I don’t remember when I first read E.B. White’s 1952 book “Charlotte’s Web.”

I think I was an adult and plowing through classics of children’s literature that I had missed in my childhood because I was reading the “Little House on the Prairie” series and every single Nancy Drew mystery. What I do remember is first reading it to my daughter on a long car ride when she was four years old. It is a tale of one eventful year on the farm starring Wilbur the pig and Charlotte, a barn spider with an unusually large vocabulary. We were both enchanted.

I bet you’ll be enchanted with the Matchbox Children’s Theatre production of “Charlotte’s Web” on April 7, 8 and 9. The show is directed by Cameron Davis and the cast includes Diann Smith, Abe Phillips, Deidre Smith, Derek McAlister, Jenny Dreyer, Camryn Deters, Ed Dreyer, Nikki Philips, Lydia Wik, Natalie Zettles, Leah Hanson, Becca Wicks, Emma Mackay, Lexi Lewis, Zara Anserge.

Three performances are held: 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8 and 2 p.m. Sunday April 9. Tickets (adults $10 students $6) are available now at the Austin ArtWorks Center (Thursday to Friday 10 a.m. to  5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or online at www.austinareaarts.org. Shows are 1 hour long, a great first-time theatre experience for young children.

Next weekend the Hormel Historic Home is offering another great family activity: Spam Kids Fest on Saturday, April 8. The free event celebrates the local love of the Spam brand through science, history and arts. The event starts at 9 a.m. with a “Just For You” hour for kids with special needs; pre-registration required by calling the Hormel Historic Home at 507-433-4243.

Then from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., drop in to the Hormel Historic Home for crafts, games, live music, Musubi samples, interactive presentations, story telling, kid friendly tours of the Hormel Historic Home, special appearances by Spam characters and ponies from Red Barn Learning Farm. Volunteers are needed, learn more at at www.hormelhistorichome.org.

The Austin Area Commision for the Arts will be hosting an outdoor art project in conjunction with Spam Kids Fest, weather permitting. Stroll from the Hormel Historic Home to the Spam Museum and stop by the Wells Fargo bank parking lot to create a Spam-tastic masterpiece.

On behalf of the Austin Area Commission for the Arts and Austin’s moms, thank you to all the great organizations that go the extra mile to offer fun, safe, educational and enriching experiences for our kids.

This week that includes Matchbox Children’s Theatre, the Hormel Historic Home, Hormel Foods Corp/Spam Museum, Wells Fargo and many others. Much appreciated.

Coming soon

Paramount Theatre

Matchbox Children’s Theatre: “Charlotte’s Web,”April 7-9

Forte Milers Barbership, April 23 at 3 p.m.

Branson on the Road, April 28 at 7:30 p.m.