FAIR FUN! The North Carolina State Fair kicks off today and runs through Sunday, October 22 from 9 a.m.–11 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Enjoy a variety of fair food, including many new offerings this year. Grandstand shows, outdoor music stages, and rides and games are just part of the annual October fun. Free parking is available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena properties.
The Willard Rooftop Lounge is offering a new cotton candy–inspired cocktail during the N.C. State Fair run, from October 12–22. The Sunset Over Horizon cocktail costs $16 and contains Hendrick’s gin, lemon, grenadine, Licor 43, Chambord and blue spirulina. The cocktail brings a swirl of vanilla, raspberry and orange notes together to create the taste of the state fair in an adult beverage.
BUNS IN THE OVEN! Just in time for the holidays, La Farm Bakery’s pop-up bakery in Fuquay-Varina, which opened in 2021 for less than a year, returns after popular demand—this time with a renovated space, additional parking and a long-term goal to open a full-scale store in the distant future. The new location at 1900 Broad Street marks the fifth La Farm Bakery location in the Triangle, and will be open daily, 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Moon Angel Sweets, based in Morrisville, makes Brazilian-style truffles. These hand-crafted “brigadeiros” come in a variety of flavors. Gift boxes range in price from $14–$70 and are available online. Owner and baker Daniela Leite Waterhouse grew up on the coast of Northeastern Brazil and worked as a lawyer in Brazil for several years before moving to the U.S. in 2003.
FOR THE KIDS. Pineapple Sol (302 Colonades Way, Suite 109, Cary) will host a Snow White Tea Party on Thursday, October 27, 5–7 p.m. Stop by for an afternoon of tea service, snacks, dessert, craft activities, face painting and a visit from Snow White.
TOP HONORS. The Fearrington House Inn has been named among the “Top 25 Hotels in the South” by Condé Nast Traveler. In addition, certified sommelier Troy Revell returns to Fearrington House after previously serving in the role in 2019. Revell will lead wine service in The Fearrington House Restaurant & Bar Thursday–Sunday evenings, as well as Saturday wine tastings at Fearrington Village’s new Galloway’s Wine & Beer Bar during October.
LEGAL HAUNTS. Haunted Carolina: The “Spirit” of the Law continues at Morrisville Community Library on Thursday, October 12, 6:30–8 p.m. The program delves into the captivating world where the paranormal intersects with the law. Explore the lighter side of the paranormal with amusing anecdotes and unexpected encounters within a legal context. The program continues with Haunted Carolina: All the Reasons a House Might Be Haunted at North Regional Library on Tuesday, October 17 and at Northeast Regional Library on Monday, October 30.
FRIGHT FILMS. The Carolina Theatre of Durham hosts the SplatterFlix film series from Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15. The event features 18 horror films over a three-day weekend, including “Friday the 13th,” “The Shining,” “The Fly” and “The Thing.” The series also includes the world premiere of the indie horror-comedy “Reptchild,” directed by North Carolina filmmaker Brockton McKinney. Individual tickets are $12 and available online.
FALL FESTIVITIES. The Festifall Arts Market & More is Saturday, October 14, 21 and 28 from 1–6 p.m. Chapel Hill’s annual fall arts festival features three separate markets in the downtown district offering interactive art experiences, entertainment and artisan vendors.
DIWALI CELEBRATION. The 23rd Hum Sub Diwali festival is on October 14 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Enjoy a day of cultural immersion into the Indian subcontinent filled with entertainment, shopping, Indian food and fireworks. Gates open at 10 a.m. Learn more here.
HOLIDAY HOMES. Tickets are on sale now for the 52nd Annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour, which takes place Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10, 1–7 p.m. Visitors will enjoy intimate tours of 10 homes decked out in Christmas finery. Most properties date from the late–1800s to the mid–1900s, including Queen Anne cottages, Neoclassical Revival and Italianate residences. Docents at each stop will offer information on each home’s unique features, family lineage and surrounding community.
RING OF FIRE. North Carolina residents will have a chance to see a partial view of the annular “Ring of Fire” eclipse on Saturday, October 14. The moon will pass between the earth and sun far enough away from our planet that, for some parts of the country, the moon’s outline will be completely surrounded by the sun. North Carolinians will see what looks like a cookie bite shape as the moon partially covers the sun. Protective eyewear is essential for viewing the eclipse.
HALLOWEEN FUN. If you’re ready to carve out time for spooky fun, Wake County Public Libraries and Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space have some free events on the calendar. The BOOOOOkmobile visits libraries around the county in October, and Halloween Hoot brings storytime to the local branches as well. Even adults can enjoy the spooky season with Haunted Carolina. All events are free, but some require registration.
SCHEDULE CHANGE. The North Carolina Museum of History will be closed on Mondays beginning on November 6. The change will align with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science’s schedule. Each location will be open Tuesdays–Sundays.
CANINE FLU. In response to a recent outbreak of canine influenza, including the death of two dogs, the Wake County Animal Center will be closed through Thursday, November 9 to help contain the outbreak. The center will stop accepting animals to prevent new cases. Veterinarians are reporting that many dogs are picking up respiratory illness after stays at boarding or day care facilities. Most dogs recover after two to three weeks, but some pets develop secondary infections that lead to pneumonia and sometimes death.
FESTIVAL FUN. Festival D’Avion returns to Moore County Airport in Carthage on Friday, October 27, 6–11 a.m. and Saturday, October 28 beginning at 10 a.m. The two-day event is a celebration of freedom and flight beginning with the Children of Fallen Heroes Costume Carnivale Fundraiser on Friday. On Saturday, enjoy military aircraft, precision flyovers from the Bandit Flight Team, parachute jump teams, fixed wing and helicopter sightseeing tours, live music, the 82nd Airborne Chorus and more.
The Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo takes place in downtown Durham (318 Blackwell Street) on Sunday, October 15 beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event features a half–marathon and a 5–miler, suited to competitive runners and families alike. The post–race festival takes place on the lawn at the Diamond View Park on the American Tobacco Campus and features food trucks, a beer garden and a kids’ zone.
PUMPKIN POTTERY. The Seagrove Potters celebrate American Craft Week with several upcoming events. The Potters’ Pumpkin Patch Trail takes place each Saturday in October, featuring pottery pumpkins, ceramic gourds, woodland creatures and more. The Triangle Studio hosts the Gourd Garden Event on Saturday, October 14 and Saturday, October 21. Gourds will be available for order online on October 14, and a series of mythical-creature pottery will be on display on October 21.
