Weekend Plans: Summer reading, 'The Princess Bride,' improv, Kidz Bop

Summer break is here (for many kids!). Check our Summer Break Guide and keep it handy for activities that will carry you through August. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more weekend events, including the Komen Race for the Cure at Meredith College in Raleigh.

Summer reading programs have launched for the summer and two library systems - Chapel Hill and Durham libraries - will be hosting special events to celebrate. Durham’s summer reading kickoff is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at Northgate Mall. The free program includes performers, music, games, face painting and more. Chapel Hill’s program is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday. The afternoon includes activities for all ages and some special guests.

Knightdale will screen my favorite movie of all time, "The Princess Bride," at dusk on Friday evening (around 8 p.m.). The free screening takes place at Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater. Concessions will be available for sale.

Apex Farmers’ Market will host its Blueberry Festival from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday. The morning includes the Kiwanis Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, blueberry cook-off contest, live music, ice cream, activities for kids, cooking demonstration and more.

The first Get Down in Midtown Summer Concert is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, at Midtown Park at North Hills in Raleigh. The concert features student musicians involved in the Kidznotes program and headliner, The Beast+BIG BAND. The event will serve as a fundraiser to send 100 kids to a three-week summer camp. Admission is free. VIP tickets, including food and drinks, are $45.

Transactors Improv: For Families! will perform a fun, family-friendly improv show best for grade schoolers to middle schoolers at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Common Ground Theatre in Durham. Tickets are $10 and $6 for students and kids.

The Designer Consignors women's consignment sale is at University Mall in Chapel Hill through Saturday. The sale features women's clothes, accessories, home decor and more.

Polar Ice House of Garner will hold an open house from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday. The event includes free skating and hockey intro classes, free public skating, snacks, street hockey and more.

The State Capitol in downtown Raleigh will mark its 175th anniversary with special events on Saturday. A free daytime festival runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, with family-friendly activities inside and outside the building, including music, military re-enactors, demonstrations, a trackless train, hands-on activities and birthday cake. An evening ticketed fundraiser includes bluegrass music and barbecue plates. Meal tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for kids. To purchase tickets in advance, call 919-733-4994. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

On Sunday, Kidz Bop is stopping in Durham for two shows at the Carolina Theatre. They’re playing at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The “Make Some Noise” tour performs “family-friendly versions of today’s biggest hits in this energetic and interactive live show.” Tickets start at $20.

Finally, downtown Raleigh’s big food truck rodeo is 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. My advice, if you go with kids: Pick the trucks you want to eat at before you go, go early, get in line and get your food before it gets really busy!