What's Going on This Weekend- February 18th and 19th

Whew, something for everyone going on this weekend in and around Lexington. Enjoy a Robotics and Engineering event, two Lego events, musical and construction story times, a Daddy's Gala, Kid's Open Mic, a sensory friendly jump time, or enjoy the warmer weather with a salamander search or creek walk. Saturday looks like it may rain with a high of 58 and Sunday is sunny with a high of 64. Have a great one!

Saturday, February 18th

South Elkhorn Christian Church is having a Raising Runners Training run from 9am to 10am. It's hard for our little runners to get their training runs done when it's so cold outside. Ashleigh Freda, The Running Wife, has organized training runs to be held at South Elkhorn Christian Church. Ages 2-10 are welcome to join us for a FREE running clinic, if you are able please bring a canned food item or warm clothing item such as hats/gloves (children's sizes needed) so we can donate to some of our friends. Doors will open at 8:50am, and we require all parents to stay with their child, space is limited to 50 children so please RSVP here.

PolkaDot PlaySpot is having a Saturday Open Play from 9am to 1pm. The PolkaDot PlaySpot will be open for a special Saturday open play session on February 18th from 9 am to 1 pm. It is a chance for those of you not free during the week to come play with us! We will have special Valentine's themed crafts and activities, and each paying customer will receive a free snack and drink. Regular admission rates apply at $7 per child, siblings $5. Adults free. More information here. Or, see my review of the PolkaDot PlaySpot here.

The Family Center in Wilmore is having a Robotics and Engineering Making the World Safer (STEM Saturday) event from 10am to 12pm. The Blue Grass Army Depot is home to one of the last two remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons in the United States. The 523 tons of munitions are currently stored in underground bunkers. The mission to eliminate these weapons is well underway with the construction of the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP). Safety is extremely important at BGCAPP. How do workers transport munitions through the destruction process when the machines are located inside sealed buildings? With robots, of course!Inside the Munitions Demilitarization Building, a series of automated equipment and robots will process the M55 rockets. Engineers and scientists work together to ensure all workers and the community stay safe.This presentation demonstrates the use of robots in the chemical weapons demilitarization process.Activities for the whole family, but this event is geared toward ages 5-15! $5 per family - Free for Family Center Members. More information here.

Fit4Mom Lexington is having an Our Village: Family Day and Candy Heart Frames event from 10:30am to 11am. It's Free Family Day! Bring your family and friends for this fun family workout, followed by a candy heart pciture frame craft! We'd love to see you there! More information here

The Magical Toy Shoppe is having a Musical Story Time from 11am to 11:30am. Saturday February 18th, Kindermusik will be joining us at The Magical Toy Shoppe for a special musical story time at 11am. Bring your kids in for a fun interactive story experience. We hope to see you there! More information here. And, for a review of The Magical Toy Shoppe, see my post here.

The Signature Club of Lansdowne is hosting a Daddy's Gala from 5pm to 8pm. Beau Ideal Events invites fathers and daughters, of all ages, to our second annual Daddy's Gala. Experience a SWEET evening of dancing, bonding and father daughter fun! Live dj, dinner, photos, raffles, prizes, dessert bar, glamour station, fashion show, networking and so much more. In the Signature Club Grand Ballroom. $50.00 Father and Daughter, $15.00 Additional Daughter, $85.00 Princess Package: Escort your princess to The Castle Post, for a Princess Meet and Greet, Professional Photos and to receive her Personalized Royal invitation to Daddy's Gala (Limited tickets available). For more info call (859) 492-6831 or email beauidealevents@gmail.com. More information here.

BCTC is having a Science Safari event from 10am to 12pm at the Newton Campus. Solar Eclipse Activity and Information about the upcoming eclipse this year. Make your own solar eclipse viewer. Robots, Planets, Drones, 3D printing, Solar Scope (if weather permits), GPS activity, craft room, plus, many other activities. More information here.

Sky Zone has Toddler Time from 10am to 11am. Let your kids 5 and under enjoy three different jumping areas, including a foam pit. Toddler Time is a great shared experience for child and parent. A time for your little ones to discover the joy of being active, bouncing under the supervision of their parents, and without interference from the big kids. $12 per child, including socks. $2 extra for non-jumper parent socks. More information here.

Lexington Dance Factory has a Mommy and Me class (ages walking to 2 years) from 9am to 9:30am. Free. More information here.

The Carnegie Center is having a Toddler and Early Learner Combined story time from 10:30 to 11:30am. Join us for story time, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books* designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first-introduction to a story-time setting. Choose one date each month; you may change month-to-month depending on which day works best for you. Funded by PNC Foundation.*The first 25 pre-registered families in attendance each month will bring home a free copy of the book. For ages 2-5 years with adults. More information here.

Joseph Beth is having a Lego Play Day at 11am. All ages event. Get your build on as we play with Legos. Get creative with all the pieces! You'll be able to build whatever your heart desires with our big tub of Lego blocks. More information here.

Joseph Beth is also having a Kid's Open Mic with John Crissman at 2:00 pm. Get your jokes, funny costumes and stage magic ready for some hilarious fun! Tell jokes to a live bookstore audience and see how many grown-ups you can get to fall out of their chairs laughing. Local comedian, John Crissman packs all the punches for this popular monthly event! More information here.

Barnes and Noble is having a Mighty, Mighty Construction Site Storytime at 11am. All of our favorite trucks are back on the construction site - this time with a focus on team-building, friendship and working together! Will they get the big job done? Come and find out at Storytime featuring Mighty, Mighty Construction Site. Coloring and activities to follow. More information here.

The Lexington Opera House is performing Rodgers and Hammerstein Cinderella at 1pm and 6:30pm. Presented by Broadway Live, Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is the Tony Award®- winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that's delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love - the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more - plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible" and "Ten Minutes Ago," in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who's ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes. Tickets from $58. More information here.

Eastside Library is having a Lego Lab from 10am to 12pm. Put your imagination to work and join us for some free-builld Lego fun. Plan, create, and build at your own pace or work with friends. For grades K-5. More information here.

Raven Run is having a Salamander Search at 1pm. So many salamanders call Raven Run home. Join park staff for a walk along the creek in search of the streamside salamander. Be sure to wear waterproof boots for this program/hike. More information here.

Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve in Winchester is having a creek walk from 10am to 11am. Winter is a great time to explore Lower Howard’s Creek without its usual cover of vegetation blocking our views of its unique topography. It’s an opportunity to visit areas not usually seen in the other three seasons of the year, and heat is not an issue! All hikes will be at 10 a.m., at the main entrance on Athens-Boonesboro, unless otherwise noted. The Preserve’s manager, Clare Sipple, will be leading this hike, and will take visitors to some of her favorite out of the way places within the Preserve. Since this is a Kentucky State Nature Preserve, no dogs are allowed on the hikes. All children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. The terrain at the Preserve is quite steep and rocky, so please wear appropriate shoes or boots. Group size is limited, and it is requested that you make reservations in advance. Since these hikes are contingent on decent weather, please call the Preserve office if there is a question about suitability of the weather. Phone number of the office is (859) 744-4888. More information here.

Ft. Boonesborough State Park is having a Fireside Chats Series- Join us for "A Taste of the Frontier", your evening meal, and then enjoy a first person historical character presentation, this week is the Harpe brothers. Taste of the Frontier served 5:30PM - 6:15PM, Fireside Chat at 6:45PM. The 18th Century Tavern blockhouse will also be open prior to the chats, until about 6:30PM. If you would like to browse the tavern, please make time to come a few minutes early. . Admission is $15 per person, $5 children under 12.Reservations required and there is limited seating. Call (859) 527-3131. More information here.

Sunday, February 19th

Sky Zone will be having another Sensory Friendly Jumping event from 7pm to 8pm.We will turn off the music and dial down the distractions for jumpers who need a more sensory friendly experience. This special time is open to jumpers with all special needs and their families and the price is just $10 for the 60 min jump (includes SkySocks.) Mad Mushroom is generously donating pizza for everyone to enjoy after the jump. Please plan to arrive at 6:40pm to check-in for the 7pm jump. More information here.

The Lexington Opera House is performing Rodgers and Hammerstein Cinderella at 1pm and 6:30pm. Presented by Broadway Live, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is the Tony Award®- winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that's delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love - the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more - plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible" and "Ten Minutes Ago," in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who's ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes. Tickets from $58. More information here.

Lexington Children’s Theatre is presenting “The Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963” at 2pm. This powerful story based on the Newbery Honor Book by Christopher Paul Curtis follows the Watson family as they find themselves thrust in the middle of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, AL in 1963. Uncertainty is life, threats are constant, and family is everything. $18 adults, $15 children. Recommended for ages 8 & up. More information here.