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US: Providence, RI – Over 5,000 Intricately Carved Pumpkins and Spooky Nights at the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

A fall tradition at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, is the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, attracting more than 100,000 visitors for this truly “spectacular” event.

Don’t miss this year’s show that includes more than 5,000 intricately carved pumpkins featuring scenes of wizards, fairytales, and the luminaries of great myths and legends, alongside superheroes, and historical figures who changed the world. Revel in the sights and sounds of the season, and celebrate this otherworldly experience. This seasonal art show aims to delight and amaze the whole family, and not to scare anyone. – Tickets on-sale now

You can also experience the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. From 115 feet above riders enjoy an aerial view of the park and admire the plethora of jack-o-lanterns from above. Get an eagles-eye view over Providence and into Narragansett Bay in comfortable side-by-side seats.

There are also a number of Special Events taking place which are included in the price of admission (with the exception of Spooky Zoo and Boo at the Zoo Family Overnight). Kids and adults are encouraged to wear costumes; masks are not permitted for teens/adults over age 12.

Children’s Fairy Tale Nights – Wed and Thurs, Oct 10th & 11th @ 5:30pm-8pm: Meet beloved children’s fairy tale characters.  Take pictures with Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, Robin Hood and favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch.  As the sun sets, find your favorite fairy tales characters intricately carved on the pumpkins.

Wizarding Nights – Wed and Thurs, Oct 17th & 18th @6pm-8pm:
Wizards and witches get your wands, mount your brooms and fly on over to meet some of the characters from J.K. Rowling’s beloved series.  Before you embark on the pumpkin trail, try a butter beer or a chocolate frog.  Then travel the pumpkin trail, and identify characters and scenes from the wizarding world.

Super Hero Nights – Wed and Thurs, Oct 24th & 25th @6pm-8pm:
Comic book fans might meet Black Panther, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider Man, and the gang, take a photo, and find out how they all save the world.  As the heroes go back out to fight evil, find your hero’s pumpkin on the pumpkin trail.

Spooky Zoo – Sat and Sun, Oct 27th & 28th:
Spooky Zoo is back, offering daytime outdoor autumn activities for the whole family.  Come trick-or-treat (while supplies last)  beginning at 10:30 am on the Treat Trail by the red wolf exhibit. Kids and adults will enjoy a packed schedule of seasonal activities. Activities are free with Zoo admission and all children 12 and under dressed in costume get in for half price.

Boo at the Zoo Family Overnight – Sat, Oct 20th and Sat, Oct 27th, 2018:
Snooze at the Zoo for the wildest family overnight adventure in town. The night begins with pizza and ice cream before educators engage you and your children in an owl pellet dissection, program animal encounters, and give you VIP access to the world famous Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Set up your sleeping bags in the Meller-Danforth Education Center with popcorn and a movie to snooze to. You’ll need your zzzzs before waking up with the animals. A light breakfast will be provided before a morning Zoo tour.

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular takes place 7 days a week. Take advantage of Value Nights, Mon-Thurs, which will save you a bit of money and are usually less crowded.

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Dates: Oct 4 – Nov 4, 2018
Times: 6 – 11 p.m. (last admission at 10pm)
Tel: 401-785-3510
rwpzoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/jack-o-lantern-spectacular
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goprovidence.com

Canada: Hudson Village Theatre – Savannah Sipping Society is Light Summer Fun

Many of us enjoy a light read to while away a lazy summer afternoon. At the Hudson Village Theatre, you don’t even have to read to have fun – you can just listen and watch as four women meet, mingle and moan – and become a family of friends.

The director, Ellen David, takes this (Jessie) Jones (Nicholas) Hope (Jamie) Wooten delightful script and gently guides the dynamic quattro of actors as they learn “what is holding you back from one’s past and self-imposed limitations towards a compelling future”.  This could be any one of us.

The performers David chose are as well cast and strong as the four sides of a square. Randa Covington (Jane Wheeler) has defined herself by her work, and doesn’t know how to re-define herself beyond that. She tries to hold on to her safe proper business countenance, but is weighed down by feeling second best in her family. Marlafaye (Lisa Bronwyn Moore) gets the classic “dumped for a younger woman” part, so feelings of anger and rejection are keeping her from moving forward. “I swear the older you get the harder it is to jump start a new life”, she says.

Dot (Kathleen Fee), the oldest of the bunch, has just lost her husband, the only man she has known, and with whom she had planned to retire. She has no idea how to figure out what comes next. Her subtle acting is deliciously wonderful as she delivers many funny zinger lines. Paula Costain as Jinx moves and talks with the right zippy attitude to convince them, as their new “life coach”, to go (as David says)” beyond their comfort zone to a brave new world where they eventually find themselves”. Jinx reminds us that her older sister (now incapacitated with dementia) taught her that “it’s the happy in life that counts”.

The set by Jean-Claude Olivier is a comfortable porch, so the women have an informal place to gently and liquidly reveal their sagas. As this is a “Sipping Society”, drinking props (by Lea Robertson) were a fun challenge due to the many iterations of serving different kinds of alcohol. Marlafaye once toasted, “Girls, here’s to living single and drinking doubles”.

There were more costume changes than you would expect (by Elisabeth De Medeiros), creating a fashion show which helped define the scenes and the forward movement of their lives.

Jamie Wooten, one of the playwrights, was a writer for The Golden Girls, so the quality of their patter and the giggly one-liners is in the same genre of that hysterical show.  When Marlafaye sees Randa’s house for the first time she opines, “Yeah, sure is a pretty place. Everything’s so neat and clean. I’m not like that. Instead of cleaning my house, I just turn off the lights”.  When Randa comments on drinking mead, “This really isn’t so horrible”, Marlafaye responds, “The very words I said on my wedding night”.  Marlafaye also says,  “Sex is like a brownie – when it’s good it’s really good. And when it’s bad….it’s still pretty good!”.

Andrea Romaldi, the artistic director writes, “friendships are our lifelines and support structures. Good friends cheer us, challenge us, bewilder us and irritate us, but ultimately they support and help us grow into our best selves”. Head out to Hudson and lift a glass to friendship.

Location: 28 Rue Wharf, Hudson, QC J0P 1H0
Phone: 450- 458-5361
Dates: til July 22
https://villagetheatre.ca/

 

US: Fayetteville, NC: Join Pirates or the Mad Hatter for a Tea Party While Helping a Children’s Center

Bring your little ones to A Fairy Tale Festival & Adventure, a magical and enchanted festival full of characters from all your favorite fairy tales, benefiting the Sandhills Children’s Center.

Pirates on beach

Be ready to spend your day dancing with the trolls, princesses, pirates, fairies, elves and mermaids. Maybe join a treasure hunt with the pirates, unless they make you walk the plank. Go to the Mad Hatter’s tea party. There will be horse and carriage rides, hot-air balloon rides, face painting, story telling, tattoos, arts & crafts, food trucks and more.

You can find tickets to additional experiences like the Mad Hatter Tea Party, horse drawn carriage rides and early admission by clicking here

BelleEveryone is encouraged to come dressed in  costumes,  not just the kids but also the kids at heart. Make sure to bring your camera for plenty of magical photo opportunities.

The festival will be fun for the whole family, but especially designed for children 12 years of age and younger. This event will be held rain or shine.  For additional festival information and to purchase admission tickets, you can click here.loosecanon2

Location: Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376
Date: Sat, June 23, 2018
Time: 11am – 6pm
IndelibleProductions.net
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfayettevillenc

US: Mount Vernon, VA – Father’s Day Weekend with the Father of Our Country

Spend Father’s Day with the Father of Our Country. General Washington greets visitors and poses for photographs on Father’s Day weekend. Listen as Washington discusses his role as husband, stepfather, and Father of Our Country in the program “Father to the First Family.”

Father's Day Mount Vernon_dsc2475-2At George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, watch costumed distillers demonstrate how whiskey was made using 18th-century processes. Visitors are taken through the historic process of whiskey-making in this reconstructed 18th-century distillery including operating copper stills, stirring mash tubs, and managing the boiler as they demonstrate 18th-century distilling. A 16-foot waterwheel powers the giant gears and millstones of Washington’s remarkable Gristmill that includes the only operating Oliver Evans Automated Milling System in America.

Father’s Day Weekend takes place rain or shine. Visitor parking is always free at Mount Vernon.

Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121
Date: June 16 – 17, 2018
Times: 9am – 5pm
Tel: 703-780-2000
mountvernon.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitalexandriava.com

US: Providence, RI – From the Loom of a Goddess: Reverberations of Guatemalan Mayan Weaving

Established in 1877 part of a vibrant creative community, the RISD Museum’s art represents diverse cultures from ancient times to the present. Their newest featured exhibit – From the Loom of a Goddess: Reverberations of Guatemalan Mayan Weaving Costume and Textiles is presently on display.index

At the heart of Guatemalan Maya culture lies weaving. For more than 2,000 years, Maya women have woven intricate textiles on backstrap looms, and this exhibition celebrates Maya weaving today in southern New England’s thriving Guatemalan heritage community. The objects on view include textiles and garments made before 1917 and donated as a collection to the RISD Museum in 1982.RISDM 82-308-24a v_03_preview RISDM 82-308-33a v_01_preview

Displayed alongside these historic pieces are new works by Providence artist Sandra Lopez Naz and videos commissioned from local artists that show the resonance of Maya culture within contemporary conversations about activism and artistic production.

RISDM 82-308-33a v_03_previewExhibition Events:

Location: RISD Museum , 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903
Date: until Aug 19, 2018
Hours: Tues–Sun, 10 -5 pm, 3rd Thursday of each month, open until 9 pm
Tel: 401-454-6500
risdmuseum.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goprovidence.com

US: Miami Beach, FL- Florida Grand Opera: Free Family Day and Performance

Do you have a New Year’s resolution for 2018, perhaps that includes exposing your family to more culture, well here’s your chance. On January 6th, Florida Grand Opera is holding a fun-filled Family Day for those new to the genre or seasoned opera aficionados.

Explore the world of opera through hands-on activities, performances, interactive experiences, and the thrill of live theater. Enjoy a special presentation of Hansel & Gretel by the FGO Children’s Opera.

Florida Opera Piano2017-12-12_14-48-09Activities (while supplies last) –

10am-12pm: Black Box: Voice experience with an interactive voice lesson

Lab Theater: Instrument Petting Zoo

Classroom: Costume Demonstration and crafts

Dance Rehearsal Studio: Makeup/lighting color effects demo

12-12:45pm Hansel & Gretel Main Stage performance Floridsa Opera Hansel & Gretel FB_IMG_1510853432253

12:45 Post-show autographs and pictures in Main Stage Lobby

Appropriate for all ages. Free admission;  All patrons entering the theater require a ticket regardless of age. This includes children and infants.

Florida Opera Face Painting2017-12-12_14-50-12Location: South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
Date: Sat, Jan. 6th, 2018
Time: 10am – 2pm
Tel: 786-573-5316
Tel Box office: 786-573-5300
smdcac.org/events/fgo-family-day-2017
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & attractions: miamiandbeaches.com

 

US: Tybee Island, GA – New Year’s Day Plunge into the Atlantic Ocean on Tybee Island

Running into the chilly Atlantic might not be the typical way to celebrate New Year’s Day, but for the last 18 years, the Tybee Polar Plunge has done just that.Polar_Poster2018_e2

The annual Tybee Polar Plunge, is a tradition held every New Year’s Day at the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion. Join thousands of hearty and brave souls as they take a group  plunge into the into the icy Atlantic Ocean at noon or just come out and see who’s crazy enough to take the plunge and cheer them on.ElvesIMG_0270

The fun kicks off with the legendary Gang of Goofs costume contest and parade on the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion at 11 am before the plunge. So gather up your gang of goofy friends and family, dream up your wackiest costumes and compete for great cash prizes before a panel of celebrity judges.Getting In

So don’t hesitate, take the leap…Funds raised support the renovation of the historic Tybee Post Theater.

AVOID LONG LINES AND REGISTER IN ADVANCE!  Click Here

 

 

Location: Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion – Tybee Island, GA 31328
Date: Sunday,  January 1, 2018
Time: 10am
Tel: 912-472-4790, 912-786-5444
tybeepolarplunge.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visittybee.com, visitsavannah.com

US: Palm Beach, FL – Boo at the Zoo – A Fun, Safe, Not-So-Scary, Halloween Experience for Kids

Grab your ghosts and goblins and head to the wildest Halloween celebration in Palm Beach County. Palm Beach Zoo’s not-so-scary Halloween tradition Boo at the Zoo returns for it’s 19th year. Enjoy trick-or-treating all around Palm Beach Zoo, little kids costume contests, strolling famous costume characters, DJ, and more. Boo at the Zoo - Otter-Superman

There’s also an important conservation message at Boo at the Zoo. The candy given away at the zoo comes from manufacturers who belong to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) or follow comparable sustainability practices.  The harvesting of palm oil in Southeast Asia is one of the biggest threats to animals like the zoo’s Malayan tigers, and numerous other endangered species in SE Asia and Indonesia.

Most Boo at the Zoo activities are included in admission.

Location: Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405-3035
Date & Time – Days: Oct 20 – 22, Oct 27-29 10am – 4pm
Evenings: Oct 20 – 21, Oct 27-28
5pm – 9pm
Tel: 561-547-9453 (WILD)
palmbeachzoo.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: thepalmbeaches.com

Dates/Hours:

10/20 10am-4pm 5-9pm
10/21 10am-4pm 5-9pm
10/22 10am-4pm
10/27 10am-4pm 5-9pm
10/28 10am-4pm 5-9pm
10/29 10am-4pm

US: Woodbridge, VA – Pawesome PetOberfest at Stonebridge Potomac Town Center

The PWSPCA is teaming up again with Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center located in Woodbridge, Virginia to host the 2017 PetOberfest on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 11am – 4pm.Petoberfest - Pirate

The event will feature FREE pet and family friendly activities and pet oriented exhibitors. The P.A.W. Express Mobile Adoption Van will roll out for the day of fun festivities.Petoberfest - dog in truck

Activities include: Pet parade -Dress your pouch up in a Halloween costume and owners can dress up too,  children’s entertainment, Moonbounce, Parakeet Encounter, Mid Atlantic Disc Dogs, petting zoo, store discounts, prizes, and don’t forget to stop by the pet photo booth for a commemorative picture, all donations will benefit the Prince William SPCA.PetOberfest -family

All pets in attendance must be leashed.

Location: Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 15151 Potomac Town Pl, Woodbridge, VA, 22191
Date: Sat, Oct 14, 2017
Time: 11am – 4pm
Tel: 703-830-6586
sptcpetoberfest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: discoverpwm.com

US: Salem, MA – Surrender to the Spell of Salem and be Prepared to be Scared

Salem, MA Exit 47 to route 114: Salem is synonymous with Halloween and you are invited to a month long Halloween party. Throughout the entire eerie month of October, Salem offers the ultimate Halloween experience filled with fun, goosebumps worthy Salem Witch Museum2017-08-22_14-36-00entertainment.

Monsters of all shapes and sizes are welcome. Kicking off with “movie monsters” themed Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on Thursday, Oct 6th, “Wicked Wednesday” family programs, Tales & Tombstones Trolley Tours and so much more.  Hundreds of events for all ages are scheduled during October.

Surrender to the spell of Salem, check out the information below from haunted houses, historic landmarks, hotels and lodging, restaurants and taverns to costume parties, ghost tours, historic tours, events, psychic and tarot readings, witch and magical shops and transportation.Salem Kids in cup2017-08-22_14-40-15

Photo credits: John Andrews Photography

Salem, MA Schedule of EventsLocation: Various
Date: Oct 5 – 31
Tel: 978-744-0004
salemhalloweencity.com
hauntedhappenings.org

For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: merrimackvalley.org
salem.org