Charlotte Parent June / July 2018

Summer 2018 • Free

the

SUMMER EDITION

The Busy Parent's

BudgetFriendly Mountain Getaways

BIRTHDAY PARTY GUIDE!

FIREWORKS + Festivities

12 PLACES TO

Splish-Splash

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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A PLACE‌ filled with light where each and every heartbeat begins where connections are made bringing health, hope and healing

FOR ALL

Carolinas HealthCare System is

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

Visit us online to RSVP for one of our upcoming events, or to book a tour. We’d love to show you around!

Open House and Free Cooking Workshop with Flour Power Sunday, June 24 at 2:00 p.m. guidepostmontessori.com/prosperity (704) 503-6000 4755 Prosperity Church Road, Charlotte, NC 28269

GP051718

Infant • Toddler • Preschool Kindergarten • Elementary Spanish Immersion programs available!

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Photo courtesy of CRVA

CONTENT › SUMMER 2018

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Splish-Splash the Summer Away Best bets for where to swim, splash and get wet on a hot summer day

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Take a Ride on the Lynx Blue Line Extension Worthy stops for family adventures from uptown to UNC Charlotte

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Escape to the Mountains Where to stay and play in three North Carolina mountain towns

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The Busy Parent’s Birthday Party Guide Essential party-planning information on where to host your child’s next birthday party

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Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities The family guide to Charlotte-area Independence Day celebrations

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IN EVERY ISSUE 7 FYI 10 Growing Up 11 Families Managing Media 24 Excursion 32 Daddy Derek Inside back cover: Faces and Places

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CALENDAR 25 Our Picks 26 Daily Calendar 27 On Stage

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Summer Excursions and Family Escapades morrismedianetwork.com

I

knew summer was coming when

EDITOR

Michele Huggins

my oldest son started taking off his

ART DIRECTOR

shirt every day after school before

going outside to play. He was hot,

Melissa Stutts

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

but he was also happy to feel the

Allison Hollins • allison.hollins@morris.com

warmth of the late-afternoon sun.

Myra Wright • mwright@carolinaparent.com

Close behind was his little brother, now 2-1/2, asking to take his shirt off and requesting a popsicle. Why not? It’s summer after all!

Summer is my favorite season and is meant for making memories. With school out for most, and vacations on the agenda, the pace seems to slow down as temperatures rise. My summers as a kid were spent playing tennis or simply running around at a park with my sister and mom in the morning before it got so hot. We traveled to visit my grandmother in the mountains for cooler evening breezes, and went to the farmers market for freshly picked corn and blueberries. On summer afternoons, we would dive on the Slip’N Slide in the backyard or run through a sprinkler. Summer was the season we all slowed down and connected.

This is our summer issue. It’s chock-full of ideas for ways to play this summer, from creating a neighborhood camp (page 11) to finding summer movie

DIGITAL EDITOR

SALES TEAM LEADER • MEDIA CONSULTANT Leslie Hatheway • lhatheway@charlotteparent.com

MEDIA CONSULTANT

Fawn Anderson • fawn.anderson@morris.com

ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Julianne Clune • julianne.clune@morris.com

MARKETING & EVENT COORDINATOR Elizabeth Stacks

MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK PRESIDENT Donna Kessler

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES Karen Fralick

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Cher Wheeler

deals (page 7). Long, hot days are meant for splish splashing to cool off, and the Charlotte area has so many spraygrounds, pools, waterparks, lakes and even a quarry that welcomes the public to enjoy. Let the feature on page 12 be your guide to finding your family’s summer “watering holes.” We also serve up the big list of Fourth of July celebrations, festivals, races and fireworks on page 22. If you haven’t taken a ride on the new Lynx Blue Line extension, jump aboard with our list of worthy stops at stations from uptown to UNC Charlotte, on page 14. If you happen to be heading to Myrtle Beach for a summer vacation, check out our list of 13 things not to miss along the Grand Strand on page 24, and then flip back to

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.

read about three North Carolina mountain getaways for families on page 16.

I am also counting down to my son’s summer birthday. With the partyplanning guide on page 18, the research is done, which means more time to enjoy summer and less time stressing over where to host a party. Enjoy your summer wherever you may wander.

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

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

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Summer Reads Need some summer reads for long road trips? Find book suggestions in our Books for Kids blog to keep their minds sparking all summer long.

.../blogs

The Digital Issue Connect to Charlotte Parent wherever you go with the magazine’s tablet edition available via magzter.com. It’s free with a quick signup.

Win Tickets to Tweetsie Railroad Tweetsie Railroad is celebrating its 61st year of Wild West family fun in 2018. The theme park’s 2018 season offers new events as well as all the excitement that has made it into a treasured North Carolina tradition for generations.

Win a family four-pack of tickets on us to go ride the rails.

… /contests

PLANNING A

BIRTHDAY PARTY? Browse our Party Planning Directory for local party locations, entertainers and suppliers.

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SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

Cool off this summer with weekday movie deals.

Photo credit shutterstock.com

Cool off With Summer Movie Deals When the summer sun is more than you can handle, dip into a cool movie theater. Many local theaters are offering summer movie deals for kids — some as low as $1 — to see last year’s blockbusters. Select theaters also are offering good deals on new releases at certain times or on certain days. Mark your calendar for “Incredibles 2” in theaters June 15.

• Ayrsley Grand Cinemas is showing some of last year’s blockbusters on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. for $3.70 plus tax. Tickets include a Kiddie Combo snack pack. If you want to see the latest releases, go to a matinee. Any show before 4 p.m. is $5.

• Cinemark Movies 10 in Matthews offers $1 movies on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. as part of the Summer Movie Clubhouse. The deal starts June 13 and lasts until Aug. 15. To save even more money, buy the 10-week bundle for just $5. Check the schedule to see which of last year’s movies are playing each week.

• Regal Entertainment Cinemas, which includes Regal Phillips Place Stadium 10, Regal Starlight Stadium 14, Regal Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22, Regal Franklin Square Stadium 14, and Regal Birkdale Stadium 16, offers $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. for 10 weeks beginning in June as part of its Summer Movie Express. Tickets are available only at the theater box office on the day of the show. A portion of the ticket proceeds benefit the Will Rogers Institute.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Levine Museum of the New South The annual celebration of Juneteenth is one of the most important and storied historical occasions in the African-American community. It marks the moment in 1865 that enslaved people received word of the abolishment of slavery at the close of the Civil War. The event traditionally is marked on (or around) June 19 with public festivities honoring the accomplishments of leaders, a variety of performances and foods drawn from the local community.

The Levine Museum of the New South is joining with House of Africa to complement the Charlotte community’s Juneteenth festivities with a free, education day at the museum June 19 for families. Arts and crafts, performances, interactive activities, story time and a scavenger hunt are planned with an emphasis on history since the abolishment of slavery and the ongoing advancement of civil rights for African Americans. See more details at museumofthenewsouth.org.

Treat Dad for Father’s Day Father’s Day is June 17. Treat the special guy in your household at two events created just for dads that also have something to keep the kids entertained.

Doughnuts With Dad. Fathers of all ages and their families are invited June 16 from 9:30 to noon to the Billy Graham Library for complimentary doughnuts and beverages (while supplies last). Dads receive a special gift. While there, take The Journey of Faith tour and visit the Memorial Prayer Garden. The event is free. billygrahamlibrary.org.

Father’s Day Brunch. Pack up your pit crew and race over to the annual Father’s Day Brunch at the NASCAR Hall of Fame June 17 from 10 a.m.2:15 p.m. Brunch includes a beef tenderloin carving station, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, fruit and pastries. Dessert is also on the menu.

Tickets start at $35 and include a family photo, plus general admission to the museum, which includes a first look at the Hall of Fame’s exhibit “1948: Proving Grounds” that pays tribute to the fathers of modern racing and officially opens in July. nascarhall.com charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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FYI | health

Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium oxide offer a good balance of UVA and UVB protection and don’t contain the same harmful ingredients as non-mineral sunscreens. shutterstock.com

Get Smart on Water Safety Swimming is a fun, healthy activity, as well as an important life skill for all individuals, says Ame Guy, YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s association aquatics director. “Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for kids ages 1 to 14, claiming the lives of three children each day. Learning basic water-safety skills saves lives, and is a great introduction to the world of swimming,” Guy says.

Fostering a positive connection for children and swimming begins with water safety. The YMCA suggests these safety tips when in and around the water with your children: • Actively watch children in and around water. Designate a water watcher, which means no phones or other distractions nearby when watching kids.

• Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guardapproved personal flotation device around water.

• Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm’s reach.

• Children nor adults should engage in breath-holding activities under water.

Learn more about YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s swim programs at ymcacharlotte.org.

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Beware of Sunscreens With Shady Ingredients Before you stock up on sunscreen for your beach vacation, take a look at the ingredients.

Worrisome ingredients like oxybenzone, found to be an endocrine disruptor and shown to cause coral bleaching, are widely used in non-mineral sunscreens, according to the 12th Annual Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide.

Trade products with oxybenzone for mineral-based sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Sunscreens with these minerals are stable in sunlight, offer a good balance between protection from UVA and UVB rays, and don’t contain potentially harmful additives. Also don’t be fooled by big SPF protection numbers. The FDA says high SPF numbers — SPF 50 and above — mistakenly lead people to think they are getting more sun protection when in fact these sunscreens don’t necessarily do more and may lead users to spend too much time in the sun. To see the list of best beach sunscreens recommended by the Environmental Working Group, go to ewg.org.

3 Tips for Staying Close as Kids Hit Adolescence Stay connected. With busy schedules demanding a child’s attention, it can be tough to get quality time, says Dr. Kerry Van Voorhis, a pediatrician with Novant Health Pediatrics Symphony Park in Matthews, but it’s important to set aside uninterrupted time to talk. “Ask how things are going and actively listen,” Van Voorhis says. “Is anyone stressing you out at school or saying things that are disrespectful?’ Some kids will come right out and say it, but others are going to need to be asked.”

Have the talk. Sex is something middle-schoolers are naturally curious about, Van Voorhis says. When kids are age 10-13, parents should cover what’s safe and appropriate as far as talking, looking and touching. Be open and address questions before children search for answers on their own.

Be mindful of mental health. Check in to see if they are anxious or nervous about anything, and discuss coping skills. “Getting enough sleep, exercising, paying attention to how we’re breathing, and being mindful is important to keep our anxiety under control,” Van Voorhis says. “But sometimes you have to develop skills beyond those things.”

›

FYI | people

this means things like making sure I’m getting enough water, eating three meals a day and sleeping six to seven hours a night. It’s amazing how much better I feel after making a few minor tweaks.

Proudest parenting moment: My proudest parenting moment was when my son Winston met his baby brother Wyatt. Winston immediately wanted to hold the baby, and when Wyatt started to cry, he comforted him and sang to him. It was both the proudest moment and sweetest moment of my life.

Mandy Drakeford with her husband Antione Drakeford and their sons Winston and Wyatt.

Photo by Tiffany Redmon Photography

Get to Know: Mandy Drakeford

BY MICHELE HUGGINS

M

andy Drakeford is the senior vice president of development at The Levine Museum of the New South. She is Mom to Winston, 3, and Wyatt, 10 months, and lives with her husband Antione Drakeford in Huntersville.

Where in Charlotte do you live? Where did you grow up? We live in Huntersville and have lived here for five years. I grew up in a small town in northwest Ohio called Napoleon and went to school at the University of Cincinnati.

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

I’m passionate about serving my community through the work I do at Levine Museum.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend my time working for the one place that makes sense of the profound changes sweeping Charlotte. Levine Museum provides the historical context for contemporary issues and prompts dialogue that fosters understanding and empathy. I have the unique opportunity to oversee the museum’s fundraising, marketing and communications efforts. I love building relationships with members, donors, corporate partners and community members.

The biggest challenge in my role is finding a cut-off point each day. It’s hard for me to stop what I’m doing and go home when it’s time to pick up the kiddos.

What’s the hardest part of juggling family life and work life? Time. No matter how much planning I try to do, I feel like I never have enough time at home or at work.

What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte? It’s easy to find fun, inexpensive activities for the four of us to enjoy.

Charlotte also is a relatively short drive to Ohio to see our families.

Best advice ever received: After going back to work with my first son, I struggled to find a balance and I always put myself last. A friend reminded me that in order to take care of my family, I had to take care of myself. For me,

Lowest parenting moment: While I was on maternity leave, Winston stayed home with me a few days a week. One day, he woke up from a nap and started calling for me. I rushed upstairs with the baby to check on him. I put the baby in his crib while I tended to Winston.

As soon as I got to Winston’s room, the baby started crying. I rushed back to the nursery.

Meanwhile, I heard Winston walk down the hall and stairs. I put the baby back in his crib and rushed to make sure I had shut the baby gate. Alas, I had not, and he was standing in the middle of the stairs. When I called down to him, he lost his balance and tumbled down the stairs. I dashed to the bottom of the stairs and scooped him up. After making sure he was OK, I sat on the floor holding my toddler and baby while we all three cried.

What are three things you can’t live without?

1. Harris Teeter’s ExpressLane. It saves me so much time and money.

2. AmazonPrime. Also saves so much time.

3. Netflix. I’m not sure how we would’ve survived the baby’s first year without “Moana” for my toddler.

What is your favorite Instagram account? @PageFehlingFox46 Last book read? “The Queen of Hearts” by Kimmery Martin.

What inspires you? Moms. I don’t know how we do it day in and day out, but I believe moms are the strongest people on this planet. charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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GROWING UP Playing outdoors is a great way to connect with neighbors.

Photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

Be My Neighbor Helping kids connect to their community

unsupervised outdoor time as their parents did mainly because of concerns about safety.

When neighborhoods are viewed as less safe, kids spend more time inside, get less exercise and are less connected to their communities.

According to Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a child care provider with locations throughout the Triangle area of North Carolina, helping kids feel safer in their community fosters a healthier, more balanced perspective to counteract the sometimes scary world depicted by news reports.

Families concerned about neighborhood safety can establish guidelines for outdoor play like requiring kids to check in with parents every hour or always coming home by dusk.

They also can allow kids to explore community centers where they can play with peers in a more supervised setting. Devices like the GizmoGadget, GizmoPal or Tinitell watches provide GPS tracking and basic phone service to give parents peace of mind while kids enjoy free-range neighborhood play.

BY MALIA JACOBSON

N

eighborhoods matter. Where children live, play and attend school impacts their long-term social, emotional and physical health. According to research presented in the American Journal of Community Psychology, kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods get less physical activity and underperform at school compared to those in wealthier areas. Neighborhood connections matter too. The same study also shows that “social embeddedness,” or a strong connection to social and cultural relationships within a neighborhood, can help protect families from some of these negative outcomes. Like growing a garden, cultivating a richly connected neighborhood may take time and effort, but families can reap rewards for years. Here’s how to create social connectedness in your corner of the world.

Early Years

Neighborhood Knowledge Creating a connected community starts with getting to know your neighborhood and your neighbors, says Catherine Bagwell, professor of psychology at Oxford College of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

“One of the most important ways to foster relationships with neighbors is to create opportunities for children to have frequent, positive contact and interactions with them,” she says. Often, this simply means playing outdoors, from riding bikes and scooters in the driveway to spending time at a local park.

Investing in your own sports and play gear like a simple soccer goal or basketball hoop can

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attract neighborhood children to your yard.

Help children get to know their area by creating a scavenger hunt that includes specific neighborhood landmarks and ask other kids on the block to participate. Young children are usually generous and enthusiastic about giving. Offering neighbors baked goods or a handpicked bouquet of backyard flowers can help facilitate introductions and build friendships over time.

Teen Years

Grass Roots For teens motivated by earning some extra cash, starting a neighborhood business can build community connections along with independence, social skills and earning power. A quick look around the neighborhood can help teens determine which types of businesses might flourish. Are there lots of lawns in need of care? Young families who need babysitting? Professionals who travel and need pet- or house-sitting services? Or would a car-washing or dog-walking business work best? Handing out business cards or flyers around the neighborhood can help teens make faceto-face connections with people in their immediate area. Meeting neighbors and earning money are the immediate benefits, but learning about neighborhood needs and figuring out a way to fill them is an exercise with long-term learning value.

Elementary Years

Safe Spots Remember long hours spent roaming your childhood neighborhood? Many adults do, but kids today don’t get nearly as much

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published journalist. Her latest book is “Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.”

› Make a plan for summertime activities to keep kids active and less interested in digital devices. Photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA creative play, including art, music, crafts and sports, and books for reading. Also make sure to build in focused family time, such as dinner together, walks, board games, movie nights and family competitions.

Recruit other family friends to socialize with that also want to cut screen time for the summer. Support and camaraderie are important in keeping on track, planning and making replacement activities more fun.

Cut your child’s smartphone off this

summer. Yes, it is possible. They can get by with a text/talk basic phone or occasionally texting friends using your phone. Give them a needed break from the stress of keeping up with too many people and social media this summer.

Overcome Screen-Time Battles

Plan your own screen-free backyard

5 ideas to make summer memories without the glow of a screen

inexpensive and packed with tons of non-

gather between six to 10 kids and you are

icture the scene: Your kids spend most of the summer begging for more screen-time, while you beg for relaxing afternoons on the back porch, casual dinners together and

opportunities to build family memories. The good news is that you don’t have to tiptoe through the minefield of screen-time battles during the break. With some advanced, creative planning, this summer can be one filled with memories that last a lifetime.

Mood Swings and Meltdowns More time on a screen means less time for outdoor movement, creativity and building face-to-face friendships. Video games and social media stimulate the overproduction of the same brain chemicals that cause addiction.

After about 30 minutes on a screen, the limbic system — or pleasure center — in a child’s brain is overstimulated. When this happens dopamine and adrenaline spike, and extra cortisol — the stress hormone — is produced, creating the perfect storm for mood swings and meltdowns. Without any limits in place, you can ensure a summer that includes arguments and family stress.

The best digital safety tips always center around co-viewing, reducing overall screentime and getting your child interested in non-

screen fun. Simply have a loose plan, recruit two or three mom volunteers, pick a house,

BY MELANIE HEMPE

P

camps. These do-it-yourself camps are easy,

screen activities. Summer is the perfect time to do all of these things.

Winning the Battle Over Screens A lack of schedule and routine contributes to the heavy use of screens during the summer months. Kids crave low-effort, high-reward activities, and screens easily become the default activity and get overused. It is your job to help structure their days because it is difficult for a child to do this, as the planning part of their brain isn’t developed yet. Some things to include are exercise — structured and unstructured — time outdoors, picnics, walks and fishing with friends.

Summer is also a good time to learn a new hobby. Let the kids help you plan and cook meals. Be sure to have tools in place for

ready. Camp ideas include art camp with ageappropriate art projects, sports camp with a different sport to try everyday, cake-decorating camp (get help from a local grocery store cake decorator), camping with backyard tents and a bonfire, cooking camp, outdoor-games camp and board-game camp. Set the camp up to run Monday through Thursday. Ask everyone to bring a bag lunch and needed supplies.

Win the battle over the screens this summer by waging a pre-emptive strike before it begins. Your kids won’t thank you for allowing them to waste their summer on a screen, but summer memories made with friends and family last forever. A low-screen summer may just be the best summer yet.

Melanie Hempe is the founder of Families Managing Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families reduce childhood screen overuse. For more information on local events and reconnecting your family, visit familiesmanagingmedia.com. charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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Free swim lessons are available each week at Double Oaks and Cordelia Park pool. Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County

Not only does Ramsey Creek Park offer half an acre of sandy shoreline, there also is a playground, nature trails, fishing pier and volleyball court. Avoid paying the entrance fee by catching a shuttle from the Cornelius CATS’ Park and Ride site at 20300 Sefton Park Road, Cornelius. Shuttle riders are admitted free.

HOURS: Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

COST: $5 per vehicle for Mecklenburg County residents, $8 per vehicle for non-county residents on weekdays; $10 for Mecklenburg County residents and $15 for non-county residents on weekends.

12 Places to Splish-Splash the Summer Away

Where to swim, paddle and float in and around Charlotte

BY BRYAN M. RICHARDS

T

here’s no denying it, summers are brutally hot in Charlotte — so hot that we often find our kids hiding inside watching TV or playing video games to avoid the blazing heat. When the heat gets to be too much, but burning off kids’ energy is imperative, Charlotte has plenty of places to swim and get wet – from beaches to spraygrounds and waterparks – to help everybody stay cool.

NATURAL WATERING HOLES The Quarry at Carrigan Farms 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville carriganfarms.com/the-quarry Imagine swinging Tarzan style from a rope swing into a 25-foot deep quarry. The dream can be a reality at the Quarry at Carrigan Farms. The quarry was converted into a

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natural swimming pool when a natural spring was discovered beneath the rock.

Because the quarry is 25-feet deep throughout, ages 11 and younger must wear a life jacket and all other swimmers must either pass an on-site swim test or wear a life jacket.

HOURS: Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with select weekend days offered each month. Check the Carrigan Farms website to confirm dates.

COST: $15 per person.

Ramsey Creek Park at Lake Norman 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius mecknc.gov/parkandrec/parks Bring your beach chair, sand buckets and picnic lunch for a day playing in the sand and splashing in the waters of Lake Norman.

U.S. National Whitewater Center 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte usnwc.org Whether you tame the whitewater rapids on a raft or paddle on the tranquil flatwater of the Catawba River in a kayak, the water options at the U.S. National Whitewater Center are abundant. When the kids need a break from the water, check out the zip lines, trails and ropes course. Most activities are for ages 8 and older.

HOURS: Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk year-round. Times for water activities vary depending on the weather. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.

COST: Day passes cost $49 for ages 9 and under, and $59 for ages 10 and older. Individual activity passes also are available.

OUTDOOR POOLS Cordelia Park 2100 N. Davidson St., Charlotte mecknc.gov/parkandrec/aquatics The community swimming pool at Cordelia Park in Villa Heights — NoDa’s next-door neighborhood — is where you’ll find children and families cooling off in the summer. Besides the 50-meter swimming pool with newly renovated water slides and a diving board, Cordelia Park also has a sprayground. Free swim lessons are offered for children ages 3-12.

Registration for lessons is available onsite on a week-by-week basis each Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Kids under age 12

must be accompanied by an adult. Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center on Statesville Avenue also offers free swim lessons with a weekly on-site registration.

HOURS: Open through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, noon-7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

COST: $1 per person.

SPRAYGROUNDS Birkdale Village 16805 Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Huntersville birkdalevillage.net Need a little retail therapy but dread dragging the kids along with you? Birkdale Village has something for parents and kids. Smack dab in the center of Birkdale’s outdoor shopping complex is a sprayground. It’s a win-win for kids and parents alike. Bring dry clothes to change into after the sprayground as there are dining options too.

HOURS: Open through Labor Day, Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

COST: Free.

Crooked Creek Park 5900 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail indiantrail.org/facilities The sprayground at Crooked Creek Park in Indian Trail might just be the most interactive in the area. It features a tree in the middle with animal sculptures that dump buckets of water to run under, plus flower, frog and turtle designs that squirt water, and a spraying log that can be aimed at friends.

HOURS: Open daily through Labor Day, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

COST: Free.

Latta Park 601 E. Park Ave., Charlotte mecknc.gov/parkandrec/parks The Latta Park sprayground in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood is a favorite for parents and children alike. While the little ones are running through the fenced-in water feature, parents can relax to views of the uptown skyline.

HOURS: Open daily through Labor Day,

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

COST: Free.

Romare Bearden Park 300 S. Church St., Charlotte uptowncharlotteparks.com It’s hard to resist running through the waterfall at Romare Bearden Park uptown.

The park also features cooling misters in the Childhood Muse Plaza. The sprayground/ waterfall is ideal for keeping young ones occupied during park concerts and events while Mom and Dad enjoy the music.

Other uptown splash pads are located at First Ward Park across from ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center and at The Green across from The Levine Center for the Arts on South Tryon Street. Take the Lynx Blue Line for a day of uptown fun playing at all three parks.

HOURS: Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

COST: Free.

Stallings Municipal Park 340 Stallings Road, Stallings stallingsnc.org Stallings Municipal Park is designed with three playgrounds, including on that is fenced where the little ones can’t escape, plus an interactive sprayground for bigger kids.

HOURS: Open daily through Aug. 26 and weekends through Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

COST: Free.

Veterans Park 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte. mecknc.gov/parkandrec/parks Located between Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood is Veterans Park, which boasts one of the largest spraygrounds in Charlotte.

It’s so large, don’t be surprised to find adults running and playing. There also is a covered playground adjacent to the sprayground where kids can play without fear of sunburn.

HOURS: Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

COST: Free.

WATERPARKS Carolina Harbor Waterpark at Carowinds 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte carowinds.com Race down Blackbeard’s Revenge six-storyhigh waterslides, catch a six-foot wave in Tidal Wave Bay, or pile the whole family onto a raft for the twist and turns of Hurricane Falls.

Even the smallest members of your family can participate with slide options at Pelican Plunge and plenty of ways to get sprayed in Pirate’s Landing. Get your child measured at the entrance to the waterpark to get a wristband that lets them know which slides they can and can’t go on.

HOURS: Open through Labor Day. Hours vary from week to week. Consult Carowinds’ website before you visit.

COST: Waterpark admission is included with general admission to the theme park. Check the website for pricing. Sign up for the free Pre-K pass that gets kids age 3-5 in at no cost.

Lineberger Park Mini-Waterpark 632 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia cityofgastonia.com/lineberger-park Is it a sprayground, a swimming pool or waterpark? However you define Lineberger Park Pool in Gastonia, it’s a whole lot of fun.

The mini-waterpark features a zero-depth entry pool with fountain geysers, a lazy river, windy waterslide, lap lanes and splash pads for younger kids.

HOURS: Open daily through Aug. 19 and weekends until Labor Day. The splash pad is open daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through Sept. 15.

Two swim sessions are held daily: 12:30-3 p.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.

COST: $3 for children age 1 and older.

Bryan M. Richards is a craft beer, food and travel writer who lives in Charlotte with his wife and their 2-year-old son.

See more places to get wet this summer online at charlotteparent.com

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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3.5-mile path stretches alongside the tracks, and the north end of it is near Ninth Street Station.

Check the rail trail map to see which stop is most convenient for your trip. charlotterailtrail.org.

PARKWOOD STATION Abari Game Bar, 1721 N. Davidson St., is filled with pinball machines and classic arcade games. Abari opens its doors to patrons of all ages on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 5 p.m. Children must have a parent or guardian with them. abarigamebar.com.

Birdsong Brewing Co., 1016 N. Davidson St., offers outdoor seating and daily food trucks. Stop in for a bite for the kids, and a quick rest for mom and dad. birdsongbrewing.com.

Catch the Lynx Blue Line at 7th Street Station and ride north to UNC Charlotte making fun stops along the way. Photo by charlottesgotalot

Take a Ride on the LYNX Blue Line Extension Make a day of exploring the newest stops on the LYNX Blue Line

BY TIFFANY WOLFF

In March 2018, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) opened the extension of the Lynx Blue Line.

The line now extends a total of 19 miles from the I-485/South Boulevard station in south Charlotte through uptown Charlotte on to the UNC Charlotte campus. The Blue Line extension adds 11 new stations and approximately 9.3 miles. Many commuters utilize the Lynx Light Rail for work, but children find riding the rails to simply be fun. Strollers are al-

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lowed on the train, but be aware that coaches are crowded during rush hour, which can make it difficult to have a stroller in tow.

Riding north from I-485 station to Charlotte Transportation Center Station in uptown takes approximately 25 minutes.

Riding south from UNC-Charlotte Main to Charlotte Transportation Center Station takes approximately 33 minutes. Small children may find the ride a bit long, so have toys or books handy. Do

SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

not, however, reach for the snacks since food and beverages are not allowed onboard. Here are some suggestions for stops along the Lynx Blue Line extension.

NINTH STREET STATION First Ward Park, 301 E. Seventh St., gives kids a place to stretch their legs. Pack a towel for playing in the fountains. uptowncharlotteparks.com.

Light Rail Trail is perfect for those looking for a stroll. This

25TH STREET STATION Amelie’s French Bakery, 2424 N. Davidson St., took the 2018 Charlotte Parent Readers’ Favorite top spot for where to get a sweet treat. It is open 24/7, which should fit any family’s naptime, soccer practice and playdate schedules. Visit the flagship location for a macaron, cookie, pastry, croissant or sandwich. ameliesfrenchbakery.com.

Free Range Brewing, 2320 N. Davidson St., is another option for a bite and a brew.

This family-friendly brewery even has an indoor kids’ corner with toddler-friendly toys. freerangebrewing.com.

36TH STREET STATION Reigning Donuts, 3120 N. Davidson St., Suite 100, keeps kids happy.

Do not expect a typical eatery but instead a fun walk-up window at the back of the building that is open Monday-Friday, 7 to 11 a.m.

In the know

Get Your Ticket to Ride Children under 5 ride the Lynx Blue Line for free. Children in kindergarten through grade 12 pay $2.20 for round-trip fare.

Adults ride round-trip for $4.40. Fares and schedules can be found at charlottenc.gov/CATS. Purchase tickets on-site at vending machines, which accept cash, credit cards and change cards, or pre-purchase tickets with the CATS Pass Mobile Payment App. Blue Line schedules also can be found a charlottenc.gov/CATS. Google Transit with Google Maps can help passengers plan and navigate a route. Stations with parking include I-485, Sharon Road West, Arrowood Station, Archdale, Tyvola, Woodlawn, Scaleybark, Sugar Creek, Old Concord Road, University City Boulevard, and J.W. Clay Boulevard/UNC Charlotte. Most, but not all, lots are complimentary.

and 7 to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. reigningdoughnuts.com.

Cabo Fish Taco, 3201 N. Davidson St., is a great spot for lunch or dinner. The restaurant offers a kids menu, and much more than just fish tacos. cabofishtaco.com.

UNIVERSITY CITY BOULEVARD STATION Pelican’s Snoballs, 7649 N. Tryon St., shaved ice comes in more than 100 flavors. From dill pickle to toothpaste, there is a flavor for everyone. pelicanssnoballs.com.

MCCULLOUGH STATION University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., is just a half mile from the station.

Pop in for a story time, or check out some books to read on the train. cmlibrary.org.

IHOP, 230 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., offers a fun meal for the entire family. Kids cannot help but smile at a funny-face pancake. ihop.com. Le Kebab Grill, 350 E. McCullough Drive, offers an expansive selection of Mediter-

ranean cuisine, as well as a small children’s menu. lekebabgrill.com.

J.W. CLAY BOULEVARD/ UNC CHARLOTTE STATION Dave’s Paddleboats, 8933 J.M. Keynes Drive, rents paddle boats for $10 for 30 minutes of paddling at the University Place lake. davespaddleboats.sitesvr.com.

Ninety’s Ice Cream, 9009 J.M. Keynes Drive, Suite 4, serves ice cream, shakes and homemade ice-cream sandwiches that taste as good as they look.

Check them out on Instagram @ninetysicecream.

UNC CHARLOTTE  MAIN STATION UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9090 Craver Road, is a half mile away from the train station. Take a stroll through the botanical gardens and be sure to visit the greenhouse to see the T-Rex sculpture. gardens.uncc.edu.

Tiffany Wolff is the calendar editor for Charlotate Parent and enjoys exploring the city with her two sons. charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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The view across the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Craggy Pinnacle Trail at Craggy Gardens is majestic.

Photo by Amy Ragsdale

3 Must-Visit North Carolina Mountain Towns

BY AMY RAGSDALE

N

eed a change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of life? Want the kids to unplug from their devices so you can connect as a family this summer? Take a scenic hike, kayak down a river, pitch a tent or explore the local shops in these three inviting western North Carolina mountain towns.

ASHEVILLE Asheville is an artsy, architecturally appealing town with acclaimed restaurants and a craft brewery on nearly every block. It’s also surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, which offer family-friendly hiking trails and the French Broad River — perfect for a lazy day of tubing.

Stay downtown within walking distance of everything, or stay closer to Biltmore Estate, just 5 miles south of downtown.

You can also search for that perfect antique at the renowned Tobacco Barn, just a few miles south of the downtown area.

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Where to Stay If you’d like to be able to walk to restaurants, shops and other attractions downtown and not have to deal with the hassle of parking, most major hotel chains — Marriott, Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Omni — operate in the area, along with a few boutique hotels like the Aloft Asheville Downtown, Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Hotel Indigo and Haywood Park Hotel.

Just a little over a mile south of the downtown area, you can stay at one of Biltmore Estate’s renowned hotels: The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate or the Cottage

SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

on Biltmore Estate. The Omni Grove Park Inn is 2.5 miles north of downtown and offers a memorable boutique experience as well.

If you’d rather rough it, check out Lake Powhatan Recreation Area and Campground in Pisgah National Forest, 12 miles southwest of downtown Asheville. Make reservations in advance on the U.S. Forest Service website at fs.fed.us.

Where to Play Craggy Gardens is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 364. A less-than-1-mile hike

puts you at the summit in no time and offers big rewards with 360-degree views. The trailhead is located 20 miles from downtown Asheville.

Enjoy a float trip down the gentle, slow-moving French Broad River while you’re in the area. Rent a kayak, pack snacks and enjoy a lazy day along a 7-mile river trip that passes by the shoreline of the Biltmore Estate. The Asheville Outdoor Center, located 5 miles southwest of downtown, provides everything you need for a self-guided trip and will send a staff member to pick you up at the end of your two- to threehour adventure.

Before you go, purchase candy treats and a water toy for the kids at Mast General Store, located on Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.

Where to Eat Recently named one of the hottest food cities in America by restaurant review website Zagat, Asheville has no shortage of family-friendly, local restaurants and breweries. Satisfy your Southern cravings with barbecue and banana pudding at Buxton Hall, a converted roller-skating rink on Banks Avenue. Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street is great for breakfast bites and can accommodate food allergies.

Wicked Weed Brewing Pub makes for a good afternoon stop and offers a full menu, a wide selection of beer on tap and patio seating for watching passersby on Biltmore Avenue.

White Duck Taco Shop, also on Biltmore Avenue, offers more than just basic tacos. Choose from the Duck Taco With Molé, Thai Peanut Chicken and Crispy

Chicken BLT, plus many other unique combinations.

Pizza lovers can get their fix at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Coxe Avenue. Kids of all ages will love the dine-in movie theater and arcade, which features classic games and pinball machines.

BRYSON CITY Bryson City’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala Outdoor Center makes it an excellent base camp from which to explore all kinds of activities in the area. Downtown Bryson City features quaint shops, breweries and restaurants, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad train depot. Within a 20-minute driving radius you can canoe on Fontana Lake, raft the Nantahala River, mountain bike at Tsali Recreation Area and explore trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Where to Stay Aloft in the Smokies offers four condominiums located above McClanahan’s Collectibles, a popular downtown store. Park your car and walk to shops, restaurants like the Nantahala Brewing Company and the train depot.

The Deep Creek Tube Center and Campground can be very crowded during summer.

For a sparser option, check out Lost Mine Campground, which is conveniently located near the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Where to Play The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad departs from downtown Bryson City and offers scenic train excursions

through the North Carolina mountains, along the Nantahala and Tuckasegee rivers, across valleys and through tunnels.

Check the railway’s website for special events throughout the year, including the Freedom Train in July.

Construction on The Road to Nowhere began in the 1940s to replace a road that flooded when Fontana Lake was formed by the damming of the Little Tennessee River. Funding ran out before its completion, but not before a two-lane tunnel was constructed through a hillside.

The road ends at the mouth of the tunnel and Lakeshore Trail continues on the other side. Walk through the tunnel and continue on the trail as long as you’d like before turning back.

Located roughly 14 miles southwest from downtown Bryson City, the Nantahala Outdoor Center offers guided rafting trips on level II/III rapids.

Children must be 7 years or older and weigh at least 60 pounds. For a less adventurous outing, rent kayaks or a stand-up paddleboard to enjoy on Fontana Lake. A two-hour rental includes gear and transportation to and from the lake.

Where to Eat Downtown Bryson City offers a variety of dining options and two breweries on Everett Street. Be sure to try the French toast or biscuits and gravy for breakfast at Everett Street Diner.

The High Test Deli and Sweet Shop, also known as The Filling Station Deli, offers a variety of sandwiches, including paninis, subs and frozen ice cream sandwiches.

Pack a lunch to enjoy on a hike.

You can’t go wrong at Anthony’s on Depot Street. Enjoy a pizza or Italian entrée on the restaurant’s outdoor patio.

With its old-time decor, Soda Pop’s Ice Cream Parlor serves up handmade shakes, fountain floats, sundaes and banana splits. You will leave happy with sticky, smiling faces.

BREVARD Brevard is another charming mountain town filled with shops, restaurants and galleries specializing in art and antiques.

It’s also home to DuPont State Recreation Forest and Triple Falls, where “The Hunger Games” was filmed.

Where to Stay If you’re looking for a unique, retro-style hotel, check out the recently renovated Sunset Motel on Brevard Street, just minutes from downtown.

You can’t beat the Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest for its proximity to town. The campground is large, but fills up fast. Bring bikes to ride on the trail along the Davidson River.

Where to Play Window shop along Main Street and enjoy Brevard’s relaxing downtown vibe. Don’t miss O.P. Taylor’s on Broad Street, which claims to be “the coolest toy store on the planet.”

Browse through two floors loaded with toys for all ages, including retro toys, a large track where kids can race cars and a vast selection of Legos.

Hike to High Falls and Triple Falls and walk through a covered bridge in DuPont National Forest. These easy, short

hikes are perfect for all ages.

Pack a picnic, relax and channel your inner Katniss from “The Hunger Games” at Triple Falls, where many of the movie’s scenes were filmed. Arrive early as these trails often become crowded on weekends.

Nearby Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest offer several hundred miles of single-track trails and fire roads (wider dirt roads) for biking. Stop by The Hub to rent a mountain bike and get the scoop on local trails.

Where to Eat For a small town, Brevard offers something for everyone. Cedar Mountain Café, located near the entrance of DuPont National Forest, makes everything in-house and is a popular breakfast spot. Have a burger and milkshake at Rocky’s Grill and Soda Shop’s authentic 1950’s lunch counter.

Get your southern food fix at Magpie Meat and Three, located at the Brevard Lumberyard on King Street.

Kids’ menu options include one meat and one side, or a grilled cheese and one side. If you can, sit outdoors (by the fire pit when it’s cool) and play cornhole.

Oskar Blues Brewery on Industrial Drive offers a relaxing outdoor patio where burgers and tacos are served in the evenings from the on-site “chubwagon.”

You can also schedule a free tour of the brewery.

Amy Ragsdale is a travel planner, wife and mom who loves scenic beauty and good food. See more of her suggestions for family-friendly places to stay, eat and play at simplyawesometrips.com.

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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A party at Discovery Place Science includes nitrogen-made ice cream while you watch.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Place

The Busy Parent’s Birthday Party Guide MUSEUM DISCOVERIES

BY LIBBY VISH CARL Last December, I was in a pinch.

Twenty-four hours before my son’s backyard, outdoor birthday party, the weather took a drastic turn.

The forecast changed from a mild December day to sleet and freezing rain. Scrambling to find an alternative, I turned to the internet. It was full of lists with ideas, but the important details were missing: Was the place in our budget? Would it accommodate our friends and be age appropriate? Is it convenient for guests?

With these questions in mind, we present a list of birthday party ideas, including essential stats for each, to jump start your party planning so you can save your time for reading bedtime stories instead of researching birthday party venues. Remember, most places fill up fast, so plan to book in advance.

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SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

DISCOVERY PLACE SCIENCE

DISCOVERY PLACE NATURE

Uptown Charlotte | science.discoveryplace.

Myers Park | nature.discoveryplace.org/plan/

org/plan/birthday-parties

birthday-parties

Cool factor: Nitrogen-made ice cream while

Cool factor: You can rent the museum, if

you watch — an intersection of science and

you’re into that kind of thing. A $750 option

yumminess.

gives you and your group exclusive access.

Details: Prices start at $215 for members

Details: Prices start at $195 for members and

and $235 for nonmembers with party size

$215 for nonmembers for 90 minutes in the

ranging from 20 guests — of which five

party room. Party sizes can range from 20

adults are required — to $570 for members

guests, 10 spots for children age 3-9 and 10

and $610 for nonmembers that includes up

spots for adults, to 35 guests with a maximum

to 50 guests, ages 3 and older. Depending

of 15 children.

on party package selected, parties are held

Who’s cooking? They provide lemonade and

in the party room under the guidance of a partyologist for 60-90 minutes.

Who’s cooking? Cakes can be purchased through Discovery Place or bring your own.

Notes: Enjoy the museum after the party as general admission is included for all.

party ware. You bring snacks and cake, or pay them to supply a Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream cake.

Notes: You must book two weeks in advance.

General museum admission is included for all in your party.

DISCOVERY PLACE KIDS

Participants must be 34 inches tall.

Huntersville | kids.discoveryplace.org

Who’s cooking? Add $51 to $144 and BounceU

Cool factor: Like Discovery Place Nature, a

provides your choice of pizza, wings, chicken

$750 option gives you and your group exclusive

fingers, snacks, cake and/or drinks. You can

access to the museum. It’s like a big indoor

bring your own cake, but no other outside food

playground just for your group.

or drinks permitted.

Details: Prices start at $195 for members and

Note: There is no extension on time

$215 for nonmembers, up to $750 to rent the

so make sure everyone is punctual for

museum. For children age 1-7, party size can

maximum enjoyment.

range from 30 (12 children and 18 adults) up to 75 (35 children and 40 adults) for 90 minutes in the party room.

Who’s cooking? Cupcakes are available to order, or bring your own cake. Juice boxes are provided.

Notes: Theme party rooms are already decorated, so no work for mom and dad. And

MONKEY JOE’S Gastonia, Matthews, Pineville and University City | monkeyjoes.com Cool Factor: Indoor play center with slides, jumps and obstacle courses.

Details: $229-$359 for two hours with eight to

Museum admission is included for all guests.

24 children, ages 3-12, with the option to pay

CHARLOTTE AVIATION MUSEUM

children younger than 3.

West Charlotte | carolinasaviationmuseum.org

Who’s cooking? They are! Each party guest gets

Cool factor: Besides being in an actual hangar

two slices of pizza. Most packages include ice

with airplanes kids can sit in, it is nearby one

cream, but you bring cake. No outside food,

of Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s

including ice cream cakes are permitted.

very active runways.

Details: Designed for ages 5-12, pricing ranges from $250-$275 for up to 25 people.

Who’s cooking? You are, but you can bring your own food or have food delivered from your favorite place.

Notes: Parties are available Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m.

GYM DANDY Most of these options offer reduced rates for weekday birthday parties. The rates listed below

for extra kids. There is a separate play area for

MY GYM Ballantyne, Huntersville and Southpark | mygym.com Cool factor: Ball pit, “sausage” swing and a zip line.

Details: $275-$325 for members; $325-$375 for nonmembers for up to 16 children for 90 minutes to two hours of play. All ages are welcome, but children age 2 and under must be joined by a parent in the play area.

Who’s cooking? You are. My Gym supplies plates, napkins, forks and a tablecloth

are for weekend birthday parties.

Notes: Call to learn more about bringing the

BOUNCEU

kiddos and one teacher.

Charlotte and Matthews | bounceu.com Cool factor: Jumping, bouncing and sliding, but this is more than your average bounce house.

Details: $199-$329 for a one-hour, 40-minute party with eight to 24 children age 2 and older with the option to pay for extra kids.

party to your house. Prices start at $150 for 11

THE LITTLE GYM Myers Park, Ballantyne and Huntersville/Lake Norman| thelittlegym.com Cool factor: Lego-based activities with theme options like Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go, plus music and games.

PARTY YOUR WAY

A classic at-home party is great for party people who like to customize their own themes and food. It also means there’s no push to meet a guest quota.

If you want to take the birthday soiree up a notch, consider these rental companies and entertainment providers.

BOUNCE IT OUT • ABT Events/A Bounceable Time.

Most rentals run between $195$255 for the type of inflatable that provides a large bounce area plus a slide. You can even rent a fire truck. abounceabletime.com.

• Jumping Jacks Party. Rentals starts at $155 for an inflatable bounce house. Choose from character themes like Paw Patrol, Justice League or Mickey Mouse. jumpinjacksparty.com.

A MAGICAL TOUCH • Magic Barry. $175 for 45 minutes of entertainment and magic for children. Prices and the show’s length of time can vary to fit the parents’ needs. magicbarrykidsparty.com.

• Fun-Filled Entertainment. $150$200 for birthday parties. Can include 30 minutes of magic with a rabbit at the end and 30 minutes of face painting. funfilledentertainment.com.

CHARACTER COUNTS • Imagination Clubhouse of Charlotte. Invite favorite characters and mascots to the party for $80 - $240 depending on the number of characters in attendance. imaginationclubhouse.com • Enchanted Elegance/Heroic Ventures. Voted best birthday party entertainer in Charlotte Parent’s 2018 Readers’ Favorites, let a favorite Disney princess, superhero or Star Wars character make a special appearance.

Prices start at $175. enchantedelegance.com.

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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Discovery Place Nature includes museum admission with its birthday party packages.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Place Details: $250-$280 for members, $275-$305

Cool factor: A nature presentation with

for nonmembers for up to 13 children (ages

nature center staff that may include live

1-12) for 90 minutes. Additional guests can be

animals and hands-on learning, plus a project

added for $10 per child.

kids can take home.

Who’s cooking? They cover cake or cupcakes,

Details: A one-hour program with two

and a juice box.

additional hours of facility use costs $185 for

Notes: The Little Gym can also handle a gift

16 children, ages 4-12.

registry if you choose to open gifts at the party

Who’s cooking? You are. Bring your own

and can provide personalized e-invitations.

snacks, cake, drinks and party supplies.

COMMUNITY MINDED YMCA Greater Charlotte YMCA Locations | ymcacharlotte.org/ about/facility-rentals.aspx

Notes: Outdoor shelters at parks also can be reserved for outdoor party use. Fees vary.

FOR THE LOVE OF SPORTS

Cool factor: Personalize the theme to your

CAROLINA PANTHERS

child’s interests: swimming, gymnastics,

Bank of America Stadium, uptown Charlotte |

sports, princesses, ballerinas, tea parties and

panthers.com/stadium/birthday-parties.html

cooking. The Lake Norman YMCA has a water trampoline add-on for ages 5 and older.

Details: Prices range based on party theme and YMCA location. Most parties are priced based on 12 guests and two hours in length.

Who’s cooking? Depends. Most locations provide all you need to serve cake that you bring. Some locations may provide pizza and juice boxes for an additional fee.

Cool factor: Tour Panthers Stadium, meet Sir Purr, dress and play in Sir Purr’s Play Den — and outdoor area where kids can suit up like a player and practice kicking and passing skills.

Details: Geared to children age 5-12, $445 gets you two hours for up to 20 children and up to 40 adults. For an extra $50 the TopCats will make an appearance.

Who’s cooking? You are. You must supply

Notes: You do not have to be a YMCA

your own food, beverages and paper products.

member to use YMCA facilities.

Notes: For a more affordable option, if

MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION NATURE CENTERS Charlotte, University City area and Lake Wylie |

attending a Panthers game, you can request Sir Purr to come to your seat during the game to wish your little one a special happy birthday.

Who to invite. For children in preschool, the standard practice is to invite the entire class. Including family, neighbors and family friends adds to the fun.

bbtballparkcharlotte.com, click on tickets and packages, then group experiences.

Cool factor: All the perks of the uptown stadium plus a personal shout out on the video board, a free Knights T-shirt and special lanyard for the birthday child.

Details: Parties are scheduled during Knights games. $300 gets field box seats for up to 12 guests of any age. For an additional $40, the birthday boy or girl can get a personal visit from Homer the Dragon and other memorabilia signed by Homer.

Who’s cooking? They are! Personal pizzas from Dominoes and soft-serve yogurt from Fuzzy Peach for each guest.

Notes: You can bring your own birthday cake.

Libby Vish Carl is a mom, attorney, runner and writer at libbycarl.com.

parkandrec.com/

PARTY PREP

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS BB&T Ballpark, uptown Charlotte |

Invitations: Paper, email, or digital? Digital. Evite, Punchbowl or Paperless Post offer numerous, no-cost templates. User-friendly formats make it easy to create invitations, track replies and send reminders to guests.

What about the cake? From Costco to Whole Foods, most grocery stores offer birthday cakes. Order your cake two weeks before the party. If you’re in a bind and willing to pay a little extra, Suarez Bakery in Park Road Shopping Center can make a cake with 48 hours notice that serves up to 14 people.

Find more places to party at charlotteparent.com/party

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SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

Party favors. Busy parents may long for the day that favors fall out of favor, but they are still common. Consider Party City or the dollar bins at Target. Find cups decorated with your child’s favorite character and fill with bubbles, stickers, or activity books for low-sugar options.

We offer camps that play sports, tumble in gymnastics, cook in the kitchen, make ooey gooey slime, and so much more!

REGISTER NOW ymcacharlotte.org

PXME0423

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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Head uptown to see the WBT Skyshow on July 4. The fireworks pop and sizzle after the Charlotte Knights baseball game. Photo courtesy of NewsTalk 1110 WBT

Celebrate America’s Birthday With a Boom!

Fourth of July fireworks and festivities sizzle throughout the Queen City

BY TIFFANY WOLFF

June 15-24 Gaston All American Festival | Gastonia The City of Gastonia Fourth of July festival is now the Gaston All American Fair and includes more rides, live music, food, crafts, games, art, music, entertainment, and a new spectacular fireworks show on June 23.

Free. See website for schedule of events. Eastridge Mall, 246 N. New Hope Road, Gastonia. gastonallamericanfair.com.

June 23 Symphony in the Park 2018 | Cornelius See The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra perform at Bailey Road Park. Rockie Lynne opens with a number of patriotic songs.

The concert concludes with

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a fireworks display (weather permitting). Be sure to bring blankets, chairs and a picnic basket. Free. 6-10 p.m. Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. cornelius.org.

June 30 Fireworks and Music Spectacular | Denver Country music star Mark Chestnutt performs before a huge fireworks display. Free. 4-11 p.m.

East Lincoln High School, 6471 NC-73, Denver.

July 1 Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops: Celebrate America | Charlotte Pack a picnic, blankets and chairs for Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops Celebrate America!

SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

With Fireworks. The concert features patriotic songs, followed by a dynamic fireworks display. $5-$15; children 12 and under admitted free. 8:15 p.m. Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. charlottesyphony.org/summerpops.

July 3 Summer Celebration | Mooresville Enjoy local entertainment and food, kid-friendly activities and spectacular fireworks.

Bring a blanket and chairs, and arrive early. Free. 4-10 p.m.

Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe V. Knox Ave., Mooresville. ymcacharlotte.org/lowes.

Red, White and BOOM | Rock Hill, S.C. Celebrate Independence Day with

inflatables, rides, live music, food trucks, an ice-cream eating contest and fireworks. Free. 5-11 p.m.

Downtown Rock Hill, 150 E. Main St., Rock Hill, S.C. onlyinoldtown.com.

Family Fun Night: Queen City Brass Band | Mint Hill An annual Mint Hill tradition that features Charlotte’s Queen City Brass Band. The event includes a bounce house, face painting, food and family games (no fireworks).

Free. 6:30 p.m. Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill. minthill.com.

Rocket Run | Waxhaw Run (or walk) 2 miles and rock out to a live band after the race while enjoying tasty bites from favorite food trucks. The kids-for-fun

race begins at 7 p.m. followed by the Rocket Run at 7:30 p.m. $30 on race day. 7 p.m. MillBridge, 1401 MillBridge Pkwy., Waxhaw. racesonline.com/events/rocket-run.

July 3-4 USNWC Fourth of July Celebration | Charlotte U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Fourth of July Celebration is a two-day festival that features outdoor adventure, yoga, live music and spectacular fireworks displays. Musical performances take place each evening, followed by fireworks. $6 parking fee. 3-9:30 p.m. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. usnwc.org.

Harrisburg July 4th Celebration | Harrisburg This two-day festival honors men and women in the military and their families with a parade, crafts, amusements, entertainment and fireworks. Come out early for the parade on Highway 49, July 4 at 9 a.m. Free. See website for full event schedule. July 3, 4-10 p.m; July 4, 4-11 p.m. Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Pkwy., Harrisburg. harrisburgnc.org.

July 4 4th of July Firecracker Run | Village of Lake Park Run to raise money to feed local families. Races include a Firecracker Dash for kids, 1K, 5K and 10K. Dress your most patriotic for the “most festively dressed” contest. A community festival, picnic and old-fashioned races follow, which include a wheel-barrel race, three-legged race and egg races. $10-40. 7:30 a.m.

Village of Lake Park in Union

County, 1010 Creft Circle, Lake Park. commonheartfirecracker. racesonline.com.

a.m.-4 p.m. Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, S.C.

American 4-Miler | Charlotte Kick off Independence Day with a 4-mile race and 1-mile kids’ run.

No race-day registration. $5-$35.

7:30 a.m.; kids’ run at 8:30 a.m.

Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Ave., Charlotte. runforyourlife.com.

Independence Day Celebration | Waxhaw Tet “A Taste of Small Town America” in Waxhaw. Festivities begin with a hometown parade in historic downtown. When the sun goes down, the sky lights up!

Free. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Downtown Waxhaw, Waxhaw. waxhaw.com.

Indian Trail July 4th Parade | Indian Trail It’s a day of festivities beginning with a parade at 9:30 a.m. Free.

9:30 a.m.-1:30.p.m. Downtown Indian Trail. indiantrail.org.

July 4th Festival | Tega Cay, S.C. The day kicks off with the annual Land Parade, followed by the canoe joust and boat parade, and Carolina Ski Show Team performance. Enjoy activities at the Splish-N-Splash Summer Bash at the Pavilion at the Golf Club. A fireworks finale caps off the day. Free. Windjammer Park, 8999 Windjammer Drive, Tega Cay, S.C. tegacaysc.org.

4th of July Celebration at Birkdale Village | Huntersville Enjoy bike decorating, face painting, bounce houses, a bike rodeo and fire department water fight. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Birkdale Village, 8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville. birkdalevillage.net.

Independence Day at Hightower Hall | Brattonsville, S.C. Brattonsville’s 1850’s Independence Day Celebration includes historic cooking demonstrations, children’s military drills, and 19th-century toys and games. $5-$8; children 3 and younger admitted free. 10

Revolutionary 4th | Kings Mountain The City of Kings Mountain pulls out all the stops for its epic fireworks display at the Revolutionary Fourth celebration.

Festivities are complete with a live band, food vendors and a scene performed from “Liberty Mountain – The Revolutionary Drama about the Battle of Kings Mountain,” written by Bob Inman. Free. Begins at 5 p.m.

Deal Park Walking Track, 211 Cleveland Ave., Kings Mountain. cityofkm.com.

Fun Family 4th of July | Matthews Decorate bikes, scooters and wagons for an old-fashioned Independence Day parade. The People’s Parade, strolls from Matthews Station Street to Stumptown Park. Decorate bikes at 5 p.m. at Town Hall Green.

Parade begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a concert by The Entertainers in the park at 7 p.m..

Free. 5-9 p.m. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews.

4th of July in Davidson | Davidson Dress in patriotic attire and decorate bikes, scooters and wagons for the Small Town

Patriotic March from McKever Field to the Town Green. Then attend a free concert featuring Radiojacks at 6 p.m. 5-8 p.m.

Davidson’s Village on the Green, Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson. ci.davidson. nc.us/865/4th-of-july.

Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot + Fireworks | Belmont A night filled with live music

by Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot, plus dancing, family fun and fireworks. Free. 6-10 p.m. Stowe Park, 24 S. Main Street, Belmont. facebook.com/ downtownbelmontconcerts.

WBT SkyShow Street Party and Charlotte Knights Baseball Baseball and Independence Day combine for a fun festival that includes bounce houses, vendors and live music at the SkyShow Street Party in the afternoon followed by baseball and fireworks. The Charlotte Knights take on the Durham Bulls at 6 p.m. Game tickets start at $12.

The street party begins takes place from 2-10 p.m. and is free. Mint Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. skyshowcharlotte.com.

Independence Day Celebration | Kannapolis The Kannapolis Intimidators take on the Hickory Crawdads, followed by a post-game fireworks show. The Intimidators are saving their biggest and best fireworks show of the season for this event to honor the USA. Tickets start at $7. 7 p.m. Intimidators Stadium, 2888 Moose Road, Kannapolis. kannapolisintimidators.com.

Tiffany Wolff is the calendar editor for Charlotate Parent and enjoys exploring the city with her two sons.

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EXCURSION EXCURSION

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 13 ideas for family fun along the Grand Strand

BY LAUREN ISAACS

T

he 60-mile stretch of wide, soft sandy beaches in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, often referred to as the Grand Strand, is home to dozens of activities and attractions perfect for any adventure-loving family. Here are 13 ideas for how to take your family vacation beyond the beach this summer.

1. From nostalgic rides to adrenaline-pumping and kiddie rides, Pavillion Parks at Broadway at the Beach satisfies all amusement whims.

New rides include a giant observation wheel gondola ride and the largest pendulum ride in the U.S. pavilion-park.com.

2. Looking for more thrills — and a stunning view? The Family Kingdom Amusement Park is located seaside and has 38 rides and an attached water park. familykingdomfun.com.

3. Broadway Grand Prix Family Race Park features seven different go-kart tracks including the Family Track, a 200-foot Junior Racer track designed for 48-inch-tall beginners, and a Kids Track for children at least 40 inches tall. broadwaygrandprix.com.

4. Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet features internationally acclaimed sculptures nestled amid local flora. You’ll also find a zoo of rescued low country animals, nature programs, a butterfly house (which requires an extra fee) and a storybook playground. brookgreen.org.

5. Thanks to an emphasis on exotic animals, buffalo, zebras, lions, cougars and tigers can be viewed in natural, unpaved areas during a visit to Waccatee Zoo. Kids can pet some of the tamer animals, and peacocks freely roam the grounds. waccateezoo.com.

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SUMMER 2018 JUNE/JULY 2018 | | charlotteparent.com carolinaparent.com

Photo courtesy of DoubleTree Resort By Hilton 6. Ripley’s Aquarium features a transparent tunnel and a moving, 340-foot conveyor walkway that takes you through a natural reef where you can view sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and thousands of colorful fish. ripleyaquariums.com/myrtlebeach.

7. Just across the water from Drunken Jack’s Restaurant and Bar, Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk and Goat Island is inhabited by goats and peacocks. Visit in the late afternoon or early evening if you’re up for a scenic dining experience. drunkenjacks.com/drunken-jacksrestaurant/goat-island.

8. EdVenture Myrtle Beach encourages kids to learn about their world through interactive exhibits and programs. There’s a play pirate ship, a kids’ medical center, an art center and weather reporting exhibit. cmsckids.org.

9. From pirate ships to dinosaurs, there’s a puttputt theme for every interest in the "Miniature Golf Capital of the World” — choose from more than 50 courses. myrtlebeach.com/golf/top10-myrtle-beach-mini-golf-courses.

10. The newly renovated DoubleTree Resort

by Hilton, Myrtle Beach Oceanfront feels uniquely private, yet it is only a short drive from Myrtle Beach’s downtown hustle-and-bustle.

Enjoy unlimited mini-golf, oversized yard games and oceanfront cornhole. During summer, resort activities include shark tooth hunts (a Myrtle Beach must!) and “dive-in” movie nights. myrtlebeachresort.doubletreebyhilton.com.

11. On the corner of Ninth Avenue and Ocean Boulevard is the iconic Peaches Corner restaurant — a symbol of summer for thousands of visitors and locals alike since 1937.

Enjoy casual fare such as hot dogs and beer. peaches-corner.com.

12. Enjoy several summer concert series, including street performers and face painters, most evenings of the week at Plyler Park and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk’s “Hot Summer Nights,” Broadway at the Beach’s “Summer Nights Series” and The Pier at Garden City’s “Music on the Pier.” plylerpark.com, broadwayatthebeach.com, pieratgardencity.com.

13. Fireworks displays take place each Monday at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, Tuesdays and Fridays at Broadway at the Beach, and Wednesdays at Plyler Park. bflanding.com, broadwayatthebeach.com, plylerpark.com.

Lauren Isaacs is the social media specialist for Carolina Parent and Charlotte Parent magazines.

Summer 2018 OUR PICKS

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Firetruck Festival | June 23 Take a day trip to the N.C. Transportation Museum for its annual Fire Truck Festival.

Meet firefighters from across the state, get a close up look at equipment, vote for your favorite fire truck, and enjoy a family day at the museum. Stick around for the fire truck parade and The Charlotte Fire Department’s 1902 “Ol’ Sue” steam pumper. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tickets start at $4, and children age 2 and younger are admitted free. North Carolina Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer. nctrans.org.

Kidz Bop Live 2018 | July 27

See metamorphosis at Butterfly Bungalow at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this summer.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Get ready to bop until you drop jamming out with your kids at the Kidz Bop Live 2018 concert. Hear favorite tunes from the band’s latest album, including “Thunder,” “Feel it Still,” and “Havana.” 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Enter to win tickets at charlotteparent.com/contests. Charlotte Metro Credit Union Ampitheater, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. kidzbop.com.

Pollinator’s Paradise | Through Sept. 3 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has two seasonal exhibitions that celebrate the importance, beauty and majesty of pollinators. Explore the life cycle of a butterfly and witness metamorphosis at Butterfly Bungalow. Play 18 holes of miniature golf, with each hole artfully designed, at Pollinator Putting. Special activities also are offered June 18-24 for National Pollinator Week. The garden and Pollinator Putting are open 9 a.m.-dusk. Butterfly Bungalow is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $6.95-$12.95, free for children under age 2. Butterfly Bungalow is in additional $3 per person. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. dsbg.org.

Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family | Through Sept. 3 Discovery Place Science presents Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family, an innovative, multimedia experience showcasing never-before-seen dinosaurs in the Tyrannosaurs family tree. The exhibit features more than 10 life-size dinosaur specimens, a dramatic array of fossils and casts, and state-of-the-art technology. Guests can expect a Dino Pit, a daily show “Saurus! A Dino-mite Spectacular,” and the paleontological gameshow EggStinct. Don’t miss Fossil Day, July 15, for a look at all things frozen in time. Tickets start at $17. Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St. science.discoveryplace.org.

See life-size dinosaur specimens at Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family Exhibit at Discovery Place Science.

Photo by Tiffany Wolff

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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CALENDAR

JUNE

15 FRIDAY

Campfire Chemistry. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

6:30-8:30pm. FREE. 980-314-1129.

Experiment around the campfire and watch the chemical reaction when heat is applied to a marshmallow. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. parkandrec.com.

Food Truck Friday. Fountain Park, 157 Main St., Rock Hill. 6pm. FREE. Enjoy food from some the best food trucks in the area, plus live music and children’s activities. onlyinoldtown.com/foodtruckfriday.

Heroes Convention. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. $20-$50; kids 12 and younger free. Meet professional graphic novel and comics creators from across the country. 11 am-7pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; and Sun., 11am-6pm. heroesonline.com/heroescon.

On Stage: Grease. See page 27.

16 SATURDAY 2018 Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour and Pro Wakesurf Tour. Stumpy Creek Boat Landing, 160 Stumpy Creek Road, Mooresville. 10am-4pm. $5-$10. See the world’s top wakeboard athletes compete. wakeboardingmag.com/ supra-boats-prowakeboard-tour.

Clash of the Bots. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 9am-5pm. $3-$10. See teams of robot builders from across the U.S. compete for supremacy.

Cheer for your favorite team as they play hockey and battle in the arena. Enjoy hands-on robotic crafts and activities. schielemuseum.org.

Doughnuts With Dad. Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive. 9:30am-noon. FREE. 704-401-3200. Fathers of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy complimentary doughnuts and beverages, and all fathers will receive a special gift, while supplies last. billygrahamlibrary.org.

Farm Day. Discovery Place Nature, 1658 Sterling Road. 9am-noon. $8, includes museum admission. 704-372-6261. Visit the little farm in the big city, and get up close to a few farm animals, including goats, horses and chickens. Enjoy a special meet-and-greet with animal friends,

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puppet show, story time and farm-animal crafts. nature.discoveryplace.org.

Father’s Day Eve With Charlotte Dads Group. Carowinds, 300 Carowinds Blvd.

5-9pm. $15. 704-472-7990. Connect and share stories with other local dads while doing some good for the local community. charlottedadsgroup.com.

Heroes Convention. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. $20-$50; kids 12 and younger free. Meet professional graphic novel and comics creators from across the country. 10am-6pm; and Sunday, 11am-6pm. heroesonline.com/heroescon.

Strider Cup. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Junior Blvd. Ages 2-6.

9am-3pm. Free for spectators, $27 to participate. 605-342-0266. Young ones can put their Strider Bike skills to the test and experience the thrill of racing in this race series that caters to children ages 2-6. striderbikes.com/charlotte.

On Stage: 15th Anniversary Beatles Tribute; and Grease. See page 27.

a love of books and reading. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate. cmblibrary.org.

Open Quarry Swim at Carrigan Farms.

Carrigan Farms Quarry, West Entrance, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville.

10am-3pm. Open Sunday-Thursday through Aug. 26. $15 per person. Swim in the cool, deep water at Carrigan Farms Quarry. Ages 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times in the water. Anyone 12 and older are eligible to take the swim test. Bring your rod and reel for catch-andrelease fishing at the farm’s two ponds. carriganfarms.com/thequarry.

19 TUESDAY

18 MONDAY

Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-and-coming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Juneteenth at Levine Museum of the New South. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. FREE. An educational family day with emphasis on history since the abolishment of slavery and the advancement of civil rights for African Americans. museumofthenewsouth.org.

Lego Club. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. 2-3pm. Ages 5-11. FREE. 704416-6200. Join other Lego builders to bring Lego creations to life. Part of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Summer Break series. cmlibrary.org.

Terrific Tuesday: The Amazing Mr. Archer. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 3-4pm. FREE. 704-9732828. Join Mr. Archer for a unique storytelling balloon experience. imaginon.org.

Baby Storytime. Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius, FREE. Engage your little one with new sights and sounds through books, songs and rhymes.

Available to the first 20 babies and their caregivers. cmlibrary.org.

Family Storytime at Huntersville Arts and Cultural Center. 109 S. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. 10-10:30am.

FREE. 704-416-6031. Enjoy stories, songs and movement activities that support early literacy skill development and help foster

CMLibrary Presents: Fiddle Stix All-aGlow. Hickory Grove branch library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. 11am-noon. FREE. 704-416-4400. Join a special presenter for a series of glowing sensory experiences and make a piece of glowing artwork. cmlibrary.org.

The Amazing Mr. Archer. South County Regional library, 5801 Rea Road. 3-4pm.

FREE. 704-973-2828. Rising first through

17 SUNDAY FATHER’S DAY Dad’s Day Out: Family Scavenger Hunt.

Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1-4:30pm.

FREE. 980-314-1129. Pick up the first clue at the nature center between 1-2pm, and complete the scavenger hunt before 4:30pm to earn a prize. lattaplantation.org.

Heroes Convention. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. $20-$50; kids 12 and younger free. Meet professional graphic novel and comics creators from all regions of the country. 11am-6pm. heroesonline.com/heroescon.

On Stage: Charlotte Symphony Pops; and Grease. See page 27.

SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

20 WEDNESDAY

fifth graders are invited for a unique storytelling balloon experience with Mr. Archer.

Part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Summer Break program. Registration required. cmlibrary.org.

On Stage: Grease. See page 27.

21 THURSDAY Creative Clay Workshop Series by Clayworks. Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center, 440 Tuckaseegee Road 10-11:45am.

FREE. Make your own clay project and take a turn at the potters wheel with instruction from Clayworks’ teachers. artsandscience. org/programs/for-community.

‘Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom’ Prescreening Benefit. Our Town Cinemas, 227 Griffith St., Davidson. 7-9pm. $25. See an early screening of “Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom” and support the IGNITE Program for individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger‘s Syndrome. Doors open at 6pm, movie begins at 7pm. jurassicworldfallenkingdom. eventbrite.com.

On Stage: Grease. See page 27.

22 FRIDAY 4th Friday Flicks. Crossing Paths Park, 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. 6-10pm. FREE. See “Despicable Me 3” on the big screen outdoors. Come early to play giant lawn games. Food and drink available for purchase. indiantrail.org.

Food Truck Fridays and Concert Series.

Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. 5-9pm. FREE. Eat dinner from favorite local food and dessert trucks. Enjoy local/region bands, inflatable interactives for kids, and a craft beer pavilion. matthewsnc.gov.

Friday Night Live. South Main St. and Stowe Park, Belmont. 6-10pm. FREE. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a kids’ zone, and a beverage garden. facebook.com/ downtownbelmontconcerts.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. FREE. Pre-show begins at 7:15pm, movie at dusk. See the movie “Wonder” outdoors. Live music before the movie. pinevillenc.gov.

On Stage: Charlotte Symphony Pops; Grease; and Paw Patrol: The Great Pirate Adventure. See page 27.

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CALENDAR

23 SATURDAY Doggy Days of Summer. Northlake Mall, 6801 Northlake Mall Drive. 11am-2pm.

FREE. Northlake Mall is partnering with CMPD Animal Care and Control for a mobile pet adoption and “Check Your Chip” clinic to make sure your pet’s microchip information is correct. Dog grooming and dog treats available. shopnorthlake.com/events.

Firetruck Festival. North Carolina Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer. 9am-5pm. Tickets start at $4, children 2 and younger admitted free.

704-636-2889. See the largest gathering of fire trucks in the state of North Carolina, meet firefighters, get a close up look at equipment, and enjoy a day at the museum. nctrans.org.

Fun in the Sun: Waverly Block Party.

Waverly Charlotte. 11am-9pm. FREE. Enjoy crafts for kids, a video-game truck, bounce house and DJ. Stick around from 6-9pm for live music by The Catalinas. waverlyclt.com/ fun-sun-waverly-block-party.

Great American Campout. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 195 Adventure Road, Fort Mill. June 23, 3pm-June 24, 9am. $10-$15. Be a part of the Great American Campout and join in a guided familyfriendly hike, fort building, gaga ball, field games, kayaking and archery (ages 7 and older), and geocaching/orienteering. ascgreenway.org.

On Stage: Creative a Cappella; Grease; Paw Patrol: The Great Pirate Adventure. See page 27.

24 SUNDAY Open Quarry Swim at Carrigan Farms.

Carrigan Farms Quarry, West Entrance, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville.

11am-4pm. Open Sunday-Thursday through Aug. 26. $15 per person. Swim in the cool, deep water at Carrigan Farms Quarry. Ages 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times in the water. Anyone 12 and older are eligible to take the swim test. Bring your rod and reel for catch-andrelease fishing at the farm’s two ponds. carriganfarms.com/thequarry.

The Story of Flax from Plant to Petticoat: 18th-Century Farm Event. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 1-5pm. $7.

See Kidz Bop Live 2018, July 27, at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre. Photo courtesy of Kidz Bop

ON STAGE Grease. (June 15-17 and 20-23). Return to Rydell High School where rock ‘n’ toll is king and the Burger King Boys and Pink Ladies are dreaming of cars, each other and the future. Dale F. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 7:30pm.

Tickets start at $10. tix.cpcc.edu.

15th Anniversary Beatles Tribute. (June 16). Don‘t miss this Charlotte tradition with audience sing-alongs and a variety of performances including original arrangements. Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $16.65. toscomusic.org.

Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops. (June 17 and 24, and July 1). Listen to the sounds of the Charlotte Symphony outdoors while enjoying the summer evenings. Symphony Park at Southpark Mall. 8:15 p.m. $5-$20; packages available for ticket bundles. Children 12 and under admitted free. charlottesymphony.org/summerpops2018.

Paw Patrol Live!: The Great Pirate Adventure.

(June 22-24). The PAW Patrol set out over land and sea to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway’s celebration before Mayor Humdinger finds it first. See website for show times.

Ovens Auditorium, 2900 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets start at $21. ovensauditorium.com.

Creative a Cappella. (June 23). Carolina Voices explores its creative side with familiar songs treated with new settings

and new songs that let the imagination run wild. Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 3 and 8pm. $15-$20.

704-372-1000. carolinavoices.org.

Shrek the Musical TYA. (June 27-30 and July 2-7). Get to know the little ogre named Shrek at this hour-long adaptation

by Central Piedmont Community College Summer Theatre. Dale F. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 10-11am. Tickets start at $10. tix.cpcc.edu.

Seussical Jr. The Musical. (July 5-8). Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road, Charlotte. See website for showtimes. $10-$15. 704-376-3777. theatrecharlotte.org.

Children’s Theatre Live Performances. (July 25). Bright Star Children’s Theatre presents “Old MacDonald Singalong” in the park. Veterans Park, 119 N. Main St., Kannapolis. 10am.

FREE. kannapolisnc.gov/calendar.

KidzBop Live 2018. (July 27). The KidzBop Kids are back on the road with an all-new show sung by kids for kids. Expect to hear hits like “Thunder,” “Feel it Still,” and “Havana.” Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. 7pm. Tickets start at $25. kidzbop.com/tour.

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2018

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We Make Children Safer, Healthier, and Smarter™

CALENDAR

704-854-6676. Visit the Backcountry Farm to see interpreters processing flax in the old 18th-century fashion. Try your hand at braking, scutching or hackling while you discover the many virtues of flax. schielemuseum.org.

On Stage: Charlotte Symphony Pops.

Paw Patrol: The Great Pirate Adventure.

See page 27.

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25 MONDAY

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Marshmallow Madness. Indian Trail Town Hall, 315 Matthews Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 5-10. 6:30-8pm. $10.

704-821-8114. Show your creativity by turning marshmallows and other sweets into candy art. All materials, tools, and supplies provided. indiantrail.org.

Open Quarry Swim at Carrigan Farms.

Carrigan Farms Quarry, West Entrance, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville.

10am-3pm. Open Sunday-Thursday through Aug. 26. $15 per person. Swim in the cool, deep water at Carrigan Farms Quarry. Ages 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times in the water. Anyone 12 and older are eligible to take the swim test. Bring your rod and reel for catch-andrelease fishing at the farm’s two ponds. carriganfarms.com/thequarry.

26 TUESDAY

SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

28 THURSDAY Intro to Kayaking. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. Ages 8 and older. 6:30-8pm. $25. Learn about appropriate gear for kayaking, how to choose a safe kayaking location and how to effectively get in and out of your boat. Registration required. ascgreenway.org.

Nature’s Glow. Latta Plantation Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 6 and older. 8-9:30pm. $4. 980-314-1129.

Learn about nature‘s ability to flow, create art with light, play games, and search for bioluminescent creatures. parkandrec.com.

On Stage: Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-and-coming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Toddler Tuesday at Sea Life CharlotteConcord Aquarium. Sea Life CharlotteConcord Aquarium, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord. $15. One child admitted free with an adult ticket purchase, $5 for each additional child (age 3-12). 866-2291573. Explore the turtle shelter, hear a talk session, and see a Giant Pacific Octopus. visitsealife.com/charlotteconcord.

29 FRIDAY

27 WEDNESDAY

Raptor Encounters. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1pm. $8-$12. 704-875-6521. Enjoy a variety of “nose to beak” encounters with some of the

Party in the Park. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St. 6-9pm. FREE. Bring your

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lawn chairs, drinks and snacks, and dance to the music of local bands. Have kids bring swimsuits and towels to run through the sprayground. Occurs each Wednesday during the summer with the exception of July 4. uptowncharlotteparks.com.

Pike Kids Series. Pike Nurseries, 12630 N. Community House Road. 10am. FREE. Learn about butterflies and ladybugs and how they complement gardens. All ages, with parent or guardian. Preregistration required. pikenursery.com.

On Stage: Shrek The Musical TYA. See page 27.

Concerts in the Park. Veterans Park, 119 N. Main St., Kannapolis. 7pm. FREE. Enjoy free outdoor music. This week’s performance is by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. kannapolisnc.gov/calendar.

Family Disney Game Night. All Around The Board: Game Cafe, 18047-E West Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 6-10pm. $6. 980-2315515. Enjoy family time while playing a Disney-themed game. Wear Disney clothes or a costume to get $1 off your admission. aatbgamecafe.com.

On Stage: Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

30 SATURDAY

› most interesting raptor species. Purchase tickets online up until 24 hours before the encounter, and in the visitor center up until 30 minutes before the encounter begins. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

Summer Festival. The River Place, 8400 Regent Pkwy., Fort Mill. 11am. FREE. Celebrate summer with a DJ, crafts, games, face paint, vendors, prizes and contests.

Stick around for dance team performances. summerfestival2018/eventbrite.com.

On Stage: Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

July 3rd Summer Celebration. Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe V. Knox Ave., Mooresville.

4-10pm. FREE. 704-716-4000.

Celebrate Independence Day early with entertainment and food, kid-friendly activities and spectacular fireworks. ymcacharlotte.org/lowes.

On Stage: Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

JULY

INDEPENDENCE DAY WBT SkyShow Street Party. Mint Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

2-10pm. FREE. Celebrate Independence Day with bounce houses, vendors and live music. skyshowcharlotte.com See page 22 for a list of fireworks and festivities.

1 SUNDAY

Raptor Encounters. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1pm. $8-$12. 704-875-6521. Enjoy a variety of “nose to beak” encounters with some of the most interesting raptor species. Purchase tickets online up until 24 hours before the encounter, and in the visitor center up until 30 minutes before the encounter begins. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

Super Hero Day at the Knights Game.

BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St. 5pm.

Tickets start at $8. 704-274-8300. Enjoy this special Super Hero Day and watch the Knights play the Gwinnett Stripers. charlotteknights.com.

On Stage: Charlotte Symphony Pops: Celebrate America With Fireworks.

See page 27.

2 MONDAY Small Stalks. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2-5. 10-11am. $6-$10. 704-829-1286.

Preschool-age children can explore nature with songs, games, crafts, and play in the Lost Hollow children’s garden. dsbg.org.

On Stage: Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

3 TUESDAY Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-and-coming young drivers with valuable experience

River Jam Concert Series. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. 7pm. $6 parking fee. 704391-3900. Enjoy food, beverages, and live music at this weekly summer concert series.

There are additional activities, such as yoga or group runs, on certain nights before the show starts. usnwc.org/riverjam.

On Stage: Seussical Jr. The Musical; and Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

$3 for nonmembers. An hour of hands-on learning that encourages artistic expression and creativity while incorporating aviation and STEM principles. carolinasaviation.org.

Harvey B. Gantt Center Family First Series Presented by Novant Health: Digital Beats + Rhymes.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. 11am-1pm. $3-$5, free for members and children age 5 and younger. Hip-hop and technology merge as you explore aspects of STEM in this interactive writing and performance workshop. Compose and record lyrics, download beats and mix audio. ganttcenter.org.

Little Chefs Day at Huntersville Grower’s Market. Huntersville Grower’s Market, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville. Ages 5-12. 8am-noon. FREE. Children can learn cooking basics and prepare a recipe. Forty-minute sessions begin at 9, 10 and 11am on the hour. huntersville.org.

Mineral Mania. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 10am-3pm. $6-$7, includes museum admission. Paint a rock to create your own “petroglyph” designs, and see the museum’s new exhibit featuring minerals from around the world. schielemuseum.org.

On Stage: Seussical Jr. The Musical; and Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

6 FRIDAY

8 SUNDAY

Open Quarry Swim at Carrigan Farms.

Carrigan Farms Quarry, West Entrance, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville.

10am-3pm. Open Sunday-Thursday through Aug. 26. $15 per person. Swim in the cool, deep water at Carrigan Farms Quarry. Ages 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times in the water. Anyone 12 and older are eligible to take the swim test. Bring your rod and reel for catch-andrelease fishing at the farm’s two ponds. carriganfarms.com/thequarry.

On Stage: Seussical Jr. The Musical; and Shrek the Musical TYA. See page 27.

Picnic in the Park. Fourth Ward Park, 301 N. Poplar St. 4-6pm. FREE. Bring a picnic and enjoy live music. Every Sunday through Aug. 26. uptowncharlotteparks.com.

Raptor Encounters. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1pm. $8-$12. 704-875-6521. Enjoy a variety of “nose to beak” encounters with some of the most interesting raptor species. Purchase tickets online up until 24 hours before the encounter, and in the visitor center up until 30 minutes before the encounter begins. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

On Stage: Seussical Jr. The Musical. See page 27.

4 WEDNESDAY

5 THURSDAY

7 SATURDAY Full STEAM Ahead. Carolina’s Aviation Museum, 4672 1st Flight Drive. Rising first to eighth graders. 11:00am-noon. Free for members,

9 MONDAY Pajama Rama on the Plaza. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave.

CALENDAR

7-7:30pm. FREE. 704-416-6200. Wear your pajamas for a family storytime that is perfect for bedtime. cmlibrary.org.

10 TUESDAY Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-and-coming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Free Entry to the Schiele Museum. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 1-5pm. FREE. 704-866-6900. Get free entry to the Schiele Museum every second Tuesday and every fourth Friday each month. schielemuseum.org.

11 WEDNESDAY Wonderful Wednesdays. The Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 6 and older. 10 am-noon. $5-$8, ages 3 and younger admitted free, includes museum admission. Explore natural history topics with new exhibits, guest speakers and staff-led activities. The Butterfly Porch is open from 11am-2 pm. chmuseums.org/myco.

12 THURSDAY Amazing Butterflies Maze. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. 10am-5pm. $5-8 free for children age 3 and younger. Includes museum admission. 803-329-2121.

Find your way around the maze that encompasses the life journey of a caterpillar and its metamorphosis into a butterfly. chmusuem.org/myco.

13 FRIDAY Old Town Cornelius 2nd Friday Street Festival. Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. 6-10pm. FREE. Enjoy live music, food trucks, craft breweries, and art and kids activities. The event is rain or shine. oldtowncornelius.com.

Cotswold Trucks Food Truck Rally. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Road. 5:30-9:30pm. FREE. A family- and dog-friendly event that features 10-15 area

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CALENDAR

food trucks, live music and a gated kids‘ playground. trinitypreschurch.org/event/ food-truck-fridays.

Lumbee Tribe Cultural Performance.

Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 3-4:30pm. FREE. 704-6631062. Join Ryan Dial-Stanley, a Lumbee Native American, for music, dancing and storytelling. mooresvillelibrary.org.

Movie Night. The Green at Promenade on Providence, corner of Providence Road and Interstate 485. 7pm. FREE. Movie TBD by fan vote. promenadeonprovidence.com.

enjoy live music. Each Sunday through Aug. 26. uptowncharlotteparks.com.

Raptor Encounters. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1pm. $8-$12. 704-875-6521. Enjoy a variety of “nose to beak” encounters with some of the most interesting raptor species. Purchase tickets online up until 24 hours before the encounter, and in the visitor center up until 30 minutes before the encounter begins. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

14 SATURDAY

Wee Sprouts. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Age 2 and younger. 11:15am-noon. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. 704-829-1252. Explore colors, shapes, movement, texture and a host of other topics in a safe and nurturing environment. dsbg.org.

Exploring the Greenway Hike. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. 10-11:30am. $5 for nonmembers. Led by a South Carolina Master Naturalist, this hike covers approximately 2 miles and takes about 1.5 hours. Meet at the Rush Pavilion. No registration is required. ascgreenway.org.

Summer Wild Wonder Saturdays: Metals and Gems, Oh My! The Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 4 and older.

10am-2pm. $5-8, includes museum admission. See the museum collection of rocks and minerals, meet local geologists and mine for gems with Dirt Dauber Deb’s Gem Mining ($4 per bag of gems with proof of admission). chmuseums.org/myco.

When Hurricane and Sea Turtle Seasons Collide. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 11am and 2pm. $6-$7, includes museum admission.

Travel across the ocean to learn about hurricane formations before going ashore to discover how storms impact sea turtle populations in this two-part program. schielemuseum.org.

15 SUNDAY Charlotte French Festival. Nevin Community Park, 6000 Statesville Rd, Shelter No. 1. 10:15am-5:30pm. $5.

Celebrate the rich and entertaining French culture with wine, crepes, pastries, music and kids’ activities. Bring leashed dogs for the canine costume contest. charlottefrenchfestival.com.

Picnic in the Park. Fourth Ward Park, 301 N. Poplar St. 4-6pm. FREE. Bring a picnic and

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16 MONDAY

17 TUESDAY Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-and-coming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

JumpBunch. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm.

FREE. Learn about sports and fitness in a fun, engaging and noncompetitive environment with staff from JumpBump, Sports and Fitness for Kids. Space is limited to the first 30 arrivals. cmlibrary.org.

18 WEDNESDAY CM Library Presents: Discovery Place-Electrifying Action. Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd.

Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Conduct hairraising experiments with the Van de Graff generator. Build circuits, investigate renewable energy and analyze energy transfer through a system. Registration required. cmlibrary.org.

CM Library Presents: Fiddle Stix. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road.

Grades 1-5. 3-4pm. FREE. See a series of experiments that explore the wonders of

SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

dry ice. Program is limited to 30 children.

Registration is required. Register online at cmlibrary.org.

19 THURSDAY 3rd Thursday Concert. Crossing Paths Park, 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. 6-9pm. FREE. Enjoy summer nights with outdoor music.

Food available for purchase. indiantrail.org.

Movies in the Park. Veterans Park, corner of Main and Maxwell streets, Huntersville.

FREE. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and cozy up to watch “Despicable Me 3.” Drinks, popcorn, candy available for purchase.

Movies start 5-15 minutes after sunset. huntersville.org.

20 FRIDAY Blakeney’s Summer Concert Series.

Village Green at Blakeney, Ardrey Kell and Rea Road. 7-10pm. FREE. Each Friday and Saturday through Sept. 1st, local favorites return to Blakeney Shopping Center bringing fun and music for the entire family. shopblakeney.com.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. FREE. 7pm. Matthews Playhouse presents “The Lion King Jr.” pinevillenc.gov.

21 SATURDAY ImagiCon. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 10 am-4pm. FREE. This library festival celebrates the culture surrounding comic books, graphic novels, manga, anime, fandoms and gaming. imaginon.org.

Open Sail Dates. Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson St., Cornelius. Ages 4 and older. 1-4pm. $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers. Attendees can check out the Sunfish and practice their sailing skills. Children ages 11 and under must be accompanied by a competent sailor. A short test is given to the sailors to ensure they can safely maneuver the boat. ymcacharlotte.org/lakenorman.

22 SUNDAY Raptor Encounters. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1pm. $8-$12. 704-875-6521. Enjoy a variety of “nose to beak” encounters with some of the

most interesting raptor species. Purchase tickets online up until 24 hours before the encounter, and in the visitor center up until 30 minutes before the encounter begins. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

23 MONDAY Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center. 300 E. 7th St. Ages 8 and younger. FREE. Storyland transforms seven beloved and award-winning picture books –into three-dimensional play and bilingual learning environments. The exhibit runs through Sept. 9. imaginon.org/storyland.

24 TUESDAY Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-and-coming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Terrific Tuesday: Carolina Raptor Center Raptors Inspire. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11. 1-2pm. FREE. 704-973-2828. Learn what makes raptors unique and explore what actions can be taken to make a difference for wildlife. imaginon.org.

25 WEDNESDAY Free Wednesday Evenings at the Mint Museum. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road; and Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. 5-9pm. FREE. 704-337-2000. Explore the Mint Museum‘s exhibitions free of charge. www. mintmuseum.org.

Homeschool Day at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S New Hope Road, Belmont. K-5. 9:30 am-12:30pm. $8 for first student; $5 for each additional student; $12 per adult. 704-829-1270. Home-schooled students can participate in a variety of learning stations offering hands-on, guided discovery experiences. Register online. dsbg.org.

On Stage: Children’s Theatre Live Performances. See page 27.

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CALENDAR

26 THURSDAY

29 SUNDAY

Open Quarry Swim at Carrigan Farms. Carrigan Farms Quarry, West Entrance, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville. 11am-3pm. Open Sunday-Thursday through Aug. 26. $15 per person. Swim in the cool, deep water at Carrigan Farms Quarry. Ages 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times in the water. Anyone 12 and older are eligible to take the swim test. Bring your rod and reel for catch-and-release fishing at the farm’s two ponds. carriganfarms.com/thequarry.

Summer Concert Series: Anne Springs Close Greenway. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 291 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill. 5:30-8:30pm. $5 per person (free for members); $5 per car for parking. 803-547-4575.

Bring chairs and blankets for your own seating. Music begins at 6pm. Visit website to see scheduled performers. ascgreenway.org.

All Ages at Abari Game Bar. Abari Game Bar, 1721 N. Davidson St. Noon-5pm. 980-430-4587. This bar + arcade hybrid has over 20 pinball machines, 30 arcade games and other games rotating monthly. On Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5pm all ages are welcome with a parent or guardian present. abarigamebar.com.

Flights of the Forest Show. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 7 and older. 11-11:30am. $8-$12. 704-875-6521. Feel the wind from a raptor‘s wing it they flies overhead. Participants must be 7 or older; children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

30 MONDAY

4th Friday Flicks. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. 6-10pm. FREE. See “Emoji Movie” on the big screen outdoors. Come early to play giant lawn games. Food and drink available for purchase. indiantrail.org.

Live on the Green Concert Series. First Ward Park, 301 E. 7th St. 7-10pm. FREE. Unwind with bluegrass and Americana music and food trucks. Occurs every other Friday all summer. uptowncharlotteparks.com.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. FREE. Pre-show begins at 7:15pm, movie at dusk. See the movie “Peter Rabbit” outdoors. Come early for the A Zoo to You petting zoo. pinevillenc.gov.

On Stage: KidzBop Live. See page 27.

Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-andcoming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites.

ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center. 300 E. 7th St. Ages 8 and younger. FREE. Storyland transforms seven beloved and award-winning picture books –into threedimensional play and bilingual learning environments. The exhibit runs through Sept. 9. imaginon.org/storyland.

Wee Sprouts. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 2 years and younger. 11:15am-noon. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. 704829-1252. Explore colors, shapes, movement, texture and a host of other topics in a safe and nurturing environment. dsbg.org.

28 SATURDAY

31 TUESDAY

All Ages at Abari Game Bar. Abari Game Bar, 1721 N. Davidson St. Noon-5pm. 980-430-4587. This bar + arcade hybrid has over 20 pinball machines, 30 arcade games and other games rotating monthly. On Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5pm all ages are welcome with a parent or guardian present. abarigamebar.com.

Solar System Saturdays. The Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 6 and older. 10am-2pm. $5-$8, includes museum admission. Explore Mars, along with a planetarium show at noon. chmuseums.org/myco.

Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 9pm. $8; free for children 13 and under. Grassroots racing at its finest, providing up-andcoming young drivers with valuable experience in Legend Cars and Bandoleros. charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Music Box Lunch. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St. Noon- 1:30pm. FREE. 704-348-5770. Enjoy music with your meal at Romare Bearden Park‘s Music Box Lunch. uptowncharlotteparks.com.

27 FRIDAY

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CALENDAR POLICY :: The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and low-cost local and regional events for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, go to charlotteparent.com/calendar, then click on Submit an Event. Submission deadline for print is the 1st of the month prior to the next month’s publication. Time, dates and details of events are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

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Derek James with his son Tyler after each completed his first Savage Race.

Photo courtesy of Derek James

DADDY DEREK

‘Savage’ Focus and a Little Bonding Besides

BY DEREK JAMES

K

ids love climbing and jumping in, on or over everything — and my boys are no different. They first really fell in love with the idea of obstacle courses several years ago thanks to the TV show “Wipeout.” While silly, it’s impressive to see athletes and non-athletes conquer the various obstacles. In more recent years, we’ve watched more than a few episodes of “America Ninja Warrior” where the toughest of the tough take on insane physical challenges.

A few years ago, the closest thing to an obstacle course you’d find for kids around Charlotte were some places that maybe had a bouncy house. Now there are at least a half dozen places where children can jump, swing and climb their way to fun and fitness. Kinetic Heights, Urban Air, Big Air and Defy Charlotte are just some of the options for getting your adventure on. Keep in mind that each place has different courses in size and ability level. Some may be difficult for kids under age 12, while others are easier for little ones. BounceU of Matthews doesn’t have a “warrior course,” per se, but does feature a junior version of the “Big Balls” from “Wipeout” that is perfect for the younger set.

My son Tyler, 9, and I have been running 5k races from time to time over the last couple of years. While searching for our next race, I discovered something called Savage Race. It’s a 5- to 7-mile obstacle run with mud, fire and even barbed wire. It’s definitely too much for a 9-year-old and for and this almost 40-year-old. Savage Race, however, also

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SUMMER 2018 | charlotteparent.com

offers a shorter 3-mile-plus course called the Blitz, which was advertised as a good option for first-timers, as well as a shorter half-mile kids’ course that I knew Tyler could easily complete. We looked at some pictures and videos online to gauge his interest. He was over-the-top excited. We ran the Charlotte race in May. As Savage Race was our first obstacle-course-run experience, I really didn’t know what to expect. I’ve been working out two days a week for a few years now, so I at least wasn’t worried about embarrassing myself. My wife, on the other hand, was worried that my time on the course would end with a trip to urgent care. I surprised her – and myself – with what I was able to accomplish. My kids witnessing their dad push himself to the limit was the cherry on top. They were able to see firsthand my preparation for the race and how it paid off on race day. They saw that determination, grit and self-confidence go a long way. They also learned that while competition is a part of obstacle-course races, helping a fellow

racer finish a task to reach a goal is always the right thing to do.

Even though Tyler and I didn’t run together, I feel like the obstacle course experience really connected us. Tyler’s race followed mine, and I was beyond proud to see him finish second overall.

I saw growth in him in every step, plus enormous pride when he crossed the finish line and received his medal. He had accomplished something special and had done it with his dad.

I hope he always remembers our first obstacle-course race and the realization that with hard work and perseverance, he can do anything. Tyler’s little brother Chase, 7, was proud too. Now psyched to try it himself, Chase eagerly informed us that he’s ready to take on his first obstacle-course race. There’s more than a little ninja warrior in each of them.

Derek James is a host of WCCB News Rising.

He and his wife live in Charlotte with their two sons who are age 9 and 7.

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FACES & PLACES

Kylie, 3, and Emma, 2, love being able to help take care of their new baby sister Bella, 1 month old.

Photo and memory by Jaclyn Gaddis of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Share your real-life moment at charlotteparent.com/contests.