SWEET TOOTH. Crumbl Cookies opens its doors at a new location in Apex Friday, May 26, 8 a.m.–noon. Located at 1105 Pine Plaza Drive, the store features flavors such as dirt cake, banana bread, strawberry cake and more, including classic chocolate chip. Cookies are made fresh daily, and the menu rotates weekly.
The sweets keep coming! Next Saturday, June 3, at 5 p.m., Raleigh Rolls will host a grand opening for its new location at 10750 Wakefield Commons Drive, Suite 105. The establishment is known for its rolled ice cream with mix-ins, such as fruits, candies, cookies and syrups.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND. Looking for ways to celebrate Memorial Day weekend? Visit Raleigh’s Field of Honor, a moving display of more than 500 full-size American flags representing U.S. veterans and first responders. Catch a Carolina Mudcats game as the team takes on the Down East Wood Ducks Friday through Sunday. Support veteran-owned businesses such as Olde Raleigh Distillery, Devil-Dog® Dungarees, Brookside Bodega, Oak City Amaretto, Fine Art From Nature, IWatch Security, Larger Than Lemons and Smiths Smokehouse and Smoothies.
Carolina Brewery’s Chapel Hill and Pittsboro restaurants will also serve a Memorial Day brunch on Monday, May 30, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Reservations are available online. Lebanese-Mediterranean restaurant Sassool celebrates Memorial Day with side dishes suited for cookouts, including chicken salad and made-from-scratch hummus. The Patio at Unscripted Durham will offer live music by Tim Smith and Alexandra Valladares Friday and Saturday, along with tropical cocktails and poolside treats. The Casso, Raleigh, is offering a decadent brunch on its outdoor patio with live music Sunday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
KNIGTS + MAIDENS. The Carolina Renaissance Festival, which takes place Saturdays and Sundays September 30–November 19, is holding open auditions June 17 and 24, 9 a.m.–noon, for colorful personalities to bring to life the festival’s make-believe Village of Fairhaven. Opportunities are available for actors, street performers, cosplayers, historical reenactors, musicians, singers, dancers, variety acts and stagehands for ages 13 and older. Auditions will be held in Concord at the Cannon School, which is located at 5801 Poplar Tent Road. Register here.
INSPIRING DOCUMENTARY. Durham film company Fly Squirrel Films will host screenings of the documentary “Go On, Be Brave” at the Carolina Theatre of Durham on Saturday, June 17 at 7 p.m. and at The Cary theater on Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. The film tells the story of Raleigh triathlete Andrea Lytle Peet, who has completed 50 marathons in 50 states while fighting the progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
MAKING KIDS SMILE. Actress Ariana DeBose recently visited WakeMed Children’s Hospital locations in the Triangle in support of Starlight Children’s Foundation, to make toy deliveries to children on behalf of the organization. The toys are part of the nonprofit’s mission to deliver happiness to hospitalized kids. DeBose is best known for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of “West Side Story,” for which she received an Academy Award. DeBose attended Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, and performed with CC & Co. Dance Complex and North Carolina Theatre.
Photo courtesy of Starlight Children’s Foundation.
DISCOVER POE. The Poe Center for Health Education hosts Youth Afternoon at the UNC Health Championship on Tuesday, May 30, 4–6 p.m. Guests can take free shuttles from Raleigh Country Club to the Poe Center, which is three minutes away, to enjoy tours, activities and snacks. First Tee of the Triangle will present a free junior clinic at Raleigh Country Club’s driving range at 6 p.m.
ECO-FRIENDLY FINDS. Little Oak Collective will host the grand opening of its sustainable children’s consignment boutique at 233 Bickett Boulevard in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood June 2–3. The shop will offer trendy and affordable items that are also eco-friendly.
RISING STARS. Speaking of local stars, the 2023 Triangle Rising Stars winners were announced Thursday, May 18, at Durham Performing Arts Center. Lilly Pritchard of Heritage High School and Noah Colvin of Enloe High School were selected as the 2023 Best Actress and Best Actor. Both will advance to the national level to compete in the Jimmy Awards on June 26. This year’s Triangle Rising Stars competition was hosted by Clay Aiken, with special guest Tony Award winner Beth Leavel. Be sure to check out the May/June issue of Triangle Family magazine to learn more about the Triangle Rising Stars program.
TAKE A HIKE. The North Carolina Science Trail now includes 14 of the 42 state parks in North Carolina, with plans to add the remaining 28 over the next few months. Pick up a North Carolina State Parks passport at any state parks visitor centers and collect a stamp at each park.
Photo by Jenny Midgley
FAMILY FUN. The North Carolina Museum of History will host a free Family Fun Fest on Saturday, June 3, noon–4 p.m. The event will feature crafts, music, storytelling and more. On Saturday, June 7, 7–10 p.m., parents and older children can enjoy a concert at the museum with award-winning trumpet player Al Strong.
TRIANGLE MUSEUMS. From art museums to historic sites, the Triangle offers a rich supply of cultural experiences for local families to explore. Here are some we recommend checking out during the long Memorial Day weekend.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Life and Science
