This weekend has it all, including a mac and cheese explosion at War Memorial Stadium and nonstop thrills and rides at the season opening of Magic Springs. Check out our five best bets for family fun for the weekend of April 11-12 here!

And if these five events aren't enough, don't forget it's your final chance to see "Mary Poppins" at The Rep and the first weekend of the year to shop the Bernice Garden Farmer's Market! Plus, artsy families won't want to miss the very first Free Family Sunday at the Arkansas Arts Center, which coincides with the highly-anticipated opening of the new exhibit "30 Americans." For info on these events and more, browse our full online calendar here. 

Mac ’N’ Cheez Mania at War Memorial Stadium: Brace yourselves, moms and dads. Of all the fantastic food festivals around the Natural State, we can't imagine one that your kids will love more than this one. The inaugural event celebrates all things macaroni and cheese--all to benefit local organizations that serve children, hunger, health and education. The event is organized as a community service by Trinity United Methodist Church and will feature play space and family-friendly activities, music, and mac and cheese tasting, of course. The cheesy bites are prepared by professional chefs competing for prizes, as well as non-professional and family teams. You may even see a team of youngsters--kids were invited to participate in the cook-off, too! 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 11. Price: $10; kids 12 and younger are free. Info: (501) 666-2813, LittleRockMacAndCheese.com.

Opening Day at Magic Springs Water & Theme Park in Hot Springs: The Hot Springs theme park opens for the 2015 season this Saturday. Visitors will find deeply discounted admission prices before the water park opens on May 9; admission will be just $19.99 for the weekends of April 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, and May 2-3. During the discounted weekends, families can experience the non-water park attractions, including roller coasters like X-Coaster, the Gauntlet and the Arkansas Twister. Almost two dozen rides will be in operation, such as the Log Flume, Big Bad John, SkyShark and many of the kiddie rides. 11 a.m. April 11. Admission: $19.99. Info: MagicSprings.com.

20th Anniversary Celebration at Jacksonville Community Center: The JCC was created to serve the people to give them a place to exercise, socialize and have fun. Mark this momentous anniversary alongside community leaders, elected officials, friends and neighbors. Enjoy refreshments, activities for kids, free fitness classes, free T-shirts to the first 100 people, and more. admission to the Community Center is free all day, as well! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 11. Info: (501) 982-4171, CityOfJacksonville.net. FREE!

4-H Youth and Family 5K Trail Run/Walk at C.A. Vines 4-H Center: All ages, from kids to grandparents, are welcome at this healthy, outdoorsy 5K. Expect some hills and uneven surfaces on your journey. And after the race, go canoeing and try out archery. You can even bring your fishing pole and go fishing in the pond. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; race begins at 9 a.m. April 11. Advance registration is $15, youth $5, day of registration is $20, youth $10. Info: (501) 821-4444, UAEX.edu.

Screening of "The Sandlot" at CALS Ron Robinson Theater: In this 1993 coming-of-age film, a new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his team. Together, they fall into boyhood adventures involving rival teams, lifeguards and a vicious dog. Rated PG. 2 p.m. April 11. Price: $5. Info: (501) 320-5715, CALS.org.

For more central Arkansas events, browse our full online calendar here.