Travelsmartplanet

Bring Your Own Improv’s Family Friendly Comedy Show is a rarity – a comedy club that you can bring your kids to.

Bring Your Own Improv (BYOI) is now in its 10th season and family-friendly comedy shows are Fridays at 7pm. This interactive improv show welcomes voluntary audience participation, of all ages.

The format is similar to “Who’s Line is it Anyways” where different games and scenes are set up. The troupe asks for audience input, the actors put their own spin on scenes, and the action changes constantly,  so no two performances are ever the same. They encourage you to participate in one of three ways: Applaud at a scene you like, yell out fantastic suggestions, or if you feel you’re ready,  jump up and get involved with the performers on stage.

So if anyone in your family wants to flex their comic muscles or would just like partake and play along, the clever and creative cast will support you.  No worries, they only choose volunteers with hands up .

Why not start your weekend off with some laughs, the players are pros and know how to keep the audience entertained.  Sit back and chuckle your cares away with this fun, inexpensive night out with the family. This is a hidden gem if you’re looking for something to do while on a family vacation in the Providence or Newport area. There’s also a Late Night Comedy Show (PG-13) Fridays at 9pm.

For a list of all shows: bringyourownimprov.com/Shows.htm

Location: Warwick Center for the Arts, 3259 Post Rd., Warwick, RI 02886
Dates:  March Family-Friendly Shows –  Fri, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2017
Time: 7 – 8:30pm
Tel: 401-261-7678
bringyourownimprov.com
goprovidence.com/event/bring-your-own-improvs-family-friendly-comedy-show/29118/

For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goprovidence.com

Did you ever Rumba on the Lumber? If not, you gotta get there. The whole weekend is geared towards the entire family. 

The Rumba on the Lumber Festival features  live music, Rumba Games Exhibition – a battle between local fitness fanatics, Family Fun Ride/Rodeo, vendors, arts and crafts show, and the Lumbee River EMD Free Kidz Zone –  with rock climbing, inflatable bouncer/slide, children’s basketball game, a spinner mechanical ride, trackless train and a high-striker.

The annual Rumba on the Lumber Festival officially kicks off at 9 am with the Southeastern Health 5K, 10K run described as  very flat, fast, and fun, and the Family Fun Mile starts at 10am in downtown Lumberton.

Front and center is the Bud Light North of the Border Chili cook-off.  Crowds gather from 11 – 2pm, Saturday in downtown Lumberton to get a taste of what teams are cooking. About 30 teams compete in categories like Best Tasting, Spiciest, Strangest Ingredient, Best Chili Name and Best Cooking Outfits. Costumed participants find unique ways to set themselves apart from the competition.

Schedule of Events:-

Saturday – March 4th:

9am – Southern Eastern Health 5K and Southeastern Health 10K

10 – 5pm – Lumbee River EMC KidZone activities at the Courthouse Plaza

10 – 5pm – Business, Craft and Food Vendors Galore

11am – Southeastern Health Family Fun Run/Walk

11 – 2pm – Bud Light North Light of the Border Chili cook-off with music by the Goldrush Band

TBA – The Rumba Games Fitness Competition

2 – 5pm – Concert at the Courthouse Plaza with the Blackwater Rhythm and Blues Band

Events on Sun March 5th:(starting at Northeast Park)

12 Noon – Yamaha of Lumberton Metric Century ( 100K Cycling Race)

1:30 – Cruzbike 20-Mile Adventure Ride

3:30 – Family Fun Ride/Rodeo

Go out and join the Lumberton community at this  FREE weekend hugely packed with entertainment and family fun.

Location:Downtown Plaza – 200 N. Elm Street, Lumberton, NC 28358
Date: Sat March 4 – Sun March 5, 2017
Time: Sat 9 – 5pm. Sun 12 – 4pm
Tel: 910-671-3876
lumberton-nc.com/event/rumba-on-the-lumber-2017
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: lumberton-nc.com

If you like to dip your toes into casino waters, head to the Hollywood Casino Perryville, the first gaming facility to open in the state of Maryland. Smaller in size, not too noisy  and a friendly atmosphere makes for a pleasurable experience.

With over 850 slots, there is a good mix of classic favorites and some of the newest technology. including the Ellen (Degeneres) video slot machine. There are also 20 tables highlighting classic casino games. They also offer off-track betting.

If you’re like us and prefer to do a little shopping instead of trying your luck, step inside the Rodeo Drive Gift Shop for a good selection of Maryland souvenirs, collectibles from Hollywood’s classic movies , unique gifts and souvenir Hollywood Casino items.

As for eats, the Celebrity Bar and Grill, casual dining venue, features a variety of entrees each with its own special flair. Celebrity Bar and Grill offers FREE live entertainment every Saturday night and weekly trivia contests and karaoke nights.

Guests must be 21 Years or older to enter the Casino, restaurants and shops.

Location: Hollywood Casino, 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, MD 21903
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Tel: 410-378-8500
hollywoodcasinoperryville.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: seececil.org

It’s been a local favorite for almost 25 years, Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival still has legs; frog legs that is. Bring your family and friends and enjoy live music, crafters, midway rides, games, bull riding, petting zoo, pony rides and the main event – the Frog Legs and Gator Tails. 

Fellsmere has been proclaimed Frog Leg Capital of the World and The Frog Leg Festival holds 2 Guinness Book World Records for The Most Frog Legs served in the course of one business day and the Largest Frog Leg Festival in the world. With over 80,000 attendees serving over 7,000 pounds of frog legs and 2,000 pounds of gator, the Frog Leg Festival has come a long way from its humble roots of 400 dinners.

There’s something for everyone. Money raised at this event goes towards the recreational needs of the children of Fellsmere.

Free Admission. Free Parking. Free Shuttle Parking at MESA park Saturday 1pm – 11:30pm and Sunday 1pm – 6:30 pm.

Location: Fellsmere City Complex, 22 South Orange St., Fellsmere, FL 32948
Dates: Jan 19th – 22nd, 2017
Hours: Thurs, Fri 4pm – 11pm, Sat 10am – 11pm, Sun 11am – 6pm
Tel: 772-571-0250
froglegfestival.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: indianriverchamber.com
sebastianchamber.com

Trying to decide how to bring in the New Year? How about a  family-friendly, FREE celebration “ Downtown 31st” – Finale Event held for kids and adults in Riverfront Park and at Market Square for teens, both  in downtown Fredericksburg. This alcohol-free event has an early countdown and is a fun way to culminate the New Year with family and friends of all ages.

With loads of entertainment: Live Music and Dancing, Teen Area, Children’s Area, Games & Interactive Activities, Line Dancers , Entertainers, Crafts, Moon bounce, Food Vendors, Snow Maze, and Burn regrets and share new resolutions. There’s definitely something for everyone at this street party.

The piece de resistance is the Ping Pong Ball Drop at 9 pm that will be dropping 3,000+ ping pong balls including 100+ winning prize balls. Be sure to check out the selfie holiday cards in Riverfront Park.

Location: Riverfront Park, 600 Sophia St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Date: Sat, Dec 31, 2016
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
Tel: 540-372-1086
downtown31.com/finale-event
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfred.com

This is a special Courtyard, located on the grounds of the University of Delaware, so you can take advantage of University fun. Check to see if you can catch a game or something exciting going on on the campus. The hotel works closely with the University Hospitality Program, helping to teach future hoteliers, and has always employed hearing-impaired staff. It’s not only disability friendly, it is pet friendly too – including small pet yard outside.

There is good reason why this hotel is the winner of numerous Trip Advisor and Marriott awards for excellence in guest service, as evaluated by direct guest feedback. With over 250 years of hospitality experience on the management team, Bill Sullivan and his award winning crew do an amazing job exceeding your expectations.

Enjoy modern accommodations, state-of-the-art technology, and impeccable service at the  four-story, 126-room Courtyard Newark-University of Delaware. The hotel offers all of the comforts of home for your visit – whether you’re in the area for business, or to visit the campus of the University of Delaware. Make yourself at home in the spacious, pleasingly designed rooms and suites, equipped with a well-lit work desk and ergonomic chair, free high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen HDTVs, mini-fridges, and comfy pillowtop mattresses.

For an interesting dining experience, ask them about the unique student restaurant on the campus – and the student ice cream parlor too. It is truly farm-to-table, since other students learning about the dairy industry care for the cows, milk them and prepare the cream for the ice cream.  Sample healthy American fare and award-winning crab cakes at The Bistro, which also serves Starbucks® coffee. Squeeze in a workout in the fully-equipped fitness center, or take a swim in the indoor pool. Book today, this hotel won’t disappoint!

Location: Courtyard Newark: 400 David Hollowell Dr., Newark, DE 19711 (GPS use 200 New London Rd)
Tel: 302-737-0900
udel.edu/hotel
For Regional Restaurants & Accommodations: go-delaware.com/Newark-Delaware

Last chance to see Heart and Seoul: Growing Up in Korea is a new, cultural exhibit in which five modern-day Korean kids will open their hearts and invite you to take an intimate look into their lives through their diverse interests, customs and ambitions. The traveling exhibition will be in town only until end December at Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

The exhibit, both fun and educational, will use traditional folktales as well as current day personal stories told by Korean children to engage visitors in learning about time-honored cultural values and life in South Korea’s highly urbanized and technologically-advanced country.

Children and visitors will be able to explore gallery areas that recreate the settings that characterize the lives of typical South Korean children in Seoul, such as an apartment, classroom, taekwondo studio, and K-pop stage. Throughout the exhibit, these spaces will be embedded with traditional folktales and games to show how values like respect for parents and elders; the importance of scholarship; loyalty to family, friends and community; and hospitality are still an integral facet of 21st century Korean life.

Hands-on experiences include:  an animation studio where visitors can try their hand at stop-motion animation. (The popular television series The Simpsons and Family Guy were created in Korean studios, as was the film Avatar.) Musically inclined kids will take the stage at K-Pop Stars Studio, where they can get on camera and “perform” with popular K-Pop singers. There’s a Taekwondo studio, where kids can practice their moves and learn this martial art based on 2,000-year-old ancient techniques.The exhibit also includes a plaza, a restaurant, an apartment, a classroom and a Hanok guest house.

Location: Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Mathews Park,
303 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850 |
Dates: til the end of Dec.
Hours: Mon – Sun, 10 – 5 pm
Tel: 203-899-0606
steppingstonesmuseum.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfairfieldcountyct.com

The Wilson Whirligig Festival is a community celebration of people and art in motion held the first weekend in November, where everyone comes together for an energetic street festival focusing the whimsical North Carolina Folk Art, Vollis Simpson’s Whirligigs.

Don’t forget to check out the Cake Dive, the festival’s MESSIEST event, held on the Courthouse plaza on Sunday at 4 pm.  Participants  “dive” into a large10 ft x 10 ft anniversary cake for a variety of prizes.

With 35,000+ attendees , over 200 vendors, 3 stages of entertainment, arts & crafts
food vendors, FREE! Whirli-Kidz Zone and lots of Special events.

This commemoration is truly family-friendly and kid focused. FREE  live performances all day long with a wide variety of dance and demonstrations, from hip hop to lyrical, from clogging to ballet, from singing to karate. Play carnival games, create a craft, slide down a giant 26 foot slide or bounce in one of the many inflatable activities. Children of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities. Kids shouldn’t have all the fun! Demo’s available for 16 and up. Virtual Reality is not just for gamers anymore, it is everywhere. Learn more about this technology.

Location: Historic Downtown Wilson, 112 Goldsboro E ,Wilson, NC 27893
Date: Sat, Nov 5 – Sun, Nov 6, 2016
Time: Sat 10 – 5pm, Sun Noon – 5pm
Tel: 252-289-9650
whirligigfestivalnc.org

For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: wilsonnc.org

Walterboro, SC Exit 57:  Mark your calendars for the Colleton Center’s 8th Annual charity game- Polo for the Point. Learn all about this exciting sport while watching an exhilarating polo match, all for a great cause.

Each polo team consisted of four people on horses and the game lasts for eight chukkas, each of which is seven minutes long. Gate open at noon, pre-game activities begin at 1 pm, with the actual  Benefit Game taking place from  2 – 4pm.

Festivities include: Best Tailgate and Best Hat Contests, Foxhunting Demonstrations, Benefit Match and Stomping of the Divots and wonderful children’s activities: Facepainting, Pony Rides, Balloons by Becky and Trick or
Treating.

Don’t forget to bring your tailgate, as no other foods or drinks will be sold. Proceeds will be used to continue the preservation and restoration of the Colleton Center.

Location:Limehouse Polo Grounds, Highway 15 North, 7201 Jefferies Highway Walterboro, SC
Date: Sun, Oct 30, 2016
Time: Gates open at Noon: 1pm – 4pm
Tel: 843-549-8360
thecolletoncenter.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: walterborosc.org

It’s a game that you rarely think of playing outside a five-by-two foot space. It incorporates skill, concentration and hand-eye coordination. It’s foosball, the tabletop-size game that has a household presence but with an entirely new approach.

The human version of the tabletop classic is remarkably similar to its traditional counterpart, but on a much larger scale. Teams of 6 attach themselves to fixed poles across the field and can only move to the right or left as a team, to move the ball up the field. Teams consist of 2 Forwards, 3 Mid-fielders and 1 Goalie. Watch your favorite table-top game come to life when twenty-four teams  participate in this round robin tournament taking place on the grounds of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

Cash prizes are awarded to the top three teams. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. The tournament raises money for the museum’s nonprofit foundation.

Location: Airborne & Special Operations Museum,100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville, NC 28301
Date: Sat, Oct 1,2016
Time: 9 – 5pm
Tel: 910-643-2778
asomf.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfayettevillenc.com