FREE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK 3/15-3/21

St. Patrick's Day Parade Its the 15th annual St. Patrick's Day parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival.  It kicks off at 11:00am at Tryon and 9th Street. Rodney's Great Kids Triathlon

Save the Date! April 16, 2011 Join us for the 13th annual Rodneys Great Kids Triathlon.  Annual event has children participating in swimming, biking, and running.  Event is for children 17 and under.  Please watch our video for more information or call 704-336-7855. All kids 8 and under will do one lap on both the bike course and the run course. Registration begins March 1, 2011.  Fee to enter - $20 before April 9.  $25  - April 10 - April 16. Registration can be done in person at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in uptown Charlotte or by mail to 800 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28202.  Due to the specialized nature of this even, online registration is not available. Packet pick-up for pre-registered participants is Friday, April 15th 12:00-9:00p.m. Please park at Bob Walton Plaza (behind the Aquatic Center) on the day of the event. Shamrock 4 Miler (Stonecrest) Mar 19th For info and registration visit, www.runforyourlife.com Michaels (Park Rd) Clay Pot and Saucer make-and-take FREE while supplies last Ages 3 and up 10:00-12:00 Borders (Stonecrest) Diary of a Wimpy Kid Mar 19th, 2:00 Kids ages 8-12 are invited to help celebrate the release of Rodrick Rules, in theaters March 25.   **If you take your kids to this, pick up a book or two for our book drive!!   Siskey YMCA Family Fun Night Mar 18th, 6:30-8:30pm Event Description Don't miss our Family Game Night! FREE TO MEMBERS! Spaces are limited so reserver your spot today at the membership desk.  (children must be at least 5 years of age). Harris YMCA Breakfast with Kids Mar 19th, 1:00-3:00 Event Cost: $25 for Parent/Child pair (5+ year with parent) Spend quality time with your family & learn to make tasty treats. For more information, please contact: Cara Viers (704) 716-6813 cara.viers@ymcacharlotte.org Morrison YMCA Teaching Kitchen: Lunch 'n Learn Date(s): 3/16/2011 Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Event Cost: FREE Event Description Join us for easy ideas for meal planning that will help save time and money. Discovery Place "Cool Stuff" Tons of exhibits plus the Kidscience room with plenty of entertainment for the younger ones. Totem by Cirque Du Soleil Located at the Charlotte Motor Speedway from March 5th - 20th.  Totem is a fantastic journey through the human species.  It is like the circus for grown-ups but your kids will love it too.  For ticket information click here. **We went to this and it was awesome!  We went without kids but my 4 year old would have loved it.   Mint Museum (Uptown) March 20th Third Sundays are family-time at the Mint Museum Uptown! Try out scavenger hunts , see a performer or artist demonstrator, and enjoy kid-friendly activities. Each month celebrate a different theme, starting in January 2011. Print a flyer for the whole season. Mint Museum UPTOWN | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | All ages, free with admission. Imaginon Mar 15th, 10:30am  Family Tales                4:00pm Teen Cinema, "Coach Carter" Mar 16th, 10:30 Family Tales                11:00 Play Spanish Mar 17th,  10:30  Family Tales Mar 18th,  10:30 Family Tales                11:00 Story Explorers: Up, Up, and Away                 2:00 Lego free build Mar 19th,  10:30 Family Tales                10:30  Studio i: Family time                11:00 Musical Petting Zoo The Little Mermaid KNIGHT THEATER AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS 430 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 Mar 12th and 13th Cost $25-$67 For tickets and more info visit here.