Weekend event picks: Justin Roberts, Arts in Nature Festival, Geocaching Block Party, Garlic Festival

Published on: December 30, 2013

081811_enews_justinroberts_blueboxLots going on this weekend  -- one of our last before Labor Day shuts the whole thing down -- from far-flung fests to in-city summer fun.

Here's the full list!

Justin Roberts Benefit Concert

See kids' music superstar Justin Roberts on Friday night in West Seattle! He's playing a benefit show for Family Promise of Seattle, and singing Bible songs off his CD "Why Not Sea Monsters?" According to a post on Roberts' Facebook page, this is a rare opportunity to hear these songs live.

Arts in Nature Festival

Head to wooded Camp Long in West Seattle for a weekend of outdoor performances, sound installations and crafts for the kids. This is a sweet little festival, still something of a hidden gem despite the fact that this year marks its 13th anniversary. Caspar Babypants plays the lodge on Saturday at 11 a.m., and The Cabiri put on an aerial dance performance in the meadow at noon and 2 p.m. Giant cedar waxwings puppets lead a species parade from the dome at 12:30 p.m., and Lelavision shows off its kinetic musical sculptures by the pond at 1:30 p.m. Do check out the schedule and plan to stay all day -- there's plenty to keep you busy.

Geocaching Block Party

Visit downtown Fremont on Saturday with your GPS unit to take one of five Fremont Challenges, which will send you around the neighborhood in search of interesting locations. Don't worry if you don't have a GPS, though: You can borrow one from geocaching.com, who will also be operating a dunk tank so you can send employees into the drink. Other fun stuff for kids includes Zucchini 500 races and bingo.

Garlic Festival

Family-run Jones Creek Farm, located in Sedro Wooley, grows some killer garlic. Take a drive out on Saturday to taste the garlic, sample heirloom tomatoes (which you can also pick, and we recommend you do), and check out the orchard and its multiple varieties of apple.

Jamfest

Venues around the International District host music and art installations on Saturday evening, and you can get into everything for one low cover price (kids under 12 are free). Start off at The Wing for a set by  Toy-Box Trio (if you're one of the first 25 guests, you'll get a bag o' JamFest goodies), and head to Hing Hay Park at dusk for a screening of "Newsies."

Back to the Future!

Introduce the kids to a movie still quoted by their elders. The Seattle Metropolitan Market at Sand Point and Ronald McDonald House host a screening of this family classic, which, unbelievably, came out in 1985. Buy hot dogs and popcorn, and make a donation to Ronald McDonald House while you're there.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Another classic movie tailor-made for outdoor viewing. It's part of Seattle Center's "Movies at the Mural" series, which runs on Saturdays through Aug. 27.

Tots-n-Tunes Kindie Music Fest

This concert at Seattle Center is the biggest thing going on this weekend (and maybe this month), so don't be late. It's going to be packed. Caspar Babypants, Recess Monkey, Justin Roberts, Johnny Bregar,  The Not-Its!, The Harmonica Pocket and Board of Education rock the Mural Amphitheatre all day long on Sunday. If the kids get antsy, look for activities and food from Grand Central Bakery and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

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