This Halloween weekend we had a fantastic Pumpkin Patch experience at the

Hmmm...roasted marshmallows on a stick!

The 22 acres family farm is USDA licensed and very well maintained.

We paid $7 per child and $3 per adult for a tour of all farm animals and petting zoo, a comfortable hayride around the property, small pumpkins and a delicious marshmallow roast.

What kids love to do at the farm

Be a cowboy or a cowgirl. Who can resist riding on a country wagon? Not even Batman!

Giddy Up Country Wagon!

Take care of the animals. The cute little donkey was an instant hit. Other heart-breakers: Jennie, the fluffy bunny, the pony, the horse, the goats, the turkeys, the sheep and the guinea fowls.

Hello Donkey! Where is Shrek?

Mine was mesmerized by all the pumpkins. Each child got a small one to take home.

How about this mom?

The highlight of the day was the hayride on a scenic country road through the forest, around the farm and with a final stop by a beautiful pond, where we were “greeted” by King Goose.

We roasted marshmallows, made yummy s’mores and relaxed at the picnic tables.

Swan Lake wannabe

Holiday hayrides Christmas lights, campfire and roasted marshmallows!
December 1st through January 3rd

Start a new holiday tradition at Country Adventures. Enjoy a hayride with friends and family, visit the farm animals and delight yourself with plush puffs marshmallows, cider, hot cocoa and hot-dogs by the campfire.

Hayride fun at Country Adventure

Where
Country Adventures Carriage Services, Inc.
15 Country Girl Road, Blythewood, SC 29016
Phone: 803-754-4724.
Email info@countryadventures.us

Driving Directions:
From I-20 take exit 70. Take Hwy 321 north towards Winnsboro for about 6 miles, then turn right on Lorick Road. Turn right on High Valley Trail (gravel road). Country Girl Road will be on the right.

From I-77 take exit 22 Killian Road (towards Wal-Mart). When Killian Road ends, turn right onto Hwy 21, then turn right on Lorick Road. Turn right on High Valley Trail (gravel road). Country Girl Road will be on the right.

“Bebop on down to Chee-raw, South Carolina” October 16 -18 weekend at the lively annual SC Jazz Festival.

Dizzie Gillespie bepop inventor and trumpet genius

Single concert tickets are $15 ($25 for both nights) and include Main Stage events.

For more info call (843) 537.8420 ext. 12 or visit www.scjazzfestival.com

Events Schedule Highlights

Friday, October 16
• “Bepop Parade”, Friday, 4 to 6PM
Join the fun anytime and bebop from Dizzy Park down Kershaw Street to Centennial Park. Bikes, trikes, golf carts and dancing shoes are welcome.

• “Jazz at the Theatre on the Green”, 7:30 to 9:30PM featuring the Noel Friedline Quintet-Charlotte.

Saturday, October 17

Live painting demonstration

Featured work by glass artisans, jewelers, painters, photographers, fabric artists, clay artists and more.

Second Street Main Stage Concert

• Featured Concert “A Carolinas’ Tribute To Jazz Legend Dizzy Gillespie”

• The Dave Finucane Quartet, 5 to 6:15PM

• The Robert Gardiner Quintet, 6:45 to 8:15PM

Sunday, October 18
Outdoor Jazz Mass, 3PM at First United Methodist Church
Clergy, choirs and accompanists will lead worship on the church grounds amid soulful jazz tunes.

Just for kids activities on Saturday

Funny Face Painting downtown Cheraw

Art on the Green, 12 to 4PM

• “Get Dizzy” marble art
• “Salt Peanuts” musical walk
• “Bean Bag and Bebop”
• Face painting
• “Madonnari” chalk competition
• Get funny with caricature artist Bill Rabon

Juggleboy, 3 to 5PM, downtown Cheraw

Be amazed by “Juggleboy”, the number one juggler in the United States.

The show must go on downtown Cheraw!

With a flap of its wings a butterfly can change the world.

Come to Edventure children museum downtown Columbia to see the incredible life journey of one of the most beloved creature on Earth! The butterfly exhibit is open daily May through October from 9:30AM to 4:30PM (Sundays from 12:30PM). Admission is free for members and and $3 for non-members (on top of the normal museum admission of $6.95 for kids and $8.95 for adults).

Monarch and Tiger Swallowtail, the most popular butterflies in the exhibit

Tips and Things to Know Before You Go
• Go on sunny days, that’s when butterflies are most active
• Best time to visit is weekdays early morning or late in the afternoon.
• Shutterbugs come alone (or have extra hands to keep an eye on kids). As you all know you need patience, luck and determination to catch that Nat Geo-like wildlife photo.
• Moms and grannies here’s your golden opportunity to get a photo of the year postcard perfect with the little ones. Nothing is cuter than a butterfly sitting on top of your kid nose!
• Get the free butterfly brochure and have your children do a “scavenger hunt” trying to correctly identify the butterflies in the exhibit. Currently they have: Monarch, Tiger and Black Swallowtail, Queen, Julia, Zebra Longwing, Buckeye, and Cabbage White. New species are added every month.
• Save $2 by not reserving your tickets online, you’ll get a spot anytime of the day assuming your group is less than 10 persons. Keep in mind only 30 people at a time are admitted in the exhibit.

Kids love being surrounded by colorful butterflies

Exhibit Rules
• You can’t touch the butterflies as it damages their wings. If they voluntarily land on you that’s OK.
• Food, drinks and strollers are not allowed inside. There’s a coat area across the exhibit entrance where you can park the stroller.
• Each admission has a stamp time (9:30, 10, 10:30 etc) and you’re allowed 30 minutes per admission. You can go in and out during this half an hour.

Frequently asked questions and butterfly trivia

How and what do butterflies eat?
They use their front feet to taste and the proboscis to suck nectar from the flower. The Longwing species can also eat pollen.

Black Swallowtail beauty using its proboscis to eat nectar

How long do butterflies live once they hatch out?
About 2-3 weeks. The Monarch and the Longwing can live for months.

How can you tell a boy from a girl?
It’s hard as most look the same. For the Monarch the male butterfly has black spots on the lower side of its wings. The Longwing males are thinner than the females and have claspers on the end to grip the female during mating.

What plants are most likely to attract butterflies?
Some of the plants they love to eat from are the butterfly bush, cone flower, lantana, salvia, hydrangea, verbena, black-eyed Susan, sage, hibiscus. As a host plant for laying their eggs butterflies (and especially the Longwing) use the passion vine (locally referred to as “May pops”)

What’s in the purple bowls and what’s their purpose?
Gatorade! The staff at Edventure is very keen on keeping their butterflies in shape! The bowls are drinking stations meant to supplement the natural feeding process. Butterflies can safely land on suck Gatorade though the sponges similar to drinking nectar from the flowers.

What’s in the little back shed?
That’s the “Blue Room” the staff uses to bring and attach new pupa to the window display, and once hatched out from their chrysalis, to release the butterflies into the exhibit.

While visiting Edventure make sure to check out the newest traveling exhibit Let’s Team Up! filled with fun sports games, real locker dress up and interesting facts.

Let the sun shine in at Edventure Children Museum!

A sea of roses, a swamp of irises. Brilliant colors, sublime aromas and joyfulness in the air. You can’t help but feel happy!

Best things in life are free. And yes the incredible Edisto Memorial Rose Gardens in Orangeburg and Swan Lake and Iris Gardens in Sumter are free to attend.

This Memorial Day weekend bring your family to the annual Sumter Iris Festival. There will be fun things to do for kids, music, food, gorgeous iris flowers for sale and of course the ever popular swans!

Not too far away is the nature’s wonder Congaree National Park, another FREE family attraction you must enjoy at least once a year. The park features the world’s tallest deciduous forest, cathedral canopies, abundant wildlife and miles of hiking, canoeing, and fishing along the mysterious Congaree River.

Walk the 3 miles stroller friendly nature boardwalk around the Visitors center or join the FREE ranger-guided canoe tours every Saturday and Sunday. Call (803)-776-4396 ext. 0 to make reservations (requires 2 weeks advance notice).

Here is a customized map with these 3 amazing attractions.
Enjoy!

All aboard! Looking for something special to do with kids this coming weekend? Then come Saturday, April 11 from 9:30 AM to 4PM to the SC Railroad Museum in Winnsboro for the second Easter Bunny Eggspress Train day. Fares are $15 first class and $10 for coach ($10 kids 1 – 11 years).

SC Railroad Museum Trivia
The tracks were built in 1883 to transport granite stone to Winnsboro. The tracks and museum are privately owned and the entire train crew is made of volunteers. Our guide was a self-described “Yankee from Brooklyn, NY”, a very nice and knowledgeable guy. Unfortunately you could barely hear him speak over the loud squeaking train wheels.

Hampton designed locomotive

Noteworthy artifacts:
• Hampton and Branchville steam locomotive
• Authentic Norfolk dining and bedroom cars
• Pullman passenger car
• US Postal Service train
• Seabord and Nickel Place red cabooses

What to expect on the train ride
1. Wear something comfortable, avoid sandals and flip-flops. It’s dusty and rusty inside the coaches and on the grounds.

2. The ride is 5 miles each way, takes about 1 hour, and you come back on the same line. If you can, sit on the 1st or 3rd coaches on the way in and on the 2nd coach on the way back. This way you’re always facing forward. Riding backwards for half an hour is not that fun, trust me. My advice is to purchase First Class tickets.

The Coach ride experience

3. The coach windows may be difficult to manipulate. Pay close attention on little kids so they don’t get their fingers caught.

4. The scenery it’s not very spectacular. Expect lots of wooded areas and run down buildings along the way. The ride highlights are:
• Old Greenbrier School
• Mini canyon, reminiscent of the famous Winnsboro blue granite stone
• Depot ruins and junk railroad yard
• Stopping to let the volunteers signal the train arrival to ongoing car traffic.

5. The Easter Bunny makes his entrance on the way back home. This is by far the best part of the ride. Kids for once stay seated waiting to shake hands and hug the fluffy character.

Photo with Easter Bunny

6. The kids’ most popular thing to do was to jump up and down the rock pile sitting on the grounds outside.

Rockton Rion and Western R.R. 2009 Season
• Summer Schedule (June 6 -August 29)
Saturdays from 9:30AM to 3:30PM. Train departure at 10AM, 1PM, and 2:30PM.

• Fall Schedule (September 5 and 19, October 3 and 17 (Caboose Days))
Saturdays from 9:30AM to 3:30PM. Train departure at 10AM, 1PM, and 2:30PM

• Special Event Days:
- Easter Bunny Eggspress trains on April 4 and 11. Trains depart at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Caboose tickets are not available on these days.
- Santa trains on November 28, December 5 and 12.

Onboard Norfolk passenger car

Location and Train Rides Prices:
The SC Railroad Museum is located on the corner of SC Hwy 34 and Industrial Park Road, in Winnsboro SC. From I-77, take exit 34, then SC Hwy 34 towards Winnsboro about 5 miles. From I-20, take exit 70, then US 321 towards Winnsboro. Turn left on SC Hwy 34.

Fares Info:
- Coach $10 adult , $7 children
(ages 1 to 11)
- First Class $15 (all ages – includes light refreshment and snack in relaxed atmosphere comfort)
- Caboose $12 (all ages, if available)

The Red Caboose

If you’re still pondering where to take and what to do with kids this Spring break, look no further than Riverbanks Zoo. Check their website for a monthly events calendar and a varitety of Zooventure family activities.

Below is the April 2009 summary of fun packed children programs grouped by age.

Welcome kids!

Riverbanks Zoo Little Kids Programs(ages 3-5)

Pony Pals – Friday, April 3, 9 – 10AM, $16 (plus admission for general public)
Meet the Shetland ponies upclose and personal! Feed, brush and ride the ponies. Parent participation is required for this class (one parent per child). Online registration is required.

Easter Brunch - Sunday, April 12, 10:30AM – 1PM, $31.95 adults / $15.95 children ages 3-12 (plus admission for general public)
Treat your loved ones to a hearty Easter Sunday brunch in the rustic Ndoki Lodge at the Zoo. Enjoy a traditional Southern breakfast or choose from custom-ordered omelets, honey glazed ham, grilled salmon, chicken piccatta, fresh vegetables, fruits and gourmet desserts. Seating is limited, reservation deadline is Tuesday, April 7. Order tickets here.

Kids admiring a silverback gorilla

A Camping We Will Go - April 23, 25 and 29, 10AM for kids age 2 and 11AM for ages 3-4, $9 (plus admission for general public)
Bring a flashlight and sleeping bag, too, because camping is the thing to do! What animals you will encounter on your camping adventure? Come and find out! Register for class here.

Riverbanks Zoo Big Kids Programs(5 years and older)

Pony Whisperer – Saturday, April 4, 8:30-10AM (ages 5-7), $18 (plus admission for general public)
Learn how to feed, groom and care for the ponies! Parent participation is required for this class (one parent per child please). Online registration is required.

Riding on Caroline at Riverbanks Zoo

ZOOm! into Spring Camp (ages 6 to 10) – Monday through Wednesday April 6-8, 9AM – 3PM, $110 members ($140 general public)
Discover how plants and animals celebrate the spring season during 3 days packed with hands-on activities, animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, arts and crafts, and tons of games! More details here.

Scout Saturdays – Saturday, April 18, $10 per scout (plus admission for general public)
Scout Saturdays includes a short education program, live animal encounters and a self-guided zoo adventure tour. Any scout group or individual scout can register (each child needs to be registered separately). Free for accompanying adults. Participants receive a Riverbanks Wildlife Patch.
Online registration here . Learn more on the Riverbanks website.

Family on Safari Overnight Camp – Saturday, April 18, 7PM – 9AM, $39 per member ($44 general public)
Experience the Zoo at night! Enjoy a night of games, activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Families should bring their own sleeping gear and tents and sense of adventure. Price includes light snack and continental breakfast. Register for class here.

Pet a Giant Turtle!

Party for the Planet - Saturday, April 25
Join Riverbanks Zoo party for planet and animals featuring kid-friendly conservation activities and animal enrichment. Free with regular zoo admission.

Everything sounds Zoolicious!

Well just pretend. The make your own lightning interactive stations are very popular with kids. Who wouldn’t?

In the eye of a monster storm

There’s lot more fun things to do and learn at the Powers of Nature exhibit, SC State Museum newest science attraction:

• Create your own tornado
• Touch the world’s largest hail stone (it’s huge!)
• Watch brave hunters fly into monster hurricanes
• Test your building skills creating an earthquake-proof structure
• Do a live TV weather forecast

Admission is $3 extra (free for members) for a total price of $8.

Love and respect Mother Nature wherever you are!

Turn on the laughter, spark your imagination and free your spirit at the EdVenture Children Museum, the biggest indoor playground in Columbia, SC!

Driving the fire truck

EdVenture is open 9AM – 5 PM Tuesday to Saturday and 12PM – 5PM on Sunday. You can also visit them during holidays and school breaks. Admission is $6.95 for children 1 year and older and $8.95 for adults. Parking is FREE.

Learning it’s always fun at EdVenture. Take a virtual tour to see for yourself:

Great Outdoors
Rain or shine, hot or cold kids love playing with water. From setting the giant wheel in motion to shooting water cannons to sending boats down the river.

Body Works
When was your last checkup? See how your tummy digests food, check your heart rates and clean your teeth…for real!

Journey through West Africa
Let’s dance with the African band! You got moves, they got grooves…Put on the cool costumes, see yourself on TV and drum on the tambourines.

Friendly Farm
Milk the angry cow, pick up the peaches, count the eggs and plow the land with a real John Deer tractor

Dalmatian Station
Be a firefighter for a day. Put on the gear, climb aboard a real fire truck, slide down the fire pole and go through the Dark Tunnel…scary!

Winter Exhibit Highlight
Get the inside scoop on Snowville the coolest place inside EdVenture!

What a year 2008 has been. Lots of chest beating, hollering and hair pulling, hanging upside down, crying, whimpering, and laughing out loud. No, is not the stock market. No Wall Street or Main Street here.

I’m talking about the most incredible animals at the Riverbanks, Greenville and Como zoos. A “planet of the apes” filled with soul searching – and sometimes very naughty – gorillas and adorable baby orangutans.

Loud singing at Riverbanks Zoo

Noisy la-la land holler monkeys screaming and fighting all day long. “American Idol” pop diva baboons, always grooming and posing for pictures.

Here are the photos, you be the judge:

Naughty, naughty gorilla. Hope Santa brought her a sack of coal.

Kiss my...gorilla at Como Zoo

Let the singing competition begin. Bring it on!

I'm so good looking

Wise-man orangutan, the largest tree dwelling mamal in the world…

The Man of the Forest

Kids are always fascinated by the big silverback. Who’s watching who?

So close yet so far away

Sometimes you just feel like acting silly

Mr. Alligator Can't Catch Me!

Bring your kids to the zoo, the most fun thing you can do!

Every year we come to Riverbanks Zoo to experience the Lights Before Christmas. It’s a fun evening, especially for kids. The whole park is lit up, there is laughter, joy and the smell of Christmas.

Christmas Village

What kids love to do at the zoo
1. Play in the “snow” and chase falling snow-soap flakes. This is as close as it gets to a white Christmas around here.

It's snowing mom!

2. Ride the mini train. Here is the Spots and Stripes Railroad video from last summer ($2 per person)

3. Ride the Merry-go-around ($1 per kid)

4. Cooking marshmallows over the coal burning fire. You get 4 on a stick ($2)

Marshmallows Time!

5. Run, climb and slide at the playground. In fact that whole area is great to let your kids loose. There is also the carousel, marshmallows fire, restrooms and food stands.

Fun things for parents
1. Get a Starbucks coffee or hot-cocoa. The hut is strategically positioned right by the entrance.

2. Stay in line with the kids for a moment with Santa. It seems grown-ups are more enchanted photographing their prodigy in Santa’s lap than the children do. When asked what she wants for Christmas mine replied “A lollipop!”…now you tell me?

What you want for Christmas?

3. Cooking marshmallows…yep we like it too!

The Lights Before Christmas event is open till December 30 every day until 9PM (except on Christams Eve and Christmas Day). Admission is $8 adults, $6 children 3-12 and free for kids under 3. Members get a one time free entrance to the event.

Lion King at the zoo

Merry Christmas!