Gather 'round the camp fire and join Mara Shea of the Elftones on the fiddle for a selection of traditional tunes from Irish and Scottish traditions from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Bring a folding chair or blanket for the grass.

Register in advance or at the door. The event is free for ages 10 and younger, and is $5 for folks 10 and above. Meet at the Durant Nature Park Office Campfire Circle at the North Entrance to Durant Nature Park. For more information, contact Karen Berry at (919) 870-2871.

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, you can sample a bunch of activities at the park. Catch activities including paddling, critter watching, bird watching, crafts and dipnetting. This event is free and open to all ages. Start at the big yellow gate next to the park office located at the Durant Nature Park North Entrance.

Volunteers help children make one-use bluebird houses out of recycled orange juice

cartons at a previous Songbird celebraton at Blue Jay Point County Park.

A REAL TWEET

Blue Jay Point County Park is expecting more than 1,500 people to take part in classes, hikes, games, crafts and activities to celebrate the 11th Annual Songbird Celebration. Each year organizers align their theme with the International Migratory Bird Day theme, and this year it's Tundra to Tropics. Events for preschoolers, older kids, adults and the whole family are on tap for this event, which sounds like a real hoot.

For more information, call D'Nise Hefner at 870-4334.

CHIP IN

What happens at 1705Prime Steakhouse on Saturday stays at 1705Prime Steakhouse.

The restaurant, at 1705 E. Millbrook Road, is hosting a casino night to benefit the American Cancer Society's Triangle Swing Fore a Cure Sunday night from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In addition to various games, the evening will feature multiple chance drawings for a free casino party and a vacation getaway.

Tickets to the event are $75 each, and chance drawing tickets are $20 each prior to the event. For tickets, contact Aimee Bridges or Liz Wallace at 829-3771 or e-mail acsgolf@gmail.com with the subject line "tickets."

COOKOUT AND MORE

The Gardens at Wakefield is hosting a bunch of activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be a white elephant sale, an auction, a bake sale, music by the Little German Band and a tour of their garden.

In addition, seven vendors will be on hand to show and sell jewelry, pottery and much more.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be cooked on the grill outside.

The Gardens At Wakefield is at 12800 Spruce Tree Way, two blocks from Wakefield High School.

For more information, call Irene Dutfy 556-9874 or Tom Thayer 562-5217.

GO BULLDOGS!

The North Raleigh Bulldogs Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading organization will hold open registration at West Millbrook Middle School on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. Go to www.northraleighbulldogs.com for more information.

OUTDOOR + FREE = FUN

The Castaways are performing on Thursday in the Midtown Concert Series in North Hills.

The free show is from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting, on the Commons Lawn across from Regal Cinemas.

The series continues through July. We'll try to keep you posted about future performances.