Charlotte Parent Charlotte Oct 2019

October 2019 • Free

DATE NIGHT! with your tween

PUMPKIN PATCHES

+

FALL FESTIVALS

Across the State

Train, Train, Train!

Where to ride the rails in N.C.

Halloween Costumes Making choices for

each age and stage charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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CONTENT › OCTOBER 2019

12

Date Night With Your Tween 10 ideas for a special parenttween outing

16

All Aboard!

Ride the rails with these train experiences

18

Age-Appropriate Halloween Costumes Making the call for costumes, from scary to silly

20

Fall Festivals Across the State 14 festivals that showcase N.C. culture, place and enthusiasm

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Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes Pick the perfect pumpkin, sip apple cider and navigate a corn maze at these nearby farms

IN EVERY ISSUE 2

Editor’s Letter

5

FYI

8

Growing Up

10 Thrive 11 Families Managing Media

24

24 Excursion 32 Daddy Derek

CALENDAR 25 Our Picks 26 Daily Calendar 27 On Stage

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22 charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Costume Considerations

H

alloween! It’s a favorite holiday for kids, and a lot of adults too.

It’s the one day of the year that

morrismedianetwork.com

EDITOR

you are expected to dress up and can

Michele Huggins

pretend to be anything you want for a

ART DIRECTOR

day, from superheroes to princesses, witches and Storm Troopers. Costume ideas are as broad as your child’s imagination, but getting a costume together takes some doing.

Last year my oldest son went as

Melissa Stutts

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Andy Smith • andy.smith@morris.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS Fawn Anderson • fawn.anderson@morris.com Kathy Thompson • kathy.thompson@morris.com

Calvin from the “Calvin and Hobbes”

MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK

comic strip. He had a newfound love

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING

for the mischievous boy and his stuffed tiger. Getting Calvin’s outfit together wasn’t

Donald Horton

so hard, but the costume wouldn’t be complete without Hobbes. The search was on.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES

Turns out “Calvin and Hobbes” creator Bill Watterson never sold the rights to have his well-documented characters monetized through merchandise. I applaud that choice, however, it made the search for a Hobbes stuffed tiger tough. I’m not the only one who has gone on a search for a stuffed Hobbes because Pinterest is chock-full of patterns and sewing instructions to make your own. However, when your sewing skills are limited to attaching a button, those patterns are of little use. In the end, we found a stuffed animal online that closely resembled Hobbes. Costume was complete just in the nick of time.

October is a busy month of transition from late summer to full-on fall, and Halloween creeps up fast. I feel like we always are cobbling together costumes at the last minute, yet I make the same mistake each year and wait to piece the elements together.

It’s the parent juggle. Whether you choose to dress your little one as Forky from “Toy Story 4,” your preschooler wants to be a unicorn, or your big kid is pondering everything

Karen Fralick

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Cher Wheeler

CONTACT US charlotteparent.com 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte, NC 28203 phone: 704-344-1980 • fax: 704-344-1983 email: info@charlotteparent.com advertising@charlotteparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Charlotte Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

from a grim reaper to a superstar singer, get shopping now. Maybe your whole crew wants to go as the characters from “Toy Story” or maybe you’re more of a “Game of Thrones” group, but whatever you choose, hit the thrift store for garb, big-box stores for superhero sets and costume stores for accessories sooner than later.

This is our fall fun issue. Our feature on page 18 gives some expert advice on costume choices for all ages and stages, and how to help keep Halloween scares in check. October is festival season, and we have included a roundup of festivals across North Carolina (page 20) that we think warrant a daytrip or weekend getaway, followed by our roundup of pumpkin patches and corn mazes (page 22). There’s a lot to love about Charlotte this month. Go enjoy!

HAVE IDEAS TO SHARE? Email editor@charlotteparent.com.

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OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 Chairman President & CEO William S. Morris III William S. Morris IV

Party Planning Making sure it’s the best birthday ever requires planning. Let us help you make it great with our party-planning guidance.

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What’s Happening Around Town Fall is in the air and there’s a lot to explore in the Queen City this month. Check out our online calendar for up-to-date happenings for kids and families.

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FEATURING NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS.

FAMILY FESTIVAL: for all ages 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WRITING WORKSHOP: teens learn writing skills from the pros 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY BY

COMMUNITY PARTNER

IMAGINATION SPONSORS

YA AUTHOR PANEL: for teens and fans of young adult literature 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Preston Family Fund ANIMATION SPONSORS

For more info, visit cmlibrary.org/epicfest.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Ryan Hirsch, middle, with My First Cast participants.

Courtesy Scott Hirsch

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

5 Reasons to Attend the Charlotte Parent School Fair

NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. M.L.K. Jr Blvd.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Local Teens Spread Lessons of Fishing Through Creation of My First Cast Casting a line and catching a fish is a rite of passage for many children, including brothers Ryan and Evan Hirsch. The two teens created the program My First Cast to share lessons learned through fishing with other children that may not have the same opportunities to experience the activity. My First Cast provides an opportunity for kids from Tender Love and Care Childcare Development and Alexander Youth Network to learn how to bait a hook, cast a line and reel in a fish, and is looking to connect with other children’s organizations.

“This organization is an outlet for my brother and I as we both have been fishing our whole lives, and now get the opportunity to share our love of this activity to those who do not have the chance,” says Evan Hirsch, a sophomore at Charlotte Latin School. The program also serves as an activity to build character and encourages lessons in conservation.

The Hirsch brothers and My First Cast participants fish at Providence Country Club on Mondays when the golf course is closed. One volunteer is partnered with three children, and each group fishes for about an hour each trip.

“Fishing has not only been a lifelong hobby of mine, but it has been a fun, healthy activity that my friends and I can do anytime,” says Ryan Hirsch, a junior at Charlotte Latin School. “It is amazing seeing the smiles on these kids faces when they catch their first fish and it’s even better that I am having just as much fun myself.” Learn more about the program at myfirstcatch.com.

Charlotte Parent’s annual School Fair takes place Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte.

The event is free to attend. Here

As parents, we know you might not have the time to visit each individual school. That is why our annual School Fair introduces you to both public and private schools as well as a few local colleges, all in one family-friendly event.

are five reasons to attend: 1.

Save time. Meet with

Learn more at CharlotteParent.com/schoolfair

representatives from top-

notch independent, private, charter and public schools in the area, plus a few colleges, all in one place.

2.

In-person research.

Learn about application processes, deadlines and testing requirements for different schools.

3.

Strider Cup World Championship Comes to Charlotte The youngest cyclists-in-training take to the course on Oct. 5 at NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte for the Strider Cup World Championship. For the unfamiliar, Strider bikes are two-wheel, balance bikes that kids as young as 2 kick start with their own leg power as they push toward balancing on a two-wheeler. Strider Races are community events throughout the U.S. that build confidence in young riders as they show off their balancing and riding skills. The Strider Cup Races are competitive play experiences designed for children ages 2-6 to explore the structure of an organized and competitive race in a family-friendly environment. The Strider Cup World Championship is the pinnacle of the Strider Cup Races that brings together Strider riders and families from all over the globe.

The event includes racing, activities, games and music Oct. 5, beginning at 7:30 a.m with the last race beginning at 3:30 p.m. Registration is open for riders online at striderbikes.com/events-charlotte. There is no cost to be spectator while you cheer on the racers. Warning: Expect cuteness overload!

FREE and FUN for the whole family!

Narrow your list of possibilities. Get a feel for a school’s character and philosophy with one-onone face time with school representatives.

4.

Free advice. Ask questions about financial assistance, tuition and extracurricular activities offered.

5.

Explore new options. You may discover a new school that is a fit for your family.

SEPTEMBER 2019

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FYI

How to Talk About Breast Cancer With Kids

Admission Open Houses Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might and the wonders that He has done. Psalm 78:4

GRADES K-12 Wednesday, October 23, 9:30 am Tuesday, November 19, 6:30 pm

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thousands of women are affected by breast cancer each year — many are mothers, including mothers to children younger than 18. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer and have children, or are close with someone who has received a breast cancer diagnosis, you may wonder, “How do I tell my kids?” Here are a few tips to help navigate the conversation.

1.

Answering the “why” questions. Children are curious and may want to know why their mom got breast cancer.

Clarify from the beginning that your child did or said nothing that caused the illness, and that cancer is not like catching a cold. Many people find it helpful to discuss what they plan to say with their partner or a friend before talking with their children.

2.

Use simple language. It’s best to use the word cancer from the beginning, and to use language that your children understand. Explain to them by pointing to the area affected, and keep the words you use short and brief. If your child asks questions about death, be upfront with them.

One response to a question about death could be: “Some people die from having cancer, but a lot of people also get better and live to be old.”

3.

Added assurance. Through times of change, children need consistent routines and assurance that their needs will be met. Let them know you may not always be available, but that relatives, trusted friends and other caregivers are there to fill in for you until you feel strong again. Try to set a positive tone without promises, and let them know that you have a team of doctors and nurses working to help you get better.

4.

Listen. The questions your children ask are a way to understand what they want to know and what they understand. Listening helps you avoid talking above their level of understanding and possibly causing confusion.

Encourage your children to express their feelings, and remind them that it’s OK to ask questions.

KINDERGARTEN Wednesday, November 6, 9:30 am Serving 960+ Students | Grades K-12 carmelchristian.org

stay in the know sign up for our free e-newsletters

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OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Source: breastcancer.org

›

FYI | people

Best advice ever received: “You don’t ask, you don’t get. And the worst they can say is no.” I try to live by it in my personal and professional life. Another piece of advice that has been a game-changer came from another mom with whom I collaborate: “Put your blinders up and focus on your path. There is only one you. No one can say it or do it like you because you’re the only one with your voice.”

Jen Schwartz, founder of Motherhood Understood, with her son Mason Schwartz on his first birthday. Photo by Jody G Photography

Get to Know: Jen Schwartz

BY MICHELE HUGGINS

J

en Schwartz is the founder of the organization Motherhood Understood, an online platform and community for moms affected by maternal mental health issues. She and her husband Jason Schwartz have one child, Mason Schwartz, age 6.

Where in Charlotte do you live and where did you grow up? I grew up in New City, New York, a suburb about 40 minutes north of Manhattan. After spending my college years in Boston, I moved to New York City, and then four years later moved to Charlotte in 2007.

Tell us about your job. What do you like most about it and what are the challenges?

I’m the founder of Motherhood Understood that I created out of surviving postpartum depression and anxiety, and not wanting any other woman to suffer in silence, alone and ashamed like I did after the birth of my son.

I love that I can help moms connect and collaborate with many different women. Some of my favorite friendships have grown out of connections made with women on social media as a result of this work. It’s extremely rewarding when I get messages from women who tell me that our stories and content has given them the courage to ask for help.

My biggest challenge is that I’m a onewoman shop, which makes it really hard to juggle the day-to-day aspects of the business while also trying to grow and expand.

What’s the hardest part of juggling family life and work life? Building and running a platform and community that is mostly online, my work day is never really over. It can be hard to shift out of work mode, and into mommy and wife mode. A friend once told me that there is no balance. It’s just what wins the day. I think she might be on to something. I also spend tons of hours in front of a screen, computer or phone, and that can get in the way of being as present as I would like to be with my family.

What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte? Charlotte is a bit slower pace and more laid back than New York.

There’s less pressure and emphasis on who you are and what you do, which is refreshing.

I also love that we are within driving distance from places like Asheville and Charleston, and if everything goes according to plan, we can fly to New York City, door-to-door, in about three-and-a-half hours. Also, the abundance of pimento cheese and low cost of living doesn’t hurt either.

Proudest parenting moment: Watching Mason grow into a curious, creative, social and confident little boy. He wants to help everyone.

Last year while on vacation, he informed the man valeting cars that he was his new helper.

He opened car doors for people arriving, and walked those finished with their meals to their cars. He has now done this at various places in Charlotte and has also gotten himself tours of most restaurant kitchens in Charlotte in this same manner, including Yafo, Upstream and The Palm.

Lowest parenting moment: Last year, I let Mason watch Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video because one of his buddies from school was obsessed. I forgot about the intro with the werewolf. He ran behind the couch shrieking, “I hate Michael Jackson! Turn it off.” He went from being a champion sleeper to waking up every two hours. It took 10 months to retrain him to sleep through the night in his own bed.

What are three things you can’t live without? Girlfriends, family and travel.

Favorite Instagram account: It’s a tie between four: @selfcareisforeveryone, @garyjanetti, @thetinychefshow and @ashleylongshoreart Last book read: “Where the Crawdads Sing”

by Delia Owens What inspires you? Women empowering and supporting other women. Also, anything written by Brené Brown and Glennon Melton Doyle.

Michele Huggins is editor of Charlotte Parent magazine. charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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GROWING UP

Hiking as a family benefits all ages

outside. Play soccer, catch, read in hammocks, build forts and dens outside,” she says. “Limit your child’s screen time and, more importantly, limit your own screen time; children do what their adults do.”

Rev up kids’ hiking motivation by linking trail time to their interests. Do you have a LEGO nut or Minecraft enthusiast? Plan a hike to a ghost town, historic building or ancient ruin. Budding marine biologists may love hikes along shorelines or easy water crossings (be sure to check trail conditions and follow safety guidelines in and around water). Creative types can bring a trail journal or small watercolor set to record their journey, Magi says. And who doesn’t love a real-life treasure hunt? Download a geocaching app to search for small, hidden caches during your hike.

BY MALIA JACOBSON

TEEN YEARS

Happy Trails

I

t’s hard to imagine a more wholesome family activity than hiking. Exploring the outdoors boosts physical and mental health, promotes creativity and calms stress, says Heidi Magi, lead teacher at Pioneer Springs Community School, a nature-based public charter school in Charlotte.

“As a middle school teacher at a nature school, I see the ways in which a deep connection to nature helps kids feel more grounded in the world,” Magi says. “Studies show that because the natural world is less structured than the electronic and indoor worlds that children spend time in, time in nature tends to increasing creativity, self-confidence and imagination.”

Ready to get moving? From choosing baby’s first trail to motivating hesitant hikers and keeping kids safe, here’s what you need to know at every stage.

EARLY YEARS

Tiny Trekkers The first step (pun intended) toward happy hiking with tots is making sure they’re safe and comfortable.

“When planning a hike, a helpful general rule to remember is that a child can hike about as many miles as their age in years,” says avid hiker and wilderness educator Dr. Douglas S. Diekema, an emergency medicine physician at Seattle Children’s. Young children are more at risk for heat and cold injury than adults, so parents should bring an extra layer for children to wear and remember that babies and toddlers being carried stay cooler, even after you’re warmed up, he says.

The most important thing about hiking with young children is to follow their lead, and to remember that they will more than likely take a long time to hike a short distance, Magi

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OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

says. “When hiking with young children, don’t expect to go very far. Instead, choose trails that will offer children lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with nature. Young children have a beautiful sense of curiosity about the natural world.”

ELEMENTARY YEARS

Mountain Motivation After years of meandering toddler hikes, parents often crave more adventurous treks their older kids only to find that their child would rather stay indoors immersed in a video game. When kids claim that hikes are boring or too hard, it means adults have made the indoors more appealing than being outside, Magi says.

“To get your children to spend more time in the backyard, create a family culture of being

Alone Together Hiking offers opportunities for teens to build life skills like resilience, grit and executive functions; and to fine-tune their planning and organizing skills. Teens can build independence along with trail savvy by taking a mountaineering course, learning to read a map and a compass, and compiling their own “10 essentials” kit for hikes. The 10 essentials list was published nearly a century ago and has evolved over time.

“Nearly all ‘10 essentials’ lists include food, water, a first-aid kit, a knife, warm clothes, rain gear, a compass and a map,” Diekema says.

But it’s not all about checklists or miles logged. Hiking also allows busy, on-the-go teens to slow down, reflect and connect with their families, Magi says.

“What teens really want is a way to stay connected to their parents, caregivers and families, even as they are developing more and more independence,” she says. “I grew up hiking with my dad, and as a teen I always looked forward to our hikes because that was the time when he told stories about growing up and shared his thoughts about the world.

Hiking can be a wonderful way of building this connection, so hike with your teen.”

Malia Jacobson is a health and parenting journalist and mom of three avid hikers.

Every day, more than 32,000 people choose us for their healthcare. From the region’s most advanced heart program and cancer institute to a nationally ranked children’s hospital, we remain strong in our commitment – not just to delivering better care, but to delivering the best care. For all.

FOR THE CAROLINAS AtriumHealth.org

›

THRIVE create an agenda. To avoid any possible issues, make the children’s choice of activities first, and if time allows you can do yours. Mine is always the slushy at Wise Acres.

Play at the greenway. Anne Springs Greenway offers loads of activities that are special-needs friendly. For their annual Fall Frolic, enjoy activities, such as barnyard buddies, horse rides and a cow train. These activities offer an excellent opportunity for children to interact as well as learn about farm animals and how to take care of them.

The horse ride is Jacob’s favorite. He loves horses and always looks forward to going. The horse ride tends to have a long line, so make sure you plan accordingly. Fall Frolic on the Greenway runs Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 12 through Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horse rides are available Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. ascgreenway.org.

Enjoy a sensory-filled experience on the farm this fall. Courtesy Bea Moise

Fall Activities for Children With Special Needs

BY BEA MOISE

M

y son Jacob, who is on the autism spectrum, loves being outside. One of the hardest things, however, about changing seasons is how to accommodate outside activities without the weather getting in the way. Fall happens to be a favorite season of mine — the colors, food, and of course, beautiful weather. Fall also presents a terrific opportunity to do things outside as a family. It also is a great time to enjoy sensory exploration through activities and events. Following are some my family’s favorites.

Outdoor Activities Take a trip to a pumpkin patch. One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to go to a pumpkin patch. We love picking pumpkins to decorate, but while at the farm we enjoy the other activities as well. Most farms are filled with activities to keep all members of the family happy. There are tons of options for places to visit a pumpkin patch around Charlotte with activities, including corn mazes, hayrides and

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OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

pumpkin picking, which are all great to fulfill sensory needs.

My children have enjoyed the Corn Pit at Wise Acres Farm. It’s like a colossal sandbox but filled with corn, so it has all the fun and none of the mess. You can easily spend your day at the farm by planning around which activities you and your family enjoy together.

Make it fun by having each family member pick something they want to do and then

Indoor Fun While the weather is mostly beautiful throughout the month of October, sometimes it’s not. Charlotte offers some other options that cater to special needs families. Places like the Sea Life Aquarium in Concord and McColl Family Theater gives you some indoor activities that do not depend on the weather.

Visit the aquarium. On the second Sunday of each month, Sea Life Aquarium in Concord opens from 9 to 11 a.m. for a sensory-friendly visit. Families are able to enjoy the aquarium before it is open to the general public with reduced lighting and an accessible comfort room that can be accessed at any time if needed. visitsealife.com/charlotte-concord.

See a Show. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents a sensory-friendly performance of “Peter Pan” at the McColl Family Theater Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. The performance includes accommodations for families without sacrificing the integrity of the performance. ctcharlotte.org.

Bea Moise is a board-certified cognitive specialist, parenting coach and founder of A Child Like Mine. She and her husband have two children, one typically developing and one with autism.

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FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA

are some tips for parents to help kids thrive in their free time: Make screen access harder. Out of sight, out of mind. Put entertainment screens away when not being used for a purpose. Keep video game consoles in a box in a closet, keep tablets out of easy view and keep smartphones in your purse. Keep TV remotes in another room away from the TV so it isn’t the first thing children reach for when they are bored.

Make alternatives easier. Keep markers, paper and crossword puzzles on the kitchen table, jigsaw puzzles and Rubik’s Cubes in the den, and Legos easily accessible.

Structuring Downtime

Fill free time with less screen time

BY MELANIE HEMPE

G

one are the days when the only choices that had to be made after school was whether to bike, scooter or skateboard to a friend’s house. Video games like Fortnite, YouTube, and other screen distractions now fall in line with the list of after-school activity choices.

As parents, we strive to structure our children’s extracurricular activities based on our schedules and their individual needs, but many parents miss the importance of paying attention to the part of their kids’ free time and downtime that is now spent on screens.

What’s wrong with filling free time with leisure screens? After all, kids need to relax. Yet science tells us that screenfilled time does not promote healthy habits the way real-life free time can. Screen entertainment is highly stimulating to the limbic area of your child’s brain, flooding it with a concoction of feel good chemicals, making it the opposite of relaxation. It can quickly lead to screen addiction and a dislike for healthier activities.

Not too many years ago, parents worried about over-scheduling their children’s activities. “They need downtime!” the culture preached. In our home that meant that my oldest son filled his downtime with video games to the point that he abandoned every other activity and interest he had. Later he even dropped out of college because this leisure activity careened out of control.

With my younger children, I learned that structuring their unstructured time was just as important as structuring their extracurricular activities.

Screen-filled downtime also has the potential to be physically harmful. When the majority of their downtime is filled with sedentary screen entertainment, children don’t get enough exercise and movement, face-to-face social time or creative outlets — all of which are discovered by playing hard in real life. Bad habits can form as they choose the easier low-effort, highreward activity over the more difficult work of playing outside the house, reading or inventing a game in a group setting. Here

Bring on the books. Stock age-appropriate books in your kid’s room, and keep books and kids’ magazines out in the kitchen and den.

Go to the library once a week and schedule reading time together as a family.

Maximize your time on errands. Never use screens as a babysitter when you are out. Build reading habits early by keeping real books in your purse and audio books in the car.

Provide outdoor options. Invest in a durable hanging-disk swing, a bucket of sidewalk chalk (even for older kids), Hula hoops, a basketball goal and jump ropes. Don’t forget to fill up those bike tires and upgrade the bike helmets.

Get a dog or cat. Pets are wonderful to fill downtime for your whole family and a way to build responsibility.

For a list of other activities and more information on raising Screen Strong kids, go to screenstrong.com. When the primary free-time activity is a leisure screen, children won’t feel inclined to choose anything else.

Leisure screens are our competition, but we can still win the game with a little structure and lots of love.

Melanie Hempe is the founder of Families Managing Media, a registered nurse and mom to four children. Find more at familiesmanagingmedia.com. charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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Be a part of the art at Portal CLT, located on Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte. Pictured is Kenna Church, 10. Photo by Meagan Church

DATE NIGHT … WITH YOUR

TWEEN 12

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

There’s something about the tween stage of development that can make parents sigh, roll their eyes and wish for the days of diapering, but with some adjustment on perspective, these years can be a great opportunity to build your relationship with your burgeoning young adult.

Phyllis Fagell, a school counselor, psychotherapist and author of “Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond – and How Parents Can Help,” argues that while this stage may be messy, it’s also magical. Rather than taking a step back, parents need to be more available in order to help their children through early adolescence.

One way to be more available is to schedule a “date night” with your tween. Date nights are

BY MEAGAN CHURCH art. This unique art experience an opportunity to set aside the encourages people not to just distractions of life and spend time view, but to become part of the art connecting with one another. Not installments. The optical illusions only do they provide an opening and interactive displays encourfor the child to better know the parent, but they create chances for age visitors to be hands-on and Instagram-ready. It’s sure to spark the parent to get deeper insight conversation, laughter and plenty into the child, including hopes, of fun photo opportunities. dreams, fears, friendships and maybe even crushes. After all, Pedal to sweet memories. The change happens in the blink of Charlotte region boasts a network an eye, so spending focused time together can reveal transformation of greenways. Find one near you to hike or bike. Then map out and development that may have stops to restaurants, doughnut gone unnoticed.

Need ideas? Here are a few of shops or ice cream parlors near our suggestions for a parent-tween the paths. For instance, hop on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway near dates specific to the Charlotte uptown and wander your way to region: Duck Donuts. Or, continue into uptown and enjoy a drink and Get immersed in art. Portal CLT located on Tryon Street in uptown dessert at Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe, located on College Street.

Charlotte offers the opportunity to get lost inside the world of

Blow it off. Enjoy a hands-on art experience with glass blowing at Hot Glass Alley in NoDa. The studio offers make-your-own evenings where you are guided through the process of making a glass creation of your choosing, such as an ornament, paperweight, glass or bowl. They also host demo nights when you can watch master blowers make impressive glass creations.

Make a day of it. Why limit one-on-one time to only evening hours? Spend a day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Make lasting memories while rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, climbing, ziplining and more. With food on site, it’s easy to stay all day.

Practice the art of competition. Spend an evening bowling,

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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Date Night Ideas from Parents in the Know

If you want some other date-night options, consider the following ideas from local parents.

The quotes below include the voices of those in the midst of the tween years and a few who have already passed through them.

“My 13-year-old daughter and I both enjoy creating art and it’s something we can do together. Sometimes we have a night in and draw, or we go out in the day and take photos of little details we find. At the end of our ‘dates,’ we have a keepsake from our time together.” ~ David Gaertner “I let my boys (10 and 13) pick their favorite restaurant and then we go to Dish It Out or Painting with a Twist or someplace like that.” ~ Josalynn Petko “I have a 12-year-old son who plays video games, so coffee dates don’t work for us. He needs activity. Arcades are great. Spare Time, Sports Connection, and Dave & Buster’s are our favorites.” ~ Kelly Walters “I was not super intentional in dating my daughter like having scheduled dates every month. Ours were more geared around events coming up like comic book conventions, Broadway shows in Charlotte, movies, and now since she works with me, lunch. I try to take her to lunch once every two weeks. I let her talk about whatever is on her heart and listen. These tend to lead to deeper conversations about school, friends and life in general.” ~ Mike Briles “When my kids were in their tween and teen years, I’d take them to dinner and a movie once a month. It was good for relationship building and was a chance to capture their hearts by putting our relationship ahead of rules. Now that they are young adults, I’m glad I took the time to do that with them when I could.” ~ Clint Newton

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Hot Glass Alley in NoDa offers handson glass blowing experiences. Photo courtesy Hot Glass Alley

golfing, roller skating or the like. If your family enjoys watching sports more than participating in them, take in a Panthers, Hornets, Checkers or Knights game. Consider checking out one of the lesser-known spectator sports, such as roller derby, lacrosse or women’s football.

Spend free time in nature. Dates don’t need to be expensive. Explore the UNC Charlotte botanical gardens and greenhouse for free. The two outdoor gardens and indoor greenhouse are open to the public at no cost (though donations are appreciated). Depending on the season, you can see orchids, azaleas, camellias and more in full bloom, along with the rare titan arum (a.k.a. corpse flower).

Lock-up group time. While one-on-one time is important, making memories with a group of friends is also essential, especially to your tween. Try an escape room experience with other parent friends and tweens.

Locations, such as Masterpiece Escapes in Indian Trail, welcome ages 12 and older, and Escape Tactics in Charlotte welcomes ages 10 and older.

Watch a (defiant) love story. Take a more traditional date night approach with dinner and a show. In late October, Charlotte Ballet presents Leonce and Lena, a 19th-century satirical romantic comedy that is described

as more Tim Burton than Disney. It is sure to be a night to remember and may spark conversation for the ride home.

Stay in. Carve out some quiet, one-on-one time at home. Make dinner together, watch a movie, roast s’mores around a backyard fire pit or play some driveway basketball.

In a city like Charlotte, there are plenty of opportunities and experiences that can allow you to connect with your child. One key to a rich, memorable experience is to listen to your child and gather his or her input before making plans. For instance, your daughter may have loved princesses as a 2-year-old, but now sports are more her thing, so plan accordingly.

Or, if you’d rather surprise him with an activity, then be sure to let him surprise you by planning the next adventure.

Take the time today to schedule a few date nights for the months ahead. Lean in while you can and grow your relationship with your tween. After all, the memories you make now have the potential to last a lifetime.

Meagan Church a freelance writer. She lives in Charlotte with her high school sweetheart, three children and a plethora of pets. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @mchurchwriter, or visit her website meaganchurch.com.

At the North Carolina Zoo, the world’s largest natural habitat wildlife park, amazing adventure is closer than you think

THE NORTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM

All Aboard!

Choo Choo Choose to Take a Train This Fall

BY MANDY HOWARD From Thomas the Tank Engine and The Little Engine That Could, to Platform 9¾ and “Murder on The Orient Express,” trains captivate our imaginations. Journey and destination are so deeply interwoven within the massive steel body of a locomotive, that it has long been a favorite trope for storytellers, as well as a favorite toy for children.

In North Carolina, we can choose from an abundance of enchanting train options. Go with a functional, carefree way to travel via NC By Train, or delight in pure whimsy at Tweetsie Railroad. Here are some options for the train lover in all of us.

TWEETSIE RAILROAD tweetsie.com 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock Tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tweetsie Railroad, located in Blowing Rock, is the oldest theme park in North Carolina. From its traditional Wild West theme to rotating special events, this park has something for everyone.

Locomotive No. 12, dubbed “Tweetsie,” debuted July 4, 1957, as a family fun activity that gave passengers a 1-mile ride to a picnic site. Since then, the park has added Engine No. 190, the

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“Yukon Queen,” and expanded the track to a 3-mile loop.

In addition to trains, Tweetsie Railroad consists of hundreds of acres filled with rides, shops, eateries, live entertainment and an animal park.

Through Oct. 27, Tweetsie is open on Friday through Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $50 for ages 13 and older, $32 for ages 3-12, and free for ages 2 and younger. SPECIAL EVENTS

Ghost Train Through Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.11:30 p.m.

Admission to the Ghost Train,

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

which is separate from park admission, is $44 for adults, $38 for children ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger.

The Ghost Train ride takes 20 minutes. Admission includes a haunted house, Halloween shows, trick-or-treating and other “ghastly attractions.” Tweetsie Christmas Starting Nov. 22, Tweetsie Railroad transforms from spooky to merry for its annual Tweetsie Christmas event.

Thousands of Christmas lights twinkle during the nighttime train ride. Passengers sing Christmas carols, roast s’mores and get pictures with Santa.

nctrans.org 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer Billed as “the museum that moves you,” the North Carolina Transportation Museum offers visitors 60 acres of historic artifacts and immersive exhibits.

Four historic buildings are filled with items and stories that will transport visitors to the time of the Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops. The site was once home of the Southern Railway Company’s largest steam locomotive servicing facility.

Over the years, exhibits have been added to encompass all forms of transportation history. Explore steam and diesel locomotives, railroad passenger cars, antique automobiles and aviation exhibits, including a full size Wright Flyer and a Piedmont Airlines DC-3.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and older, $5 for seniors (ages not specified) and members of the military, and $4 for ages 3-12. Train rides are available Thursday through Sunday as an add-on to the admission price. SPECIAL EVENTS

Day Out With Thomas Sept. 27-29, Oct. 4-6 Tickets cost $16-32, depending on age, for specific time periods. You can purchase an all-day pass for $32 (for all ages).

Trick or Train Oct. 26 Kids in costumes receive free admission and a train ride with a paying adult.

Conductors will be handing out candy aboard the train and at stations throughout the museum. Additional activities include face painting, temporary tattoos, games, coloring, crafts, photo opportunities, costume contests for different age groups, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hayrides trolley rides and more. Check the website for train ride times, the costume contest schedule and other details. The Polar Express Train Ride Nov. 15-17, Nov. 22-24, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 12-22 Weekends in November and December, all who believe have the opportunity to ride the Polar Express and hear Santa’s magic sleigh bells. Hot chocolate and cookies are served on board. Passengers enjoy singing and dancing during the train ride, as well as a reading of “The Polar Express.” Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa presents the first gift of Christmas. All passengers receive a silver sleigh bell during the return trip. Tickets range from $32 for a single children’s ticket in standard coach to $325 for a table for four in parlor class.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD gsmr.com 45 Mitchell St., Bryson City If a classic train ride with breathtaking scenery is your goal, look no further than the Great Smoky Mountains

Railroad. Based in Bryson City, this railroad line offers two daily train routes on both steam- and diesel-powered locomotives.

The Tuckasegee River Excursion is a four-hour trip to Dillsboro and passes by the famous movie set of “The Fugitive” (1993). The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is a four-and-ahalf hour excursion that carries passengers to the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. SPECIAL EVENTS

PEANUTS The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Saturdays and Sundays throughout October Enjoy a train ride themed on the classic PEANUTS story, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” at select times Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout October.

Don your costume and visit Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the PEANUTS gang in the mountains.

The half-hour ride to the pumpkin patch is accompanied by the narration of Charles Schulz’ classic Halloween tale. Purchase tickets online or the day of your ride. Depending on which class of service you choose, prices range from complimentary to $10 for children under age 2; $32-$39 for ages 2-12; and $56-$68 for ages 13 and older. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride Nov. 8 to Dec. 31 (with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day).

Experience Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s “The Polar Express” themed train ride. Once you arrive at the

North Pole, Santa boards the train, greets each child and gives him or her a silver bell to keep the magic of Christmas alive. Passengers sing Christmas carols on the return trip.

Tickets quickly sell out.

Purchase online in advance.

Prices range from $17-$24 for children under age 2; $45-$67 for ages 2-12; and $65-$91 for ages 13 and older.

Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 and 21 Tickets range from $7-$14 depending on the event.

NC BY TRAIN ncbytrain.com Stations located in cities across the state The North Carolina Department of Transportation owns and operates the Piedmont and Carolinian Amtrak train lines, as well as 16 stations to serve

NEW HOPE VALLEY TRAINS

families throughout the state.

triangletrain.com 3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill Located southwest of Raleigh, New Hope Valley Railway calls itself the Triangle’s Train, and caters to true train lovers.

Though the railway does not provide daily train rides, volunteers schedule and promote a number of special events during which visitors can go on an approximate one-hour long train ride along 8 miles of track.

It’s also home to the North Carolina Railway Museum, which features antique train cars, memorabilia and a gift shop. In addition to the trains and museum, visitors can view railroad equipment from the 1920s and a model railroad, which features 1,000 feet of miniature track and several model trains, including Thomas the Tank Engine.

train from Raleigh to Charlotte

A family of four can hop a

SPECIAL EVENTS

Track or Treat Halloween Express Oct. 12, 19 and 26 Slow Down Sunday Nov. 10 Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express

for the day for less than $120.

Ticket prices cost $11.50-$27 one way for transportation within North Carolina; $103 for a oneway train from Raleigh to New York City; and $123 for a one-way train from Charlotte to New York City. In addition to offering train travel, NC By Train often partners with local busses and transit systems to make your entire journey hassle-free. Visit the website for deals and specials, and information on everyday and group travel discounts.

Trains have a special place in U.S. history. They transformed the way we communicate, manufacture and explore the world. And though we now have access to more modernized modes of transportation, there is still something magical about feeling the rolling rumble of rails underneath you as the countryside sails by.

Mandy Howard is a freelance writer and mother of three in Raleigh.

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Choosing

Age-Appropriate Halloween Costumes

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On Halloween night, children of all ages dress up in costumes ranging from cute characters to scary monsters of all sorts. How do you know what kind of costume is right for your child? Considering your child’s age and how dependent he is upon you to help him feel safe may help you make that decision — or set a limit — that has your child’s best interest at heart.

Dressing up is a form of imaginative play. In play, children explore various roles, including “good guys” and “bad guys.” In moments of true play, these roles may feel real to young children as they attempt to conquer the good and bad that exists both in the real world and in their internal world (e.g., their moments of behaving versus misbehaving).

Thinking about how much your child invests in this type of play, as well as how much she depends on you for feelings of safety (or reality checks), can help you determine what type of costume is appropriate for her.

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BY JENNIFER REID

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Most children under age 2 have not developed a capacity to fully engage in pretend play, so dressing up likely has little meaning to them. Their play consists primarily of exploring their surroundings through senses. Children in this age group depend on parents and caregivers for feelings of safety. Keep Halloween short and sweet for them — there is already a lot for their senses to process during this busy night.

Children in this age group have moved beyond solely exploring and are beginning to make sense of their world. They are developing an understanding of why and how things work. This age group relies on caregivers to help them organize this kind of data, and they often take what they are learning and explore it in their imaginative play.

The boundaries between play and reality can sometimes become blurred for children in this age group. Think, for example, of a child who becomes frightened or overstimulated when the “bad guys” are chasing him. Dressing up on Halloween is a similar experience, so helping your child choose a costume that feels good and safe will help ensure that he has a positive experience throughout the evening. Appropriate

costumes for this age group include community helpers, fairytale characters or good-natured superheroes.

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Once a child reaches age 6, you can begin to allow her to choose her costume — within reason, of course. Designing and making creative costumes together becomes a fun and engaging pre-Halloween activity.

As children grow into their early teen years, wearing costumes on Halloween moves beyond the simple fun of dressing up and turns into an outlet for individual expression. The balance between healthy

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expression of individuality and what is appropriate for your family will be rooted in ongoing discussions about your values, and may involve compromises on both parts.

Overall, be available to your young children during this exciting night of the year, repeating throughout the evening that costumes are just costumes. Talk ahead of time about whose houses they will be visiting and explain that the people answering the doors are neighbors they already know. Scary surprises may be fun for older children, but they can quickly become frightening for a young child who still has fuzzy boundaries between reality and fantasy.

Remember: You are your child’s main interpreter of the world, so talk to him about what is going on, and keep your evening simple, safe and predictable.

Jennifer Reid, who has a master’s degree in early childhood education from New York University, is director of the early school at Lucy Daniels Center. She began teaching in 2001 and has worked at the Lucy Daniels School since 2005. The Lucy Daniels Center is a nonprofit agency in Cary that promotes the emotional health and well-being of children and families. Visit lucydanielscenter.org to learn more.

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vendors on-site.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: The chance to cheer on their cute furry worm in a race to the finish with a $1,000 grand prize on the line. Enjoy inflatables, rides and festival food. woollyworm.com.

Enjoy mountain views and multiple interactive villages at LEAF Festival, Oct. 17-20. Courtesy

FALL FESTIVALS Across North Carolina

BY DEANNA TAYLOR From the mountains to the sea, there’s a lot to enjoy about North Carolina in the fall, including fall festivals. Venture out of town for a day trip or weekend getaway to enjoy one or more of the state’s best fests.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA Cherokee Indian Fair Oct. 8-12 | Cherokee COST: $10. $5 for those ages 6-10. Free for ages 6 and younger.

BEST FOR: Anyone who loves carnivals, culture, art and game shows. Explore Cherokee culture through live demonstrations, dance performances, music and food.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: A Ferris wheel, traditional Cherokee activities like stickball and archery, and a fireworks display.

Wednesday is Children’s Day with gates opening at 9 a.m.

Ages 17 and younger enter for free and get a wristband to enjoy complimentary rides that day. visitcherokee.com

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Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest Oct. 12-13 | Sugar Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain COST: Free BEST FOR: Those wanting a taste of the popular 16-day German folk festival without having to travel far. Dress up in your best Bavarian costume for the chance to win prizes.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: An on-site kids activity center complete with hayrides, corn hole, pumpkin bowling, and the chance to meet Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear. oktoberfest.skisugar.com.

LEAF Festival Oct. 17-20 | Black Mountain COST: Day passes start at $49 for adults and weekend passes start at $172 (includes tent campsite).

Special prices for ages 10-17.

Free for ages 9 and younger.

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BEST FOR: Anyone who can appreciate and understand the power that music, art and culture has to transform lives, strengthen community and foster unity can enjoy this festival with 400 performing artists from 15 different countries.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Multiple interactive villages that are filled with activities like whimsical puppet shows, hoop dancers, a magical swing, Frisbee toss games and face-painting. theleaf.org.

Woolly Worm Festival Oct. 19-20 | Banner Elk COST: $6 adults, $4 ages 6-12. Free for ages 5 and younger.

BEST FOR: Lovers of the woolly worm and its contribution to helping determine the winter weather forecast. You’ll also love the arts and crafts, rides and food

Halloweenfest in Transylvania County Oct. 26 | Downtown Brevard COST: Free BEST FOR: Fans of Count Dracula, but in a light-hearted hometown way.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Pumpkin carving and pumpkin-themed games, like Pumpkin Plinko.

Dress the whole family in costumes, including your dog, for the costume contest and parade. brevardnc.org.

IN THE PIEDMONT Carolina Renaissance Festival Weekends Oct. 5-Nov. 24 | Huntersville COST: $25 for adults, $15 ages 5-12.

Free for ages 4 and younger.

BEST FOR: Fans of the medieval times mixed with circus-themed attractions and shows. Interact with more than 500 costumed villagers, including mermaids and jousting knights.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Everything is geared toward children, with the exception of a few performances labeled for explicit content. This will be the first year that the Living Mermaids exhibit is on display. Little ones can also enjoy the new addition Fireflicker, a curious and friendly dragon roaming the festival streets. carolina.renfest.info.com.

Annual NASCAR Day Festival Oct. 12 | Downtown Randleman COST: Free BEST FOR: Those who love and appreciate the adrenaline and

competition associated with the sport of car racing. New this year is a wide screen simulator that will allow festival goers to compete with each other. Hall of Famer Richard Petty signs autographs from 4-5:30 p.m.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Plenty of rides and real life race cars for photos. There’s also a Little Miss and Mister NASCAR Pageant. randlemanchamber.com/nascar-day-festival.

Mush, Music and Mutts Festival Oct. 19-20 | Historic Uptown Shelby COST: General admission to Friday’s Brew Fest is $30 and for ages 21 and older, and admission to the Rotary Chili Cook-off is $10. Free for ages 7 and younger.

Admission to the Liver Mush Festival on Saturday is free.

BEST FOR: Foodies who appreciate one of the South’s most acclaimed breakfast meats. Since its start, this two-day event has grown to include a beer festival, chili cook-off, liver-mush recipe competition, Little Miss Liver Mush Pageant and more.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: An inflatable castle and a giant slide. The Kids Zone also features pumpkin painting, games and activities.

Don’t forget to show off your family’s furry friend at the Pet Festival. clevelandchamber.org/ mush-music-mutts-festival.

Carolina BalloonFest Oct. 18-20 | Statesville COST: $10 for Friday, $20 in advance for Saturday and $15 in advance for Sunday (plus a service fee). $10 for a parking pass.

Free for ages 12 and younger.

BEST FOR: People and families who are curious to learn what it takes to get hot air balloons into the air and to see their

beauty once they are in the sky. Events include two balloon launches a day during which 50 balloons take flight, plus tethered balloon rides and a walk-in balloon. Check out the North Carolina craft beer and wine tastings in addition to plenty of food vendors.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: A kids zone filled with free inflatables and magic shows. Kids can also wall climb, bungee or walk inside of a balloon for an extra fee. carolinaballoonfest.com.

Barbecue Festival Oct. 26 | Uptown Lexington COST: Free BEST FOR: Those who want to celebrate good old barbeque in what has been deemed its world capital. This annual event attracts crowds in excess of 200,000 people, all paying homage to this North Carolina staple.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: A family fun area featuring a kids stage, pig races, a lumberjack show, rides and games. barbecuefestival.com.

Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival Nov. 10-11 | Huntersville COST: $8 for ages 5-12, and $11 for adults. Ages 4 and younger are admitted free. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.

BEST FOR: Those wanting to see, firsthand, the excitement of sheepdog trials and watch mostly champion border collies round up herds of sheep.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Hayrides, kids activities and lots of interaction with adorable pups. You can also bring old pumpkins and get rid of them by catapulting them over 40 feet into the air. ruralhill.net.

IN THE TRIANGLE Festifall Arts Festival Oct. 12 | W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill COST: Free BEST FOR: Art lovers, no matter what style you fancy. There will be items of interest for visual artists all the way to the performing arts. See more than 50 local artists and artisans displaying their works.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: The Kids Zone features local arts organizations offering interactive crafts and activities for young artists and art lovers. chapelhillfestifall.com

COASTAL Wilmington Riverfest Oct. 5-6 | Downtown Wilmington COST: Free BEST FOR: Fans of a fun-filled cultural street festival. Riverfest was created to show off the beauty of downtown Wilmington and the Cape Fear River. Expect local craft vendors, live entertainment and the crowning of Miss Riverfest.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: All of the kid-friendly festival staples like climbing walls, inflatables, and arts and crafts. Don’t forget to stick around for fireworks, too. wilmingtonriverfest.com.

North Carolina State Fair Oct. 17-27 | North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh COST: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12. Free for ages 5 and younger. Discounts available if you purchase tickets in advance.

BEST FOR: Literally anyone. This year is the debut of the Skygazer, a 155foot Ferris wheel. Tickets for the ride are sold separately at $6-$7.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Plenty of kid-friendly rides and fun foods like fried Oreos and candy bars.

There also are horse shows and livestock competitions. ncstatefair.org.

DeAnna Taylor is an attorney-turned-travel blogger and writer. She is a native of Charlotte and loves highlighting the city whenever she can.

ABOVE:

All smiles at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival BELOW: Dress in costume for Halloween-themed activites and games at Halloweenfest in Transylvania County.

Photo by Seyl Park | Spark Media

and Corn Mazes COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Plan your trip to the farm to pick a pumpkin, navigate a corn maze and enjoy fall eats and activities. See below for locations and hours of nearby farms, plus the activities at each throughout the month of October.

CHARLOTTE Hall Family Farm Enjoy Hall Family Farm for its final season in Charlotte. Activities, include the mini maze, duck race and bouncy balls, plus a 5-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, pedal carts and musical hayride.

LOCATION: 10713 Providence Road W. (near Ballantyne) | 704-562-4021 COST: Corn maze, pedal carts and hayrides: $2-$8. Children younger than age 2 free. Other kids’ activities are free.

HOURS: Sept. 27-Nov. 11. Sun.-Thurs., 9am-6pm; Fri.-Sat., 9am-10pm. hallfamilyfarm.com.

Hodges Farm Pumpkin Patch Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, photo opportunities on the farm, a self-guided tour of farm animals and hay bales for climbing.

LOCATION: 3900 Rocky River Road E. | 704-608-8897 COST: Free admission. Pumpkins start at $5. Hayrides, available only on Saturday and Sunday, are $5 per person, children 3 and younger ride for free with a paying adult.

HOURS: Sept. 28-Oct. 31. Mon.Sun., 9am-6pm. hodgesfarmnc.com

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CONCORD Riverbend Farm Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, slide down Slidezilla, play on the farmthemed playground, see the barn animals, plus have an ice cream served in an ice-cream parlor setting.

LOCATION: 12150 McManus Road, Midland | 704-888-2891 COST: $5.50 for ages 2 and older.

HOURS: Oct. 1-31. Mon.-Fri., 3:306pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; and Sun., 1-6pm. riverbendfarm.net FORT MILL Anne Springs Close Greenway Fall Frolic weekends include wagon rides, hay bale mazes, a corn crib, farm animals, pedal carts, horse rides, a pumpkin patch, hay gaga ball, cow train and more.

LOCATION: Lake Haigler Entrance, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. | 803-457-4575 COST: $6-$12. Kids under age 4 admitted free. $5 parking fee.

HOURS: Last three weekends in October, 10am-4pm. Horse rides available Sat., 11am-3pm and Sun., 1-4pm. ascgreenway.org

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

HUNTERSVILLE Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze A 7-acre corn maze, food trucks, bounce houses.

LOCATION: Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville | 704875-3113 COST: $8-$11, children 4 and younger free.

HOURS: Sept. 28-Nov. 3. Fri.-Sat., 10am-9pm; and Sun., 10am-5pm. ruralhill.net INDIAN TRAIL Wise Acres Farm Jump in the giant corn pit, ride the barrel train, pick a pumpkin and feed the farm animals.

LOCATION: 4701 Hartis Road, Indian Trail | 704-628-6232 COST: $5 per car parking fee first three weekends in October.

Free admission to farm and playground, $3 wagon rides, $3 corn pit, $2 barrel train and $2 for unlimited trips through the corn maze.

HOURS: Sept. 20-Nov. 3. Thurs., 9am-5pm; Fri.-Sat., 9am-7pm; and Sun., 9am-5pm. wiseacresorganic.com

MONROE Aw Shucks!

Corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin bowling, kids play area, gem mining, cornhole, horseshoes, animal barn and more.

LOCATION: Aw Shucks, 3718 Plyler Mill Road, Monroe | 704-709-7000 COST: $8-$13, plus extra fees for certain activities, children 3 and younger admitted free.

HOURS: Sept. 20-Nov. 10; Fri.-Sun., SEPTEMBER HOURS: Fri., 6-10pm, Sat., 11am-10pm; Sun., 1-6pm.

OCTOBER HOURS: Fri., 6-11pm, Sat., 11am-11pm, Sun., 1-6pm.

NOVEMBER HOURS: Fri., 6-10pm; Sat., 11am-10pm; and Sun., 1-6pm. awshucksfarms.com MOORESVILLE Carrigan Farms Pumpkin Patch Tour Hayrides, farm animals, fresh apple cider and pumpkin picking. Guests ages 12 and older may also be interested in Scarrigan Farms.

LOCATION: 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville | 704-6641450 COST: $11 per person for hayride to pumpkin patch and a pumpkin. Cash or check only.

HOURS: Oct. 1-Oct. 31, Sat.-Sun., 9am-4pm. carriganfarms.com.

Lazy 5 Ranch Fall Festival Pumpkin slingshot, animals, straw castle, corn box, corn hole plus a pumpkin patch.

LOCATION: 15100 Mooresville Road, Mooresville | 704-663-5100 COST: $8-$11, children younger than 2 admitted free. Cash only. $1 for pumpkin slingshot. Wagon rides cost $3-$5 dollars extra and require a reservation.

HOURS: Oct. 5-27. Mon.-Sat., 9am6pm; and Sun., noon-6pm. lazy5ranch.com

Patterson Farm Pumpkin patch tour, corn maze, playground, barrel train, hayrides, and more. See website for special event weekends.

LOCATION: 10390 Caldwell Road, Mount Ulla | 704-636-4005 COST: $7-$21. Purchase tickets online.

HOURS: Sept. 21-Oct. 27. Sat. and Sun., 10am-6pm; and Mon.Fri., 2-6pm. Weekday hours begin in October. In addition to weekends, hayrides depart on weekdays at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30pm. A Special Pumpkin Patch event for those with special needs takes place on Oct. 31. visitpattersonfarm.com ROCK HILL Cherry Place Farm Explore the pumpkin patch, and 2-acre corn maze, plus hayrides and farm animals.

LOCATION: 1922 Oakdale Road, Rock Hill | 803-325-4715 COST: $8, ages 1 and younger admitted free, includes baby pumpkin.

HOURS: Weekends throughout October. Sat. 10am-6pm; and Sun. 1-6pm. cherryplacefarm.com

STATESVILLE Regal Farm Corn Maze Corn maze, giant slingshot, checkers, hay tunnel, mini maize, hay mountain and more.

LOCATION: 347 Bell Farm Road, Statesville | 980-777-6277 COST: $9, children 4 and younger admitted free. Many activities are free, but some cost $2.

HOURS: Sept. 28-Oct. 27. Fri., 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-10pm; and Sunday, noon-5pm. regalcornmaze.com

Rescue Ranch Fall Fun Days Hayrides, games, animal presentations, apple chucking, playground and corn maze.

LOCATION: 1424 Turnersburg Highway, Statesville | 704-768-0909 COST: $7-$12, free admission for children younger than age 2.

Corn maze admission is $10 per adult and $5 for children ages 13 and younger.

HOURS: Sept. 28-Oct. 27. Sat., noon-5pm; and Sun., 1-5pm.

The corn maze is open until 9pm on Saturdays. rescueranch.com WEDDINGTON The Hunter Farm Pumpkin picking, petting barn, milk barn, hayrides, and food trucks on weekends.

LOCATION: 13624 Providence Road, Matthews | 704-846-7975 COST: $9-$10 (includes a small

pumpkin), grandparents and children younger than 2 free.

HOURS: Sept. 28-Nov. 16. Mon.Fri., 1-7pm; Sat., 9am-7pm; and Sun., 9am-7pm. thehunterfarm.com/fall YORK Bush-N-Vine Fall Farm Fun Wagon rides, pick-your-own pumpkins, corn box, observation beehive, and play area for kids.

LOCATION: 1650 Filbert Hwy., York | 803-684-2732 COST: $5 per wagon ride to pumpkin patch; ages 2 and younger admitted free. Wagon ride includes $2 off purchase of pumpkin.

HOURS: Saturdays, Sept. 28-Oct. 26, 9am-4pm. bushnvinefarm.com Tiffany Wolff is the calendar editor for Charlotte Parent.

We believe in FAMILIES. Children’s Home Society of NC (CHS) has been serving North Carolina children and families for over 100 Years.

We provide families with the support and resources they need to be a forever family, whether by offering family-centered services that equip families to safely care for their children, or by creating new families through foster care and adoption.

CHS believes in the power of family to transform lives and communities. To find out how you can make a difference in the lives of families across NC

Visit Us Today: CHSNC.ORG | 800.632.1400

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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EXCURSION

Join in an art class at Florence Thomas Art School in West Jefferson. Photo courtesy of Florence Thomas Art School

Ashe County

Low-key adventure, smalltown charm combine for a perfect family getaway

BY SUSANNA KLINGENBERG

N

estled near the Virginia and Tennessee borders, Ashe County, North Carolina, is a hidden treasure. It’s sometimes overlooked in favor of bustling Asheville or tourist-centric Blowing Rock because it lacks many of the typical tourist attractions or activities you might find in those areas, but sometimes less is more, especially if you’ve got young kids.

If what you seek is family-friendly outdoor adventure, good food and a side of mountain magic, Ashe County will match your pace.

Go for leaves in the fall or Merlefest in the spring. But whenever you go, take the chance to slow down, unplug and ease into mountain time. Here are a few must-see spots in laidback Ashe County.

Check for ranger programs and keep an eye out for the enormous hellbender salamander — better known to locals (and giggling kids) as the “snot otter.”

THE NEW RIVER: Whitewater For Whippersnappers Despite its name, The New River is old — ancient, actually — which means its time-worn rapids are perfect for pint-sized explorers.

Zaloo’s Canoes in Jefferson provides canoes, kayaks, intertubes, safety gear and shuttle service for a 5- or 10-mile day on the water.

“The South Fork of the New River that Zaloo’s recommends for families contains some of the most scenic and peaceful parts of the river, making it especially fun and safe for kids to canoe, kayak and tube on,” says Kathy Hudspeth of Zaloo’s Canoes.

NEW RIVER STATE PARK: Hiking and Hellbenders Gorgeous and growing, thanks to the New River Conservancy, New River State Park offers spaces for all kinds of outdoor fun. Discover short and easy forest hiking trails via the Wagoner Access entrance, which also offers access to the river for swimming, and tent or paddle-in campsites with hot water showers.

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OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

WEST JEFFERSON: Kid-Friendly Sophistication Though West Jefferson is known for its craft breweries and thriving art district that features murals, galleries and studios, this charming, walkable town offers plenty of entertainment for the younger set, too. On Main Street, watch cheese made at Ashe County Cheese, take in a movie at the vintage Parkway Theater, and participate in an art class at the Florence Thomas Art School.

Head to Bowie-Seagraves Municipal Park (often referred to as West Jefferson Park) to spread out under a shady oak and unwind while your kids explore the playground, huge hillside slide and tiny mountain stream — perfect for even the youngest kids to splash in, rock hop and hunt for crawdads in.

THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL: Downhill From Here Abingdon, Virginia, is a short drive from Ashe County, but it’s worth the trip to experience the 32-mile Virginia Creeper bike trail.

“As a parent, it’s a thrill to see your child riding their bike, and the Virginia Creeper is one of the best trails around for kids,” says Jerry Camper, founder of the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop. Why is that? Because the whole trail — all 32-plus miles of it — is downhill.

Be sure to stop in Damascus at mile 15 to eat

The south fork of the New River is safe and fun for families to canoe, kayak or tube. Courtesy of Zaloo’s canoes lunch and rub elbows with Appalachian Trail through-hikers.

LANSING: Flies and Pies Lansing may have only 157 residents, but this tiny town is big on charm. Teach your little ones the art of fly fishing in Big Horse Creek — named one of only five Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program streams in the state.

Then cross the street for pizza at the awardwinning Pie On the Mountain where parents can also order a locally-made Molley Chomper Hard Cider.

If less is more for your family, Ashe County might be just the “more” you’re looking for.

Learn more at ashechamber.com/tourism.php.

Susanna Klingenberg lives in Raleigh with her husband, two young children and an unruly vegetable garden.

OCTOBER 2019 OUR PICKS

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Celebrate and inspire children at Charlotte Kids Fest.

Photo courtesy of The Littlefield Co.

SATURDAY, 12 Oct.OCTOBER 12

NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. M.L.K. Jr Blvd.

We know choosing a school 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM for your child is a big decision.

Join us at our annual School Fair to meet one-on-one with the representatives from some of the area’s best public and private schools all in one place.

Bring the kids for family-friendly activities while you talk to FREE and for school representatives, and then theFUNwhole family! venture to the Hola! Charlotte Festival andyou Festival ofhave India As parents, we know might not thealso time to visit each individual school. That is why our annual School Fair happening uptown.

NASCAR introduces you to both public and private schools as well as a few local colleges, all in one family-friendly event.

Hall of Fame, 400 E. MLK Jr. Blvd, Learn more atCharlotte.

CharlotteParent.com/schoolfair 10:30am1:30pm. FREE. charlotteparent.com.

Charlotte KidsFest | Oct. 5 Be inspired with artistic, creative, playful and educational experiences at this festival specifically created for kids. Enjoy a Play Zone, bubble circus, performers, science demonstrations food trucks and more, all outdoors on the UNC Charlotte campus.

UNCC, 9100 Robert D. Snyder Road, Charlotte. 11-4pm. FREE. charlottekidsfest.org.

Fairy Fest | Oct. 19-20 Wear your wings and favorite fairy attire for a day of all things fairies at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Create a natural fairy house in Lost Hollow, listen to fairy stories and create your own fairy wand. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 11am-3pm. $7.95-$14.95, includes garden admission. Free for children younger than age 2. dsbg.org.

The Queen Charlotte Fair | Oct. 4-13 Get your fix of fair food, festivities, carnival rides and games at the semi-annual Queen Charlotte Fair.

Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd., Concord. $5-$10, children 4 and younger admitted free. Mon.Thurs., 4-10 p.m.; Fri., 4-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m.; Sun., noon-10 p.m. queencharlottefair.com.

charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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1 TUESDAY

4 FRIDAY

Dakota and Friends. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 3-11.

11am-1pm. Free. Meet and interact with Dakota, pet a baby T-Rex. Read aloud to dinosaurs, then take a ride! cmlibrary.org.

Survival Series. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. Ages 7 and older.

6:30pm. $10-$15. Learn basic outdoorsman skills like starting a fire in your backyard or navigating the backcountry. ascgreenway.org.

Teri’s Kidz Consignment Sale. Merino’s Complex, 500 S. Main St., Mooresville. Free. Shop clothing, toys, gear and more. Mon.-Wed., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (half-off sale); Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (half-off sale). See website for pre-sale exclusive dates. terikidzconsignment.com.

On Stage: Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

Crews Family Fun Night. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. 6-9pm.

Free. Family Fun Night at Crews returns with a fun-filled lineup of activities and entertainment. matthewsfun.com.

Fall Color Hike. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 7 and older. 2-3:30pm. Free.

Admire fall foliage while hiking around Lake Wylie. Register online. parkandrec.com.

Strider Cup World Championship. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Ages 2-6. 9am-3pm. Free for spectators. Cheer on Strider Cup racers as they put their skills to the test. striderbikes.com/events.

Friday Morning Nature Hike. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 9-11am.

Free. Explore the nature preserve alongside a naturalist. parkandrec.com.

SCarowinds. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Recommended for ages 13 and older.

7pm-midnight. $48+. Fear rises when darkness falls and Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park.” carowinds.com.

Teri’s Kidz Consignment Sale. Merino’s Complex, 500 S. Main St., Mooresville. Free. Shop clothing, toys, gear and more. Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (half-off sale). See website for pre-sale exclusive dates. terikidzconsignment.com.

2 WEDNESDAY STEAM 101: Art! Make a Mask. Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 10-18.

5:30-6:30pm. Free. Use various techniques to make a mask. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Teri’s Kidz Consignment Sale. Merino’s Complex, 500 S. Main St., Mooresville. Free. Shop clothing, toys, gear and more. Mon.-Wed., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (half-off sale); Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (half-off sale). See website for pre-sale exclusive dates. terikidzconsignment.com.

United States Disc Golf Championship.

Winthrop University Athletic Complex, 1162 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill. 9am-6pm. $10, free for children 12 and younger. Watch professional disc golfers compete and try the disc golf course for yourself. usdgc.com.

3 THURSDAY On Stage: The Wolves. See page 27.

Learn and Play Sensory Time. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 2-10.

4:30-5pm. Free. This story time is for children with autism, developmental challenges or sensory sensitivities and their typically developing peers. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library.

Teri’s Kidz Consignment Sale. Merino’s Complex, 500 S. Main St., Mooresville. Free. Shop clothing, toys, gear and more. Thurs., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (half-off sale); Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (half-off sale). See website for pre-sale exclusive dates. terikidzconsignment.com.

Tot’s Craft Studio. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 1-5. 9:3010:15am. Free. Children express themselves creatively through art. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com.

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5 SATURDAY On Stage: Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

19th Annual All American Dog Show. Robbins Park, 17738 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 3-6pm.

Free for spectators. See hundreds of animal lovers and their dogs, plus concessions and children’s activities. visitlakenorman.org.

2019 Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure.

BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St. 7:30am. $10-$40.

Walk to find a cure! Also come out for the Family Fun Zone in front of Panthers Stadium that opens at 7am and the Survivor Parade at 9:15am. komencharlotte.org.

Animal Care Behind the Scenes Tour.

McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road.

Ages 10 and older. 1- 2:30pm. Free. Get a behindthe-scenes look at the nature center’s animal care program. Register online. parkandrec.com.

ASC Culture Blocks: Clayworks. Mint Hill Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill. 2-4pm.

Free. Join Clayworks for a hands on pottery making workshop. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Carolina Renaissance Festival. Carolina Renaissance Festival, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. 10am-5:30pm. $15-$26. It’s opening day for the annual festival. Step back in time to a 16th-century European village. Enjoy food, rides, performances, jousting, and much more. carolina.renfestinfo.com.

Charlotte UNITE Festival. NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St. Noon-8pm. Free. The family orientated festival includes live music, food from different cultures, craft beer, a kids’ zone and community speakers.

Clayworks: Family Workshop. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road.

10:30am-noon. Free. Join Clayworks the second Thursday of each month at Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center for a hands on clay workshop.

Preregistration required. parkandrec.com.

DIY Beeswax Wraps. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 10:30am-noon. $10.

Create beeswax wraps to replace plastic bags in your kitchen. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com.

Family Fun Night: Tina Ross Afternoon in the Park. Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill. Noon-5pm. Free. A festival with music and food to honor the late commissioner Tina Ross. minthill.com.

Gaston Day School FallFest 2019. Gaston Day School, 2001 Gaston Day School Road, Gastonia.

10am-2pm. Free, unlimited ride wristbands $25. Enjoy rides, games and activities. Shop vendors and food trucks. gastonday.org/parentsassociation/.

Halloween Cake Pop Tutorial Class. SAS CUPCAKES, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. Ages 5-12.

1-2pm. $13. SAS Learn to dip and decorate Halloween cake pops. Call 704-295-1777 to make reservation. sascupcakes.com.

Indian Trail Fall Festival. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. 11am-5pm.

Free. Come on out for a day full of vendors, rides, games, performances and food. indiantrail.org.

SCarowinds. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Recommended for ages 13 and older.

7pm-midnight. $48+. Fear rises when darkness falls and Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park.” carowinds.com.

St. Alban’s Oktoberfest 2019. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson.

4-9pm. Free. Enjoy German food and beverages, plus bounce houses, hayrides, games and live music. saintalbansdavidson.org.

USNWC Fall Festival. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. Free; $6

for parking. Sample ciders, and watch the BYOB (Build Your Own Boat) Competition. Participate in the trail race, yoga or regular pass activities all while enjoying live music. usnwc.org.

6 SUNDAY On Stage: Peppa Pig Live!; and Peter Pan. See page 27.

Day out with Thomas. N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 South Salisbury Ave., Spencer. $20+. Children and their families can take a 25-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine.

Meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy Thomas-themed activities, including stamps, temporary tattoos, music and more. nctrans.org.

Leaf Art. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-12. 2-3pm. $3. Identify some common trees by their leaves before making art with leaves. Adult attendance and participation are required. parkandrec.com.

7 MONDAY Nature Detectives: Apple Season, Seeds and Fruits. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-6. 1:30-3pm. $6. Uncover the mysteries of nature through stories, crafts and activities related to the topic of the week. parkandrec.com.

Storytime at Midwood Park. Midwood Park, 2100 Wilhelmina Ave. Ages birth-5. 11:1511:45am. Free. Enjoy an outdoor story time with movement activities and songs. cmlibrary.org.

Young Explorers: Apple Season, Seeds and Fruit. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 2-3. 10:15-11am. $4. Discover nature hand-in-hand with your little one through stories and activities related to the topic of the week. parkandrec.com.

8 TUESDAY Family Storytime: Pajama Storytime. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 6:15-7pm. Free. Bring your whole family out to enjoy stories, songs and movement activities in pajamas. Register online. Light refreshments provided. cmlibrary.org.

Prairie Night Hike. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. Ages 10 and older. 7-8:30pm. $4.

Come for an after-hours hike that includes star gazing. parkandrec.com.

Preteen Scene: Comic Book Club. Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 8-11.

5:30-6:30pm. Free. Explore the new juvenile graphic novel series “Hocus and Pocus.” Register online. cmlibrary.org.

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CALENDAR

Stories in 2 Languages. Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 2-5. 11-11:45am. Free. This program is intended for children who speak English as a second language. cmlibrary.org.

Watch Peppa Pig’s big adventure unfold on stage.

9 WEDNESDAY On Stage: The Wolves. See page 27.

Story Explorers: Once Upon a Slime. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. Ages 5-11. 1:30-2:15pm. Free. Explore books that celebrate science and play a game before creating slime. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Sunset Kayak. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. 6:15pm. $15-$25. Kayak the still waters of Lake Haigler. Children younger than 11 must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak. ascgreenway.org.

10 THURSDAY On Stage: Morehouse College Glee Club; and The Wolves. See page 27.

ASC Clayworks. West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive. 10:30am-noon. Free. Join Clayworks for a hands-on pottery making workshop. parkandrec.com.

Krafty Kidz. Southview Recreation Center, 1720 Vilma St. Ages 6-12. 5-6pm. Free. Get your creative juices flowing as you create art. parkandrec.com.

Sensory Storytime. Main Library Rock Hill, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill. Ages 11 and younger. 6-7pm. Free. Enjoy books, songs, movement, sensory experiences and playtime. yclibrary.org.

Stories in 2 Languages: Spanish. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Ages birth-5 years. 10:3011am. Free. Engage your child with stories, songs and activities in English and Spanish. cmlibrary.org.

11 FRIDAY On Stage: The Adventures of Madeline; Countess Dracula; Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

2nd Friday Street Festival. Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. 6-10pm. Free. Come out for live music, food trucks, craft breweries, local artists, kids’ activities and more. visitlakenorman.org.

Capes and Critters. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. Ages 5-12. 2-4pm. $5. Become a nature superhero by designing a nature cape. parkandrec.com.

Charlotte Checkers Opening Night. Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 7pm. $18.50+. Watch the excitement on the ice as the Charlotte Checkers take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. gocheckers.com.

LaLaCaboosa Downtown Music Series. Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville. 6:30-9pm.

Free. Come out for live music, food trucks and fun. Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. huntersville.org.

Mount Holly Food Truck Friday. Downtown Mount Holly, 131 S. Main St., Mount Holly. 6-10pm. Free. Listen to The

= HALLOWEEN EVENTS

ON STAGE The Wolves (Oct. 3-26). Actor’s Theater, Hadley Theater, 2132 Radcliffe Ave. $7.50-$15. 704-342-2251. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, the girls soccer team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors. See website for showtimes. atcharlotte.org/the-wolves.

Peter Pan (Oct. 4-Nov. 3). Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, 300 E. 7th St. $15+.

704-973-2828. Join Peter as he whisks the Darling children off to Neverland in a story filled with magic, delight and adventure. See website for showtimes.

Enjoy a sensory-friendly performance Oct. 13 at 7pm. ctcharlotte.org.

Peppa Pig Live! (Oct. 6). Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 3pm. $15+. 704-372-1000.

Join Peppa on an exciting camping trip to the woods with George, her school friends, singing, dancing, games and surprises. blumenthalarts.org.

Morehouse College Glee Club (Oct. 10). Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $35-$95. The Morehouse College Glee Club joins Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for a special collaboration.

Proceeds benefit scholarships for Charlotte area students attending Morehouse College. charlottesymphony.org.

The Adventures of Madeline (Oct. 11-20). Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell St., Matthews. Fri., 7:30pm; Sat.-Sun., 2pm. $12-$14. Based on the original book by Ludwig Bemelmens, in this set of adventures, Madeline adopts a dog named Genevieve, ends up in the hospital and meets the new boy next door who turns out to be a “bad hat.” matthewsplayhouse.com.

an ogre, and the fantastic Firebird who saves them. charlottesymphony.org.

Countess Dracula (Oct. 11-20). Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. Fri.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm. $20. 704-372-1000. This new play by Tony Wright features a mysterious countess from Eastern Europe who moves outside London in the 1920s. The story parallels the undead themes of the classic ballet, “Giselle.” blumenthalarts.org.

Little Shop of Horrors. (Oct. 25-Nov. 3). Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. $5+. Fri.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2:30pm.

This Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical comedy about a geeky florist shop owner and the Venus flytrap who can speak. tix.cpcc.edu/events.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live: The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour.

(Oct. 17). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $25+. The hilarious Peabody Award-winning hit TV comedy comes to Charlotte. A self-conscious teen becomes a martial arts master under the tutelage of Bruce Lee’s ghost. blumenthalarts.org.

Stravinsky Firebird (Oct. 18-19). Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $28+.

704-972-2000. Stravinsky’s “Firebird” follows the spellbinding story of a prince and princesses caught in a struggle with

Charlotte Symphony: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Oct. 25).

Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $29-$132. 704-972-2000. Follow Jack the Pumpkin King’s quest to seize Christmas on a large screen above the orchestra. charlottesymphony.org.

Les Miserables (Oct. 29-Nov. 3). Ovens Auditorium, 2700 Independence Blvd. $25+. 704-372-1000. Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning musical. See website for showtimes. blumenthalarts.org.

Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue. (Oct. 30). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $25+. The production is a celebration of India’s pop music, Bollywood culture and deep traditions featuring colorful costumes, dance and live music. blumenthalarts.org.

SEE MORE PERFORMANCES ONLINE AT CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/CALENDAR

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CALENDAR

Inlaws Band and DJ Johnny B. Beach and Boogie, and play in the kid zone. mtholly.us.

Muddy Boots Hits the Water: Canoeing McDowell Creek. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 10-16.

1-4pm. $15. Paddle your way through Mountain Island Lake. All equipment will be provided. parkandrec.com.

Outdoor Market. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. 10am-9pm. Free, $6 for parking. Check out gear from top brands in the outdoor industry. Then relax with craft beer, food and films. usnwc.org.

SCarowinds. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Recommended for ages 13 and older.

7pm-midnight. $48+. Fear rises when darkness falls and Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park.” carowinds.com.

12 SATURDAY On Stage: The Adventures of Madeline; Countess Dracula; Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

ASC Culture Blocks: It’s Not Just Selfies, It’s Photography and More. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. Teen. 11am-1pm. Free.

Learn photography and videography techniques using point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras.

Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Autumn Treasures. Main Street, Waxhaw.

10am-6pm; Sun., noon-6pm. Free. Local crafters display wares on Main Street, while musicians fill the streets with song, plus a Kids Zone features inflatables, carnival rides, pony rides, petting zoo and crafts. waxhaw.com.

Baila, Baila! with Angie Acosta. Belmont Branch Library, 125 N. Central Ave., Belmont.

Recommended for school age and older.

11am-noon. Free. Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by learning dance moves and some basic Spanish. gastonlibrary.org.

Beginner Knitting Workshop. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville.

10am-2pm. $25. Learn the basics in this beginner knitting workshop. Preregistration is required. lattaplantation.org.

Catawba Indian Festival. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia.

10am-3pm. $3 in addition to museum admission of $6-$7, children 3 and younger free. Explore the culture and history of the Catawba Indians with singing, dancing, activities and crafts. Listen to traditional stories, feel the beat of a drum circle, step inside a bark house, and try your hand at primitive skills. schielemuseum.org.

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Charlotte Independence Soccer. Sportsplex at Matthews, 1505 Tank Town, Matthews. 7pm. $15+. See the Charlotte Independence soccer team kick it at the Sportsplex at Matthews. charlotteindependence.com.

Charlotte Parent School Fair. NASCAR Hall of Fame. 400 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. 10:30am-1:30pm.

Free. meet one-on-one with representatives from Charlotte’s top private and charter schools, all in one place. charlotteparent.com/events.

Dilworth Jubilee. Latta Park, 601 E. Park Ave. 4-9pm. Free. Come enjoy live music, food trucks and festivities for all ages. dilworthonline.org/jubilee.

Downtown Mooresville Wiener Race. 168 E. Center Ave., Mooresville. Free. This annual wiener race raises money for local pet rescue groups.

Races will be held for puppy, junior, adult and senior divisions. mooresvillewienerrace.com.

Fall Frolic. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. 10am-4pm. Price TBA. Celebrate fall the last three weekends in October with wagon rides, pumpkin patch, corn crib, hay bale maze, pedal carts, horse rides, face painting, farm animals and more. Horse rides available Sat., 11am-3pm and Sun., 1-4pm. ascgreenway.org/ greenway-events/fall-frolic.

Family Day at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St. Noon-4:30pm. $9 adults; Free for children younger than 18. Families can explore the Bechtler collection through special hands-on art activities and family-focused museum tours.

Complimentary guided tours at 1 and 3pm. bechtler.org.

Family Fall Festival. 624 Tyvola Road, Suite 100.

11am-4pm. Free. Join Greater Life Chiropractic in their fifth annual fall festival, featuring live music, bounce house, pumpkin painting, games, petting zoo and food and beer available for purchase. getgreaterlife.com.

Festival of India. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. Noon-8pm; Sun., noon-6pm. $7, children younger than admitted 10 free. Enjoy the diversity of Indian dance, food, art and music.

Guests can enjoy yoga, henna tattoos and a kids’ art corner. blumenthalarts.org.

Fort Mill Fire Department Open House.

Fort Mill Fire Department, 121 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. 10am-2pm. Come to the open house for activities for kids, live demonstrations and pizza. fortmillsc.gov.

Harrisburg Art Walk. Harrisburg Town Hall, 4100 Main St., Harrisburg. 10am-4pm. Free. See more than 50 art vendors featuring various goods. Food trucks will also be on site. harrisburgnc.org.

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Hola Charlotte. Uptown Charlotte, South Tryon St. from E. Stonewall St. to 4th St. Noon-7pm.

Free. Celebrate Latin American culture!

Check out the Latin American Cultural Village, food, music, artists, performances, Zumba demos and instruction, and fashion displays. holacharlottefestival.com.

Huntersville Fall Festival. 13659 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville. 10am-4pm. Free. Enjoy local art and craft booths, children’s games and crafts, inflatables, scarecrow making, food trucks, a pumpkin patch and live entertainment. huntersvillefallfest.com.

Kids in Nature Day. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews. 10am-1pm.

Free. Come out fishing, nature walks, STEM activities, nature crafts, animals and more fun for the whole family. matthewsnc.gov.

Laketoberfest. Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. 5-9pm. Free. Festival features live music, food trucks and a kid’s zone with crafts and games. Event proceeds benefit Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists. cornelius.org.

Movie Night in the Patch. Greater Life Pumpkin Patch, 17025 Lancaster Hwy. 7pm. Free. Come watch a movie outdoors in the pumpkin patch. agreaterlife.net/movie-night.

Musical Saturday: Interstellar. The Bridge at Arts+, 4100 Raleigh St. Ages 3-8. 10am-noon. $8. Sing, move and play along to songs all about outer space. Register online. artsplus.org.

PumpkinFest and Storywalk. Shamrock Senior Center/Methodist Home, 3200 Shamrock Drive. Ages 2-12. 11am-2pm. Free. Wear your Halloween costume for the costume contest, and enjoy crafts and carnival games. parkandrec.com.

SCarowinds. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Recommended for ages 13 and older.

7pm-midnight. $48+. Fear rises when darkness falls and Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park.” carowinds.com.

Touch-a-Truck. Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 Hwy. 49 N., Concord. 9am-1pm. Free.

Kids can learn about various vehicles including emergency vehicles and construction equipment.

Do not miss the skydiving show and bounce houses. cabarrusarena.com/events/2019/ touch-a-truck.

Street, while local musicians fill the streets with song. In addition, the Kids Zone features inflatables, carnival rides, pony rides, petting zoo, children’s entertainment and crafts. Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., noon-6pm. waxhaw.com.

Biketoberfest. Triple C Brewing Co., 2900 Griffith St. 11:30am-6:30pm. $25-$35, children younger than 18 free with registered adult. Discover how easy it is to get around Charlotte by bike at Sustain Charlotte’s fifth annual Biketoberfest.

Bike route finishes with an after-party at Triple C Brewing Co. Festival of India. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. Noon-6pm. $7, children younger than admitted 10 free. Enjoy the diversity of Indian dance, food, art and music. Guests can enjoy yoga, henna tattoos and a kids’ art corner. blumenthalarts.org.

13 SUNDAY

16 WEDNESDAY

On Stage: The Adventures of Madeline; Countess Dracula; Peter Pan Sensory Friendly Performance; and The Wolves.

See page 27.

Autumn Treasures. Main Street, Waxhaw. Noon6pm. Free. Local crafters display wares on Main

On Stage: The Wolves. See page 27.

Car Seats 101 Classes. Britax Child Safety, Inc., 4140 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Expecting parents (28-36 weeks) are invited to Britax headquarters in Fort Mill to learn the basics of installing a car seat. us.britax.com.

14 MONDAY Columbus Day Halloween Craft. Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St. Ages 2.5-5. 10:30-11:15am. $5. Hear a story and make a craft. This program includes swimming after craft. Parent participation and preregistration are required. parkandrec.com.

Pajama Rama on the Plaza. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. 7-7:30pm. Free. Wear your pjs on the second Monday of each month for a family story time that is perfect for bedtime. cmlibrary.org.

15 TUESDAY Terrific Titles Children’s Book Club. Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Grades 3-5. 4:30-5:30pm. Free. Come discuss “The BFG” by Roald Dahl. New members welcome. cmlibrary.org.

Toddler Theater Club. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 2-4.

9:30-10:30am. Free. Participate in a fun, kid friendly workout. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com.

Urban Legends. Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill. Ages 11-17. 5-6:30pm.

Free. Discover the truth behind urban legends over spooky sweets and creepy games. Register online. yclibrary.org.

= HALLOWEEN EVENTS

› Muddy Boots Almanac. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 11-14. 1-3pm. $4. Snap photos, draw pictures, take notes, and flex your inner scientist while creating a living record of the park as it changes throughout the year. parkandrec.com.

17 THURSDAY On Stage: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live: The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour; and The Wolves. See page 27.

ASC Culture Blocks and CM Library Present: Clayworks. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. 5:30-7pm. Free. Learn how to texturize and manipulate clay to create art. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Puppet Show at ImaginOn. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 11:30am-noon. Free. See a puppet show with songs and activities that support early literacy and foster a love of books. cmlibrary.org.

Stories in 2 Languages: English and Spanish. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. 11-11:30am. Free. Engage your child with stories, songs and activities in English and Spanish. cmlibrary.org.

18 FRIDAY On Stage: Countess Dracula; Stravinsky Firebird; Peter Pan; and The Wolves.

See page 27.

Comedy Under the Stars. Crossing Paths Park, 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. 7-10pm. Free. Enjoy a free comedy show, bounce house, face painting and yard games. indiantrail.org.

Food Truck Friday Rock Hill. Fountain Park, Old Town Rock Hill, 300 E. Main St., Rock Hill. 6-10pm.

Free admission. Food Truck Friday at Fountain Park in Old Town Rock Hill features food trucks, local restaurants, local beers, wine, children’s activities and live music. onlyinoldtown.com.

SCarowinds. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Recommended for ages 13 and older.

7pm-midnight. $48+. Fear rises when darkness falls and Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park.” carowinds.com.

19 SATURDAY On Stage: The Adventures of Madeline; Countess Dracula; Peter Pan; Stravinsky Firebird; and The Wolves.

See page 27.

Baila, Baila! with Angie Acosta. Ferguson Branch Library, 913 N. Pryor St., Gastonia.

Recommended for school age and older.

11am-noon. Free. Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by learning dance moves and some basic Spanish. gastonlibrary.org.

Fall on the Greenway Hike. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 194 Adventure Road, Fort Mill.

2pm. Free, $5 for parking. Start out from the Adventure Center and look for signs that winter is approaching. ascgreenway.org.

Family Day at Cabarrus Arts Council. Cabarrus Arts Council, 65 Union Street S., Concord. 1-4pm.

Free. Create your own art at creation stations throughout the galleries. cabarrusartscouncil.org.

Halloween on the Green. The Green at Promenade on Providence, corner of Providence Road and Interstate 485. 4pm. Free. Trickor-treating begins at 4pm and is followed a screening of the movie, “Hocus Pocus” at dusk. promenadeonprovidence.com.

Halloween Spooktacular at American Girl. American Girl Southpark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. Ages 3 and older. 1-3pm. Free. Dress in costume to receive a sweet treat, while supplies last. Take part in a Boo Box craft and pose for a photo opportunity. americangirl.com.

Harvest at the Haven. Wing Haven Gardens, 260 Ridgewood Ave. Recommended for ages 10 and younger. 10am-noon. $15-$20 per family.

CALENDAR

Harvest seasonal vegetables, help prepare the beds for a winter crop, create seasonal crafts and explore the garden for creepy crawlies. winghavengardens.org.

Harvest at the Homestead. Historic Brattonsville, 144 Brattonsville Road, McConnells. 10am-4pm. $5-$8, free for children younger than 3, included with admission. Period dressed interpreters lead a living history event that centers on farm-related fall activities. chmuseums.org.

Learn to Ride: Clanton Park. Clanton Park, 1520 Clanton Road. Ages 3 and older. 10am-2pm. Free.

Bring your bike to learn to ride without training wheels. Learn to glide and balance, peddle, pump and ride. parkandrec.com.

Movie Night in Midwood Park. Midwood Park Amphitheater, 2100 Wilhelmina Ave. 8pm.

Free. See “Finding Nemo” beginning at dusk. plazamidwood.org.

Nature at Night. McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road. 5-9pm. $7, children younger than 2 free. The evening will include live animals, crafts, night hikes, hayrides, hot dog meal, s’mores and storytelling. Preregister online for this rain-orshine event. parkandrec.com.

Old Town Rock Hill Oktoberfest. Fountain Park, 300 E. Main St., Rock Hill. 4-10pm. Free. Enjoy

Be a part of the · 2019 SPECIAL OLYMPICS NC

FALL TOURNAMENT NOVEMBER 1 - 3 · CHARLOTTE

visit www. sonc.net charlotteparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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CALENDAR

music performances, German cuisine, a kids’ play zone and wiener dog races. onlyinoldtown.com.

Pennzoil AutoFair Presented by Advance Auto Parts. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord. 8am-6pm. $13; children 13 and younger free with a paying adult.

The Pennzoil AutoFair presented by Advance Auto Parts features more than 10,000 automotive vendor displays. Kids can enjoy a play zone and eat fair food. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Pet Costume Parade. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 11am-12:30pm.

Free. Dress your pet for a costume parade around the outside of the library. Bring a can of dog or cat food to donate. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/ Library.

Stallings Fest 2019. Stallings Municipal Park, 324 Stallings Road, Stallings. 1-9pm. Free.

Enjoy amusements, craft and food vendors, live entertainment and fireworks. stallingsnc.org.

Stories in 2 Languages. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road. Ages 3-5. 11-11:30am.

Free. Engage your child with stories, songs and activities in English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. cmlibrary.org.

Story Explorers: Building. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd.

Ages 5-11. 11:15am-12:15pm. Free. Explore stories in creative ways with a building theme. cmlibrary.org.

Story Explorers: DIY Yarn Projects. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. Free. Do a series of arts and craft projects with yarn. cmlibrary.org.

Turkish Festival of Charlotte. Oasis Shriners, 604 Doug Mayes Place. 11am-5pm. $5. Experience and savor Turkish food and coffee, performances and cultural demonstrations. charlotteturks. org/festival.

Windy Hill Apple Harvest Festival. Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, 1860 Black Hwy., York. 10am-6pm. $10-$12. Enjoy a hayride, shop for farm goods and try some apple cider. windyhillorchard.com.

20 SUNDAY On Stage: The Adventures of Madeline; Countess Dracula; Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

Carolina Balloonfest. Statesville Regional Airport, 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville. $10-$35; children 12 and younger free. Bring your cameras, lawn chairs, and blankets to experience a familyfriendly festival featuring more than 50 hot air balloons, live music, food, wine and craft beer, kids’ zone, and artisan marketplace. Fri.,

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3-8:30pm; Sat., 7am-8:30pm; Sun., 7am-6pm. carolinaballoonfest.com.

Cars and Cappuccino. SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. 8-10am. Free. See a variety of European sports cars. carsandcappuccino.com.

Fall Fairy House. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9090 Craver Road. 9am-noon. $25. Build a fairy house while learning about the materials nature provides. gardens.uncc.edu.

Repticon Charlotte Reptile and Exotic Animal Show. Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 Highway 49 N., Concord. 10am. $5-$10, free admission for children younger than 5. See reptile pets and shop for supplies, feeders, cages and merchandise, plus live animal seminars and free raffles. See website for times and special offers. repticon.com.

23 WEDNESDAY On Stage: The Wolves. See page 27.

Preteen Scene: Beyond the Book.

Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road.

Preteen. 5-6pm. Free. Explore different genres through this discussion group. Develop reading comprehension and writing skills. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

24 THURSDAY

Nature Detectives: Bats and Spiders. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 4-6. 1:30-3pm. $6. Uncover the mysteries of nature through stories, crafts and activities related to the topic of the week. parkandrec.com.

Storytime at Midwood Park. Midwood Park, 2100 Wilhelmina Ave. Ages birth-5. 11:15-11:45 am. Free. Bring the family for an outdoor story time with movement activities and songs. cmlibrary.org.

Young Explorers: Bats and Spiders. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 2-3. 10:15-11am. $4. Discover nature hand-in-hand with your little one through stories and activities related to the topic of the week. parkandrec.com.

On Stage: The Wolves. See page 27.

Art Kiddo Play Date with Sol. Watershed, 2101 Shenandoah Ave. Ages birth-7 years. 4:305:30pm. $25. SoL offers children opportunities to explore nature and to create while learning Spanish. themothershipclt.com.

Mount Holly Hollyween Bash. Tuckaseege Park, 165 Broome St., Mount Holly. 5:30-8pm.

Free. Bring the whole family for the zombie run, inflatables and costume contest. mtholly.us.

Paint Your Own Pumpkin. Lake Wylie Public Library, 185 Blucher Cir., Lake Wylie. Ages 11-17.

5-6:30pm. Free. Paint Halloween pumpkins for the library. Register online. yclibrary.org.

Story Explorers: Campfire Songs and Stories. Myers Park Library, 1361 Queens Road.

Ages 5-11. 7-7:30pm. Free. Explore songs and stories through interactive activities. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Yoga Storytime. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 10:30-11am.

Free. Bring your family out to enjoy stories coupled with fun and easy yoga moves. cmlibrary.org.

22 TUESDAY

25 FRIDAY

Arts Delivered: Homeschool Wet Clay Workshop. McDowell Arts Center, 123 McDowell St., Matthews. Ages 6 and older.

9:30-10:30am. $10. Kids create a face pot that is microwave and dishwasher safe. artsdelivered.com.

Outdoor Adventure Club: Paracord Survival Bracelet. Tom Sykes Recreation Center, 1501 Euclid Ave. Ages 8-12. 5-6:30pm. $5. Come craft your own paracord survival bracelet. parkandrec.com.

Preschool Playtime. Carolina Stars, 1080 Maxwell Mill Road, Fort Mill. Walking to adult.

10:30am-noon. $5, cash only. Come play in the open gym. All students younger than 3 must have an adult present at all times. carolinastarsgym.com.

On Stage: Charlotte Symphony: The Nightmare Before Christmas; Little Shop of Horrors; Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

Creepy Crawly Critter-ween. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road.

5-8:30pm. Free. Come out for live animals, a costume contest, campfire stories, marshmallow roasting, crafts, hayrides and night hikes. parkandrec.com.

Davidson’s Halloween March. Town Hall, 216 S Main St., Davidson. 5pm. Free.

Parade along Main Street in costume to receive treats from merchants and organizations. townofdavidson.org.

Indian Trail Halloween Spooktacular.

Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. 6-9pm. Free. Come for a night full of friendly ghosts, goblins and favorite characters, also

21 MONDAY

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

featuring a trunk-or-treat, activities, contests and music! indiantrail.org.

Movies in the Park. Veterans Park, Main Street and Maxwell Street, Huntersville. 6pm. Free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and cozy up for some outside entertainment. Drinks, popcorn, candy available for purchase. Movies start 5-15 minutes after sunset. huntersville.org.

Nature Exploratorium. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 6-11. 3:304:30pm. Free. Hike unexplored areas, and learn through activities. Registration is required. parkandrec.com.

Pumpkin Decorating Story Time and Cupcake Frosting. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. Recommended ages 18 months-7 years. 10:30-11:15am. $9. Kids receive two mini cupcakes to decorate and a real pumpkin to decorate. Call 704-295-1777 to reserve your spot. sascupcakes.com.

Trick-or-Treat in the Park. Harrisburg Town Center, 4351 Main St., Harrisburg. 5:30-9pm. $3 per child. Participants can trick-or-treat at booths.

Games, inflatables, crafts and Curley the Clown also on site. Bring a bag or bucket to collect candy. harrisburgnc.org.

26 SATURDAY On Stage: Little Shop of Horrors; Peter Pan; and The Wolves. See page 27.

2019 Queen City Oktoberfest. Carole Hoefener Center, 615 E. 6th St. 1-5pm. Free.

Enjoy food, performances and children’s activities, including a bounce house, laser tag, Halloween bake sale and more.

Bilingual Stories and Music. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Recommended for ages 6 and younger. 11:15am-noon. Free.

Performers use a combination of bilingual stories (Spanish/English), music, musical instruments, toys, puppets and games to interact with the audience. mintmuseum.org.

BooFest and Nightmare on Main Street.

Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont. 2-10pm.

Free. After the carnival rides and fun of BooFest, Nightmare on Main Street continues with adult beverages and live music. cityofbelmont.org.

Bootanical. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 11am-3pm. $8-$15, children in costumes admitted free.

Hear live music at the beer garden while making s’mores, playing games and participating in a children’s costume parade. dsbg.org.

Fall Crawl. Midwood Park, 2100 Wilhelmina Ave. 11:30am. Free. Join in the costume parade at 11:30am followed by the trunk-or-treat for kids

› at The Vine Church, 2101 Belvedere Ave. Midwood Park activities begin at noon and include a full day of food trucks, live music, beer, vendors and children’s activities. plazamidwood.org.

Halloween in OTC. Oak Street Mill, 5721 Oak St., Cornelius.

2-6pm. Free. Enjoy a fun-filled scavenger hunt through the street of Old Town before the Block Party Extravaganza, which includes a costume contest, games, creepy crafts, live entertainment, food trucks and local beer. oldtowncornelius.com.

Mint Hill Fall Harvest Festival. Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Ln., Mint Hill. 6:30-9:30pm. Free. Come for a night of family fun with a scarecrow decorating contest, photo opportunity in the pumpkin patch, pumpkin bowling, face painting, inflatables, food and family games. minthill.com.

Monster Mash-Up. The Bridge at Arts+, 4100 Raleigh St. Noon-4pm. Free. Create creepy crawly crafts for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. Preregister online. artsplus.org Night at the Creepy Museum. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 5-9pm. $10. Trek through darkened galleries, including feature exhibit, Creepy Nature. Meet characters and creatures, and hear ghost stories under the stars in the planetarium. schielemuseum.org.

Not So Spooky Halloween. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. 5-9pm. Free. Come for trick-or-treating, Curley the Clown, carriage rides, face painters and sweet treats.

“Halloweentown” movie starts at dusk. matthewsfun.org.

Spooky Science. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. 10am-3pm. $5-$8, free for children younger than 3, included with admission. Explore the creepy side of science through activities. chmuseums.org.

Steele Creek Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat.

Steele Creek AME Zion Church, 1500 Shopton Road. 2-6pm.

Free. Enjoy food, games, face painting, a bounce house and activities for the entire family. Trunk-or-Treat begins at 5pm. steelecreekamezion.com.

Tega Cay Fall Festival. Tega Cay, Tega Cay. 11am-5pm.

Free. The event features arts and crafts, vendors, entertainment and kid zones, plus a children’s Halloween costume contest, and Hula Hoop contests for all ages. tegacaysc.org.

Trick or Trail. Warlick Family YMCA, 2221 Robinwood Road, Gastonia.

8-11:30am. $15-$30 for race. Register for the 5K or Fun Run on the Sytz Trail. The party continues after the race with the Fall Festival that includes music, food trucks, inflatable, games and activities. gastonymca.org.

Waxhaw Fright Night. Downtown Waxhaw, Waxhaw.

4-11pm. Free. Trick-or-treat downtown businesses.

Also enjoy costume contests, a haunted maze and entertainment. waxhaw.com.

27 SUNDAY On Stage: Little Shop of Horrors; and Peter Pan. See page 27.

Kids in Nature Day. Freedom Park, Bandshell Island, 1658 Sterling Road. 2-5pm. Free. Have a blast outdoors with hands-on nature activities, animals, stories, games and hikes. crowncharlotte.org.

= HALLOWEEN EVENTS

CALENDAR

28 MONDAY Sensory Sensation. Main Library Rock Hill, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill. Ages 11-17. 5-6pm. Free. Experience a sensory library experience for students with special needs. yclibrary.org.

Story Explorers: Tricks and Treats. Myers Park, 1361 Queens Road. 6:15-7pm. Free. Wear your costume or cozy pajamas for not-so-scary books, a game and treat making.

Register online. cmlibrary.org.

World Culture Club: Greece. Lake Wylie Public Library, 185 Blucher Cir., Lake Wylie. Ages 11-17. 5:30-6:30pm. Free. Explore other cultures while doing fun activities and having snacks from other places. Register online. yclibrary.org.

29 TUESDAY On Stage: Les Miserables. See page 27.

Free Tuesday at the Schiele Museum. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. Free. Get free entry to The Schiele Museum every second Tuesday of the month from 4 to 8pm. schielemuseum.org.

Tiaras and Tales Open Play.Tiaras and Tales, 921 Crossroads Plaza, Fort Mill. Ages 3 and older. 10am. $20. Sessions are structured and include a fairy host, tea party with light snack, dress-up clothes, craft, face painting or light makeup, and story time. tiarasandtales.com.

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30 WEDNESDAY On Stage: Les Miserables; and Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue. See page 27.

Boo-seum at the Museum. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 6 and younger. 10am-noon. $5-$8, free for children 3 and younger, included with admission.

Come in costume for stories, a planetarium show, crafts, music and spooky sensory activities. chmuseums.org.

Carolina Flipz Tot Time. Carolina Flipz, 11812 Carolina Place Pkwy., Suite B, Pineville. Ages birth-5. 10:30am-noon. $5. Little ones are invited to jump, roll and play. carolinaflipz.com.

31 THURSDAY HALLOWEEN On Stage: Les Miserables. See page XX. Downtown Mooresville Trick or Treat. Downtown Mooresville, Mooresville. 3-5pm. Free. Dress up and trick-or-treat at downtown merchant stores. downtownmooresville.com.

Halloween Party. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 4-5pm. Free. Families enjoy stories, games, music and a costume parade. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library.

Halloween Spooktacular at American Girl. American Girl Southpark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. Ages 3 and older. 4-7pm.

Free. Ghouls and their mummies are invited to the store dressed in costume to receive a sweet treat, while supplies last. Take part in a Boo Box craft and pose for a photo opportunity. americangirl.com.

Trick-or-Treat Main Street. Main Street, Fort Mill.

5-7pm. Free. Enjoy a monster mash of music, trick-or-treating vendors and the annual costume contest. fortmillsc.gov.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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DADDY DEREK A throwback to 12-year-old Derek, left, during the days of “The Simpsons,” Oreos, Twizzlers and Dad’s Root Beer.

Don’t Refrain From Singing the Refrain

BY DEREK JAMES

“I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road; I’m gonna ride ‘til I can’t no more.”

Of course you know it. It’s the intensely popular, insanely overplayed and grammatically incorrect song, “Old Town Road,” by Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. If you are a parent, you can “name that tune” in one note because it’s arguably the biggest song craze of the year. It had a 19-week run at the No. 1 spot in the country. A little more than two months removed from the top spot in the country, it’s still No. 1 to my 8- and 11-year-old sons.

“Shake your body, turn it out if you can, man; Front to the back, to the side if you can, can; Everybody in the house do the Bartman.”

Whoa, mama! Rewind 28 years and the popular, insanely overplayed and grammatically passable song that I couldn’t stop

32

listening to was “Do the Bartman,” by Bart Simpson. It was 1991 and I was 12 years old. “The Simpsons” was my life as a kid. I had posters, figures and even an “I’m Bart Simpson. Who the Hell are You?” T-shirt. I still don’t know how that one got past my mom. I do remember wearing it to school and my mom getting called to “bring me a shirt more appropriate for school.”

No matter when or where you grew up, odds are there was an incredibly cheesy song of which you were a massive fan. Odds are, too, that your parents probably didn’t understand your affinity. At least, they didn’t admit they may have liked the song just a little bit.

Maybe it was “The Macarena” or another Billy Ray Cyrus

OCTOBER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

gem, “Achy Breaky Heart.” At least those two had a dance to go along with them. “Who Let the Dogs Out?” might be your song if you are in your late 20s or early 30s. For those a little older, how about the 1976 hit, “Disco Duck” from radio personality Rick Dees?

Remember him?

They are all songs that will likely be on a list of “The Worst Song of All Time,” If they aren’t already. No matter how awful they seem today, they all have one redeeming quality: They bring back memories. When I think back to listening to my “Simpsons Sing The Blues” cassette tape, I also remember playing Sonic the Hedgehog with my buddy Justin on my Sega Genesis while eating a combination of Twizzlers and Oreos and washing them down with

some Dad’s Root Beer. Those were the days. Other than cleaning my room and doing a little homework, I didn’t have a care in the world.

You know, I just went back and listened to all five minutes and 10 seconds of “Do The Bartman.” It’s not so good. I actually think “Old Town Road” is a better song. “Achy Breaky Heart,” not so much. The seasons may change, but some things never do. Great childhoods are all about creating memories that last. So even if you’ve had enough of Lil Nas X in 2019, indulge your kids their syrupy songs. Just like those Twizzlers of yore, it’s the good stuff, man.

Derek James is a host of WCCB News Rising and dad to Tyler, 11, and Chase, 8.

Register today at Carowinds.com

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With a free Pre-K Pass to Carowinds, kids ages 3–5 get unlimited visits in 2019 and 2020. Come to enjoy the bigger and better Great Pumpkin Fest and the all-new Peanuts Celebration. Plus, the return of WinterFest with the debut of the Wonderland Parade.