Summer's ready to take off: The week ahead with WNC Parent

Jan 28, 2024

Summer is almost here – and it's time to plan for family fun and for finishing the school year strong. WNC Parent can help with both! Find tips for summer fun (and protecting your mental health), family friendly picnic spots and much more at wncparent.com.

Stay in touch on social media @wncparent, and get your organization's family-friendly events on our calendar by emailing [email protected].

Party for the Planet is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 19 at WNC Nature Center. With a focus on native Southern Appalachian wildlife, the WNC Nature Center will honor the American Red Wolf for Endangered Species Day. Team up with Wands for Wildlife to create a Red Wolf mural out of repurposed mascara brushes Visit to contribute to the mural and show your support for the American Red Wolf. For details, visit wildwnc.org/event-details/endangered-species-day.

Downtown After 5 is May 19 on North Lexington Avenue with live music and more. The event is free and open to the public. For details, visit ashevilledowntown.org/downtown-after-5.

Tanglewood Youth Production Classes present Bright Star Young Performers May 20 and 21 at Asheville Community Theatre. Tickets are $5 each for ages 17 and younger and $12 each for adults and are available online at ashevilletheatre.org, by phone at 828-254-1320 or in person at the ACT Box Office.

The US Navy Blue Angels headline the Wings Over Wayne Air Show May 20 and 21 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. For tickets, details and schedule, visit wingsoverwayneairshow.com.

Asheville Junior Theater presents "Finding Nemo Jr." at 2 and 6 p.m. May 27 and at 2 p.m. May 28 at the Diana Wortham Theatre. For tickets and details, visit ashevillejuniortheater.com/upcoming-shows.

Register now for Zipping for Autism – June 4 at Adventure Center of Asheville.All proceeds will be donated to Camp Lakey Gap, which offers recreational and therapeutic programs to children with autism, vocational training opportunities for adults with autism, educational presentations and respite opportunities for parents and families, and scholarships for summer camp programs. For details and registration, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/zipping-for-autism.

LEGO Builders Club is at 3:30 p.m. May 23 at the Pack Memorial Library. Call 828-250-4700 or email [email protected].

Reptile and Amphibian Encounters with ecoEXPLORE is at 4 p.m. May 23 at the Saluda Library. Join this educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn about the many different herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) that call Western North Carolina home. For details, visit polklibrary.org.

Read to Puptart, a tail-wagging robot dog, 4 – 5 p.m. May 23 at the Enka-Candler Library. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading for up to 15 minutes. For details, call 828-250-4758 or email [email protected].

Reptile and Amphibian Encounters with ecoEXPLORE is at 4 p.m. May 24 at the Swannanoa Library. Join this educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn about the many different herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) that call Western North Carolina home. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/branch-locations/swannanoa.aspx.

Bouncing Babies (ages birth – 18 months with a caregiver) is at 11:15 a.m. May 25 at the Henderson County Main Library. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Reptile and Amphibian Encounters with ecoEXPLORE is at 4 p.m. May 25 at the East Asheville Library. Join this educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn about the many different herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) that call Western North Carolina home. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/branch-locations/east-asheville.aspx.

Kolo Bike Park $5 after 5 on Thursdays – Ride Kolo Bike Park on Thursdays for $5 after 5 p.m. Rentals are available for an extra charge. For conditions, call 828-225-2921. For details, visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

The Highlands Nature Center is open for spring hours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free. Visit highlandsbiological.org. Summer hours are scheduled to begin May 29.

Soaky Mountain Waterpark, a 50-acre outdoor waterpark in Sevierville, Tennessee, opens daily starting May 20. For more information visit SoakyMountainWaterpark.com.

Biltmore Blooms continues through May 25. For events and details, visit biltmore.com.

Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival is open through June 11. For details, visit dollywood.com.

"Cinderella: Enchanted" is presented June 9 – July 2 at Flat Rock Playhouse. This is a fresh take on a timeless classic, for children and adults. For tickets, visit flatrockplayhouse.org/cinderella.