Weekend Plans: State Fair, Grace for President, Cary Diwali, more

Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening on the family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more weekend activities.

Also … be sure to check our fall fun database too for pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses and other special events.

The N.C. State Fair runs through Oct. 22 in west Raleigh. Our State Fair guide for families has lots of practical information if you’re taking kids and highlights some free, fun and educational activities when you need a break from the rides and food. Also, don’t forget that UNC-TV’s pavilion next to Dorton Arena has all kinds of hands-on activities for kids, especially on Saturday.

Raleigh Little Theatre opens “Grace for President,” a musical version of the popular picture book about a girl who realizes that a woman hasn’t served as president yet. On Friday, after the premiere, First Lady Kristin Cooper will lead a discussion with local young women, who are helping out in the community. Performances run through Oct. 22 at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.

Cary Diwali 2017 is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Admission is free. Parking is $5. The day includes music, performances, food, demonstrations and more to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. A children’s activity tent will include crafts and other activities.

In Raleigh, Pullen Park’s October Friday night dinner and a movie series continues.

Carolina Ballet’s production of “Sleepy Hollow” at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh continues through Oct. 29.

Songs for Seeds will perform at 10 a.m., Saturday, at Midtown Farmers’ Market in North Hills. The group, which provides music classes for kids up to ages 6, will offer an interactive program for little ones. It’s free.

In Chapel Hill, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will host one of its Teen Science Cafes starting at 5:30 p.m., Friday. The focus is on bees. Chris Apple, a Durham County Master Gardener and a certified Journeyman beekeeper, will lead the program. Pizza (or some other treat) is part of the evening. It’s designed for kids ages 13 to 18.

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham will offer its TinkerTech workshops for families with kids ages 6 and up on Friday and Saturday. They are $25 per person. Participants will be repurposing old stuffed animals and creating their own creatures.

The Fuquay-Varina Fire Station No. 1, 201 S. Fuquay Ave., will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The free event includes fire station tours, demonstrations, safety games, Smokey the Bear and more.

And Mumkin Fest is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Knightdale Station Park in Knightdale. There will be food trucks and entertainment each day. On Saturday, you’ll find train rides, inflatables, arts and crafts market, and a pumpkin patch.