Weekend Plans: Egg hunts, Phineas and Ferb, vet school open house, more

It's a big weekend for Easter egg hunts. You'll find the events at locations across Raleigh, including Pullen Park and Mordecai Historic Park, on Saturday. Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County will host a hunt in Hillsborough on Saturday. So will Cary at its Bond Park. For details and information about these and many other Easter events across the region, check our Easter events database.

Spring break also is coming up for many of us. If a week at home with the kids is in your future, check our spring break guide for ideas when it's time to get out of the house.

Disney's Phineas and Ferb stops at the Durham Performing Arts Center for three live shows on Saturday. Tickets start at $15 (not including fees). There are still seats available for all three shows, which are at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.

N.C. State's vet school open house returns on Saturday. This free and very popular event has been on hiatus for several years because of construction. But it's back and, I'm told, bigger than ever. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public is invited to get a closer look at what goes on at the school. There are a variety of special activities for kids, including a Teddy Bear Clinic and more. N.C. State's Farm Animal Days, another very popular free event for kids, also is Wednesday through Friday.

And N.C. State's JC Raulston Arboretum will launch its spring egg scavenger hunt on Saturday. The free, drop-in activity which involves painted plywood eggs with letters on them continues until April 8.

To promote her new book "Peggy Noodle - Hula Hoop Queen," Apex mom and author Dolly Sickles will hold what she's calling a hoopla at NOFO off Fairview Road in Raleigh's Five Points. It's from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, and includes a reading from her book and lots of hula hooping. Read my earlier post for details.

On Saturday, the N.C. Zoo moves to its expanded summer hours; opens its rides and entertainment attractions; and unveils a new exhibit featuring 15 giant dinosaurs. Read more about it here.

Wake County libraries' annual book sale is Thursday through Sunday at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Read my earlier post for details. There will be special family-friendly performances and activities on Saturday.

The Carolina Ballet's run of The Little Mermaid continues through Sunday. For more information, read my earlier post.

Marbles Kids Museum celebrates tiny science during NanoDays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The downtown Raleigh museum will be part of a nationwide festival that focuses on nanoscale science and engineering and its impact on the future. Scientists from Duke and N.C. State will be on hand. Free with admission, which is $5 per person.

Designer Consignor consignment sale, featuring clothes and more for women, is Thursday to Saturday at Cary Towne Center.

In Carrboro, The ArtsCenter's SuperFun Series continues with an 11 a.m., Saturday, performance of Animalia by Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets. Animals will come to life in this unique show that explores the adventures of all kinds of creatures. I'm told that Ford's puppets are amazing. Tickets are $9 for the general public and $7 for kids. Ages 2 and under are admitted for free. A family four pack is $28. The show, which is less than an hour, is best for preschoolers to early grade schoolers.

Frog Fest returns to Crowder Park in Apex (a great park, by the way) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The Wake County park's 13th annual event includes all kinds of educational activities, including games, crafts, animals, entertainment and more. It's free.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life team in Wilson County will have a vendor and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the Moose Lodge on Forest Hills Road in Wilson. Enjoy a day of shopping with a variety of vendors, a bake sale, door prizes and raffle. Admission is $2.

And Jun's World Champion Taekwondo is hosting an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at 6124 Falls of Neuse Rd. in north Raleigh. There will be demonstrations and drawings for prizes. Everyone who attends will receive a free class coupon.