Your guide to family fun for Memorial Day weekend

What’s the most wonderful time of the year? If you just whispered, “summer reading,” then you are our people. The reading season kicks off this week. Your local branch – no matter what county – is ready to see you and your kids for fun and learning and so much more, all summer long. And it’s free! Join us at upstateparent.com for stories and updated events each week. We’re here to make summer easier for you, while you make memories with your family. 

To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Parent, email chris@worthyplace.com. 

Things to do this weekend

Park Hop is now open – Park Hop is a free, summer long scavenger hunt at park and recreation venues throughout Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. This scavenger hunt encourages children and families to discover featured parks throughout the summer while searching for answers to clues within each park. Get the ParkHop app on GooglePlay or the App Store. Visit parkhop.org. 

Disney on Ice: Frozen & Encanto! is May 25 – 27 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. For tickets, visit bonsecoursarena.com. 

The Greenville Downtown Airport’s (GMU) 11th Annual Take Flight 5K and 1-mile race is 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. May 25 in front of Runway Park. This unique event is a fundraiser for Runway Park and GMU’s Community Corridor, with 100 percent of the donations going back to the community. Fun is mandatory, costumes and teams are encouraged. For details and registration, visit runsignup.com/Race/SC/Greenville/TakeFlight5k. 

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! opens May 25 at the Upcountry History Museum. The exhibition is a hands-on, bilingual (English and Spanish), interactive learning experience, developed for children ages 2 – 8 and their caregivers. It continues through Oct. 6. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org. 

Grand Opening of Wings in the Air is May 25 at TCMU-Greenville. Soar to new heights and explore the cultural corner, where guests will embark on an adventurous journey to Colombia. Visit tcmupstate.org. 

Plan your week ahead 

See pieces from Family Connection’s LOOK! Photography Exhibit through June 14 at TCMU-Greenville. Visit tcmupstate.org and familyconnectionsc.org/look.

Tell Me About It Tuesday: Orangutans is at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. May 28 at the Greenville Zoo. Included with admission. For details, visit greenvillezoo.com. 

Summer Reading Kickoff is 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. May 30 outdoors at the Five Forks Library. All ages. The event is a Foam 'n' Fun Party – Wear clothes that can get wet and/or bring a towel. Visit greenvillelibrary.org. 

Looking ahead

Summer Reading Kickoff is 2 – 3 p.m. May 31 at the Hughes Main Library. All ages. The event is a dance party with DJ Pre-K. Visit greenvillelibrary.org. 

Starry Nights programs are at Roper Mountain Science Center May 31. “Perfect Little Planet” is at 4:30 p.m. “Two Small Pieces of Glass” is at 6 and “Chasing the Ghost Particle” is at 7:30 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are required. For details, visit ropermountain.org.

The Greenville Liberty vs. Tennessee soccer match is at 7 p.m. May 31 at Furman University. Visit greenvilleliberty.com.

Greenville County Youth Orchestras (GCYO) Spring Concert is at 7:30 p.m. May 31 at the Peace Center. Visit peacecenter.org.