Ferris wheel, tethered balloon rides, more planned at Dix Park event Saturday

Dix Park will play host to a major event this weekend that will mark the one-year anniversary of the sale of the Dorothea Dix campus to the city of Raleigh and celebrate what's to come.

The day includes Ferris wheel rides, tethered hot air balloon rides, kids crafts and inflatables, a water zone, mist tents, magicians, aerialists, a Touch a Truck area and more. There also will be food trucks, a pig pickin', beer and wine area and a spot for picnics.

As part of the day, visitors also will have the opportunity to share their vision of the future of the property through activities.

According to the website, parking, shuttle buses, admission and activities are all free. Dorothea Dix Park is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. The state Department of Health and Human Services is headquartered there, so the city asks visitors to avoid the buildings and parking lots during business hours.