April 26th - May 2nd Triangle 2018

by Pam & Michael Davison

Here comes another incredible weekend full of fun activities to do throughout the Triangle. With close to 60 events listed this weekend, there is definitely something for everyone. We will hit the highlights here, but check out ParkGeek.com for all the events or LIKE ParkGeek on Facebook so you can get daily ideas and updates.

The fun kicks off Thursday with a Science Cafe all about the Physics of Solar Ovens at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

The Follow Me 2 Fuquay-Varina Concert Series kicks off Thursday evening with a concert by the Band of Oz. There will also be local craft breweries, vineyards and eateries at the concert site.

The Piedmont Wildlife Center will host a Mini BioBlitz Thursday evening at Leigh Farm Park. You"ll go on an owl prowl and survey our local nocturnal raptors.

Come take a Walking Tour of Dorothea Dix Park Thursday evening. The free two-hour, 3.5 mile tour will cover the history of the land and legacy of Dorothea Dix, the current use of the area as the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services and the steps the City will take in planning a future park.

Friday Happenings

Last Fridays offer extended hours and special gallery happening around the Triangle.

Celebrate the Last Friday Art Walk in Downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Art Galleries, shops, restaurants, churches, museums and historic sites remain open and offer numerous special events. There will be a concert on the south lawn of the Courthouse. Artists, food vendors, musicians and craftspeople also set up their wares on the sidewalks around the courthouse.

Its Finally Friday in Downtown Apex. On the last Friday of each month from April to September, the Apex Downtown Business Association will be bringing entertainment and food to Salem Street for some after-work relaxation and fun.

Triangle arts and culture in the Cary area are highlighted with extended hours for participating art galleries, restaurants, coffee houses, and other businesses that showcase visual arts, and music during the Final Friday Cary Art Loop.

Pullen Park and Pullen Place Café are excited to present the Dinner and a Movie series every Friday in April. Come for dinner and stay for the flick. Get there early and enjoy trivia and fun activities centered around this week's movie, UP.

Iris after Dark returns to the North Carolina Museum of Art with music, small plates and special drinks.

Outside the limits of the city lights, Crowder by Night will look for Night Time Explorers. Stroll around the pond in search of night time critters, play fun games and try to catch some nocturnal bugs!

Powell Drive Park will host a Family Movie Night Friday night complete with popcorn.

Festivals and Special Events at Triangle Parks

Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival celebrates its 25th year Saturday at Bond Park. The festival boasts over 170 North Carolina artists, entertainment on four stages, delicious festival food and Cary's annual Earth Day Celebration.

HerbFest continues for a second weekend in Wake Forest. Along with a wide variety of herbs, vegetables and flowers for sale to jump start your gardens, there will be lots of kids activities, live music and a variety of entertainment. Click through for the schedule of events.

Prairie Ridge Ecostation and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences partner together this weekend for a City Nature Challenge. Beginning Friday and running through Sunday. Events range from Night time Insect Hikes and Challenge Stations to Micro World Explorations and an Introduction to iNaturalist.Click through for the schedule of events.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences also hosts the Triangle SciTech Expo on Saturday. The event will feature over fifty hands-on exhibits, games, crafts and activities, plus a series of presentations by scientists and technical professionals from universities, organizations and industry.

Ready to get your garden's going? Mordecai Historic Park hosts their Annual Plant Sale Saturday morning.

Letterland Adventure Day comes to Pullen Park Saturday. The annual event brings letters to life by turning them into colorful characters, each with their own personality and stories that go along with their sounds. Kids will meet Annie Apple, Bouncy Ben and Clever Cat; ride on Clever Cat's carousel and drive in one of Bouncy Ben's boats; travel with Letterlanders on Talking Tess's train, have their face painted with Impy Ink and make noise with Noisy Nick. Children can also play a game of Munching Mike's Bean Bag Toss, make Kicking King or Quarrelsome Queen crowns, join the Letterland parade, and enjoy school group performances on the large stage. Pullen Place Café will offer Munching Mike's Menu for delicious food and options.

Celebrate the science behind food and drink. Celebremos las Ciencias will feature special interactive activities presented by scientists from our community that speak Spanish and English. They will offer free admission for Durham residents.

Enjoy food trucks, beer, games, and many dog-related vendors Sunday afternoon during Pop-Pupalooza at Dorothea Dix Park.

Sunday kicks off the annual Six Sundays in Spring Concerts at Carroll Joyner Park. Bring a picnic or buy food there while you enjoy local music by The Connells.

Moana will be playing on the big screen over at the Halle Cultural Arts Center Tuesday morning.

Fun at the Parks

Saturday is Blue Jay Point County Park's annual Songbird Celebration! Join them for special hikes, mini-classes, story times, and educational programs.

Historic Yates Mill County Park invites you experience some Art in the Park all day Friday through Sunday to welcome the spring weather. They will also be conducting Old Mill Tours and a chance to Paddle the Pond Saturday. They will offer Mill Heritage & Local History Tours on Sunday.

Come to Downtown Durham Saturday morning for an Architecture & the Urban Landscape Walking Tour.

Take a look at life for a Native American boy or girl 300-400 years ago or go on a search for Waterbugs Saturday Eno River State Park.

Join them at Historic Oak View County Park Sunday for an afternoon of learning about Springtime on the Farm! Learn about springtime chores by going on a guided tour with tactile sensory activities at each stop. Then plant your own springtime vegetable seed to take home!

Want to learn some basic knots that will help you while camping and backpacking? Then come join a Falls Lake Ranger to become Knot Knowledgeable Sunday afternoon.

Come to Walnut Creek Wetland Center Sunday to learn all about birds, how to use binoculars, and the resources available to make you a better "birder."