Family Events and Activities

Family Events in Jacksonville and Surrounding Areas

Welcome Home Military Appreciation Service and Picnic
Sunday May 6th @ Wilson Bay Pavilion

The Salvation Army is having a "Welcome Home", Military Appreciation Service and Picnic on Sunday, May 6th at Wilson Bay Pavilion. All are welcome!
Outdoor Military Appreciation Service begins at 11:00AM
FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP Family Picnic to follow until 4PM. Please join us as we officially Welcome Home our Military Service Men & Women!
Wilson Bay Pavilion
5 E. Bayshore Blvd.
Jacksonville, NC
call 910-346-8800

AQUARIUM OPEN LATE JULY 31 FOR FAMILY FUN: 

 
Kure Beach - Help us celebrate Shark Week by demystifying these misunderstood top predators and figuring out why sharks rule the oceans. Learn about the almost 400 species of sharks with interactive programs, fishy crafts, and surprising reminders that prove just how unthreatening sharks really are! Join us for "Sharks", the final Family Night of 2008! Live animal presentations, animal encounters and fun are all part of this event. Meet Sledge from the Wilmington Hammerheads from 6-8 p.m. The evening also features steel drum music by Andy Whittington of Sea Pans. Watch the alligators chomp on their dinner at 6:00 pm and talk to a diver underwater at 7:00 pm. These and a variety of other activities for all ages are free with paid admission or membership. Ticket sales end at 8 pm. Visitors who tour the Aquarium earlier in the day may return for Family Night activities at no additional charge, if they present their receipts. Aquarium admission is $8 for adults, $7 for ages 62 and over and $6 for ages 6-17. Children 5 and under and North Carolina Aquarium Society members are admitted free. Visit www.ncaquariums.com or call 910-458-8257 for more information

BACK TO SCHOOL CONCERT SERIES 

The Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department and Onslow County Public Library are sponsoring a "Back To School" music series. Concerts are held outdoors at the Onslow County Public Library on Thursday evenings. Times of each concert are 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The August line up includes: Aug. 7, Arise Awake (Blues); Aug 14: New River Harmony (Barbershop); Aug 21: Lucia & Levi (Variety); Aug. 28, The Capparuccia's (Variety). Concerts are free and open to the public. Pack up the family; bring lawn chairs and blankets. Join us for a variety of music and fun. In case of rain, the concerts will be held indoors at the Library. This program is funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, a State Agency, and awarded through the Jacksonville/Onslow Council For the Arts. The Library is located at 58 Doris Ave. Call 347-5332 or visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks

J.J. Miller's Community Fun Day : August 02 2012

Successful local athlete gives back to his Duplin County community by hosting his free J.J. Miller's Community Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville, North Carolina The event is free to the public with rides, activities, games and more. Barbecue and chicken plates will be sold along with hot dogs and drinks. All proceeds will go to the Driven Perfect Foundation which goal is to enhance the lives of youth through education, mentoring, and recreational programs. For more info contact: John Vogt, Executive Director, Duplin County Events Center, 910-275-0009 or jvogt@duplinevents.com

LYNNWOOD PARK ZOO - Jacksonville NC

Visit with the llama, emu, rhea, turtles, goats, prairie dogs and other animals, birds and reptiles on self-guided tours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Monday. Picnic area available. Admission $6 adults, $5 children ages 2-12, children under 2 admitted free. Guided group tours are available by appointment only Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 1071 Wells Rd. off U.S. 258. 910-938-5848 or http://lynwoodzoo.tripod.com

MIKE'S FARM - BEULAVILLE

Specialty is agri-tourism, which includes hayrides, Christmas trees, pumpkin picking and a variety of other crops. Goal is to educate children about farm life of today and years ago. Holds various events throughout the year. Also contains a country store, restaurant and petting zoo. 1600 Haw Branch Rd. 910-324-3422 or www.mikesfarm.com

30 ACRES AND A MULE FARM - JACKSONVILLE

The farm's fourth annual Corn Maze is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Indoor Gem Mining includes polished stones and real gems such as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, etc. A gem cutter will be on-hand on weekend afternoons to help visitors design their own jewelry. Also features a party/meeting room with waterfall, and a gift shop. No reservations are needed except for groups of 12 or more. Open during the week for reservations. The farm is open Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. Located at 125 McGowan Rd., off of U.S. 258. For more info, call 910-324-4499 or visit www.30acremule.com

AUDITIONS FOR WILMINGTON SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA: 

WILMINGTON - Sept. 4, auditions will be held for new and returning members of the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra. Youth Orchestra auditions are open to eighth- through twelfth-grade youth who are string, woodwind, brass and percussion students and who have submitted a completed application. Students will be notified of the location of auditions and other specifics following receipt of an application. Required audition music for the Youth Orchestra includes selected orchestral excerpts (available for downloading), selected scales as specified with the audition music and also sight-reading. Applications and required audition music may be obtained by visiting the WSO website at www.wilmingtonsymphony.org, or calling the WSO office at 910-791-9262.

CHEERLEADING: CEDAR POINT

Crystal Coast Storm All-Star Cheerleading has openings for boys and girls ages 3-18. No experience is necessary. No try-outs needed. The group meets at Cedar Point Gymnastics Center, located at 135 Sherwood Avenue. For more info, call 910-325-7012 or 910-330-3910.

FREE FAMILY FILM FRIDAY: JACKSONVILLE

The whole family is invited to enjoy a free family-friendly movie and popcorn at the Onslow County Public Library Main Branch on Doris Avenue the third Friday of every month at 4 p.m. For more info, call 910-455-7350. 

HOMESCHOOL GROUP: WILMINGTON 

HEArts (Home Education Arts) is a Wilmington-based homeschool group for families interested in using creative, integrated techniques to facilitate learning at home. The group is open to anyone interested and embraces diversity. Members plan park play dates, field trips, parties, classes and spontaneous activities. The group meets online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEArts_HomeEducationArts/. For more info, call Sheree Harrell at 910-632-9454.

HOMESCHOOL LUNCH BUNCH: JACKSONVILLE

The Onslow County Public Main Library on Doris Avenue will host a monthly book discussion and activity group especially for homeschooled youth in grades 5 and up. The Homeschool Lunch Bunch meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. For more info or to register, call 910-455-7350, ext. 231.

KARATE-DO CLASSES: EMERALD ISLE

Joyce Trafton, veteran Karate-Do (non-competitive martial arts training) teacher of 35 years is offering the following classes at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center: Kids' Karate, for children ages 9 and under, Wednesdays from 4:15-5:15 p.m. or Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m., will learn Goju-Ryu karate, as well as Japanese and Okinawan culture; Youth Karate, for children ages 10 and up, Thursdays from 6:45-7:45 p.m., will learn Goju-Ryu karate, as well as Japanese and Okinawan culture. Fees are $35 per month. To register for any of the above classes, call 252-354-6350 or e-mail lness@emeraldisle-nc.org.

KINDERMUSIK: JACKSONVILLE

Musical activities are offered for children from birth to 5-years-old. In addition, "Sign and Sing" classes are offered for little ones age 6-months to 3-years-old. To register or for more info, call Dance Theatre at 910-347-3226 or 910-353-7669.

SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM - JACKSONVILLE: 

The Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Department is offering two day camp program options. Aug. 4-15, Back to the Future. Camps are for children ages 6-15. Program one includes Jungle Rapids, a Kinston Indians game, skating and swimming at Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center, Jacksonville Commons Middle School, Kerr Street Recreation Center, Northwoods Recreation Center and Northside High School. Times for program one will be from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost for program one is $110 for Jacksonville residents and $135 for non-city residents. Program two includes onsite special programs, trips to the library, the Onslow County Museum and mini-golf at Northwoods Park Middle School and Jack Amyette Recreation Center. Times for program two will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost for program two is $40 for Jacksonville residents and $65 for non-city residents. For more info, call Tory Lukasina at 910-938-5305 or Nick Brauninger at 910-938-5319.

SUMMER DAY CAMP REGISTRATION: EMERALD ISLE 

Summer Day Camp registration is open at the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Department. Registration will remain open until all spaces are full. Children need not be members of the recreation complex. All eight sessions are one-week long. Fee is $75 per child for each one-week session, with additional per diem fees for field trips, etc. A discounted rate is available for families with three or more children enrolled in the same session. Open to children ages 6-12. Sessions include: Aug. 4-8, "Enviro-Art Camp"; and Aug. 11-15, "Around the World." For more info, call Laura Lee Davis at 252-354-6350.

SUMMER SCIENCE SCHOOL CLASSES - BEAUFORT

The N.C. Maritime Museum's Summer Science School offers children hands-on outdoor activities and field trips to provide a fun, educational experience. Programs include: Seashore Life I, Aug. 11, for children entering the first grade, $25 fee; Seashore Life II, Aug. 12-13, for children entering second and third grade, $65 fee. The museum is located at 315 Front St. To register or for more info, call 252-728-7317.

TAE KWON DO CLASSES: JACKSONVILLE

Jacksonville Recreation and Parks Department will hold Tae Kwon Do classes at Jacksonville Commons Elementary School Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. for ages 5-12. Tae Kwon Do is a martial arts form designed to teach discipline, fitness, balance, motor skills and socialization skills. Cost $40 per person per month, $20 each additional family member. For more info or to register, call 910-938-5317 or stop by the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex Office.

TWEETSIE RAILROAD: BLOWING ROCK

The theme park offers Wild West family fun, amusement rides, shows, train rides and more. Tweetsie Railroad is located in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains on U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. The park is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $30 for adults and $22 for children ages 3-12. Children ages 2 and under are free. For tickets or more info, call 877-893-3874 or visit www.tweetsie.com.

KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO: JACKSONVILLE

Aug. 4, Join Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department for an exciting, fun filled evening of bingo, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Kids 5 to 12 are invited to test their game skills at Blue Creek Elementary School Cafeteria. Play bingo and win back to school supplies. Kids 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult! The program is free. Visit: www.onslowcountync.gov/parks for more information.