Weekend Plans: Fall fun, Paperhand puppets, festivals, more

Happy weekend! Lots going on on the family fun front. And, as always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more weekend ideas for the kids and adults in your life.

Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville opens for its fall season on Saturday with a pumpkin patch, hay rides, giant outdoor playground, sprayground and much more. It's the first of many pumpkin patches and corn mazes to open up in the next few weeks (many will open next weekend). Stay tuned for our 2016 fall fun and Halloween database for more details.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention massive summer show continues its run at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh this Friday and Saturday. The show features puppets of all sizes and kinds, music, storytelling and performances. This is a favorite of lots of families around here. Tickets are $12 to $17 for adults and $8.50 for kids ages 7 to 18. It’s free for ages 6 and younger.

Picture book author Andrea Beaty will be in the Triangle with her new book “Ava Twist, Scientist.” She is well known for her other books, including “Rosie Revere, Engineer.” She’ll be at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh at 10 a.m., Saturday, with her book. Triangle area Barnes & Noble stores also will feature the book during storytimes on Friday and Saturday. Check B&N's store locator to find the location near you.

Susan Sipal, Harry Potter expert and author of “A Writer’s Guide to Harry Potter,” will be at the Barnes & Noble at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham starting at 1 p.m., Saturday, with more information about her book, which is designed for writers, but also readers, of the Harry Potter series.

Project Palooza at Project Enlightenment near downtown Raleigh is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.., Saturday. The event designed for young children offers all kinds of activities including balloon art, a fire truck, book mobile, music and more. Project Enlightenment is Wake County Public School System's early childhood and intervention program. It's free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

A 9/11 Commemoration and Service Event is 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, at Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh. Participants can take part in a variety of service projects, hear words from local leaders and enjoy some live music. The event conclude’s Activate Good’s 9/11 Weekend of Service. Be sure to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to “fill the truck” for the Urban Ministries of Wake County food pantry.

Horses for Hope will hold its annual Fall Hay Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 10, at 2909 Banks Rd., Raleigh. Activities include introductory trail rides (for $20), pony rides (for $5) and hay rides (for $5). There also will be raffles, an auction and more. The group provides “therapeutic healing of the mind, body, and soul using horses as a dynamic, interactive tool for individuals of all ages, regardless of ability, including those who are experiencing physical, mental, or emotional challenges.”

The Raleigh Greek Festival is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The 35th annual event features food, music, dancing, vendors and more. Tickets are $3 and $2 for ages 13 to 18, but you can download a coupon for free admission from the event’s website.

Also at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, the N.C. Gourd Festival, celebrating all things gourd, is Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $2 and free for kids under 16.

The Raleigh Children’s Business Fair will feature 45 young entrepreneurs, who will sell and showcase their products and services. It’s 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Commons at North Hills in Raleigh. The event aims to teach kids about business ownership. They’d love lots of shoppers!

In Durham, Duke Homestead’s Harvest and Hornworm Festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. It’s free. Learn all about North Carolina’s farming culture and history and check out live music, local arts, crafts, hands-on history and more.

At Northgate Mall in Durham, Rags to Riches Theatre will present The Owl and the Turtle at 12:30 p.m., Saturday. Based on the tale by Lou Peters, Judy the owl wants a friend and meets Toni T. Turtle; they have a wonderful time playing until the sun comes up and have a great fright seeing each other’s differences, but later reunite and their friendship blossoms. This Durham-based traveling theatre troupe for young audiences performs stories pulled from history, literature and fantasy.

The 20th annual Durham Highway Fire Department Public Safety Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at Leesville High School in Raleigh. You’ll find live demonstrations, fire engines, safety vehicles, kids activities and Paw Patrol characters.

In Knightdale, K-Fest, the Knightdale Kids Education Festival, is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, at Knightdale Station Park. The festival will include a backpack/school supply drive, interactive stations, food trucks, healthy living information, education resources, an early childhood zone and more. Performances include a student talent showcase, Phoenix Lei, Jus One and headliner Midnight Star.

Transactors Improv: For Families! is 6 p.m., Saturday, at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. Best for grade schoolers and up. Tickets are $10 and $8 for kids and students.

And the D.I.G. Challenge, a six-week fitness challenge, starts Saturday with a free workout for kids at the Midtown Farmers’ Market. Registered participants also can take part in a workout for adults at Midtown Park on Saturday. Childcare will be available for a fee.