Do you have some fun plans for Valentines Day? There are a few Valentines Day events this weekend along with lots of activities related to African American History and the begining of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

For more info on everything going on, go to www.Parkgeek.com click on "Event Search" and fill in the dates. Select the search button and start planning! See below for more...

 

 

Historic Oak View Park is excited to present their new exhibit, From Morning to Night. Saturday's opening day festivities include games, activities, crafts, live music, storytelling and displays focusing on African American History.

Come on out to the Raleigh City Museum and you and your family will learn about the rich history of the African American community in Raleigh as museum staff explores 5 Faces & Places that have shaped Raleigh's history.

The Holly Springs Cultural Center will be celebrating Black History Month with a Film Festival this weekend. Starting Thursday with To Kill a Mockingbird, they will also be showing Ruby Bridges, The Princess Frog, Sounder and Michael Jackson: This is it. All the movies are free so click through for the dates and times.

Throughout the month of February at the North Carolina Museum of History you can also explore the lives and accomplishments of African American North Carolinians from the antebellum period to the Civil Rights era through a History Tour and Hands on History. Sunday afternoon, come move to the groove with the Magic of African Rhythm.

 

 

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is excited to bring back an event they introduced last year. Darwin Day will be a fun filled afternoon focused on evolution and the famed naturalist Charles Darwin. Come visit ParkGeek and check out all the family friendly exhibits on evolution, adaptation and natural selection.

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro takes their monthly laser show to a new level Friday night with a Laser Magic Show. The amazing laser light show will be matched with fun songs from bands like Elton John, Joan Jett, B-52's and Chumbawumba.

The North Carolina Museum of Art will also kick off the weekend Friday night with Art in the Evening. This week features the 1947 movie Brighton Rock.

Music Makers on Saturday at Marbles Kids Museum will allow kids to explore the music behind the characters from Peter & the Wolf. Science Solvers on Sunday will explore the science of rockets with the NC State Rocketry Team. Don't forget that Tuesday is Target $2 Tuesday Night at Marbles Kids Museum.

"From Hound Ears to Jordan Lake", an exhibit by Chrys Riviere-Blalock, will continue to be on display at the Sertoma Arts Center Gallery Show through February 26th.

Learn how southern Jews have maintained their traditions. Braid challah bread, make a dreidel, and decorate a mask for Purim during Down Home: Southern Jewish Traditions a program at the North Carolina Museum of History Sunday afternoon.

 

 

Enjoy a Valentine Trolley tour of downtown Raleigh Saturday with a romantic twist. Riders will learn about Raleigh's most notorious love stories, tales of lost love, and duels.

Join an Umstead State Park Ranger for a Valentine's Day Hike on Monday. You will talk about animal habitats and what makes a good habitat.

Capital Area Transit invites you to the "Love Bus" event on Valentine's Day to celebrate the R-LINE"s second anniversary. Take your date around downtown on the R-LINE to receive free gifts such as candy and flowers and coupons to local restaurants.

Looking for a fun date night this weekend? Wake County New Vehicle Dealer Association presents the 24th Annual International Auto Expo. More than 160,000 SF show new production models and concept cars representing more than a half-dozen car, truck and sports utility vehicle manufacturers will be on display.

 

 

Bundle up and bring the whole family out for Winter Rhapsody at Harris Lake Park. Enjoy a luminary lit hay wagon ride through the woods. They'll provide the hot chocolate and some musical entertainment - the serenity of the woods at night will provide the ambiance.

Take a trip back into history with a tour of the historic Piper-Cox House. The early 1800's home in Eno River State Park will be open for tours. Come back Sunday and hike with one of the park"s volunteers to the Historic Home Sites of Fews Ford.

Join a Park Ranger at William B. Umstead State Park to discover the Life Cycle of Plants from the roots to the leaves. You will go on a short hike and look for plants that contribute to the life cycle of birds and look for other pollinators on the trail.

Join with Friends of Hemlock Bluffs and REI to assist staff with Trail Maintenance and improvements to aid in recreation and conservation efforts at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.

Based on the popular book: Nature's Yucky this program on the American Tobacco Trail Sunday afternoon explores some "gross," yet fascinating things that animals do. Come prepared to be amazed and learn some new things that you never would have imagined in this entertaining and informative program that will end with making and eating scat cookies!

Join a park naturalist Sunday for Streamside Sightings at Historic Yates Mill County Park to explore some of the plants and animals that can be found around the park's Creekside Trail.

The Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife Learning kicks off the annual Great Backyard Bird Count on Wednesday. There will be many other events related to the Bird Count Next week.