Carolina Parent Raleigh Oct 2019

October 2019 • Free

121

Fall Fun Destinations & Activities

ALL ABOARD! 5 NC train attractions

Ashe County

Discover small-town charm and low-key adventures

Metabolic Syndrome Know the symptoms and how to prevent it carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

1

Duke Health Expands Midwife Services

Expectant mothers can choose to work with a certified nurse midwife for prenatal care and assistance in labor and birth. Midwifery services are now available at the following locations: Harris & Smith Obstetrics & Gynecology 4116 Capitol Street Durham, NC 27704 Tel: 919-471-1573

Harris & Smith Obstetrics & Gynecology at Patterson Place 5324 McFarland Drive, Suite 200 Durham, NC 27707 Tel: 919-419-5160

Durham Obstetrics & Gynecology South Durham 234 Crooked Creek Parkway, Suite 340 Durham, NC 27713 Tel: 919-220-5435

Duke Women’s Health Heritage 3000 Rogers Road, Suite 310 Wake Forest, NC 27587 Tel: 919-385-2940

COMING SOON Duke Women’s Health Holly Springs* 401 Irving Parkway Holly Springs, NC 27540 *General Ob/Gyn Services Only Midwifery services not offered.

dukewomenshealth.org | 919-684-2471

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

WONDER PUSHES THEM to DISCOVER AND US to EXPLORE. At UNC Children’s, the boundless curiosity of our patients inspires our own. Because of them, we are continually driven to explore innovative treatments, utilize advanced technology, and provide comprehensive specialty services. It’s this kid-like wonder that drives us to ensure bright futures and endless possibilities by providing exceptional children’s care in the Triangle.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPECIALTY CARE at UNCCHILDRENS.ORG/INSPIRE

VOLUME 31, NUMBER 10

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2019

16 FEATURES 16

PUMPKIN PATCHES, HAYRIDES AND GHOSTLY GATHERINGS Discover 92 ways to experience fall fun with your family

22 ALL ABOARD! Choo choo choose to take a train this fall

22

26

28

26 FAMILY-FRIENDLY FALL FESTIVALS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA Venture out for a day trip or weekend getaway to one of the state’s best fests 28 METABOLIC SYNDROME Know the symptoms and how to prevent it

8

35

38

41

IN EVERY ISSUE 5

October Online

COLUMNS

CALENDAR

6

Editor’s Note

30 Growing Up

41

48 Faces and Places

31

FYI

32 Understanding Kids

8

Community

10 Education

Oh, Baby!

Our Picks

42 Festivals 44 Daily

33 Raising Readers 34 Tech Talk

12

Health

35 Father Figuring

14

Style

36 College Transitions 38 Excursion

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

3

SEE

THINGS

DIFFERENTLY

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Magnet, Early College, & Year-Round Schools Fair SAT., Oct. 26, 2019 9 am – 12 pm Panther Creek High School

Wake County’s award-winning magnet schools create well-rounded students by exposing them to new experiences and challenging them with programs tailored to their strengths. We invite you to explore our magnet themes, early college schools, and year-round schools to find those that best meet the unique strengths and interests of your child.

For more information visit: www.wcpss.net/magnet

MAGNET AND CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS Crossroads 1 ■ 5625 Dillard Dr. ■ Cary, NC 27518 Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Phone: (919) 533-7289 E-mail: Magnetcenter@wcpss.net

ONLINE

10 LOCAL HIKES FOR KIDS Discover the best trails for kids in the Triangle. carolinaparent.com/cp/10-hikeskids-enjoy-in-the-triangle

MORE TRIANGLE HIKES Add these local hikes to your fall bucket list.

SAY CHEESE Check out seven ideal places in the Triangle to take a fall family portrait. carolinaparent.com/CP/7great-places-to-take-a-fallfamily-photo-in-the-triangle

Image courtesy of Medvedeva Irina/Shutterstock.com

carolinaparent.com/cp/where-tohike-in-the-triangle

8 NORTH CAROLINA HIKES FOR FAMILIES From the mountains to the sea, check out these fun hikes together. carolinaparent.com/8-familyfriendly-hikes-in-north-carolina

Connect with us online:

facebook.com/ carolinaparent

twitter.com/ carolinaparent

ENTER A CONTEST From toys to museum passes, we’re always giving something away! carolinaparent.com/ cp/contests

pinterest.com/ carolinaparent

instagram.com/ carolinaparent

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

5

EDITOR'S NOTE

Fall Feels

F

morrismedianetwork.com

PUBLISHER

Katie Reeves · katie.reeves@morris.com

EDITOR

Beth Shugg · bshugg@carolinaparent.com

all is here! Can you see, feel, hear and

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Janice Lewine · jlewine@carolinaparent.com

smell it? Crisp breezes blow, colorful

ART DIRECTOR

leaves crunch underfoot, crowds

Sean W. Byrne · seanwbyrne.com

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR

cheer in football stands across the

Andy Smith · andy.smith@morris.com

region, and the scent of pumpkin spice lattes

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Lauren Isaacs · lisaacs@carolinaparent.com

waft through the air. It all sets the scene for memorable outdoor fun with your family.

Who doesn’t love a thrill of a corn maze or haunted trail? We’ve got the lowdown

learn more about this condition, which affects one in every three adult Americans.

Our columns this month focus on hiking

INTERN

Billy Ryder · bryder@carolinaparent.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Candi Griffin • cgriffin@carolinaparent.com Sue Chen • schen@carolinaparent.com

on where to find one in Associate Editor

as a family (page 30), expectations for when

Janice Lewine’s “Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides

newborns typically start rolling over (page 31),

and Ghostly Gatherings” fall fun roundup on

how to choose age-appropriate Halloween

DONNA KESSLER

page 16.

costumes (page 32), children’s fall fun fiction

DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING

If you have train lovers in your family, check

(page 33), protecting your family’s online

out “All Aboard! Choo Choo Choose to Take a

privacy (page 34), a local dad’s list of favorite fall

Train This Fall” by Mandy Howard on page 22,

activities (page 35), whether college applicants

which lists family-friendly train rides and

should submit a resume with their application

attractions across the state.

(page 36) and why you should consider a fall

Take a day trip or plan a weekend getaway to experience one or more of 18 statewide fall

visit to Ashe County, North Carolina (page 38).

Our October calendar of events, which starts

festivals taking place this month that we’ve

on page 41, is filled with fun ways to enjoy

featured in “Family-Friendly Fall Festivals Across

the beautiful fall weather. From local festivals

North Carolina” by Deanna Taylor on page 26.

to recreational activities, you’ll find something

Our annual look at women’s health focuses

awesome to do with your family every day of

on metabolic syndrome. Read “Metabolic Syndrome: Know the Symptoms and How to Prevent It” by Christa Hogan on page 28 to

MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS PRESIDENT

DONALD HORTON

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES KAREN FRALICK

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR CHER WHEELER

CONTACT US

carolinaparent.com Phone: 919-956-2430 · Fax: 919-956-2427 5716 Fayetteville Rd., Suite 201, Durham, NC 27713 advertising@carolinaparent.com · editorial@carolinaparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services.

Carolina Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards.

Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

the month.

Wishing you a beautiful fall season! Now, where did I put that pumpkin spice latte …

A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901

Beth

Beth Shugg, Editor

Editor’s photo courtesy of Morton Photography.

Cover photo courtesy of Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock.com.

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Chairman William S. Morris III

President & CEO William S. Morris IV

Come tour our warm and inviting learning community.

Preschool tour dates: October 4, 15, 25, & 29 / November 1, 5, 15, 19

Elementary tour dates: October 17 & 22 / November 7, 12, & 21 Open House – November 14

Martha Ann Keels, DDS PhD Dylan S. Hamilton, DMD MS Erica A. Brecher, DMD MS

1141 Raleigh School Drive | Raleigh, NC 27607 www.raleighschool.org 919-546-0788 admissions@raleighschool.org

COMMUNITY. CHALLENGE. INQUIRY. RESPECT.

LEARN ACTIVELY ACT COMPASSIONATELY carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

7

FYI

BY JANICE LEWINE

Blue Cross NC and No Kid Hungry to Increase Healthy Meals for Kids

Miss America 2019 Dedicates a Piano at Duke Children’s Hospital

Blue Cross NC will provide $500,000 over three years to No Kid Hungry North Carolina, an initiative of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, to fight child food insecurity in North Carolina. This will support the work of public schools and community organizations that serve meals to children, many of whom depend on these programs for their daily nutrition.

“Blue Cross NC is committed to tackling childhood hunger in our state,” says Cheryl Parquet, director of community and diversity engagement for Blue Cross NC. “Every child should have access to nutritious food, and we’re proud to support the school systems and community organizations that are on the front lines of the fight against food insecurity.”

Summer and after-school meals through these federal programs are offered at no cost to children. Of the nearly 1.5 million public school students in North Carolina, almost 60% qualify for free or reduced-price meals, including school breakfast, according to data from the North Carolina Department for Public Instruction. Learn more at bluecrossnc.com.

Nia Franklin, Miss America 2019, joined with international partner Sing for Hope on Aug. 12 to dedicate a piano to Duke Children’s Hospital.

An arts education advocate, Franklin is spending her year as Miss America to advance her social impact initiative, which is focused on creating opportunities for children and adults to enjoy the educational and emotional benefits of music. She has worked extensively with Sing for Hope, an organization driving the international movement for increased inclusion of the arts in global convenings centering on social change.

By partnering with Sing for Hope to dedicate the new piano, Franklin will leave a lasting impact on children and families who utilize Duke Children’s Hospital’s facilities. Prior to the dedication, Franklin met pediatric patients and sang an original composition.

“Duke University Hospital schedules more hours of live music than any other performing arts space in the area, sometimes reaching up

Arts in Education 4x

Students who study art are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to be awarded for school attendance.

90.2%

Student graduation rate among schools with music programs.

78%

The percentage of Americans who feel that learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subjects.

SOURCES: DoSomething.org (dosomething.org/us/facts/11facts-about-arts-education); ChildrensMusicWorkshop.com (childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/factsandstatistics)

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Nia Franklin, Miss America 2019 (center), advocates for arts education. Photo courtesy of MissAmerica.org

to 16 hours a day,” says musician-in-residence, William Dawson. “Music is a huge part of our program because we believe in creating a healing environment for all of our patients and their families.”

Franklin and her family know the healing power of music. Before becoming Miss America, Nia provided a stem cell transplant for her father, James, at Duke University Hospital.

Harris Teeter and Smithfield Foods Donate 40,000 Pounds of Protein The ribbon-cutting ceremony of Harris Teeter’s newest store at Maynard Crossing in Cary also featured a donation of nearly 40,000 pounds of protein from Harris Teeter and Smithfield Foods to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. The donation, equivalent to more than 160,000 servings of protein, will support the food bank’s efforts to alleviate hunger across its 34-county service area.

This is the 39th large-scale protein donation made by Smithfield Foods, one the world’s largest pork processors and hog producers, to food banks across the country during its 2019 Helping Hungry Homes tour. Smithfield has provided more than 130 million servings of protein to community outreach programs, food banks and disaster relief efforts nationwide since the program’s inception in 2008.

Logo courtesy of Harris Teeter

COMMUNITY

“Food insecurity remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina, even as we continue to expand our services to feed nearly 600,000 individuals struggling with food access,” says Carter Crain, director of food partnerships for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. “This donation from Smithfield and Harris Teeter gives us the ability to provide wholesome meals to those in need, and these companies are true long-term partners in the fight against hunger.”

Learn more at harristeeter.com.

Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

Visit us online to RSVP for one of our upcoming events or to book a tour. guidepostmontessori.com/spruce-tree (919) 825-1771 12600 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC 27614

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

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Now Accepting New Patients!

919.489.1543 DurhamPDO.com

121 W. Woodcroft Pkwy Durham, NC 27713

Robert T. Christensen John R. Christensen DDS, MS, MS DDS, MS Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

9

FYI EDUCATION

Durham Tech Students Transform Play Area Four students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Durham Technical Community College spent six weeks this past summer transforming a courtyard for a classroom of nine children with autism at Washington Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh. Students Lindsay Copper, Kajuan Davis, Taylor Greenhill and Rachel Hayes accomplished the following: • Added more than 30 fidget items to the sensory board.

• Created a music wall with household products that make a variety of sounds.

• Added plants and a fossil dig to the raised garden bed.

• Added a cat curtain made from bottle caps to the art studio.

• Painted the solar system on the ceiling of the studio.

• Repainted tires in the play area.

• Created two tic-tac-toe games.

• Added a bowling set with sand inside the bowling balls to help with upper body strength.

Besides making these improvements, the students raised enough funds to cover the almost-$600 cost for all of these materials.

“This project helped us think outside of the box and [about] how we can create different things to work on upper body strength, parallel play, and really think about how we can make this a more efficient area that helps the kids with play therapy,” Hayes says.

Kajuan Davis (left) and Rachel Hayes (right) put final touches on a fossil dig activity. Photo courtesy of Durham Technical Community College

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

BY KAREN SHORE

Immaculata Catholic School in Durham Receives Green Ribbon Status The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Immaculata Catholic School in Durham is among the 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees.

Immaculata Catholic School was nominated because of the school’s innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.

Examples of these efforts include: • Increasing productivity in the school’s courtyard garden to help provide food for those in need throughout the community.

• Reducing cafeteria wastes by providing reusable lunch containers.

• Installing an energy-saving light system.

• Partnering with green companies to learn about sustainability.

• Hosting a blackout Earth Hour and E-Cycling event.

• Inviting the school’s recycling contractor to present to students on best practices.

• Introducing school-wide paperless solutions.

Immaculata Catholic School students hold some of the produce from their courtyard garden. Photo courtesy of Immaculata Catholic School

“It’s easy to become discouraged when looking at the world’s problems and feeling like there’s nothing you can do to make things better. But we can make a difference if everyone does something small — those small things add up to big changes,” says Karen Clark, a teacher at Immaculata Catholic School.

“When we teach our students the importance of caring for the Earth, we have a bright future to look forward to.”

Wegmans Awards $500 Scholarship Grants to 10 Raleigh Area High School Students Ten graduating seniors from the Raleigh area received $500 scholarship grants from Wegmans Food Markets as part of its annual Employee Scholarship Program — one way the company strives to help employees pursue higher education.

The local recipients are: Makayla EvansColeman and Lekira Moore from Needham B. Broughton High School; Juliana Salcido and Julia Ryan from Cardinal Gibbons High School; Jean Marie Niyoyankunze and Ananda Sciulli from Enloe Magnet High School; Roberto Alejandro Alvarenga Dias and Michael Edward Brown from Millbrook Magnet High School; and Cameron Moore and Anthony Jarvis from Jesse O. Sanderson High School.

Wegmans Food Markets partnered with each school to select two students who exemplify the family-owned company’s values of caring, respect, high standards, empowerment and making a difference.

“We value making a difference in our community, and helping students succeed is one of our most important giving priorities,” says Wegmans Raleigh Store Manager Hallie Johnston. “We’re happy to award honorary scholarships this year and we look forward to celebrating the first class of Wegmans Raleigh employee scholarship recipients in 2020.”

Since the program began in 1984, more than 38,500 Wegmans employees have been awarded scholarships totaling $120 million.

Downtown Raleigh

MarblesIMAX.org

NORTH RALEIGH PEDIATRIC GROUP invites children and accompanying adult(s) to

Schedule Your FLU SHOT Now Call 919-848-2249 M-W-F 8:30AM - 6:30PM SAT-SUN 8:30AM - NOON All insurances accepted including Medicaid

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

11

FYI HEALTH

BY KATHERINE KOPP

How Much Alcohol is Safe to Drink?

Many adults wonder how much alcohol is too much? How much is a “safe” amount to drink?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a part of the National Institutes of Health, offers these recommendations: Photo courtesy of 4 PM production/Shutterstock.com

• Women should consume no more than three drinks per day and no more than a total of seven drinks per week.

Image courtesy of Stmool/Shutterstock.com

• Men should consume no more than four drinks per day and no more than a total of 14 drinks per week.

A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or a 1.5 fluid-ounce shot of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Adults who exceed these recommendations may be at risk for alcohol use disorder, a term which is now used to describe a dependence or excessive use of alcohol. Alcohol use disorder may be characterized as mild, moderate or severe.

BY THE NUMBERS:

10.9-16.1%

The percentage of North Carolinians who engage in binge drinking in an average month. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for a man, or four or more for a woman.

SOURCE: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov/alcohol/data-stats.htm

$738

The yearly cost per capita of excessive alcohol consumption in North Carolina.

SOURCE: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov/alcohol/data-stats.htm

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

American Cancer Society Recommendations on Breast Cancer Screening Detecting breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art cancer treatments are the two most important strategies for preventing deaths from breast cancer. When found early — and when it’s small and has not spread — breast cancer is easier to treat successfully.

Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way to detect breast cancer early. The American Cancer Society offers screening guidelines for women at average risk of breast cancer, as well as for those at high risk for breast cancer.

Breast cancers found during screenings are more likely to be smaller and still confined to the breast. The size of a breast cancer finding and how far it has spread are some of the most important factors in predicting the prognosis.

These guidelines are for women who are at an average risk for breast cancer. For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at an average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history

of breast cancer or a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer (such as in a BRCA gene), and has not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30.

• Women ages 40-44 have the option to start screening by getting a mammogram every year.

• Women ages 45-54 should get mammograms every year.

• Women ages 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.

Screenings should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer. For more information about breast cancer, go to cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html.

Men can also develop breast cancer.

For information, visit cancer.org/cancer/ breast-cancer-in-men.html.

Katherine Kopp is a freelance writer in Chapel Hill.

OCTOBER

Chapel Hill Pediatrics

&Adolescents

Welcome NEW and Established Patients • Care from birth through college

• Complimentary “meet and greet” sessions • Same-day appointments • Comprehensive sports & camp physicals Walk in Availability: Chapel Hill Office: 7:15 - 7:30 M-F; 9 am - 2 pm Sat-Sun

Durham Office: 7:15 - 7:50 am M-F

Appointment Hours Chapel Hill Office: 8 am - 7 pm M-F; 9 am - 2 pm Sat-Sun

Background image courtesy of Stephanie Zieber/Shutterstock.com. Glass slipper image courtesy of Fer Gregory/Shutterstock.com

Durham Office: 8 am - 5 pm M-F

Enter to Win 4 Tickets to Raleigh Little Theatre’s ‘Cinderella’ Raleigh Little Theatre presents “Cinderella” Dec. 6-22 at Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. This visually stunning musical comedy is a holiday sugarplum for the whole family, offering romance, elegant costumes and scenery, singing, dancing, conniving step-relatives, and resourceful fairy folk.

Enter to win by going to carolinaparent.com⁄cp⁄contests and clicking on the “Cinderella” post.

Type this code in the online form you’ll be required to fill out: CPCinderella2019.

We’ll announce a winner Oct. 25, 2019. Good luck!

919-942-4173

Check our website for holiday hours.

2 locations Chapel Hill: 205 Sage Road., Suite 100 Durham: 249 East NC Hwy 54, Suite 230

www.chapelhillpeds.com carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

13

FYI STYLE

BY HELEN BANZET WALLACE

COOL LOOKS TO KEEP YOU WARM A great coat can feel like a warm hug. It can pull a mediocre outfit together and make it spectacular. The right coat also works wonders to camouflage trouble spots, and can simultaneously provide a mysterious anonymity — if that’s what you’re going for. A coat is a miracle worker and worth your investment.

1

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The signs of cooler weather are here — crisp air, falling leaves, football games, outdoor gatherings, oysters and pumpkin spice lattes. Here are a handful of picks for you to ponder as you shop for a new coat — from understated, to classic, to bold. We’ve also included a few priceconscious alternatives.

1. GANNI Bouclé Wool Coat (shown in black) shopbop.com | $370 | *Price-conscious alternative: Belted Coat | zara.com | $219 2. Sea Ava Robe Coat | shopbop.com | $850 3. Isabel Marant Etoile Gabin Poncho shopbop.com | $695 4. Velvet Albany Reversible Sherpa Jacket shopbop.com | $257 | *Price-conscious alternative: Pile Jacket with Collar 2.hm.com | $59.99

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5. VEDA Cedar Double Faced Wool Coat shopbop.com | $628 6. Antik Batik Khalim Coat | shopbop.com | $545 *Price-conscious alternative: Faux-Fur Coat jcrew.com | $398 7. Harris Wharf London Kimono Mantle Wool Cape in Gunmetal | vertandvogue.com | $440

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8. Caron Callahan Krasner Denim Coat in Ivory vertandvogue.com | $368 | *Price-conscious alternative in black: The Boxy-Crop Jean Jacket madewell.com | $128 9. Velvet Anne Faux Fur Jacket | shopbop.com | $328 *Information shown reflects product price at press time.

Helen Banzet Wallace is a freelance writer, fashion blogger and mom. Her work has appeared in local and regional publications.

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

d o o G ’ n i l w Ho Pumpkin Flotilla

E�j�y t�e s�a�o� o� s�o�k�

w�t� t�e�e h�w�i�’ g�o� H�l�o�e�n e�e�t�!

Fri., Oct. 25 | 4-7 p.m.

Bond Park Boathouse All ages | Free

Cary’s Great Pumpkin Carve

Herbert’s Haunted House

Sat., Oct. 26 | 2-8 p.m.

Downtown Park All ages | Free

Fri., Oct. 25 | 7 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 26 | 7 p.m.

Herb Young Community Center All ages | $3 per person

Halloween Mall Crawl Sat., Oct. 26 | 4-5:30 p.m.

Cary Towne Center All ages | Free

ZOMBIEPALOOZA

Ghost Walk

Fri., Oct. 25 | 7 p.m.

The Cary Theater Free

Sat., Oct. 26 | 7, 7:20, 7:40, 8 p.m.

Page Walker Arts & History Center Age 10 & up | $15

(919) 469-4061 www.townofcary.org/halloween

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

15

Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides and Ghostly Gatherings

BY JANICE LEWINE

Parents: Use discretion to determine whether activities are suitable for children. Be sure to call ahead or visit websites to verify hours and dates.

HARVEST-THEMED FAMILY FUN *CARVING PUMPKINS WITH GOATS 5306 Homer Ruffin Rd., Chapel Hill 919-407-1806; springhaven.farm Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. $13.50-$20/ person and free for ages 3 and younger; tickets must be purchased in advance online. Enjoy goats and other farm animals, pumpkin carving, a hayride and more. *CROSSROADS CORN MAZE 3937 Louisbury Rd., Wake Forest 919-747-1324; crossroadscornmaze.com Open Oct. 4-Nov. 3. Friday, 1-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (offers nighttime corn maze until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Oct. 4); and Sunday, 1-7 p.m. Corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch and more.

DJ’S BERRY PATCH 1223 Salem Church Rd., Apex 919-600-4020; djsberrypatch.com Find pumpkins of all sizes, North Carolina apples and tomatoes, and other fall produce. Check the website for details.

THE FAMILY FARM ON AVENT FERRY 1719 Avent Ferry Rd., Holly Springs 919-624-8172; thefamilyfarmonaventferry.com

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Open Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Specialty pumpkins, gourds and more. Take a family photo in front of a vintage John Deere tractor. *GROSS FARMS CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH 1606 Pickett Rd., Sanford 919-498-6727; grossfarms.com Open Sept. 21-Nov. 3; Monday-Friday in September by appointment only for groups; Friday, 4-10 p.m. (beginning in October); Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission is $3 for ages 2 and older; other fees vary by activity; combo ticket is $16. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, 10-acre corn maze, Farm Scene Investigation activity, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and more. *HILL RIDGE FARMS FALL PUMPKIN AND HARVEST FESTIVAL 703 Tarboro Rd., Youngsville 919-556-1771; hillridgefarms.com Open Sept. 21-Nov. 3. Starting Oct. 1 hours are 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and Sunday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday. Open till 8 p.m. on Saturdays in October for bonfires, s’mores and hot apple cider. General admission is $14 for ages 2 and older. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, hayride, 80-foot giant slide, live music and more. Some activities cost extra. *HIPP FARMS CORN MAZE AND FIELD OF FUN U.S. Route 401 and Ballard Rd., Fuquay-Varina 919-669-5741; hippfarmscornmaze.com Open Sept. 14-Oct. 27. Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (offers nighttime

OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

corn maze until 9 p.m. on Saturdays beginning Oct. 5); and Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 2 and older; some activities cost extra.

Enjoy wagon rides, a 10-acre corn maze, a petting zoo, a slingshot activity and more. *HUCKLEBERRY TRAIL FARM 143 Pleasant Hill Church Rd., Siler City 919-432-4825; huckleberrytrailfarm.com Open Sept. 28-Oct. 27; Thursday-Friday by appointment only for groups; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

Ticket sales an hour before closing. General admission is $10 for ages 12 and older, $8 for ages 3-11. Enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and more. A nighttime Escape Maze is available Oct. 19 and 26, 6-9 p.m.; $15/person. *KEN’S KORNY CORN MAZE AND HARVESTED FARM NIGHTMARES 3175 Benson Rd., Garner 919-779-4765; kenskornycornmaze.com See website for 2019 dates, times and admission. Enjoy a 6-acre corn maze, 10-acre fall playground, hay jump, corn tunnel, hay ride, straw maze, pirate ship and more.

Harvested Farm Nightmares are offered on special nights. *MCKEE’S CORNFIELD MAZE 5011 Kiger Rd., Rougemont 919-732-8065; mckeemaze.com Open Sept. 28-Nov. 3; Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 1-7 p.m.

See the website for fees. Find large and small corn mazes, farm animals, Bessie the Milk Cow, a hay bale climb, a pumpkin patch and more.

*MEDLIN FARM 507 Woodland Church Rd., Wake Forest 919-671-2079; medlinfarm.com Open Sept. 21-Oct. 27; Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $9/person; gem mining costs an extra $6/person. Check out a corn maze, gem mining, hay rides and more. *NAYLOR FAMILY FARM AND GIANT CORN MAZE 6016 U.S. 401 N., Fuquay-Varina 910-249-2258; naylorfamilyfarm.com Open Sept. 14-Nov. 3; Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.; Monday-Thursday by appointment only.

Admission is $18 for ages 3 and older. Discover a pumpkin patch, pirate ship, farm animals, gem mining, a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, a jump pad, a corn crib, a barrel train and more. *PAGE FARMS 6100 Mt. Herman Rd., Raleigh 919-451-5534; pagefarmsraleigh.com Open Sept. 21-late October; MondayThursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $15 for ages 3 and older. Pick your own pumpkin and check out a corn maze, hayrides, a corncrib, a haystack slide, farm animals and more. *PHILLIPS FARM CORN MAZE AND HAUNTED FARM 6701 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary 919-377-8989; phillipsfarmsofcary.com Open Sept. 14-Oct. 27; Friday, 3-6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-6 p.m. The ticket booth closes at 5 p.m.

Admission is $12 for ages 3 and older. Find a corn maze, a wagon ride, a cow train and more. The Haunted Farm requires a separate $21 admission fee (get a $1 ticket discount if you pay with cash) and is open 8-11 p.m.

Sept. 28-29, and Friday and Saturday nights in October. The ticket booth closes at 10 p.m.

Not recommended for children younger than 12.

Pumpkins photo courtesy of JeniFoto/Shutterstock.com

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utumn is a glorious season in the Triangle. Visit a local farm to hop on a hayride, sip apple cider and find your way out of corn maze. Scare yourself silly in one of the area’s celebrated haunted houses, or venture down a dark trail to greet the undead. Explore our vast selection of fall offerings, from tame experiences to frightful festivities. Events requiring a fee, ticket or donation are marked with an asterisk. Check the daily calendar section for more seasonal fun.

PHILLIPS FARMS OF CHATHAM PUMPKIN PATCH 1282 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro 919-337-3374; phillipsfarmschatham.com/pumpkins Open mid-September through Oct. 31.

Shop for pumpkins and fall produce.

PORTER FARMS AND NURSERY 3525 N.C. Hwy. 42, Willow Spring 919-567-0504; porterfarmsandnursery.com Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Purchase garden mums, pumpkins and gourds, and choose from 16 flavors of ice cream. *PUMPKIN PATCH AT CAMP CHESTNUT RIDGE 2902 Mt. Willing Rd., Efland 919-304-2178; campchestnutridge.org/pumpkin-patch Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26; 9 a.m.-noon.

Admission is $5/person. Discover farm animals, hayrides, face painting, a garden and nature play area, pumpkins and more.

RAGAN AND HOLLY’S PUMPKIN PATCH 38 Lewter Shop Rd., Apex 919-362-5800 facebook.com/Jeans-BerryPatch-116133708404504 Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Purchase pumpkins and fall produce.

*THREE BEARS ACRES 711 Beaver Dam Rd., Creedmoor 919-441-7224; threebearsacres.com Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $8/adult, $15/ages 2 and younger. Pumpkins, hay rides, pumpkin bowling and a climbing hay fort. S’mores offered on weekends. *TRACTOR’S CORN MAZE 13912 Bold Run Hill Rd., Wake Forest 919-761-4090; tractorscornmaze.com Open Sept. 21-Oct. 27; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. Admission is $8/person (cash only). Free for ages 2 and younger.

Check out a corn maze, hay ride and pumpkin patch. Admission price includes one free pumpkin. *VOLLMER FARM “BACK 40” COUNTRY PLAYGROUND 677 N.C. Hwy. 98 E., Bunn 919-496-3076; vollmerfarm.com Open Sept. 28-29; Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 3 and older. See farm animals; purchase fall produce; and try a corn maze, pumpkin jump trampoline, barrel train, underground slide, corn crib, pumpkin slingshot and hay pyramid. Family-friendly movies shown outdoors pn Saturday nights at 6 p.m.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BOOS BOO BASH: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL NEEDS DANCE Clayton Community Center 715 Amelia Church Rd., Clayton 919-553-1550; townofclaytonnc.org/ parks-and-recreation/special-events.aspx Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m. FREE. Do the limbo and dance the night away at this event for middle and high schoolers with special needs. *BOOTANICAL: PUMPKINS IN THE GARDEN North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill 919-962-0522; ncbg.unc.edu/event/bootanical Oct. 25, 5-8 p.m. Admission is $5/ person and free for ages 3 and younger.

Registration required online. Meet green monsters, tackle the spider obstacle course, craft a magic wand and leaf critter, hear creepy tales, and more. View the naturethemed carved pumpkin display, and come dressed in a plant or animal costume.

CARY’S GREAT PUMPKIN CARVE Downtown Park, 319 S. Academy St., Cary 919-469-4061; townofcary.org Oct. 26, 2-8 p.m. FREE. Carve a pumpkin from 2-5:30 p.m. to be lit for display and judged in a variety of categories from 5:45-6:30 p.m. Take your own pumpkin or purchase one at the event. Enjoy family-friendly Halloween TV specials like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” outdoors, 6:45-7:45 p.m. *CLAYTON HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE Clayton Community Park 1075 Amelia Church Rd., Clayton 919-553-1550; townofclaytonnc.org/ parks-and-recreation/special-events.aspx Oct. 25, 3:30-5:30 p.m. $5/child; parents ride free with each paid child. Free for ages 2 and younger. Take a hayride around the trail to meet Halloween characters and enjoy games and prizes.

CREEPY CRABTREE CELEBRATION Lake Crabtree County Park 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville 919-460-3390; wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree

The Town of Cary's Great Pumpkin Carve is Oct. 26 in Downtown Park. Photo courtesy of Alyson Boyer Rode

Oct. 19, 2-6 p.m. FREE. Wear a costume for this family-friendly festival that explores the darker side of nature with scary scavenger hunts, creepy crafts and gruesome games.

DECORATED PUMPKIN CONTEST State Farmers Market 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh 919-733-7417; ncagr.gov/markets/ facilities/markets/raleigh/promos.htm Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. FREE. Children enter a decorated pumpkin in a contest for prize money and bragging rights. Winning pumpkins will remain on display during October.

DOWNTOWN CLAYTON TRICK OR TREAT Downtown Clayton 919-553-1500; townofclaytonnc.org/ parks-and-recreation/special-events.aspx Oct. 31, 2-3:30 p.m. FREE. Ages 12 and younger trick-or-treat at local businesses on Main Street, and enjoy games and goodies at Town Square (corner of Main and Fayetteville streets) afterward. *DUKE HOMESTEAD’S HALLOWEEN PHANTASMAGORIA 2828 Homestead Rd., Durham 919-627-6990; dukehomestead.org/special-events.php Oct. 25, 6:30-9 p.m. Guests of all ages explore historical concepts of spiritualism from the 19th century and wander the property in this no-scare event. $10 advance online tickets, $15 at the door.

FALL FESTIVAL AT PARK WEST VILLAGE Village Market Place, Morrisville parkwestvillage.net/event/fall-festival Oct. 24, 4-8 p.m. FREE. Enjoy trick-ortreating and hayrides from 4-6 p.m., followed by a family-friendly Halloween movie outdoors on the green space in front of Stone Theatre Park West 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Take a blanket or chairs.

FEARRINGTON VILLAGE’S PUMPKINFEST 2000 Fearrington Village Center U.S. 15-501, Pittsboro 919-542-2121; fearrington.com/pumpkinfest Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m. FREE. See more than 80 jack-o’-lanterns created by Fearrington

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gardeners and chefs. Enjoy a spooky storytime at McIntyre’s Books at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. *FRIGHT NIGHT 500 W. Murray Ave., Durham 919-560-4355; dprplaymore.org Oct. 18, 6-9 p.m. Admission is a canned food donation for the Durham Rescue Mission.

All ages tour a haunted house and enjoy costume contests and carnival games. *GOBLIN’S GROOVE FAMILY DANCE The Halle Cultural Arts Center 237 N. Salem St., Apex 919-249-1120; thehalle.org Oct. 26, 7-9:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online at etix.com/ticket/p/8697361/ goblins-groove-family-dance-apexhalle-cultural-arts-center. $5/parentchild couple, $2/additional child. Parent and child enjoy dance and costume contests, a haunted art gallery and other treats. Costumes encouraged. Snacks and punch provided.

younger can wear a costume and be a part of the annual Boo Bash. Visit decorated vehicles for trunk-or-treating, play fangtastic games, take a walk through a spooky bus (both scary and nonscary versions available) and more.

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL Carrboro Town Commons, Carrboro 919-918-7372; townofcarrboro.org Oct. 25, 6-8:30 p.m. FREE. Games and prizes for all ages. Carve or paint a pumpkin and take it to Town Commons between 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. to enter it in a contest. Voting takes place 6-8 p.m., and winners will be announced at 8:15 p.m. at the carnival.

HALLOWEEN MALL CRAWL Cary Towne Center Mall 1105 Walnut St., Cary 919-469-4061; townofcary.org Oct. 26, 4-5:30 p.m. FREE. Wear a costume and enjoy trick-or-treating and a magic show.

HALLOW-ENO AT WEST POINT ON THE ENO PARK 5101 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham 919-471-1623; dprplaymore.org Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m. FREE. Enjoy campfire stories and songs, hayrides, face painting and treats for ages 12 and younger.

*HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS Century Center 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro carrbororec.org; 919-918-7364 Oct. 6, 6:30-8 p.m. Admission is $3/person.

Ages 15 and older with special needs enjoy a Halloween dance, games and a photo booth.

HALLOWEEN BOO BASH Sponsored by the District 1 Boo Crew Community Centers in Raleigh: Abbotts Creek, Brier Creek, Greystone, Lake Lynn, Millbrook and Optimist. reclink.raleighnc.gov Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m. FREE. Ages 10 and

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Flaherty Park Community Center 1226 N. White St., Wake Forest 919-435-9560; wakeforestnc.gov Oct. 24, 4:30-8 p.m. FREE. Don a costume and enjoy ghostly games, face painting, a haunted maze, a cupcake walk and more.

Haunting at Harris: Halloween Around the World takes place Oct. 13, 1-6 p.m. Photo courtesy of Anna Bagwell

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There will be a free pumpkin giveaway while supplies last. Costumes are optional.

“HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR: THE COMPOSER IS DEAD” Meymandi Concert Hall 2 E. South St., Raleigh 919-733-2750; ncsymphony.org Oct. 26, 1 and 4 p.m. $27/person. Help discover who killed the composer, as a detective interrogates each section of the orchestra to determine whodunit. Lemony Snicket’s popular children’s book ”The Composer is Dead” comes to life with music

by Nathaniel Stookey, plus other Halloween favorites. Enter a costume contest and enjoy a variety of fun activities before show time.

HAUNTED HILL Chapel Hill Community Center 120 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill 919-968-2743; townofchapelhill.org/ town-hall/departments-services/parks-andrecreation/recreation-events/haunted-hill Oct. 19, 5-9 p.m. FREE. Enjoy games and trunk-or-treat from 5-6:30 p.m. and a glow-in-the-dark climb for ages 6 and older from 6-8:30 p.m. A family-friendly movie will be shown in the park at 6:45 p.m.

HAUNTED MORDECAI FESTIVAL 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh 919-996-4364; raleighnc.gov/parks Oct. 26, 1-4 p.m. FREE. Participate in costume contests for ages 16 and younger, games, crafts and food.

HAUNTED TRAIL Carroll Howard Johnson Park 301 Wagstaff Rd., Fuquay-Varina (Park at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center at 820 S. Main Street and take a bus to the haunted trail) 919-552-1430; fuquay-varina.org Oct. 19, 5-9 p.m. FREE. Encounter zombies, ghosts and other monsters on a haunted trail. The sunlit trail for families with younger children is 5-6 p.m.; the full fright trail is 7-9 p.m. and is not recommended for children younger than 10.

HAUNTING AT HARRIS: HALLOWEEN AROUND THE WORLD Harris Lake County Park 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill 919-387-4342; wakegov.com/parks/ harrislake/events/pages/haunting.aspx

Midtown Pumpkin Palooza takes place Oct. 13 from 3-6 p.m. Image courtesy of Midtown Raleigh Alliance

Oct. 13, 1-6 p.m. FREE. Scarecrows, werewolves and other creatures haunt Harris Lake County Park’s trails during a full moon in October. Costumes optional. Wagon rides leave every 30 minutes. Tickets available first come, first serve the day of the event only.

Tickets for 1-3 p.m. rides handed out at 12:30 p.m.; tickets for 3:30-5:30 p.m. rides handed out at 3 p.m. *HERBERT’S HAUNTED HOUSE Herbert C. Young Community Center 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary 919-460-4965; townofcary.org Oct. 25-26, 7-9 p.m. Admission is $3. The Cary Teen Council invites families to take a spooky walk through Herbert’s House of Horrors (designed for all ages; parental discretion is advised). *HISTORICAL GHOST WALK Riverside Cemetery, 100 E. Church St., Smithfield 919-934-2836; johnstoncountync.org/ event/ghost-walk/147 Oct. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Admission at the door is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5-17. Tour the historic Riverside Cemetery and hear fascinating stories about five of Johnston County’s former residents. *MARBLES KOOKY SPOOKY HALLOWEEN PARTY Marbles Kids Museum 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh 919-834-4040; marbleskidsmuseum.org/kookyspooky Oct. 26, 6-8:30 p.m. Online advance ticket purchase recommended.; $13/member, $15/ nonmember. Week-of tickets, if available, are $16/member, $18/nonmember. Wear a Halloween costume and experience the magic of Marbles Kids Museum after dark.

Activities include a ghoul school, mad scientist

lab, monster mash dance party and more.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. *MIDTOWN PUMPKIN PALOOZA Midtown Park at North Hills 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St., Raleigh midtownraleighalliance.org/ pumpkin-palooza Oct. 13, 3-6 p.m. See the website for ticket prices. Pumpkin painting, pumpkin carving, an inflatable obstacle course, chili cook-off, Oktoberfest food, giant-sized games and more await families at this annual festival in midtown Raleigh. *MUMMY AND SON BALL Middle Creek Community Center 123 Middle Creek Park Ave., Apex 919-771-1295; classweb.townofcary.org Oct. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $21/parent and child pair; $10 additional child. Mothers and sons ages 5-12 wear their favorite costumes and compete for prizes, dance in the Monster Mash and have a cool treat from the Monster Graveyard. Registration required online.

Choose course #127099. *PITTSBORO MONSTER DASH Pittsboro Elementary School 375 Pittsboro Elementary School Rd., Pittsboro pittsboromonsterdash.com Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Registration fee is $30/person. This family-friendly community event features 5K and 10K races in costume, a 1-mile fun run, Crossfit Kids obstacle course and local food vendors. Register online.

PUMPKIN FLOTILLA Bond Park Boathouse 801 High House Rd., Cary 919-469-4061; townofcary.org Oct. 25, 4-7 p.m. FREE. Take a carved pumpkin to Bond Park anytime between 4-5:30 p.m. and watch it set sail across the lake in a twilight flotilla that begins at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks, live music, face painting and discounted boat rentals round out the fun. *PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS Museum of Life and Science 433 W. Murray Ave., Durham 919-220-5429; lifeandscience.org/pumpkin-patch Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 27-27. 9:30 a.m.4 p.m.; trains leave the station every half hour. $15/person; museum admission is not included in the ticket cost. Free for ages

2 and younger. Journey to the museum’s pumpkin patch aboard the Ellerbe Creek Railway. Pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home, and enjoy crafts and a variety of carnival games before returning to the station. Purchase tickets online; this event sells out quickly. *PUMPKIN PROWL Conservators Center, Burlington 888-650-1139; conservatorscenter.org Nov. 16; see the website for date, hours and fees. Online ticket purchase required. Select, decorate and carve pumpkins for the center’s wild animals to enjoy in their enclosures.

RALEIGH ZOMBIE WALK Begins in Nash Square, downtown Raleigh facebook.com/events/949378198740374 Oct. 26, 7 p.m. FREE. Come out for the 13th annual Raleigh Zombie Walk/flash mob and invade the streets of downtown Raleigh.

ROLESVILLE FALL FUNFEST Main Street, Rolesville rolesvillenc.gov/parks-recreation/ special-events/fall-funfest Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Usher in the fall season with costume contests, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and more. *TRACK OR TREAT HALLOWEEN EXPRESS AT NEW HOPE VALLEY RAILWAY 3900 Bonsal Rd., New Hill 919-396-5833; triangletrain.com Trains run Oct. 12, 19 and 26; departure times are 2:45, 4, 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $14/person. Advance ticket purchase recommended. Wear a Halloween costume and ride a decorated locomotive to encounter goblins in the woods and on the track.

TRICK-OR-TREAT IN DOWNTOWN FUQUAY-VARINA Main, Broad and downtown side streets, Fuquay-Varina 919-552-0848; fuquay-varinadowntown.com/events Oct. 25, 2-5 p.m. FREE. Kids wear a costume to trick-or-treat throughout both Fuquay and Varina retail districts.

TRICK-OR-TREAT ON SALEM STREET Downtown Apex apexdowntown.com Oct. 27; see the website for hours. FREE. Kids trick-or-treat in costumes throughout the Historic Apex business district.

Raleigh Zombie Walk invades the streets of downtown Raleigh starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26. Photo courtesy of Raleigh Zombie Walk

TRICK-OR-TREAT THE TRAIL AND TRUNK OR TREAT Morrisville Community Park 1520 Morrisville Pkwy., Morrisville 919-463-7110; townofmorrisville.org/ government/departments-services/ parks-recreation-cultural-resources/ special-events Oct. 26, 4-7 p.m. FREE. Kids ages 12 and younger don a costume and collect goodies from favorite characters on Hatcher Creek Trail and during Truck or Treat with in partnership with the Town of Morrisville Police and Fire Departments.

TRICK-OR-TREAT THE TRAILS White Deer Park, 2400 Aversboro Rd., Garner 919-773-4442; garnernc.gov/ departments/parks-recreation-andcultural-resources/events/trick-or-treatthe-trails Oct. 31, 3-6 p.m. FREE. Kids trick-or-treat in costume around a 1-mile trail with an adult.

TRUNK OR TREAT Smithfield Community Park 650 Booker Dairy Rd., Smithfield 919-934-2148; sraconline.com Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. FREE. Kids hunt for candy in the town’s pre-Halloween event.

TRUNK OR TREAT CELEBRATION Zebulon Community Center 301 S. Arendell Ave., Zebulon 919-823-1869; townofzebulon.org/ services/parks-and-recreation/events Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m. FREE. Wear a costume and enjoy music and treats.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT JUNCTION Uptown Selma Gazebo 114 Raiford St., Selma 919-956-9841; selma-nc.com/trunk-or-treat Oct. 28, 5-8 p.m. FREE. Kids trick-or-treat in costume at decorated cars and enjoy bounce houses and a DJ.

GHOULISH FUN IN THE TERROR ZONE *CLAYTON FEAR FARM HAUNTED SCREAM PARK 1620 Loop Rd., Clayton 919-553-0016; claytonfearfarm.com Open Oct. 4-31 on select nights. See the website for schedule. All-inclusive admission for seven attractions is $27; one attraction is $13. Purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth. Haunted farmhouse, cemetery, hayride and more. Clayton Fear Farm Daytime is a nonhaunted corn maze with attractions for all ages, including a jumping pillow, millet maze, hayrides and 3D painted imagery in Seymour’s House of Dreams. Clayton Fear Farm Daytime is open Oct. 5-27; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Admission is $11. *DARKSIDE HAUNTED ESTATES 11875 N.C. 222 W., Middlesex 919-269-8620; darksidehauntedestates.com Open Sept. 21-Nov. 2 on select nights, 7-10 p.m. See website for the schedule.

Admission is $20 for adults, $12 for ages 10 and younger. Purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth. Face your fears in JoJo’s clown town, fright trail, insane asylum and mayhem hayride. A terror-filled, lights-out event is Nov. 2, 7-10 p.m. A low-scare

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event for younger kids on Oct. 26, 2-4 p.m., features a behind-the-scenes tour of the haunted house, trick-or-treating on the trail and face painting. Wear a costume.

Admission is $5/adult, free for kids. *GHOST WALK IN DOWNTOWN CARY Page Walker Arts and History Center 119 Ambassador St., Cary 919-460-4963; townofcary.org Oct. 26, 7, 7:20, 7:40 and 8 p.m. Purchase tickets, $15/person, at etix.com. Cary Players entertain guests with ghostly tales of yesteryear and spooky legends on a walk in downtown Cary. Suitable for ages 10 and older. *GRANVILLE HAUNT FARM 4534 Hwy. 15, Oxford 919-725-9543; granvillehauntfarm.com Open Oct. 4-Nov. 2; Friday and Saturday, 7-10:30 p.m.; Oct. 31, 7-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$26. Purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth. Haunted trail, zombie paintball hayride, 9-acre corn maze, escape room and more. *HAUNTED FOREST AT PANIC POINT 2808 Cedar Creek Rd., Youngsville 919-526-8612; raleighhauntedhouse.com Open Sept. 21-Nov. 2 on select nights. See the website for dates, hours and fees. Purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth, which opens at 7 p.m. Six haunted attractions include a forest, a trail, a hayride, corn stalkers, a corn maze and a crypt. Families with younger children can enjoy a zombie shootout, menacing maze and carnival games. *HAUNTED MORDECAI LANTERN TOUR Mordecai Historic Park 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh 919-996-4364; reclink.raleighnc.gov Oct. 25-26. Find out if the Mordecai House is the most haunted home in North Carolina.

Half-hour lantern ghost tours take place 6-9 p.m. Friday and 5-9 p.m. Saturday. Tours depart every 30 minutes. Purchase tickets, $5/person, via phone or online through RecLink (search for “Mordecai” in the advanced search field). *HAUNTED TROLLEY TOUR Departs Mordecai Historic Park 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh 919-857-4364; reclink.raleighnc.gov Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26; see the website for tour times. Tickets are $10/person.

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Take a 45-minute journey past downtown Raleigh’s most haunted places. Tours depart every 60 minutes. Purchase tickets via phone or the website through RecLink (search for “Mordecai” in the advanced search field). *THE MYERS HOUSE HALLOWEEN BASH IN HILLSBOROUGH House address will be posted on the website one week prior to the event. myershousenc.com/halloweenbash Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Admission is $10/person to enjoy bonfires, outdoor horror movies, food trucks and more. An extra fee of $5/person is required to tour the interior of the house and a life-size replica of the infamous Michael Myers house from the “Halloween” film series, and view movie memorabilia. Ages 12 and younger will not be admitted. *PHILLIPS FARM CORN MAZE AND HAUNTED FARM 6701 Good Hope Church Rd., Cary 919-377-8989; phillipsfarmsofcary.com Open Sept. 14-Oct. 27; Friday, 3-6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-6 p.m. The ticket booth closes at 5 p.m.

Admission is $12 for ages 3 and older. Enjoy a corn maze, wagon ride, cow train and more. The Haunted Farm, featuring four haunted attractions, requires a separate $21 admission fee (get $1 ticket discount if you pay with cash) and is open 8-11 p.m. Sept.

28-29, and Friday and Saturday nights in October. The ticket booth closes at 10 p.m.

This attraction is not recommended children younger than 12. *RALEIGH HAUNTED FOOTSTEPS GHOST TOUR AND DURHAM DARK & MYSTERIOUS GHOST WALK Departs Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville St., Raleigh 919-371-2653; tobaccoroadtours.com/ raleigh-haunted-footsteps-ghost-tour tobaccoroadtours.com/durham-darkmysterious-ghost-walk The Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in September, October and November. The Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk occurs on Friday and Saturday evenings in September, October and November at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $10 for ages 8-14. Purchase tickets online. Family-friendly, 1.5-mile walking

OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Trick-or-Treat the Trails is Oct. 31 in Garner.

Photo courtesy of Rob Smith

tours in Raleigh and Durham for ages 8 and older combine local ghost stories, folklore and history, and take guests to several sites.

purchase tickets. Ride on a 40-foot military truck with mounted paintball guns to shoot zombies at night, enjoy a zip line in the dark and face a challenge in a mini escape room.

*SPIRITS OF HILLSBOROUGH WALKING TOUR Tours meet at the Hillsborough Visitors Center 150 E. King St., Hillsborough 919-732-7741; visithillsboroughnc.com Tours held the last weekend in October; see the website for dates, hours and ticket fees.

The Orange Community Players enlighten and entertain guests as they portray Hillsborough’s ghoulish residents from yesteryear.

*ZOMBIEPALOOZA The Cary Theater 122 E. Chatham St., Cary 919-462-2051; townofcary.org Oct. 25, 7 p.m. See the website for fees; tickets available at the box office. Dress as a zombie or horror film character and enjoy local filmmakers’ zombie flicks on an outdoor screen.

*XTREME HAUNT: A ZOMBIE SHOOTING EXPERIENCE Xtreme Kombat Park 7460 Hwy. 98, Wake Forest Rd., Durham 919-596-6100; xtremeparkadventures. com/attractions/xtreme-haunt See the website for dates and hours, and to

ABERDEEN FEAR FACTORY 10570 N.C. Hwy. 211, Aberdeen 910944-0908; aberdeenfearfactory.com Open Sept. 27-Nov. 2. Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-midnight. $25/person; some activities charge an extra fee.

DELIGHT-FALL GETAWAYS

*AW SHUCKS! CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH 3718 Plyler Mill Rd., Monroe 704-709-7000; awshucksfarms.com Open Sept. 14-Nov. 11, Friday-Sunday; see the website for hours. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, $8 for ages 4-12, and free for ages 3 and younger. A corn maze, hayride, animal barn, grain bin slide, play area and more. Some activities require an additional fee. The 13th Acre haunted attraction through the woods is open Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 28-Oct. 27 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. (ticket booth closes at 11 p.m.) Not recommended for young children. Admission is $13. *BATTY BATTLESHIP’S HALLOWEEN BASH Battleship North Carolina 1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington 910-399-9100; battleshipnc.com Oct. 29, 5:30-8 p.m. $5/person. Free for ages 2 and younger. Little ghouls and goblins board Battleship North Carolina in costume for trick-or-treating, games and more. *BOO AT THE ZOO North Carolina Zoo 4401 Zoo Pkwy., Asheboro 800-488-0444; nczoo.org/events/boo-nc-zoo Oct. 26-27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Trick-or-treating, games, storytelling and live entertainment highlight this event. All activities are $3/ person in addition to the zoo’s regular admission, which is $15 for adults and $11 ages 2-12. Admission is free for ages 1 and younger. Children and adults can wear

costumes for this event; however, adults in heavy makeup or masks are prohibited. *BUSCH GARDENS HOWL-O-SCREAM 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg, Virginia 800-343-7946; buschgardens.com/ williamsburg/events/howl-o-scream Open Sept. 14-Oct. 27 on select nights.

See the website for hours and fees. Discover 12 haunted attractions, two escape rooms, live shows and thrill rides. Some attractions may not be suitable for young children. *ELIZABETH CITY HISTORIC GHOST WALK Downtown Elizabeth City 225-338-6455; visitelizabethcity.com Oct. 11-12, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $15 for adults, $12 for children. Enter seven historic homes where you'll meet friendly apparitions who tell of their iife and time in Elizabeth City during bygone days. *GALLBERRY CORN MAZE 5991 Braxton Rd., Hope Mills 910-309-7582; gallberrycornmaze.com Open Sept.14-Nov. 3. Friday, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday 1-6 p.m. Admission is $11 for ages 3 and older.

Hayride, jumping pillow, corn shack, kids’ fairy tale maze, barrel train rides and more. *HUBB’S CORN MAZE 10276 N. U.S. 421, Clinton 910-564-6709; hubbsfarmnc.com/ fall-festival-corn-maze

Open Sept. 14-Nov. 3. See the website for hours. Admission prices vary. Enjoy a corn maze, outdoor laser tag, treasure mine and more. Halloween at Hubb’s, Oct. 25-27, features a costume contest, airplane pingpong ball drop, trick-or-treating, a flashlight maze and Rocket Man Hubb’s Express trackless train ride. See the website for hours. *MAIZE ADVENTURE AT KERSEY VALLEY 1615 Kersey Valley Rd., Archdale 336-431-1700; maizeadventure.com Open Sept. 21-Nov. 2; Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Admission prices vary. Find a 10-acre corn maze, kid maze, a monster mystery game, two giant jumping pillows, bungee trampolines, a gem dig, duck races and a pumpkin patch.

Admission is $20/person. Kersey Valley Spookywoods, for ages 12 and older, is open on select nights Sept. 27-Nov. 2. Visit spookywoods.com for the schedule and fees. *NIGHTWATCHMAN HALLOWEEN TOURS 900 Old Salem Rd., Winston-Salem 800-441-5305; oldsalem.org/thenightwatchman-legends-lantern-tours Tours take place Oct. 25, 26, 29 and 30, 7-9 p.m. A costumed guide lights the way by lantern through Old Salem. Guests visit haunted stops in the historic district and hear tales of a ghostly legends or interact with a person from the past. Tours depart from the Boys School (on the corner of Main and Academy streets) every 15 minutes and last 60 minutes. Advance online ticket purchase required, $40/person. *ODEN FARMING COMPANY 1426 Claridge Nursery Rd., Goldsboro 919-738-2905; odomfarmingcompany.com/fall Sept. 21-Nov. 2. See the website for hours. Discover a pumpkin patch, 10-acre corn maze, corn crib, hay jump, play area and more. Some activities require an extra fee.

SCarowinds, Carowinds' annual Halloween event, is open Sept 13 - Oct 27 on select nights from 7 p.m. - midnight. Photos courtesy of Carowinds

*THE ORIGINAL HOLLYWOOD HORROR SHOW 6333 Bass Mountain Rd., Snow Camp hollywoodhorrorshow.com Open Sept. 26-Nov. 2 on select nights; Sunday-Thursday, 8-11 p.m.; FridaySaturday, 8 p.m.-midnight. A haunted house produced by Hollywood filmmakers

features indoor and outdoor paths of terror, live actors, and Hollywood sets and props. *RED WOLF FARM 4137 Providence Mill Rd., Maiden 828-428-1445; redwolffarm.com/ weekend-pumpkin-patch Open Oct. 5-27 on select days. SaturdaySunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $9/person. Free for infants younger than 12 months. Enjoy a kids corn maze, an 8-acre corn maze, a play area, pumpkin bowling, pedal tractors, farm animals and more. Some activities require an extra fee. *SCAROWINDS 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte 704-588-2600; carowinds.com/scarowinds Open Sept. 13-Oct. 27 on select nights, 7 p.m.-midnight. Tickets are $35 and up. Spine-chilling haunted houses and attractions, more than 500 terrifying monsters, live shows and favorite rides highlight this annual event. This attraction is not recommended children younger than 13. Carowinds’ Great Pumpkin Fest runs Sept. 14-Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on select days and features family-friendly Halloween activities. Tickets are $29.99 and up. *TWEETSIE RAILROAD’S GHOST TRAIN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln., Blowing Rock 800-526-5740; tweetsie.com/specialevents/ghost-train Open Sept. 20-Oct. 26; Friday-Saturday, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Admission is $44/adult, $38/ child; free for ages 2 and younger. Advance ticket purchase required. Ghost train rides, a haunted house, a freaky forest, a 3D maze, trick-or-treating, Halloween characters and shows. Some attractions may not be suitable for young children. *WOODS OF TERROR 5601 N. Church St., Greensboro 336-643-3558; woodsofterror.com Open Sept. 20-Nov. 2 on select nights. See the website for hours and to purchase tickets.

Ticket prices vary; parking is $5, cash only. This well-known attraction in Greensboro offers 12 haunted attractions, a monster parade every night at 7 p.m. and a midway featuring games, food and more. Some attractions may not be suitable for young children.

Janice Lewine is the associate editor at Carolina Parent.

* Events require a fee, ticket or donation. carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

21

TWEETSIE RAILROAD

TWEETSIE.COM 300 TWEETSIE RAILROAD LANE BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA

ALL

ABOARD!

Tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tweetsie Railroad is the oldest theme park in North Carolina. From its traditional Wild West theme to rotating special events, this park offers something for everyone.

Locomotive No. 12, dubbed “Tweetsie,” debuted July 4, 1957, as a family fun activity that gave passengers a 1-mile ride to a picnic site. Since then, the park has added the Engine No. 190, the “Yukon Queen” and expanded the track to a 3-mile loop.

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

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

SPECIAL EVENTS

CHOO CHOO CHOOSE TO TAKE A TRAIN THIS FALL

BY MANDY HOWARD

From Thomas the Tank Engine and The Little

on The Orient Express,” trains captivate our imaginations. Journey and destination are so deeply interwoven within the massive steel body of a locomotive, that it has long been a favorite inspiration for storytellers, as well as a

GHOST TRAIN | SEPT. 20-OCT. 26, 7:30-11:30 P.M. Admission to the Ghost Train, which is separate from park admission, is $44 for adults, $38 for children ages 3-12, and free for ages 2 and younger. The Ghost Train ride takes 20 minutes. Admission includes a haunted house, Halloween shows, trick-or-treating and other “ghastly attractions.”

beloved toy for children.

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

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

TWEETSIE CHRISTMAS | STARTING NOV. 22 Tweetsie Railroad transforms from spooky to merry for its annual Tweetsie Christmas event. Thousands of Christmas lights twinkle during the nighttime train ride. Passengers sing Christmas carols, roast s’mores and take pictures with Santa.

Train image courtesy of ledokolua/Shutterstock.com. All other images courtesy of their respective businesses/organizations.

Engine that Could, to Platform 9¾ and “Murder

THE NORTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM NCTRANS.ORG 1 SAMUEL SPENCER DR. SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD GSMR.COM 45 MITCHELL ST. BRYSON CITY, NORTH CAROLINA

If a classic train ride with breathtaking scenery is your goal, look no further than the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Based in Bryson City, this railroad line offers two daily train routes on both steam and diesel powered locomotives. The Tuckasegee River Excursion is a four-hour trip to Dillsboro and passes by the famous movie set of “The Fugitive” (1993).

The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is a 4½-hour excursion that carries passengers to the scenic section of the Nantahala River.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad takes the storied reputation of trains to heart. Enjoy a number of rides that incorporate a flair for the dramatic — including the history-based “Rail & Trail” experience and the adults-only “Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience.”

SPECIAL EVENTS PEANUTS THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS Enjoy a train ride themed on the classic PEANUTS story, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” at select times Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout October. Don your costume and visit Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the PEANUTS gang in the mountains.

The half-hour ride to the pumpkin patch is accompanied by the narration of Charles Schulz’ classic Halloween tale. Once you arrive, enjoy fall activities and photos with the characters. Purchase tickets online or the day of your ride. Depending on which class of service you choose, prices range from complimentary to $10 for ages 0-23 months, $32-$39 for ages 2-12, and $56-$68 for ages 13 and older.

THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE Nov. 8-Dec. 31 (with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), your family can experience Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s THE POLAR EXPRESS themed train ride. Once you arrive at the North Pole, Santa boards the train, greets each child and gives him or her a silver bell to keep the magic of Christmas alive. Passengers sing Christmas carols during the return trip.

Tickets sell out quickly, so guests are encouraged to purchase them ahead of time online. Prices range from $17-$24 for ages 0-23 months, $45-$67 for ages 2-12, and $65-$91 for ages 13 and older.

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

Four historic buildings are filled with items and stories that will transport visitors to the time of the Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops, once the Southern Railway Company’s largest steam locomotive servicing facility. Over the years, exhibits have been added to encompass all forms of transportation history.

Explore steam and diesel locomotives, railroad passenger cars, antique automobiles and aviation exhibits, including a full-size Wright Flyer and a Piedmont Airlines' DC-3.

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

SPECIAL EVENTS DAY OUT WITH THOMAS | SEPT. 27-29, OCT. 4-6 Tickets cost $16-32, depending on age, for specific time periods.

Purchase an all-day pass for $32 (for all ages).

TRICK OR TRAIN | OCT. 26 Kids in costumes receive free admission and a train ride with a paying adult. Conductors will be handing out candy aboard the train and at stations throughout the museum. Additional activities include face painting, temporary tattoos, games, coloring, crafts, photo opportunities, costume contests for different age groups, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hayrides, trolley rides and more. Check the website for train ride times, the costume contest schedule and other details.

THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE | Nov. 15-17, Nov. 22-24, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 12-22 During weekends in November and December, all who "believe" have the opportunity to ride the Polar Express and hear Santa’s magic sleigh bells. Hot chocolate and cookies are served on board. Passengers enjoy singing and dancing during the train ride, as well as a reading of “The Polar Express.” Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa presents the first gift of Christmas. All passengers receive a silver sleigh bell during the return trip.

Tickets range from $32 for a single child's ticket in standard coach, to $325 for a table for four in Parlor Class.

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

23

NC BY TRAIN

NCBYTRAIN.COM STATIONS LOCATED ACROSS THE STATE The North Carolina Department of Transportation owns and operates the Piedmont and Carolinian Amtrak train lines, as well as 16 stations to serve families throughout the state. A family of four can hop a train from Raleigh to Charlotte for for less than $120.

Ticket prices cost $11.50-$27 one way for transportation within North Carolina; $103 for a one-way train from Raleigh to New York City; and $123 for a one-way train from Charlotte to New York City.

In addition to offering train travel, NC By Train often partners with local buses and transit systems to make your entire journey hassle-free. Visit the website for deals, specials and information on everyday and group travel discounts.

NEW HOPE VALLEY TRAINS TRIANGLETRAIN.COM 3900 BONSAL RD. NEW HILL, NORTH CAROLINA

New Hope Valley Railway calls itself the “Triangle’s Train” and caters to true train lovers. In addition to an approximate one-hour long train ride along 8 miles of track from the Bonsal depot to New Hill (and back again), it’s also home to the North Carolina Railway Museum, which features antique train cars, memorabilia and a gift shop.

Plan ahead if you’d like to purchase the chance to drive a locomotive, or rent a caboose or whole rail yard for your next event.

In addition to the trains and museum, visitors can view railroad equipment from the 1920s and a model railroad, which features 1,000 feet of miniature track and several model trains, including Thomas the Tank Engine.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, New Hope Valley Railway does not provide daily train rides, but volunteers do schedule and promote a number of special events during which visitors can create memorable experiences.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Trains have a special place in U.S. history. They have transformed the way we communicate, manufacture and explore the world.

And though we now have access to more modernized modes of transportation, there is still something magical about feeling the rolling rumble of rails underneath you as the countryside sails by.

Isn’t it time you share that experience with your family?

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

CAN’T-MISS TRIANGLE TRAIN TRADITIONS PULLEN PARK HOLIDAY EXPRESS 2019 eventbrite.com/e/pullen-parks-holiday-express-tickets-61596286150 This enormously popular family event rolls into Raleigh Dec. 4-8 and Dec. 11-15. Though it sold out in July, the park promises that any cancellations will be posted for sale immediately on its eventbrite site. In addition to the train ride, this event includes holiday lights and displays, a sledding hill, unlimited carousel rides, crafts and a visit with Santa.

MUSEUM OF LIFE AND SCIENCE PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS AND SANTA TRAIN lifeandscience.org During weekends in October, catch the Pumpkin Patch Express at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. The train operates during museum hours, which are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Labor Day through Memorial Day), and takes passengers to a pumpkin patch where they pick a pumpkin to decorate and take home. Passengers can also enjoy a hay maze, mini pumpkin toss and carnival games before the train returns to the station. Tickets cost $15 each and are available at lifeandscience.org/pumpkin-patch.

SLOW DOWN SUNDAY | NOV. 10

In December, kids of all ages can catch a ride on the Santa Train. Thousands of lights glimmer during this forest train ride, and passengers might even see Rudolph take flight.

Guests can sip on hot chocolate and enjoy activities including sock skating, face painting and educational crafts.

SANTA’S REINDEER ROUNDUP EXPRESS | DEC. 7, 8, 14, 15 AND 21

Ticket prices vary depending on the weekend you attend, and were not available at press time. Check the website for additional information.

Tickets range from $7-$14 depending on the event. Check the website for specific dates, times and fees. All money generated from ticket sales goes to support the North Carolina Railway Museum.

Find additional holiday train options in the Triangle by going to carolinaparent.com and searching for “13 other options.”

TRACK OR TREAT HALLOWEEN EXPRESS | OCT. 12, 19 AND 26

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Come See How Your Family Can Become Part of Our Learning Community!

2O19/2O FAMILY FUN CONCERTS! MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH • WOOLNER STAGE

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR THE COMPOSER IS DEAD BY NATHANIEL STOOKEY WITH TEXT BY LEMONY SNICKET SERIES SPONSOR

SAT, OCT 26 | 1PM & 4PM

Wesley Schulz, conductor Matthew Hager, narrator

Music from Harry Potter, Ghostbusters, and more.

Arrive early for our costume contest!

CONCERT SPONSOR

Register today for a Campus Close-Up tour:

www.cfsnc.org

a pre-K to grade 12 independent Quaker day school

THE MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER SAT, NOV 9 | 8PM

Wesley Schulz, conductor Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and even Slytherins— you’re invited to a night of magic, with the spellbinding music from Harry Potter’s wizarding adventures!

A magical concert experience awaits!

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

CIRQUE DE NOEL WED, NOV 27 | 3PM FRI, NOV 29 | 3PM & 7:30PM SAT, NOV 30| 3PM

Stunning aerial feats, mind-boggling contortions, and jaw-dropping juggling acts accompany your favorite festive music.

CONCERT SPONSOR

Tickets on sale now! ncsymphony.org | 919.733.2750 carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

25

Family-Friendly Fall Festivals Across North Carolina Venture out of town for a day trip or weekend getaway to enjoy one or more of the state’s best fests

BY DEANNA TAYLOR

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CHEROKEE INDIAN FAIR Oct. 8, 9 and 12 | Cherokee Cost: $10. $5 for ages 6-10. Free for ages 6 and younger. visitcherokeenc.com/events/detail/ cherokee-indian-fair BEST FOR: Anyone who loves carnivals, culture, art and game shows.

Explore Cherokee culture through live demonstrations, dance performances, music and food.

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

Wednesday is Children’s Day with gates opening at 9 a.m. Ages 17 and younger enter for free and will be given a wristband to enjoy complimentary rides that day.

SUGAR MOUNTAIN OKTOBERFEST Oct. 12-13 | Sugar Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Cost: Free oktoberfest.skisugar.com BEST FOR: Those wanting a taste of the popular 16-day German folk festival without having to travel far. Dress up in your best Bavarian costume for the chance to win prizes. You can also hear live music from local middle and high school bands.

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

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LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL Oct. 17-20 | Black Mountain Cost: Day passes start at $49 for adults and weekend passes start at $172 (includes tent campsite). Special prices for ages 10-17. Free for ages 9 and younger. theleaf.org/the-festival BEST FOR: Anyone who can appreciate and understand the power that music, art and culture have to transform lives, strengthen community and foster unity.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Interactive villages filled with activities like whimsical puppet shows, hoop dancers, a magical swing, Frisbee toss games, facepainting and more.

WOOLLY WORM FESTIVAL Oct. 19-20 | Banner Elk Cost: $6 adults, $4 ages 6-12. Free for ages 5 and younger. woollyworm.com

BEST FOR: Lovers of the woolly worm and its contribution in helping determine the winter weather forecast. Attendees also enjoy arts and crafts, rides and food vendors.

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

HALLOWEENFEST IN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY Oct. 26 | Downtown Brevard Cost: Free brevardnc.org/halloweenfest BEST FOR: Fans of Count Dracula, but in a lighthearted hometown way. Come celebrate Halloween Transylvania Countystyle, with a morning foot race, live music and all of the other street festival favorites.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Pumpkin carving

The Lake Eden Arts Festival will be held Oct. 17-20 in downtown Black Mountain. Photo courtesy of Lake Eden Arts Festival

OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

and pumpkin-themed games, like Pumpkin Plinko. Dress the whole family in costumes, including your dog, for the costume contest and parade.

IN THE PIEDMONT CAROLINA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Weekends Oct. 5-Nov. 24 | Huntersville Cost: $25 for adults, $15 ages 5-12. Free for ages 4 and younger. carolina.renfestinfo.com BEST FOR: Fans of the medieval times mixed with circus-themed attractions and shows. Interact with more than 500 costumed villagers, including mermaids and jousting knights.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Everything is geared toward children, with the exception of a few performances labeled for explicit content. This will be the first year that the Living Mermaids exhibit will be on display.

Your little ones will also enjoy new addition Fireflicker, a curious and friendly dragon who will be roaming the festival streets.

ANNUAL NASCAR DAY FESTIVAL Oct. 12 | Downtown Randleman Cost: Free randlemanchamber.com/nascar-day-festival BEST FOR: Those who love and appreciate the adrenaline and competition associated with the sport of car racing. New this year is a wide-screen simulator that will allow festivalgoers to compete with each other. Hall of Famer Richard Petty will sign autographs from 4-5:30 p.m.

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

Autumn leaves image courtesy of Art_of_sun/Shutterstock.com

F

rom the mountains to the sea, there’s a lot to enjoy about North Carolina in the fall, including fall festivals. Venture out of town for a day trip or weekend getaway to enjoy one or more of the state’s best fests. Find an extensive roundup of local fall festivals in our calendar section.

MUSH, MUSIC AND MUTTS FESTIVAL Oct. 19 | Historic Uptown Shelby Cost: General admission to Friday’s Brew Fest is $30 for ages 21 and older, and admission to the Rotary Chili Cook-off is $10. Free for ages 7 and younger.

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

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: An inflatable castle and giant slide. The Kids Zone also features pumpkin painting, games and activities. Don’t forget to show off your family’s furry friend at the Pet Festival.

CAROLINA BALLOONFEST Oct. 18-20 | Statesville Cost: $10 for Friday, $20 in advance for Saturday and $15 in advance for Sunday (plus a service fee). $10 for a parking pass. Free for ages 12 and younger. carolinaballoonfest.com BEST FOR: People who are curious to learn about what it takes to get hot air balloons into the air and to see their beauty once they are in the sky. Events include two balloon launches a day during which 50 balloons take flight, plus tethered balloon rides and a walk-in balloon. Check out the North Carolina craft beer and wine tastings in addition to plenty of food vendors.

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

BARBECUE FESTIVAL Oct. 26 | Uptown Lexington Cost: Free barbecuefestival.com BEST FOR: Those who want to celebrate barbecue in what has been deemed its world capital. This annual event attracts crowds in excess of 200,000 people, all paying homage to this North Carolina staple.

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

Halloweenfest in Transylvania County will be held on Oct. 26 in downtown Brevard. Photo courtesy of Seyl Park

RURAL HILL SHEEPDOG TRIALS AND DOG FESTIVAL Nov. 10-11 | Huntersville Cost: $8 for ages 5-12, $11 for adults.

Ages 4 and younger are admitted free.

Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. ruralhill.net/sheepdogtrials.asp BEST FOR: Those wanting to see, firsthand, the excitement of sheepdog trials. What are sheepdog trials you ask?

A competition where handlers command their dogs, mostly champion border collies, to round up herds of sheep.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Hayrides, kids activities and interaction with adorable dogs. You can also bring old pumpkins and have fun getting rid of them by catapulting them over 40 feet into the air.

IN THE TRIANGLE Find an extensive roundup of local fall festivals in our calendar section on page 42.

FESTIFALL ARTS FESTIVAL Oct. 12 | W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill Cost: Free chapelhillfestifall.com BEST FOR: Art lovers, no matter what style you fancy. There will be items of interest for visual artists all the way to the performing arts. See more than 50 local artists and artisans displaying their works.

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

SELMA RAILROAD DAYS FESTIVAL Oct. 4-5 | Downtown Selma Cost: Free selma-nc.com/railroad-days-festival

BEST FOR: Anyone who loves trains — no matter your age. Now in its 44th year, this annual celebration features a parade, a Chew Chew Food Truck Rodeo, a fun run and live music.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: A mascot run featuring local favorites, a kids fun zone with $5 unlimited bounce access and trains.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR Oct. 17-27 | North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12.

Free for ages 5 and younger. Discounts available if you purchase in advance. ncstatefair.org/2019/index.htm BEST FOR: Literally anyone. Who doesn’t love a great fair? This year will forever be the debut of the Skygazer, a 155-foot Ferris wheel. Tickets for this ride are sold separately for $6-$7.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: Lots of kidfriendly rides and fun foods like fried Oreos and candy bars. There will also be horse shows and livestock competitions.

NORTH CAROLINA WHIRLIGIG FESTIVAL Nov. 2-3 | Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Historic Downtown Wilson Cost: Free whirligigfestivalnc.org/home BEST FOR: People who can appreciate an art festival with its own hometown twist. Catch more than 200 vendors, live entertainment and more fun. Try your hand at the free extreme challenges or see if you have what it takes to tackle the Whirligig-Warrior course.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIDS: The Whirli-Kidz Zone will have lots of rides and games for the little ones. There will be a Whirli-Kidz stage that will host Nick’s Kids Barnyard Adventure show live, in addition to several performances from local dance troops.

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

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

DeAnna Taylor is an attorney-turned-travel blogger and writer, and Charlotte native.

Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place the weekends of Oct. 5 - Nov. 24 in Huntersville. Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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Metabolic Syndrome: Know the Symptoms and How to Prevent It

BY CHRISTA HOGAN Dr. Sue Kirkman, M.D., professor of medicine

we would still need to address those risk

more than just a woman’s

at UNC-Chapel Hill. Women are diagnosed

factors,” she says.

pride. When an increase in

with metabolic syndrome when they have

waist circumference is accompanied

three of five risk factors:

Metabolic syndrome is a fairly common diagnosis. As Americans have gotten

by at least two other metabolic factors,

• High blood glucose

heavier, the number of patients diagnosed

such as high blood pressure and insulin

• Low levels of HDL (or good

with metabolic syndrome has increased.

resistance, you may be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Women diagnosed with this condition are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. So recognizing the symptoms and taking steps to prevent

cholesterol) • High levels of triglycerides (or bad cholesterol) • A waist circumference of greater than 35 inches • High blood pressure

or slow metabolic syndrome can have a positive impact on your overall health.

SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS

According to data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, one in every three adult Americans has metabolic syndrome.

A diagnosis is more common in women after menopause, when they lose the protective effects of estrogen. “They

It’s important to note, however,

tend to gain weight around the stomach

Kirkman says, that health care providers

rather than the thighs,” Kirkman says.

also look at a woman’s overall health.

“Women with a family history of Type

Metabolic syndrome is a diagnosis of a cluster

“If a woman has only two of these risk

2 diabetes are also at a higher risk for

of risk factors driven by insulin resistance, says

factors, for instance, but is also a smoker,

metabolic syndrome.”

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Image courtesy of Moremar/Shutterstock.com

G

oing up a pants size may hurt

According to the American College of

“I would recommend that patients with

Cardiology, having metabolic syndrome

metabolic syndrome get the disease under

reduce and prevent metabolic syndrome,

triples a woman’s risk of heart attack or

control as much as possible,” Acharya says.

increase your fertility, and live a longer,

stroke. Women with metabolic syndrome

“But their chance of conceiving is high

healthier life.

are also five times more likely to develop

regardless, especially with collaboration

Type 2 diabetes.

with high-risk pregnancy specialists.”

recommends 150 minutes a week of

Acharya also advises women with

moderate exercise, such as walking,”

incremental lifestyle changes can help you

“The Diabetes Prevention Program

METABOLIC SYNDROME AND FERTILITY

metabolic syndrome to see their OB-GYN

Kirkman says. “Any kind of moderate,

for preconception counseling. Providers

aerobic exercise is helpful.”

Women with metabolic syndrome can

can review their medical history and refer

also have difficulty conceiving, says

them to a fertility specialist if they have

Christa Hogan is a local writer and parent

Dr. Kelly Acharya, M.D., an assistant

trouble conceiving.

of three.

at Duke University School of Medicine

MAKING LIFESTYLE CHANGES STICK

in Durham. Acharya says she often

Losing weight, getting more exercise,

sees fertility patients with metabolic

quitting smoking, and eating better sound

syndrome.

like simple recommendations. Putting

“There’s a lot of overlap between

them into practice, however, can be a

metabolic syndrome and polycystic

tremendous challenge for many women.

ovary syndrome or PCOS,” Acharya

Kirkman says, though that women don’t

says. “Insulin resistance seems to be the

need to be thin to see change.

common underlying factor in both.”

Acharya says insulin resistance

“Just losing 5-10% of your body weight can have a huge impact on metabolic

affects ovulation as well as a patient’s

syndrome and its risk factors,” she says.

overall health. Women with PCOS or

To improve health, Kirkman recommends

metabolic syndrome are more likely to

reducing caloric intake and stress, and

skip ovulation, which can make getting

increasing exercise.

pregnant difficult.

“For treatment, we would start with

When it comes to dieting, studies show there’s no one best solution for everyone.

lifestyle modifications, like exercise and

“The best diet for people is the

weight loss, as well as smoking cessation,

one they can stick to,” Kirkman says.

if necessary,” Acharya says. “Often,

“Whether that’s vegan or low carb or

patients also need help with ovulation

Mediterranean.”

induction through oral medication.”

Acharya says lifestyle modifications

Whichever route you take, Kirkman says, keep in mind what she considers

like weight loss have the biggest impact

to be universal dieting tips, such as

on a woman’s health for three reasons.

consuming fewer calories than you

First, losing weight improves glucose

burn and not drinking empty calories.

control, which may jump-start ovulation

Beverages like soda and sweet tea provide

without the help of medication.

little nutritional value or satiation while

Second, when women lose weight they

sabotaging dieting efforts.

respond better to any needed fertility

KICK SMOKING IN 5 STEPS Dr. Sue Kirkman, M.D., professor of medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, says smoking encourages midsection weight gain — a leading factor in metabolic syndrome. The American Heart Association says smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the U.S. and offers these five steps for kicking the habit.

1. Pick a Quit Day. 2. Choose a method: Cold turkey, or reduction in frequency/quantity.

3. Talk to your doctor about getting help.

4. Plan how you’ll avoid smoking when the urge to do so arises.

5. When your Quit Day arrives, stick with your goal.

Image courtesy of vladwel/Shutterstock.com

professor of obstetrics and gynecology

Exercise is another way you can prevent

treatments. Third, a healthier weight

or treat metabolic syndrome. Kirkman

will also mean a healthier pregnancy and

advises prioritizing exercise by scheduling

reduced risk for gestational diabetes and

it on you calendar. You don’t have to be

hypertensive disorders.

an athlete to see results. Making small, carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

29

Hiking as a family benefits all ages

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

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

BY MALIA JACOBSON

TEEN YEARS

Happy Trails

I

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

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

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

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

“When planning a hike, a helpful general rule to remember is that a child can hike about as many miles as their age in years,” says avid hiker and wilderness educator Dr. Douglas S. Diekema, M.D., an emergency

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

medicine physician at Seattle Children’s, a hospital and pediatric research medical center. Young children are more at risk for heat and cold injury than adults, so parents should bring an extra layer for children to wear. And remember that babies and toddlers who are being carried stay cooler, even after you’re warmed up, he says.

The most important thing about hiking with young children is to follow their lead, and to remember that they will more than likely take a long time to hike a short distance, Magi says. “When hiking with young children, don’t expect to go very far. Instead, choose trails that will offer children lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with nature. Young children have a beautiful sense of curiosity about the natural world.”

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

“To get your children to spend more time in the backyard, create a family culture of being outside. Play soccer, catch, read in

Alone Together Hiking offers opportunities for teens to build life skills like resilience, grit and executive functions; and to fine-tune their planning and organizing skills. Teens can build independence along with trail savvy by taking a mountaineering course, learning to read a map and a compass, and compiling their own “10 essentials” kit for hikes. The 10 essentials list first appeared in the third edition of “Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills,” released in 1974 by Mountaineers Books. That list has evolved over time.

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

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

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

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

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

Image courtesy of Inspiring/Shutterstock.com

GROWING UP

OH, BABY!

Do Babies Roll Over — And Which Way Will They Roll??

Photos of babies courtesy of (left to right): iStock.com/StephaneHachey; iStock.com/Benjamin Simeneta; iStock.com/ByMPhotos; iStock.com/DaydreamsGirl

BY REBECCA QUINONES AND RACHEL GANDY

T

he answer is … it depends.

Infant motor development in the first 6 months of life is highly predictable, but rolling is one milestone that can be more variable.

Some babies roll over in the first couple of months, while others don’t start until after 6 months of age. There are babies who roll from tummy to back first, and babies who start their rolling by going from back to tummy.

Rolling is usually the first time your little one will be able to change his position all by himself. The tucked up position a newborn is used to being in puts him at an advantage for developing the ability to roll over. A newborn’s back is more rounded, so he doesn’t rest as flat on it, and his knees are tucked under him with his bottom up when he’s lying on his tummy.

Generally, this very early rolling is the result of a reflex babies have when they are born. In this instance, if a baby’s head is turned when she is on her back, her body will turn in order to keep her head lined up with it. In other instances, she may be wiggling and kicking so much on her back or belly that she rolls herself over without meaning to.

Once a baby is a few months old, we see this “accidental” rolling less often because of the changes in her body

proportions and the way she moves her weight when she is on her back or belly.

When exactly your baby begins to purposely roll over depends on how strong his back and belly muscles are, and on his motivation to move and explore his environment. It also depends on how well he likes being on his back or belly. The first few times he rolls may be accidental, and therefore he may be startled or upset by the movement. While this is may be a surprising feeling, these early experiences will also help him learn about how he can move his body himself. In the past, babies seemed to learn to roll from their belly to back before they rolled from their back to belly. Nowadays, it seems to be much more variable.

Babies who love tummy time may be more likely to roll to their tummy from their back, while babies who are unhappy on their tummy may wiggle and twist until they figure out how to get off their belly. The more time your baby spends flat on her back on a firm surface working on tummy time, the stronger her back and tummy muscles will be, and the easier it will be for her to master the new skill of rolling.

By 6-7 months of age, babies are typically able to roll from back to belly, as well as belly to back. As with all

movement, it’s also important that we see baby rolling to both the right and left sides. When babies first learn a new skill, they will usually practice it over and over and over again. This is their way of finetuning their movements and learning to make them as efficient as possible.

During this time, it’s not unusual to see a baby who tends to move in one preferred direction. Just be sure that within a few weeks of learning that new skill, you also see him working on the other direction. If your baby is struggling a bit, don’t be shy about helping him practice so he can master this movement.

Whether your baby rolls at 4 months or 6 months of age, remember that this is his first experience with changing his position all on his own — an exciting new skill to celebrate.

Rebecca Quinones and Rachel Gandy, both of whom have doctorates in physical therapy, are founders of Babies On The MOVE, a Cary-based organization committed to helping children excel in motor development with in-home pediatric physical therapy and community-based infant movement classes for all abilities.

Learn more about their services at babiesonthemoverdu.com. carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

31

UNDERSTANDING KIDS

Choosing Age-Appropriate Halloween Costumes

BY JENNIFER REID

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

GUIDELINES FOR AGES 3-5 Children in this age group have moved beyond solely exploring and are beginning to make sense of their world. They are developing an understanding of how and why things work. This age group relies on caregivers to help them organize this kind of data, and they often take what they are learning and explore it in their imaginative play.

The boundaries between play and reality can sometimes become blurred for children in this age group. Think, for example, of a child who becomes frightened or overstimulated when the “bad guys” are chasing him. Dressing up on Halloween

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

is a similar experience, so helping your child choose a costume that feels good and safe will help ensure that he has a positive experience throughout the evening. Appropriate costumes for this age group include community helpers, fairytale characters or good-natured superheroes.

GUIDELINES FOR AGES 6 AND OLDER Children in this age group have developed a clearer sense of what is real and what is pretend. Once a child reaches age 6, you can begin to allow her to choose her costume — within reason, of course. Designing and making creative costumes together becomes a fun and engaging pre-Halloween activity.

As children grow into their early teen years, wearing costumes on Halloween moves beyond the simple fun of dressing up and turns into an outlet for individual expression. The balance between healthy expression of individuality and what is appropriate for your family will be rooted in ongoing discussions about your values, and may involve compromises on both parts.

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

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

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

Image courtesy of BooHoo/Shutterstock.com

O

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

Dressing up is a form of imaginative play. In play, children explore various roles, including “good guys” and “bad guys.” In moments of true play, these roles may feel real to young children as they attempt to conquer the good and bad that exists both in the real world and in their internal world (e.g., their moments of behaving versus misbehaving). Thinking about how much your child invests in this type of play, as well as how much she depends on you for feelings of safety (or reality checks), can help you determine what type of costume is appropriate for her.

RAISING READERS

Fall F un

many idity of summer. There are so e respite from the heat and hum lcom we ng, a is hiki fall es, of leav et ing ons The ecting or rak age in — be it apple picking, coll eng to kids for s. es che iviti pat act r pkin doo great out n mazes or pum visiting one of the Triangle’s cor ile wh ride hay a this on t g tha pin e jum or even a year, and it is often the cas inning of a busy new school holidays have arrived.

But autumn also marks the beg ckly that before we know it, the qui so by s pas to ms see lar, nging leaves before it’s season, in particu oy the crisp weather and cha enj and side out get to kids Let’s encourage our changing season. get everyone excited for the too late. These books will help

Bookmark photo courtesy of istock.com/pic_studio. Book cover images courtesy of their respective publishers.

BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME In “Hello, Fall!” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 32 pages, $16.99), author Deborah Diesen, who is also the woman behind the New York Times best-selling “Pout-Pout Fish” series, brings us a touching story about a grandfather and granddaughter who find beauty and wonder as they usher in another festive fall season.

Readers will enjoy a story about colorful leaves, honking geese and pumpkin patches filled with glorious orange treasures. Although this story is geared toward ages 2-6, even grown-ups will be excited for fall after reading it.

In “Hedgehugs Autumn Hideand-Squeak” (Henry Holt and Co., 26 pages, $16), author Steve Wilson tells the story of two hedgehogs named Horace and Hattie who are best friends. They enjoy making shadow puppets, following snail trails and scouring for spider webs.

One day they are watching leaves fall from the trees when they hear a squeak, which causes them to wonder: Could there be a new friend to play with? This book is geared toward ages 2-6.

“In the Middle of Fall” (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, $15.98) is author Kevin Henkes’ companion story to “When Spring Comes.” This picture book is a celebration of the season and focuses heavily on the many transformations that take place in nature throughout fall. A little girl and her dog, along with other warmly dressed children and busy forest animals, engage in outdoor activities in an idyllic setting. A big gust of wind washes everything in red, orange and yellow leaves, reminding little readers of just how quickly trees become bare and wintry. This book was written for ages 4-8.

In “Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze!”

(Two Lions, 32 pages, $13.95) author Maureen Wright tells the humorous story of Big Bear, who thinks his sneezes are not only causing the leaves and apples to fall from the trees, but are also forcing the geese to fly south.

Our lovable main character is corrected, however, when the wind demonstrates to him that she is the source of such events by blowing away the leaves with a “whirling, twirling mighty shout.” Readers will be tickled when Big Bear attempts to tack the foliage back onto the trees. Will Hillenbrand’s rich, mixed-media illustrations will delight readers. This story was written for ages 3-5.

Prices listed reflect Amazon hardcover rates at press time.

Elizabeth Lincicome is a mother, communications expert and freelance writer based in Raleigh.

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

33

TECH TALK

Protecting Your Family’s Online Privacy

BY HAROLD HENN

CHECK YOUR BROWSER SETTINGS FREQUENTLY The browser you use (Chrome, Safari, Explorer, etc.) to access the internet is the first line of defense for your privacy, because it serves as the gateway through which all of your online interactions flow. Go to the browser’s settings

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

tab to select options like “Private Browsing” or “Do Not Track.” Also try switching up the browser you use every so often.

go to the settings page and select the “Ads” tab in the bottom-left column to control what kind of access advertisers have to you.

EXERCISE DUE DILIGENCE ON SMART TOYS Not to be confused with toys designed to develop your child’s cognitive abilities, smart toys learn and grow based on interactions with your child by utilizing embedded software and/or by being connected to the internet. Unfortunately, there are more than a few examples, such as Cloudpets, of these toys being hacked by third parties or the manufacturer using the data in an unethical manner. Only provide necessary data and make sure these toys come with clear privacy guidelines that you understand.

PRIORITIZE APP PRIVACY Before you or your child downloads an app, always review the information about it on the intro screen first. Periodically check the privacy settings within the app, as they change often, and make sure your child is not submitting any data he or she shouldn’t. Avoid gaming apps that ask for a social media profile to log into or to identify their location (except for an app that tracks your child for safety purposes).

BE WARY OF PERSONALIZED ADS/AD TARGETING AND RETARGETING Many websites collect your data so third parties can target ads based on certain behaviors you have exhibited during your experience across the internet. Ads targeting children and young adults create a slippery slope because these age groups may lack the experience and maturity to filter such advertising messages.

To limit ad targeting and retargeting in general, clear your browser history often, which deletes “cookies” that track your online usage. Many browsers also allow you to disable cookies from your internet sessions.

For more specific ways to stop ad targeting and retargeting, look to the major players in the ad retargeting space, such as Google and the social media platforms you use. If you have a Google account, go to “Ad Settings” and turn off “Ad personalization.” Each social media network is different, but for Facebook,

ADDITIONAL PRIVACY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND • Check your privacy settings frequently, as the terms change often.

• Don’t share personal information such as birthdays, phone numbers or emails.

• Be mindful of the information you share on public networks.

• Review the permissions you give to apps.

Data is quickly becoming the most precious commodity in the world, so take some basic precautions in guarding your family’s privacy by frequently checking and updating your settings, providing only necessary information, and reviewing permissions you give to websites and apps.

The best defense is a good offense, so make your family’s online use a central theme in discussions with your children.

Harold Henn is a senior digital marketing strategist at Walk West, a full-service marketing agency in Raleigh. He also teaches a “Social Media Strategy and Management” class at Wake Technical Community College on the RTP campus.

Images courtesy of IdeaGU/Shutterstock.com

O

ur role as responsible parents dictates that we put parameters around screen time, research the websites and apps our children frequent, and regularly monitor their social media usage. But even when we check as many of these boxes as possible, there can still be threats to our family’s privacy.

A June 2019 poll conducted by Common Sense Media and SurveyMonkey concluded that privacy is a key concern for parents and teens, with 9 in 10 parents saying they “think it’s important that sites clearly label what data they collect and how it will be used.”

Additionally, a majority of parents (82%) and teens (68%) are concerned about ad targeting by social media sites.

While websites and app providers list research purposes and improved end-user experiences as their rationale for data collection, your privacy is threatened any time your information gets passed between one website or app and a third-party. A question I get often is, “Why do hackers care about collecting information about kids?” Simply put, accessing information about children makes identity theft easier. Their social security numbers can be used without setting off red flags, and their credit history is clean, making opening bank and credit accounts in their name much easier.

Let’s review a few specific measures to take that will help ensure your family’s privacy.

FATHER FIGURING

CORN MAZES There are lots of corn mazes around the Triangle offering a variety of activities, from bounce houses to pumpkin patches, with some included in admission or a la carte. Read our fall fun roundup on page 16 for a list of corn mazes and other fall fun events in the area to check out with your family.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Triangle is home to numerous universities — three of which (Duke

Fall Favorites

BY DAVE HERPY

F

Carolina State University) are in the ACC. Our family joined the Wolfpack after relocating here. A college football game is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon

all is my favorite time of year. The

explored shops in downtown Blowing

together. For the ACC football schedule,

changing color of leaves, cooler

Rock and had dinner in downtown Boone.

check out theacc.com.

weather and pumpkin-flavored

Since this area is only a three-hour drive

everything makes for a wonderful

from Raleigh, it makes for a fun and

NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR

season. It’s especially fun as a father, with

accessible weekend getaway. Check out

Our all-time favorite pastime in the

lots of great opportunities to create

exploreboone.com for a list of things to

fall, by far, is the North Carolina State

lifelong memories with my family.

do, attractions, hotels and cabins.

Fair. We go every year as a family —

Since relocating to the Triangle almost

sometimes more than once. From 4-H

six years ago, we have found lots of fun

HIKING

pastimes that have provided enjoyment

The changing leaves make for a beautiful

and local vendors, the North Carolina

and entertainment year after year. Here

hiking experience. North Carolina

State Fair offers something for everyone.

are my top five favorite things to do as a

offers plenty of trail options. Whether

As the tagline states, “Nothing could be

family around the Triangle and across the

you head out to a municipal, county

finer.” Learn more about this year’s fair at

state during fall.

or state park, there are plenty of trails

ncstatefair.org.

CAMPING Image courtesy of ArdeaA/Shutterstock.com.

University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and North

exhibits and fried foods to kiddie rides

for all abilities and ages. One of the first pieces of outdoor equipment we

Dave Herpy is a father of four, camp

Whether in a cabin or tent, fall is a

bought as new parents was a backpack

and youth development professional and

perfect time to camp and enjoy the great

child carrier, which allowed us to begin

freelance writer in the Triangle. He has

outdoors, especially with the cooler

hiking as a family when our oldest was

a master’s degree in recreation and sport

nighttime temperatures. Our first fall

only 5 months old. For hiking options

sciences from Ohio University, and more

here, we took an extended weekend trip

around the Triangle, check out numerous

than 20 years of experience directing

to the Boone/Blowing Rock area and

Carolina Parent hiking roundups and

camps and outdoor recreation activities.

rented a cabin in Seven Devils. During our

posts by searching for “hiking” at

weekend, we hiked the Linville Falls area,

carolinaparent.com.

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

35

Should Students Declare a Major on College Applications?

BY DAVE BERGMAN, ED.D.

T

he act of formulating a clear and decisive plan is as valorized in the college admissions process as it is in most other realms of American life.

Highly selective colleges do generally give an edge to students who profess to have figured out their whole professional life by the tender of age of 18 — and possess a track record of activities and achievements consistent with those stated plans. Hence, applicants often feel pressured to list an intended major on their application even if, internally, the compass guiding their future path is spinning like a pinwheel in a windstorm.

To begin tackling this issue, we’ll explore whether or not applicants are locked into the major they list on their college applications.

IS YOUR STUDENT ALLOWED TO CHANGE MAJORS AFTER BEING ACCEPTED? Let’s go right to the source on this one and hear from a few uber-elite institutions that know their applicants are having night terrors and heart palpitations about this very subject.

MIT states: “Students apply to MIT for general admission and select a major at the end of the first year with the help of their first year advisor.” They do ask applicants to list a “course of interest” but explain that this has no bearing on admissions decisions, acknowledging that “a large percentage of students at MIT end up majoring in something other than what they listed as their field of interest as applicants.”

Similarly, Princeton University does not bind students in any way to the intended concentration they declare on their

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

application. In fact, the university freely shares that 70% of Tiger graduates earn their degree in an area different from what they listed four years prior on their application. While many schools, even the most academically demanding in the country (like MIT and Princeton University), aren’t expecting your student to chart his or her academic course prior to even setting foot in a college classroom, other institutions will require your student to select a particular undergraduate school on his or her application — and that’s where things get murkier and more strategic.

UNIVERSITIES THAT REQUIRE STUDENTS TO APPLY TO A SPECIFIC SCHOOL At a liberal arts college, moving between departments is typically quite easy. At a larger university that houses a number of schools/

colleges — particularly ones with highly variable admissions standards — this may be quite challenging. Large flagships like the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan or the University of WisconsinMadison, as well as large private research institutions like Cornell University, Boston University or Washington University in St. Louis, require you to apply directly to certain schools or colleges.

For example, Dyson (Cornell University), Questrom (Boston University) and Olin (Washington University) business schools are all “direct admit” institutions, meaning that students apply specifically for entrance into that school. The three state universities referenced above all require you to apply directly to their colleges of engineering.

Fortunately, even at these highly-selective universities, switching majors within your given college is unlikely to cause trouble. A student at the University of Pennsylvania’s vaunted Wharton School of Business can freely change their area of concentration from accounting to behavioral economics. On the other hand, switching from the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences into Wharton School of Business involves another harrowing admissions process after one’s freshman year.

COLLEGE TRANSITIONS Here are the policies in place at some of the universities in North Carolina and nearby states.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY: Students wishing to study engineering or life sciences must declare those majors on their application. Everyone else enjoys greater mobility between areas of concentration.

UNC-CHAPEL HILL: This university has a number of more selective majors, such as those within the prestigious Kenan-Flager Business School. There is an option to enter as a business major through an “Assured Admission” program. Anyone declaring a business major thereafter must apply postfreshman year.

DUKE UNIVERSITY: All applicants must apply to Trinity College of Arts & Sciences or the Pratt School of Engineering. Changing majors within those schools is fairly easy.

VIRGINIA TECH: Majors that are “restricted” include all programs in engineering, many business programs, architecture, studio art and human nutrition.

Restricted majors are those that require an additional application process in order to move into that program (even for those students who are already admitted into the general university).

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY: Business and engineering students must spend their freshman year on pre-business and general engineering tracks.

THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Undergraduates are admitted to a particular school at UVA and can change/declare majors once admitted to that specific college.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA: Movement between colleges is fairly easy at this institution. For example, current students seeking to transfer to the College of

Engineering and Computing only need a 2.5 GPA and “C” grade in one calculus course.

QUICK RECAP In short, most students need not fret about what major they list on their college application. If they choose to list an intended area of study, they should do so in an area that makes sense, given the other particulars of their application (i.e. extracurricular activities, course selection, honors and distinctions, etc.). Generally, they will be able to easily change their major at a liberal arts college, but are likely to encounter more difficulty transferring into a highlycompetitive school at a larger university.

Dave Bergman, Ed.D., is a co-founder of College Transitions, a team of college planning experts committed to guiding families through the college admissions process. He is also co-author of “The Enlightened College Applicant: A New Approach to the Search and Admissions Process.”

Learn more at collegetransitions.com.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Duke University, Old Chemistry Academic Building. Photo courtesy of Bryan Pollard/ Shutterstock.com.

THIS PAGE, TOP: Burruss Hall, Virginia Tech. Photo courtesy of Rui Serra Maia/Shutterstock.com.

THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: Leazar Hall, North Carolina State University. Photo courtesy of Bryan Pollard/ Shutterstock.com.

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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EXCURSION

Ashe County Small-town charm and low-key adventures make this North Carolina border town a perfect family getaway

BY SUSANNA KLINGENBERG

N

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

But sometimes less is more, especially if you have young kids.

If what you seek is family-friendly outdoor adventure, good food and a side of mountain magic, start planning your trip west.

Ashe County will match your pace.

Go for leaves in the fall or Merlefest in the spring. But whenever you go, take the chance to slow down, unplug and ease into mountain time. Settle into an Airbnb with a view, and check out these spots in laid-back and charming Ashe County.

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

Zaloo’s Canoes in Jefferson provides all the canoes, kayaks, inner tubes, safety gear and shuttle service you’ll need for a 5- or 10-mile day on the water.

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

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

NEW RIVER STATE PARK: HIKING AND HELLBENDERS Gorgeous and growing, thanks to the New River Conservancy, New River State Park offers spaces for all kinds of outdoor fun.

Discover short and easy (but stunning) forest hiking trails via the Wagoner Access entrance, which also offers access to the river for swimming, and tent or paddle-in campsites with hot water showers. Check for ranger programs and keep an eye out for the enormous hellbender salamander — better known to locals (and giggling kids) as the “snot otter.”

WEST JEFFERSON: KID-FRIENDLY SOPHISTICATION Though West Jefferson is known for its craft breweries and thriving art district featuring murals, galleries and studios, this charming, walkable town offers plenty of entertainment for the

younger set, too. Kids will love all the fun on Main Street, where they can watch cheese being made at Ashe County Cheese, take in a movie at the vintage Parkway Theater and participate in an art class at the Florence Thomas Art School.

Then grab a picnic lunch, head to Bowie-Seagraves Municipal Park (often referred to as West Jefferson Park), spread out under a shady oak and unwind while your kids explore. They’ll be delighted by the playground, huge hillside slide and tiny mountain stream, in which even the youngest kids can splash, rock hop and hunt for crawdads.

Big Horse Creek — named one of only five Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program streams in the state. Then cross the street for pizza at the award-winning Pie on the Mountain — where parents can also order locally made Molley Chomper Hard Cider.

On Friday nights, enjoy an Ashe County treasure: ice cream and a lively bluegrass jam at Phipps General Store.

Be sure to check the local events calendar before you visit Ashe County. And remember: If less is more for your family, Ashe County might be just the “more” you’re looking for. Visit ashechamber.com/tourism.php to begin planning your trip.

THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL: IT’S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE

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

Abingdon, Virginia, is a short drive from Ashe County, but it’s worth the trip to experience the 32-mile Virginia Creeper bike trail.

“As a parent, it’s a thrill to see your child riding their bike, and the Virginia Creeper is one of the best trails around for kids,” says Jerry Camper, founder of the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop.

Why is that? Because the whole trail — all 32-plus miles of it — is downhill. Be sure to stop in Damascus at mile 15 to eat lunch and rub elbows with Appalachian Trail through-hikers.

LANSING: FLIES AND PIES AND BLUEGRASS REPRISE Lansing may have only 157 residents, but this tiny town is big on charm. Teach your little ones the art of fly fishing in

OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT: A young cyclist rides on the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia.

Photo courtesy of the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop A young visitor participates in an art class at the Florence Thomas Art School in West Jefferson. Photo courtesy of the Florence Thomas Art School The South Fork of the New River is perfect for families with young children who want to canoe or kayak. Photo courtesy of Zaloo’s Canoes ABOVE: Mount Jefferson dons vibrant fall colors. Photo courtesy of Wesley Barker carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

ads@carolinaparent.com

CALENDAR

BY BILLY RYDER

OCTOBER 2019

Images courtesy of Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

OUR PICKS

Angelina Ballerina | Oct. 4 Put on your dancing shoes for Vital Theatre’s production of “Angelina Ballerina, The Musical” at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. This family-friendly musical, based on the animated TV series, will have you pirouetting out of your seats as Angelina and her friends Alice, Gracie, AZ and Viki perform a wide variety of dances — like hip-hop, modern dance and ballet. Show times are 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets, $10, online at wakeforestrencen.org/event/angelina-ballerina-musical.

Photos courtesy of the North Carolina State Fair

Wake Forest Renaissance Center is located at 405 S. Brooks St.,

Photo courtesy of Marcos Castillo/Shutterstock.com

Wake Forest.

North Carolina State Fair | Oct. 17-27 October in North Carolina means it’s time for the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. This 10-day festival features the best of what North Carolina has to offer, including livestock

Raleigh Tamale Festival | Oct. 5

displays and competitions, a five-day folk music and dancing

Experience the vibrancy of Latino culture at the Raleigh Tamale

competition, carnival games and food, artisans and crafters, and

Festival at Dorothea Dix Park, 2-6 p.m. Food trucks will offer a

agriculture and farming equipment exhibits. Top musical acts,

wide variety of tamales representing different Latin American

including the Charlie Daniels Band, Branford Marsalis Quartet

countries, and festivalgoers can enjoy Latin dance lessons,

and Pure Prairie League, will perform at Dorton Arena. Try fried

performances from local groups, art exhibits, vendors, kids

Oreos, take home a goldfish or try your luck at winning a stuffed

activities and an amateur tamale competition. Admission is FREE,

animal (that can barely fit into your car). Visit ncstatefair.org for

but registration is encouraged at https://tinyurl.com/yymymg7x.

hours and admission fees. The North Carolina State Fairgrounds

Dorothea Dix Park is located at 2105 Umstead Dr., Raleigh.

are located at 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh. carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

41

FESTIVALS Shakori Hills GrassRoots Fall Festival of Music & Dance Oct. 3-6 – Shakori Hills, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd., Pittsboro. See the website for hours. Take the family for live music on four stages, craft and food vendors, storytelling, face painting and a climbing wall. Children ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase tickets online. shakorihillsgrassroots.org.

Bass Lake Day Oct. 5 – Sugg Farm, 2401 Grigsby Ave., Holly Springs. 1-4 p.m. FREE. Celebrate nature and the environment with live music, crafts and games, live animal displays and interactive exhibits. hollyspringsnc.us/350/bass-lake-day.

Cary Dog Days Oct. 5 – Bond Park, 801 High House Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. FREE. Take Fido for a dog wash, microchipping and a Frisbee disc competition. townofcary.org.

Harvest Festival NC Oct. 5 – St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, 229 Bashford Rd., Raleigh. 2-8 p.m. The church’s annual fall festival features authentic cuisine, music, youth performances and more. harvestfestnc.com.

Oak View Farm Fest Oct. 5 – Historic Oak View County Park, 4028 Carya Dr., Raleigh. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Live entertainment, heritage crafts, agricultural displays, farm animals, antiques, fishing, pony rides, carriage rides, kids activities and food highlight this old-fashioned county fair. wakegov.com/parks/oakview.

PawsFest Oct. 5 – The Green at Southern Village, 620 Market St., Chapel Hill. 1-4 p.m. Free; $5 suggested donation. Enjoy a bounce house, a raffle, silent auction and lawn games. Walk through the Southern Village neighborhood to show support for animals. Register online. secure.qgiv.com/event/pawsfest.

Project Palooza Oct. 5 – Project Enlightenment, 501 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. FREE. Project Enlightenment’s annual celebration features games, crafts, fire trucks, police dogs, food trucks, face painting, Dan the Animal Man and more. wcpss.net/projectenlightenment.

Raleigh Tamale Festival Oct. 5 – Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Dr., Raleigh. 2-6 p.m. FREE. Celebrate all things tamale with food trucks, an amateur tamale competition, Latin dance lessons, local art exhibits and a variety of games. dixpark.org/event/raleigh-tamale-festival.

demonstrations, folk dances, kids activities, cultural exhibits and more. facebook.com/ events/961908034006638.

Wake Forest Dance Festival Oct. 5 – E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd., Wake Forest. 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. FREE. See works created by contemporary national and international choreographers, as well as international, national and regional artists performing classical ballet, jazz and contemporary dances. wakeforestnc.gov/ citizen-engagement/community-calendar/ wake-forest-dance-festival.

Selma Railroad Days Oct. 5 – Downtown Selma. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

FREE. Take part in a 5K Railroad Run, a mascot race and a parade. Food trucks, kids activities and a model train display round out the fun. selma-nc.com/railroad-days-festival.

Wendell Harvest Festival Oct. 5 – Wendell Town Square, 17 W. Third St., Wendell. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. FREE. Take the family to enjoy arts and crafts vendors, live music, a parade, kids activities, a variety of food trucks, a car show and more. facebook.com/wendellharvestfestival.

Taste of China Festival Oct. 5 – Bicentennial Plaza, 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 11 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. FREE. Celebrate Chinese culture with musical performances, dragon and lion dances, martial arts

First Fruits Farm Fall Festival Oct. 5-6 – First Fruits Farm, 1950 E. River Rd., Louisburg. See the website for hours.

Free admission; ticket purchase required for activities. Enjoy live entertainment,

Photo courtesy of Shakori Hills GrassRoots Fall Festival of Music & Dance

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Oct. 5 – Downtown Fuquay-Varina.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Celebrate the town’s rich heritage with live entertainment, a classic

car show, a chili cook-off and a kids zone. celebratefv.com.

The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Fall Festival of Music & Dance takes place Oct 3 - 6 in Pittsboro.

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OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

CALENDAR

BY JANICE LEWINE

OCTOBER 2019

food concessions, kids activities and more to benefit a food donation ministry. wisdomforlife.org/events.

Hay Day Celebration Oct. 12 – Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 N. Arendell Ave., Zebulon. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FREE. Celebrate fall with bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, antique fire truck rides, police cars, big trucks and heavy equipment, food trucks and more. townofzebulon.org/ services/parks-and-recreation/events.

Wake Forest Arbor Day Oct. 12 – E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd., Wake Forest. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

FREE. Receive a tree seedling and enjoy organizations that offer special activities, treats and information related to trees and gardening. Children can build their own birdhouse and make a tree-inspired cookie necklace. wakeforestnc.gov/arbor-day.aspx.

Kidical Mass Bike Event Oct. 13 – Carrboro Elementary School, 400 Shelton St., Carrboro. 2:30 p.m. FREE. Ride your bike on the streets of Carrboro. Bike decorations, giveaways and healthy snacks cap off the event. carrbororec.org.

Triangle Oktoberfest Oct. 18-19 – Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary. 5-10 p.m.

Friday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. $5-$20/ person. The Triangle’s nod to Bavaria features traditional music, authentic cuisine, German cars, a KinderPlatz, wiener dog races, yodeling competitions

Triangle Oktoberfest takes place Oct. 18-19 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. and more. Purchase tickets online. triangleoktoberfest.org.

contest, parade, photo booth and more. facebook.com/events/372727240086411.

DisABLE the Label Oct. 19 – Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park, 1309 Halley St., Durham. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. FREE. Celebrate National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month with games, entertainment, vendors and kids activities. All ability levels welcome. dprplaymore.org/295/disable-the-label.

Fall Fun Fest Oct. 26 – Main Street, Rolesville.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Celebrate fall’s arrival with food trucks, a kids costume contest, and arts and crafts vendors. rolesvillenc.gov/ parks-recreation/special-events/fall-funfest.

Raleigh Children’s Business Fair Oct. 19 – The Commons at North Hills, 421 Lassiter at North Hills Ave., Raleigh. 3-5 p.m.

FREE. Shop more than 40 businesses operated by local children ages 6-14. childrensbusinessfair.org/raleigh.

HollyFest Oct. 26 – Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park, 2401 Grigsby Ave., Holly Springs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

FREE. Live entertainment, a kids zone, cornhole competition, food trucks, and arts and crafts vendors highlight this annual festival. hollyspringsnc.us/356/hollyfest.

Baby Goat Festival Oct. 27 – Prodigal Farm, 4720 Bahama Rd., Rougemont. Noon-5 p.m. See the website for fees and to purchase tickets. Tour the 94-acre farm and milking parlor, snuggle with goats and taste the farm’s award-winning cheeses. squareup.com/store/prodigal-farm.

Clayton Harvest and Music Festival Oct. 30-Nov. 3 – Main St., downtown Clayton. All ages. See the website for hours.

FREE. Take the family for live entertainment, food vendors, rides, hands-on activities, local talent performances, a car show, concerts and more. claytonharvestfestival.com.

Beagle Bash Oct. 20 – Compass Rose Brewery, 3201 Northside Dr., Raleigh. 1-4 p.m. FREE. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Triangle Beagle Rescue with barbecue, cake, ice cream, vendors, raffles and a doggie costume contest. tribeagles.org/ event/20th-anniversary-beagle-bash-atcompass-rose-brewery.

Photo courtesy of Northern Wake Fire Department

Cary Diwali Oct. 12 – Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Free; parking is $5/car. Celebrate India and Diwali through music, dance, a craft bazaar and food vendors. humsub.org/cary-diwali.

Photo courtesy of Triangle Oktoberfest

Northern Wake Fire Department Public Safety Day Oct. 6 – Creedmoor Village Shopping Center, 1432 Brogden Woods Dr., Wake Forest.

1-5 p.m. FREE. See fire engines, helicopters from Carolina Air Care and Duke Life Flight, firefighting demonstrations, Sparky The Fire Dog and more. Concessions available. northernwakefire.org.

Barktoberfest Oct. 26 – Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., Durham. 3-6 p.m. FREE. Man’s best friend is celebrated with dog shows, a canine costume Northern Wake Fire Department Public Safety Day takes place Oct. 6 in Wake Forest. carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

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CALENDAR OCTOBER 2019

BY JANICE LEWINE

DAILY 1 TUESDAY Open Bounce. BounceU, 3419 Apex Peakway, Apex. Noon-2 p.m., 2-4 p.m. $8/child. All ages enjoy an open bounce session on inflatables. Wear socks. Register online.

2 WEDNESDAY Eco-Express: Forest Mammals. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 1-3 p.m. $9/ resident, $12/nonresident. Take the fast track to nature in this hands-on study of ecology. Ages 8-12. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Get Cooking With Laura: Design Your Own Cake. Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 5-7 p.m. $35/resident, $46/nonresident. Learn to design and bake a cake. Ages 7-10.

Register online. Choose course #127667. classweb.townofcary.org.

3 THURSDAY Open Bounce. See Oct. 1.

4 FRIDAY Explore a Rock Outcrop. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh.

3-4:30 p.m. $5. Ages 7-12 take a hike to explore how rocks are formed and are changed by rain, ice, plants and people.

Wear sturdy shoes. Register online. Choose course #244777. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Nature Fun-Days: Deer. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.-noon. $9/resident, $12/ nonresident. Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8.

Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

5 SATURDAY Birding with Vernon. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 8:30-10 a.m. FREE. Join bird enthusiast Vernon for an easy walk while looking and listening for feathered friends. Meet at the Waterwise Garden. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Eco-Explorers: Gardens. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire

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Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.-noon. $8/resident, $10/nonresident. Children make treasured memories while increasing their knowledge of plants and animals. Ages 7-10. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Fall Big Sweep. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 9 a.m.noon. FREE. Clean up Lake Crabtree’s shoreline and other areas around the park. Ages 5 and older with adult.

Registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Pet Paddle. Bond Park, 801 High House Rd., Cary. All ages. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $8. Take your dog on a boat ride at Bond Park as part of the town’s Dog Days event. The rain date is Oct. 6. classweb.townofcary.org.

Scarecrow Designs. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 1-3 p.m. FREE. Design a mixed-media scarecrow. Ages 5-10.

Register online. Choose course #127101. classweb.townofcary.org.

Twilight Walk. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh. 6-7 p.m. $2 for ages 5 and older. Walk with a naturalist through the preserve’s woods and fields to view active animals at twilight.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration required online. Choose code #244776. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

6 SUNDAY Family Bingo. Century Center, 100 N. Green St., Carrboro. 2:30-3:30 p.m. $3/person. Take the family to play bingo. carrbororec.org.

Family Programs: Garden Buddies. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 2-3:30 p.m. $8/ resident, $10/nonresident. Learn about magic in the garden and create a magical garden of your own. All ages with adult.

Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Movies Under the Moon: “Hocus Pocus.”

The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill. 6:30 p.m. FREE. Enjoy a familyfriendly movie under the stars on a large screen. Play games in the courtyard prior to the showing of the movie, which begins at 8 p.m. carolinainn.com/events/ movies-under-the-moon.

OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

Triangle Independent School Consortium Admission Fair. Sheraton Imperial Hotel, 4700 Emperor Blvd., Durham. 2-4 p.m.

FREE. Explore independent school options with representatives from local institutions. tiscnc.org.

7 MONDAY Field School: A-maize-ing Grains. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 10-11 a.m. FREE. Investigate grains found in favorite foods. Use a mortar and pestle to discover makes whole grains healthy to eat. Try your hand at shelling corn and make a living necklace to take home. Ages 7-14. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

History Detective Mill Tour. Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-noon. $5/adult, $3/ child. Solve puzzles, hunt for clues and investigate the mystery of milling with real historical artifacts inside the only remaining water-powered gristmill in Wake County. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Kids Discover Nature: Nature’s Hide and Seek. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 11 a.m.noon. FREE. Discover how animals hide to survive and play a camouflage game.

Listen to a story and make your own hide-and-seek critter. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Ages 1-6 with adult. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Parent/Child Clay Workshop: Sea Turtles.

Durham Arts Council Clay Studio, 1058 W. Club Blvd., Durham. 10-11:30 a.m., 4-5:30 p.m. $15/child. Make sea turtles out of clay using slabs or pinch pots. Register online. durhamarts.org./classes.html.

8 TUESDAY Parent/Child Clay Workshop: Sea Turtles.

See Oct. 7. 4-5:30 p.m.

9 WEDNESDAY An Array of Arachnids. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill.

2-3 p.m. FREE. Learn about the arachnids in the park and take a walk to locate some in their own habitat. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. All ages. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Diggin’ the Dirt. Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5529 Awls Haven Dr., Raleigh.

12:45-2:15 p.m. $4. Ages 3-5 with adult learn about rocks and soil critters by digging in the dirt. Find hidden rock treasures, make a mud painting and plant a seed to take home. Wear clothes that can get dirty. Register online. Choose course code #244779. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Discover the Park: Walk in the Woods.

Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 10-11 a.m. FREE. Take a walk in the woods and discover the animals and plants that call the park home.

Help collect data for the Natural Resources Inventory Database and other citizen science projects. All experience levels welcome. Meet at the park office.

Registration not required. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

10 THURSDAY Spice it Up: A Cooking Class for Young Chefs. Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough. 4-5 p.m.

FREE. Ages 3-5 sharpen culinary skills and learn new ones. Call 919-245-2532 to register. orangecountylibrary.org.

11 FRIDAY Cary Town Band: “Stories We Tell.”

Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 7:30 p.m. FREE. Hear the Cary Town Band perform music from famous ballets, spooky stories and more. townofcary.org.

Crowder by Night: Going Batty. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex.

6-7 p.m. FREE. Learn about bats and take a night hike and look for them. Play a bat-inspired game. All ages with adult.

Meet at the Heron Shelter. Register online. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

Garden Buds: Pumpkin Spice. JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh.

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CALENDAR OCTOBER 2019 10:30 a.m.-noon. $5/child member, $7.50/child nonmember. Discover pumpkins through hands-on activities, creative art projects, garden walks and stories. Ages 3-5 with adult. Registration required online. jcra.ncsu.edu/events/ details.php?ID=2065.

12 SATURDAY Diggin’ the Dirt. See Oct. 9. 10:30 a.m.-noon.

Register online. Choose course #244778. reclink.raleighnc.gov.

Grey Seal Puppets Presents “Bathtub Pirates.” Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 11 a.m. $8/person. Follow the antics of Captain Blackbeard and his crew as they commandeer a child’s bathtub to carry out their daring plan. Purchase tickets online. etix.com.

Hemophilia of North Carolina: Family ’19 Festival and Walk for Bleeding Disorders. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Lake Crabtree Park, Morrisville. 9 a.m. FREE. Take part in a fundraiser to help prevent the complications of bleeding disorders.

Register online. hemophilia-nc.org/ festival.

Junior Naturalist: Flower Power.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 1-2 p.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident.

Participants develop their naturalist skills and understanding of local nature.

Ages 5-8 with parent. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Kidpower Starting Strong Workshop.

Hope Community Church, 2080 E. Williams St., Apex. 10 a.m.-noon. $45/child. Ages 4-7 learn how to recognize and avoid potential danger, how and when to set strong boundaries with people they trust and with strangers; and how to deal with bullies and peer pressure. Purchase tickets online. eventbrite.com.

Nature at Night. Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Pkwy., Morrisville. 7-9 p.m. FREE. Experience the sights and sounds of sunset. Learn more about the park’s nocturnal animals and test your night vision. Take a flashlight. Ages 6 and older. Registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree.

Photoshop Bootcamp. Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St, Durham. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $125/person. Learn the magic of Adobe Photoshop. Students must have a basic knowledge of PC Windows or Mac. Computers will be provided. Students are welcome to bring their own personal laptop, but they must have their own Adobe Photoshop software or subscription.

Register online. durhamarts.org.

Science Saturday: Fall Gardening.

JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 9 a.m.-noon. $10/child member, $15/child nonmember. Middle school students learn about the fall harvest by helping to replant the garden. Enjoy tasty treats. Registration required online. jcra.ncsu.edu/events/details.php?ID=2066.

Super Saturday by PAGE of Wake County.

Triangle Math and Science Academy, 312 Gregson Dr., Cary. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Free-$30. Students in grades K-8 enjoy enrichment classes in a biannual event organized by PAGE (Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education) of Wake County. Advance registration required online. wakepage.org.

Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. Halifax Mall, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.

3 p.m. $25-$30. Take part in a 5K race, a noncompetitive 5K run/walk, a recreational 1-mile run/walk and a kids dash. Proceeds fund local programs of the Autism Society of North Carolina. Register today. trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

Tots on Trails: Wiggly Worms. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10-11 a.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident. Ages 1-5 and caregiver delight in the discoveries of nature.

Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

13 SUNDAY Babies On The MOVE: Master Movers.

Open Arts, 1222 Copeland Oaks Dr., Morrisville. 11-11:45 a.m. $24. Take part in a class that teaches individualized ways to foster motor development for a child ages 7 months-walking. Learn about carry positions, best positions for a baby, how to help a child learn to crawl, walk and more. Register online. babiesonthemoverdu.com.

CALENDAR POLICY The Carolina Parent calendar lists local and regional activities for children and families. Visit carolinaparent.com/calendar to submit an event for consideration by

14 MONDAY Fun in the Kitchen: Halloween Treats.

Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 5-7 p.m. $35/resident, $46/nonresident. Ages 11-17 learn how to make desserts for Halloween. Register online. Choose course #127729. classweb.townofcary.org.

Kids Get Crafty: Marvelous Monsters.

Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.-noon. FREE. Create a monster to take home for Halloween. Materials provided. All ages with adult. Registration not required. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

the 6th of the month for the next month’s issue. Please call ahead to confirm dates

15 TUESDAY

and times. This calendar may include some events not intended for young children.

Lil Cooks in the Kitchen: “If You Give a Mouse a Brownie.” Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. 4-5:30 p.m. $23/resident, $30/nonresident. Read the story by

Find more events at carolinaparent.com/calendar.

46

Babies On The MOVE: Mini Movers.

Open Arts, 1222 Copeland Oaks Dr., Morrisville. 10-10:45 a.m. $24. Take part in a class that teaches individualized ways to foster motor development for a child.

Learn about tummy time alternatives, best positions for a baby, how to help a child learn to sit, roll and more. Register online. babiesonthemoverdu.com.

Curiosity Club: Nature’s Tree Houses.

Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 2-4 p.m. $8/resident, $10/nonresident. Ages 5-8 develop skills and knowledge about the natural world. Register online. classweb. townofcary.org.

Walk for Hope. The Angus Barn, 9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. All ages.

10 a.m. $30-$75. Free for ages 5 and younger. Take part in a 10K, 5K or 1-mile fun run to raise funds for local mental health research. Register online. walkforhope.com/events/walk-for-hope.

Witchy Legs. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 11:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. $31/resident, $40/nonresident. Craft witchy legs for the Halloween season. Ages 6-10. Register online. Choose course #126766. classweb.townofcary.org.

OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

CALENDAR OCTOBER 2019 Laura Numeroff and make brownies.

Register online. Choose course #127716. classweb.townofcary.org.

Nature Fun-Days: Fossil Fun. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.-noon. $9/resident, $12/nonresident. Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8.

Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

16 WEDNESDAY JCRA Homeschool Day: Fall Science.

JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh. 10 a.m., 11 a.m. $5/child member, $7.50/child nonmember.

Homeschoolers in grades K-5 enjoy hands-on learning experiences. Advance registration required online. jcra.ncsu.edu/ events/details.php?ID=2067.

17 THURSDAY JCRA Homeschool Days: Fall Science.

See Oct. 16.

SCS Healty Eating Tasting Night.

The School for Creative Studies, 5001 Red Mill Rd., Durham. 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Join local Chef Carmen Settles, who prepares two easy recipes, including a local food chosen by students. Vote for your favorite recipe and leave with a take-home recipe kit. Register online. scsptsa.wordpress.com.

Tutu Making Workshop. Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough.

6:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Ages 8 and older learn to make a tutu. Call 919-245-2532 to register. orangecountylibrary.org.

18 FRIDAY Going Batty. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 6-7 p.m. FREE. Learn about bats and their importance to the ecosystem. Read a story about bats and walk around the park to search for them. Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

All ages. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Harvest Home School Day. Historic Stagville, 5828 Old Oxford Hwy, Durham. 10 a.m.4 p.m. $4/student. Homeschool students enjoy a day of hands-on activities focused on the history of slavery and freedom in North Carolina. stagville.org/events.

Music and Stories Under the Stars. Weaver Street Market Lawn, 101 E. Weaver St., Carrboro. 5-7:30 p.m. FREE. Sip cider and enjoy a cookie while listening to music and a storyteller. All ages. carrbororec.org.

Night Out in Nature. Stevens Nature Center/ Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Raleigh. 6-9 p.m. $15/resident, $19/ nonresident. Kids spend a night out in nature in an old-fashioned, camp-style program. Ages 8-12. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

19 SATURDAY Canine Contests. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 1-3 p.m. FREE. Dogs show off their tricks and canine costumes.

All ages. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

Fall Bird Hike. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 8:30-10:30 a.m. FREE. Join local bird expert Larry Zoller to look and listen for feathered friends. Take binoculars. Ages 8 and older. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Halloween Miniatures. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 10 a.m.-noon. $19/resident, $25/nonresident. Make little pumpkins, a black cat and other Halloween creatures with polymer clay.

Ages 5-10. Register online. Choose course #127352. classweb.townofcary.org.

Halloween Yoga. Middle Creek Community Center, 125 Middle Creek Park Ave., Apex.

3-5 p.m. $19/child. Enjoy a yoga session in costume, games and treats. Ages 5-10.

Register online. Choose course #127452. classweb.townofcary.org.

Raleigh Children’s Business Fair. The Commons at North Hills, 421 Lassiter at North Hills Ave., Raleigh. 3-5 p.m. FREE. Shop with more than 40 businesses operated by local children ages 6-14. childrensbusinessfair.org/raleigh.

Seasons on a Farm: Going to the State Fair.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 1-5 p.m. FREE. Discover the origins of the North Carolina State Fair and the history behind some of its tasty treats. Make a craft to take home. All ages. Registration not required. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Teenpower Empowerment and Bully Prevention Workshop. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 1-4 p.m. $45/person or $55/family. Students learn skills to build healthy relationships and set boundaries in uncomfortable or unsafe situations.

Register online. eventbrite.com.

Nature Families: Raccoon Rascals.

Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.-noon. FREE. Learn about raccoons, make a raccoon mask and go on a scavenger hunt. All ages with adult.

FREE. Registration required online.

Meet at the upper pavilion. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

20 SUNDAY

23 WEDNESDAY

Bull City Race Fest. Southpoint Mall and American Tobacco Trail, 6910 Fayetteville Rd., Durham. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. See website for fees. Run in a half marathon, 5-mile race or 1-mile race. Register online. capstoneraces.com/bull-city-race-fest.

Family Features: Creepy Crawlies. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 2-3 p.m. FREE. Face your fears by exploring bugs and the important roles they play in their habitats. Meet the park’s own creepy crawlies. All ages with adult. Registration required online. Meet at the upper pavilion. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

Junior Naturalist: Owls. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 4-5 p.m. $8/resident, $10/ nonresident. Participants develop their naturalist skills and understanding of local nature. Ages 5-8 with parent. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Seasons on a Farm: Going to the State Fair.

See Oct. 19.

Nature Watchers: Raccoon Tune.

Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex. 11 a.m.-noon. FREE. Learn about ring-tailed mammals through hands-on discovery, stories and a fun craft. Ages 3-5 with adult. FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the upper pavilion. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

21 MONDAY Park Tales: “Mouse’s First Halloween.”

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-noon.

FREE. Read the story by Lauren Thompson and decorate a mini-pumpkin using various craft supplies. All ages with adult.

Registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

22 TUESDAY Natural Explorations: Forest Bathing.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 10-12:30 p.m. FREE. Join a park naturalist for an energizing walk in the forest. Ages 10 and older with adult.

Registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

24 THURSDAY Citizen Science Thursday. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 1:30-3:30 p.m. FREE. Assist with habitat box monitoring. Ages 10 and older. Meet at the Cypress Shelter.

Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

25 FRIDAY Discovery Table: The Natural Colors of Fall.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

FREE. Explore the natural factors that influence the onset, timing and intensity of autumn colors. All ages. Registration not required. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Monster Mash Family-Friendly Halloween Bash. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $30/ member family, $35/nonmember family.

Enjoy a costume contest, spooky science activities, face painting, a pumpkin carving contest and more. Register online. kidzuchildrens.museum.org.

Music from Stage and Screen II. Providence Baptist Church, 6339 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 7:30-9:15 pm. Free-$10. Enjoy a family-friendly concert featuring music from the well-known movies. raleighcommunityorchestra.org.

carolinaparent.com | OCTOBER 2019

47

CALENDAR OCTOBER 2019 26 SATURDAY 5 Factors 5K. Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Dr., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $30/individual, $70/family. Take part in a 5K for the prevention of child abuse.

Register online. 5factors5k.com.

Discovery Table: The Natural Colors of Fall.

See Oct. 25.

Hemlock Nature Quest: Nocturnal Wildlife Survey. Hemlock Bluffs/ Stevens Nature Center, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 6-8 p.m. $8/resident, $10/ nonresident. Search wetlands and forests for birds. Ages 13-15. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

Magnet, Early College and Year-Round Fair. Panther Creek High School, 6770 McCrimmon Pkwy., Cary. 9 a.m.-noon.

FREE. Families explore different school and calendar options in the Wake County Public School System. wcpss.net/page/17126.

Recreational Adventures: Paddle the Pond.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 11 a.m.-noon.

FREE. Learn basic canoeing skills and the millpond’s history, then head out to explore the pond’s many features as seen only from the water. Ages 5 and older

with adult. Registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

online. Meet at the upper pavilion. wakegov.com/parks/crowder.

27 SUNDAY

29 TUESDAY

Creepy Caching. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 1:30-3 p.m. FREE. Learn how to use a GPS unit to find special creepy caches hidden in the park. Ages 6 and older. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Discovery Table: The Natural Colors of Fall.

See Oct. 25.

Mixed Media Zombie Heads. Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary. 11:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. $31/resident, $40/nonresident. Make zombie heads with a variety of materials for the Halloween season. Ages 6-10.

Register online. Choose course #126774. classweb.townofcary.org.

Open Bounce. See Oct. 1.

28 MONDAY Tiny Tots: Bugs in Nature. Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd., Apex.

10:30-11 a.m. FREE. Explore bugs of different colors and shapes through centers, songs and stories. Ages 18 months-3 years. Registration required

30 WEDNESDAY Art in the Park: Fantastic Halloween.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

FREE. Make trick-or-treat bags and paper bag monster puppets. All ages with adult. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Fall Foliage Tour. E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd., Wake Forest. 10 a.m. FREE. Learn why leaves turn color during the fall season on a one-hour tour of native trees in the park. Tours take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Registration not required. wakeforestnc.gov/citizen-engagement/ community-calendar/fall-foliage-tours.

A Side of History: Great Ghostly Gourds.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh. 2-3 p.m. FREE. Learn about gourds and make a fun pumpkin-themed craft to take home.

Search for pumpkins during a walk. All ages with adult. Registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill.

Storytime on the Roof: Halloween Endof-The-Season Party. The Durham Hotel, 315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham.

10:30-11 a.m. FREE. Enjoy storytime on the roof of the library. Take a blanket or pillow. Register online. events. durhamcountylibrary.org/event/1810157.

31 THURSDAY Happy Halloween!

Art in the Park: Fantastic Halloween.

See Oct. 30.

Halloween Family Wagon Ride. Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hill. 11 a.m.-noon. FREE. Celebrate Halloween in costume on a wagon ride along the back roads of the park. All ages with adult. Advance registration required online. wakegov.com/parks/harrislake.

Nature Fun-Days: Creepy Crawlies. Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs, 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary. 10 a.m.-noon. $9/resident, $12/nonresident. Kids hike, make projects and engage in nature activities. Ages 5-8. Register online. classweb.townofcary.org.

FACES & PLACES Gabrielle (5) of Wake Forest wins a prize at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh.

Submit high-resolution photos of your kids having fun in the Triangle and beyond at carolinaparent.com/facesandplaces.

48

OCTOBER 2019 | carolinaparent.com

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