Weekend Plans: State Fair, pumpkin patches, free family sundae, more

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

The N.C. State Fair in Raleigh opened Thursday and runs through Oct. 25. Our State Fair guide for families} has lots of practical information if you go with kids. If you are there on Saturday, be sure to stop by the UNC-TV booth for Guest Star Day.

Pumpkin patches, haunted houses and corn mazes are in full swing. Our Halloween and fall fun guide has all of the details.

The N.C. Museum of Art in west Raleigh opens its new special exhibit, “The Worlds of M.C. Escher,” on Saturday. As part of the exhibit, which runs through mid-January, there are a variety of family activities, including a PancakeBot breakfast on Saturday, tours and more.

Bentonville Battlefield in Johnston County will host a living history program and fall festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. The program will include demonstrations by costumed interpreters, wagon rides, period carnival games, corn shucking contest, town ball (a form of 19th century baseball) and more. Most of the activities are free, but the wagon rides are $3 each (kids 5 and under are free).

The Apex Farmers’ Market will host its Fall Harvest Festival from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, at the market on North Salem Street. There’s a pumpkin carving contest and special activities for kids, plus opportunities to take home lots of seasonal produce. The market’s organizer will share a recipe for apple chips on Go Ask Mom on Friday.

The Friends of Durham Library Fall Book Sale is open to the general public Saturday and Sunday at the Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday (when there's a $7 bag sale in the auditorium and garage). This is a great way to restock those shelves and even grab some inexpensive gifts for the holidays.

Northgate Mall in Durham has a couple of activities. Kidcycle consignment sale’s Dollar Day is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, at the mall. Every item left for sale is just $1. Proceeds will support the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.

At 12:30 p.m., Saturday, SEEDS Garden Science, Durham’s urban garden sanctuary staff, will offer a free interactive program about sustainable agriculture, organic gardening, and ways for kids to learn Earth-friendly values. It takes place in the mall’s Discovery Nook.

The Raleigh Dance Theatre will offer a special free program at 4 p.m., Saturday, at North Regional Library in north Raleigh to promote its upcoming show “Storybook Tales” featuring “The Rainbow Fish” and “Snow White.” Dancers will dance along to the stories. The full show is Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts.

Cary’s eight fire stations will host open houses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. The open houses include activities and giveaways for kids.

N.C. State’s Stewart Theatre will present “Skippyjon Jones, Snow What,” at 3 p.m., Saturday, in Raleigh. Tickets are $12. The live show from TheatreworksUSA is based on the popular character created by author Judy Schachner.

The Strollerthon Kids’ Carnival supporting Postpartum Education and Support is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, at Bond Park in Cary. The event includes Lego activities, a Music Together class, face painting, carnival games, crafts and a raffle.

Kids Together playground’s annual fall foliage stroll is 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, at the Cary playground. Take a guided tour of the trees, shrubs and flowers at the park. Then take part in an art activity using plant materials gathered during the tour. Refreshments are included. It’s free. It’s at 111 Thurston Dr., Cary.

Knightdale's Drafts and Carafes Festival is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Knightdale Station Park. The evening includes food trucks, local beer vendors and North Carolina wines. It's a kid-friendly and dog-friendly event. Find the park's great playground, along with sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

CAM, the contemporary art museum in downtown Raleigh, will hold one of its regular Free Family Sundaes from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. The afternoon includes access to all of the museum’s exhibitions, tours led by middle school docents, crafts and make-your-own ice cream sundaes.

And North Hills’ Midtown Bluegrass Series will end the season with a free concert at Midtown Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, in Raleigh. During the concert, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a national nonprofit, will be selling cookies and other baked goods to help raise money for the group, which is dedicated to fund the development of less toxic and more effective treatments for kids battling cancer. Sounds like a fun way to spend an evening, enjoy a treat and help some kids.