what's up for the weekend... june 3-5

Wowza... there are a TON of fun things happening this weekend. Choosing which to post on our top picks -- and figuring out which ones we can attend! -- has been really tough. Our friends at Foot's Forecast are predicting highs in the low 80s and not-too-terrible humidity this weekend. Perfect excuse to get outside! Find even more events on our calendar.

National Trails Day: Celebrate National Trails Day (Saturday!) on Baltimore's hiking and biking trails. Choose from over 20 family friendly events: walk, jog, run, hike, and bicycle. Follow local guides to discover nature, birds and local history on paved and woodland trails. Leashed dogs are welcome. For more information, and a list of events and locations, please see the National Trails Day website.

Get OUTSIDE in Roland Park! Roland Park is hopping this Saturday! Walk the paths of Roland Park and along Stony Run, then finish up at the Water Tower for live music, food and art! Children and their parents can take an assisted map guided exploration of the Stony Run stream and trail collecting stamps at nature and history themed stations (at 9 AM or 11 AM) . Neighborhood volunteers will man the stamp stations and help guide explorers. Come explore the stream and learn about the plants and animals that make the Stony Run their home and the Railroad that used to bring goods to the neighborhood on the trail we now walk along. Hop across some rocks, find some frogs, and learn about the railroad as you find the stamp stations where you can collect decorative stamps for your very own Stony Run map. Appropriate for ages little to middle to young at heart. The fun happens from 9 AM - 3 PM.

Trusty the Tractor Day at Clark's Ellioak Farm: Meet TARA HANNON, the illustrator of our own children’s book, “Trusty the Tractor.” You will be able to get the book signed by both the author and the illustrator, plus “draw Trusty with Tara” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

DIY KIDS Event and Book Signing at aMuse Toys: Ellen Lupton, the director of the graduate graphic design department at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and curator of contemporary design at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City, will be visiting aMuse Toy's Quarry Lake location to sign her book D.I.Y. Kids. The event also includes a hands-on arts & crafts workshop and is FREE! Ellen will be at aMuse from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Sunday. RSVP requested.

Charles Village Festival: It's happening all weekend! Start the summer right ... enjoy continuous live entertainment on two stages, the variety of crafters, beer/wine and food vendors. For the kids, enjoy the kids games and face painting. There is even a local neighborhood garden walk for those of you who would like to stroll about, taking in the scents and sights of the neighborhood. Admission to the two day event at Wyman Park Dell is free.

14th Annual WADE In: For all the water babies out there. Join the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center for an afternoon of watery fun. There will be lots of family activities including live music, fish printing, decoy carving demonstrations, pontoon boat rides, fish seining, canoeing, face painting, and more!

Nothin' but Net: Explore Irvine Nature Center’s buzzing meadow. Take a closer look at insects. Using sweep nets and magnifying glasses, participants will learn how to collect and release them. This program concludes with “bug juice” and a special story about our insect friends. All ages.

Bank of America's Museums on Us Weekend: Are you a Bank of America card holder? Bank of America is helping its customers celebrate a cultural adventure with their family this summer. Through Museums on Us, bank cardholders receive free admission to The American Visionary Art Museum and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. Um, score?

Jazz and Blues, Wine and Art Festival: Sunday will be a BEAUTIFUL day to stroll in Federal Hill for this annual event. Live music all day, arts and crafts, food and drink, Wine and Art Alley, Kids' Kross Street and great fun!

PS - Apologies for being MIA for a week. Memorial Day, a few days away, some sort of ick that knocked our whole family out. In other words, life happened. Thanks for understanding!!