By Heather Chapman
Newspaper deadlines being what they are, I’m writing this column while snowed in from the late February Snowmageddon. You remember those dark, dark days, so I think we can all agree that getting out of the house is a Very Good Thing. Fortunately, fun activities abound this month:
Disney on Ice Presents Passport to Adventure. Mickey Mouse and all his friends go on a magical journey to a bunch of different Disney worlds, including The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch. So this is basically a homerun for every kid under the age of 10, ever. March 12-15 at Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. $15-$55. (859) 233-3535. www.rupparena.com. Kids under 2 get in free as long as they’re sitting in an adult’s lap.
Lexington Comic & Toy Convention. If you see a suspiciously high number of Darth Vaders wandering around Rupp Arena while you’re at Disney on Ice, it’s because of this. Parents, hear me now: this is kid nirvana. Tons of people in costume. Tons of famous people to meet. Tons of stuff to buy and do. Last year my kids paid $5 apiece to shoot Nerf guns at disco-dancing, kilt-wearing Stormtroopers to benefit charity. Then they got to meet some of the Power Rangers. It’s a blast for all ages, and kids ages 10 and under get in free. March 13-15. Lexington Convention Center, 430 W. Vine St. $18.50-$37.50. www.lexingtoncomiccon.com. Tickets are going fast so get on this soon.
Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival. Now this is just a muddy bit of fun. The festivities start at 8 a.m. March 14 with the Shamrock Shuffle 3K Race on Vine St. After that, you can enjoy activities for all ages from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Cheapside Park and the Fifth/Third Pavilion (where the farmer’s market is). It’s rain or shine, but all activities are under tents because they’re nice like that. The parade starts at 1 p.m. on Main St. For more information visit www.lexingtonstpatsparade.org.
Junior Naturalist: Animal Tracking. All that March mud makes it a perfect time for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade to learn how to find and identify animal tracks out at McConnell Springs (416 Rebmann Lane). It’s free, but call ahead to register at (859) 225-4073. www.mcconnellsprings.org.
If You Give a Mouse a Breakfast! Kids can have breakfast at the Bronte Bistro and meet the mouse with a wandering attention span from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. There will be storytelling, a sing-along, and a craft as well. 8:30 a.m. March 21, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington Green. $8.95 for kids, $13.95 for adults. (859) 273-2911. www.josephbeth.com.
A Thousand Cranes. The story of a Japanese girl who hopes that her leukemia (caused by the Hiroshima bombing) will be cured if she can make 1,000 paper cranes. Due to the subject matter, this is recommended for kids ages 8 and up. Presented by the Lexington Children’s Theatre, 418 W. Short St. March 21-22. $10-$15. (859) 254-4546. www.lctonstage.org.
Beauty and the Beast. Also on stage this month is the classic tale presented by the Kentucky Ballet Theatre. March 28-29 at the Lexington Opera House, 210 W. Short St. $16-$35. (859) 252-5245. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com.
Ninja Turtle Training. Look, this is just darling. Kids ages 4-10 can head to the Central Library for a Spring Break Ninja Turtle Training seminar, featuring games and activities inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Which is totally still a thing, my son says. It’s free, but reservations are required. 2:00-2:45 p.m. March 31. Central Library Atrium, 140 E. Main St. (859) 231-5500. www.lexpublib.org.
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This article also appears on page 16 of the March print edition of the Hamburg Journal.
