It's the last weekend of February and it may be chilly but at least it will be sunny. We've put together a list of events happening this weekend, including a Mardis Gras festival, a wine tasting and a music fundraiser.
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Bring the whole family and head to Oak Island for Mardis Gras by the Sea Festival and Parade. The event starts with a traditional parade and ends at the Middleton Park Complex with food vendors, a craft market, live music and a kid's zone.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. and the festival starts at noon, with the event wrapping up at 4 p.m.
Music will be performed by the Old Man Mafia Band.
Event organizers call it one of the most celebrated and anticipated events in town. And it's free!
If you've been waiting for a fun wine and food pairing event, it's happening this weekend in North Carolina's Yadkin Valley. Head to our state's version of Napa Valley February 22-23 and March 1-2 for the Yadkin Winter Reds event.
Participating Yadkin County wineries will feature a 2-oz pour of red wine paired with a 3-oz serving of food. See the tasting menu here.
The event will be 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
"Each ticket holder will be assigned to a starting winery where they will receive their souvenir wine glass and a map. You will travel around to each participating winery to sample your food and wine," event organizers said.
The ticket, $35, is good for both days, with one visit per winery.
Get tickets here.
Deadheads, this is for you. Grab your friends and head to Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard in Wilmington for Greatful Dead tunes in the "dead of winter."
It's a fundraiser being put on by the Plastic Ocean Project, which 100% of the proceeds will benefit. So you'll be supporting the environment too.
Performing will be Bring Out Yer Dead, a Greatful Dead tribute band out of Raleigh.
It's a "pay what you can" event. Donations over $25 will receive a free tie-dye shirt while supplies last. The event is from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical"
"If you can survive middle school, you can survive anything!" Based on the book series "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," the musical is coming to the Children's Theatre of Charlotte.
It's a family event! It's for all ages and will last about an hour, according to the website.
The musical is happening through March 2.
Click here for tickets.
Walk along the winter trail, go ice skating, play ice hockey, enjoy a three-course meal or do it all at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte.
The winter trail, featuring lights and play structures, is illuminated at night and crosses two suspension bridges. It has obstacles and play areas, and is open through mid-February.
"Experience Wildwoods, Off Leash, Ice Skating, and the Canyon Zips (North and South Rim Zips) into the evening. These activities will be lighted to enjoy after the sun goes down," Whitewater Center officials said.
Wildwoods is the center's new playground area that features dozens of climbing and discovery elements, with a tree house village and balance bikes for kids.
The center offers ice skating on a converted pond during the winter. Skate up to the on-ice Airstream to get a hot or cold drink.
If you enjoy being on the ice, the center also has cask curling that is accessed with an ice skating pass.
Click here for activity pass information.
