The first phase of the $570 million project will replace the old, red-roofed Terminal C when it opens Oct. 26. It will have about 550,000 square feet with 19 boarding gates and 26 shops and restaurants. In other words, it will be a much better place to be stuck with your kids when the airplane is late.

The rest of Terminal C is to be razed next month to make way for the second phase of the project, which is slated for completion in 2011. The total project will span 920,000 square feet (Cary Towne Center, by comparison, is about 1 million square feet).

Parking is free for the event Saturday; just be sure you pick up a program at the door with a voucher. Inside, you'll get samples from the new shops and restaurants in the terminal. There will be giveaways and raffles. Sheetz will be selling food to benefit the USO at RDU, which serves traveling military service members and their families.

Kids activities include: Several mascots, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, and visits with RDU Police K-9 units, airline pilots and flight attendants. Kids also might enjoy adding their signatures to an oversize guest book that will become part of an art installation in the terminal's second phase.

Federal agents will offer opportunities to see inside the passport control and screening areas for arriving international passengers. These areas are normally closed to the public.

If you go, be sure to check out the airport's Observation Park, which opened 20 years ago. The small park (follow signs to the general aviation terminal) features a deck for watching planes take off from the western runaway and live chatter from air traffic controllers and pilots. There's also a metal spider for kids to climb on, a child-size runway and several picnic tables.

This is a great time to go because, until mid-November, a paving project is pushing all the airport's commercial plane traffic onto the western runway. You'll see lots of airplanes. The public also is welcome to go inside the general aviation terminal. Both locations have bathrooms.

What: The public is invited to check out Raleigh-Durham International Airport's Terminal 2. There'll be food to taste, samples to take and activities for airplane-loving kids.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Raleigh Durham International Airport's new Terminal 2

Who goes: All ages

Other highlights

• Learn all about animals at the Museum of Life and Sciences' "Wild About Animals" program all day Saturday. The event is devoted to learning about and caring for animals. Activities include behind the scenes tours, animal keeper tours, a "safari" in the museum's wetland and live animal presentations. Some programs require registration (and are full), so check the Web site or call ahead. Go to www.ncmls.org/visit/events/wildaboutanimals or call 220-5429, ext. 313, to register.
• Take a moonlight stroll with your family at East Regional Library's Moonlight Walk in Knightdale. The library at 946 Steeple Square Court will feature storytelling, music and treats from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today. Call the library at 217-5317 for more information.
• Check out Kidsfest in Raleigh for food, entertainment, rides and other family fun. The event is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, at Spring Forest Road Park, 4203 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh.

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