Fun for families
Weekend events include a hayride, campfire and the South Florida Fair.
Families in South Florida can try acting classes at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts open house, get fitness tips at Zo’s Winter Groove in Miami or catch the opening of the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach this weekend.
But first, start the party early with Mom’s Night Out at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood on Thursday with the “IMomSoHard” duo of comedians Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley. The pair provide humor touching on motherhood, parenting, families, friendships and relationships. Tickets $30-50. Seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Other top events for families this weekend include the following:
Shakespeare in the Park: Hamlet, through Sunday. “Hamlet” brings a full professional cast, period costumes and original music to Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Road. The shows have amphitheater-style seating under a dome that covers the audience and stage, and no outside food or drink is allowed. A “relaxed performance” at 2 p.m. Sunday eliminates or minimizes screaming, loud background noises and flashing lights. Tickets are not required. shakespearemiami.com
Chinese Lantern Festival, 5:30-10 p.m. through Monday. Hundreds of handcrafted lanterns, live kung fu coaching and performances, Chinese folk artists, shadow puppetry, Asian cuisine, dinosaur rides and more at Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill. chineselanternfestival.com
Paradise City Comic Con, through Sunday. Celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, cosplayers, Q&As, films and shorts, costume and cosplay contests, vendors, parties, anime, workshops, video gaming and more at the Miami Airport Convention Center, 711 NW 72nd Ave., Miami. paradisecitycomiccon.com
South Florida Fair, through Jan. 28. Stage shows, concert performances, midway rides, shopping and fair food at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. $10-$15 adults; $5-$8 children; ride wristbands $20-$25. southfloridafair.com
Screen on the Green: “Turbo,” today, 6-9 p.m. Kids can make a keepsake while parents enjoy an elaborate display of exotic and muscle cars before the free PG-rated film at 7 p.m. at Centennial Square, 100 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. The animated movie is the story of a snail turning from slow poke to superfast. wpb.org/Departments/Waterfront/ Community-Events/ Screen-on-the-Green
Hayride & Campfire Series, today, 7-9:30 p.m. Includes one hayride and one bag of fixings for s’mores for ages 3 and older at Tradewinds Park & Stables, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. $3.50 plus tax. Preregistration and prepayment required at 954-357-8870. broward.org/Parks
ArtsPark Movie Night, today, 8-10 p.m. See the free familyfriendly movie “Selma.” Lawn seating. Bring a blanket or beach chair. ArtsPark @ Young Circle, Hollywood. hollywoodfl.org
Zo’s Winter Groove, Saturday. Participate in a 5K run/walk, health screenings, mini sports clinics for ages 7-16, fitness classes, presentations, food demonstrations, and interactive zones with bounce houses, obstacle courses and rock climbing at Zo’s Winter Groove at North Miami Athletic Stadium, 2555 NE 151st St., North Miami. Parking will be at FIU North Campus with free shuttle transportation to the event. The 5K Run/Walk shuttle will run 6:30-7:30 a.m. with the race at 8 a.m. The shuttle will run starting at 9 a.m. for all other events, which continue until 2 p.m. at the stadium. All events are free. zoswintergroove.com/
Find more events at SunSentinel.com/parenting
jjhon@sunsentinel .com