged and admission is free!

 

Also at the Fairgrounds on Saturday will be the Children's Clothing and Baby Equipment Sale. Get some great deals on gently used items ranging from infants thru school age.

 

The Coastal Paws Cat Show will be at the NC State Fairgrounds this weekend. Come see the "Rally in Raleigh Cat Show" an Allbreed cat show including household pet class judging and feline agility competition.

 

Thursday through Saturday, the Raleigh Spring Premier Benefit at the Hunt Horse Complex will feature classes for American Saddlebred horses, Roadster horses and ponies, Hackney ponies, Southeast riders and a full Morgan Division.

 

You know spring is here when Historic Yates Mill Pond County Park starts giving tours of the Mill again! They offer Saturday Half Hour Tours and Sunday Mill Heritage & Local History Tours of the fully renovated grist mill three weekends a month, but this weekend you are invited for a special treat! The millstones will be turning and they will offer Corn Milling Demonstrations.

If you are interested in giving your time back to Yates Mill, you will want to attend the Volunteers In Parks Interest Session Sunday afternoon.

 

Learn how to make heart-healthy decisions that your taste buds will appreciate at Marbles Kids Museum Saturday for Healthy Families, Healthy Hearts, a hands on cooking and sampling activity.

 

The Free Monday Morning Movie shown at the Holly Springs Cultural Center this week will be The Iron Giant.

 

Start Friday off bright and early with a Bird Walk at Eno River State Park. Come back Saturday to Search for Signs of Spring or Build-a-Bird.

 

This Friday's Natural Explorations at Historic Yates Mill County Park will be all about Going Green. Take a guided hike around the verdant (green!) millpond and go on a treasure hunt for "gold coins" that contain earth-friendly helpful hints.

 

Enjoy a Spring Equinox Sunset Hike Friday at Raven Rock State Park. Come back Saturday for a Volunteer Bike Trail Workday.

 

They will be Lookin' at Lichen and going on a Salamander Search Saturday at Harris Lake County Park. Bring your kids back to the park Sunday for a Beginning Fishing Clinic or help them keep the park clean during the spring Big Sweep.

 

Come to Story Time and build a home for your favorite fairy Saturday afternoon at Falls Lake State Recreation Area.

 

Join the staff out at Historic Oak View County Park to learn the Basics of Fishing in their pond Saturday! They'll provide the cane poles and bait so you can relax and do some fishing.

 

In addition to all the fun weekly programs offered at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, you can take an Introduction to Tracking Saturday morning.

 

Join them at the Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve Saturday to enjoy another Nature Play Day and their latest ideas for playing in nature.

 

Take a tour of the constellations with a Morehead Planetarium educator Saturday nigh during an Astronomy Viewing Session at Jordan Lake. Come back to the Lake Sunday for a Canoe Hike up Robeson Creek and the Haw River.

 

Join an Umstead State Park Ranger Sunday afternoon to Pedal Through the Past. Along with a leisurely bike ride through the park, you will be stopping to look at old home sites and discuss the park's history. Tuesday evening, you are invited to Run with a Ranger and Wednesday afternoon come see a presentation on NC Salamanders.

 

Join an Eno River State Park Ranger for a Canoe Hike to search for Neuse River Waterdogs, a native salamander Monday afternoon.