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919 | UPFRONT

It’s Happening in North Carolina!

Fall Means Fun, Festivals, Fantastic Music and More

If it’s autumn in the 919 and throughout North Carolina – it’s time for fun, festivals, fantastic music, and foods of all kinds. From oysters to barbecue, and ripe apples to delectable ethnic cuisine, residents and visitors can find it the Tarheel State.

And this year is no different, with more events in more places than ever. Here is a partial list of just some of the places and activities that residents and visitors can enjoy this fall.

The 919: Fall Events

• 9/5-7: Hopscotch Music Festival, 7 pm-1:30 am (Thu), 5:50 pm-1:30 am (Fri), 5:50 pm-1:30 am (Fri); tickets, $35-$225; various venues and locations in Downtown Raleigh. Info: hopscotchmusicfest.com.

• 9/6-8: 38th annual Raleigh Greek Festival, 5-10 pm (Fri), 11 am-10 pm (Sat), 11 am-6 pm (Sun); tickets, $3 general admission ($2 seniors and ages 13-18; under 13 free; Jim Graham Bldg, NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh. Info: raleighgreekfestivalcom

• 9/13: Friday Night on White, featuring Crush; 6-9 pm; free admission; Downtown Wake Forest; wakeforestnc.gov.

• 9/13-15: SPARKcon 2019 – ‘The Triangle’s Creativity Festival”; check website for details on performances, times, locations; Raleigh Warehouse District, downtown. Info: sparkcon.com, 919-828-7834, info@sparkcon.com.

• 9/14: City of Oaks Pirate Fest, 10 am-4:30 pm; free; experience swashbuckling sword fights, music from a notorious pirate band, costume contests, a pirate parade, and more; Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Dr., Raleigh. Info: 919- 807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org.

• 9/14: Kaleidoscope Fest – a women’s entrepreneurship festival – celebrating women in business, 12-7 pm; Rhythms Live Music Hall, Durham. Info: kaleidoscopefestnc.brownpapertickets.com.

• 9/15: Apex Music Festival, 2-11 pm; free; featuring five live bands, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, shopping; downtown Apex. Info: apexmusicfestival.com.

• 9/18: 3rd annual Savor the Triangle Food Festival, 6-9 pm; Kerr Scott Bldg, NC State Fairgrounds. Info: wralfm. com/savor-the-triangle.

• 9/20-21: Peak City International Film Festival, 4-7 pm; Halle Culture Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex. Info: apexnc.org.

• 9/20-22: 15th annual Capital City Bikefest, 12 pm-11 pm (Fri), 10 am-10 pm (Sat), 10 am-5 pm (Sun); tickets, $10; presented by Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson at Raleigh Convention Center, Downtown Raleigh. Info: 919-832-2261, capitalcitybikefest.com.

• 9/21: Rolesville BBQ & Bands Festival, 11 am-5 pm; food, music, fun and more. Info: 919-562-7069, rolesvillechamber. org.

• 9/21: BugFest, 9 am-7 pm; free; displays, exhibits, activities and more; North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones St, Downtown Raleigh. Info: 919-707-9800, naturalsciences.org.

• 9/21-22: Durham Arts Council’s 45th annual Center- Fest Arts Festival, Downtown Durham; Info: centerfest. durhamarts.org.

• 9/22: La Fiesta del Pueblo (25th Anniversary), 12-7 pm; free; food vendors, artists, musicians and performers – including Puerto Rican act Plena Libre as the headliner; City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville St, Raleigh. Info: 919-835-1525, elpueblo@elpueblo.org.

• 9/22: 12th annual Amazing Pepperfest, 3-6 pm; a celebration of sustainable agriculture, farmers and creativity of the Piedmont’s top chefs, brewers and artisans, presented by Abundance NC; Main Street Station, downtown Pittsboro. Info: pepperfestnc.org.

• 9/27-29: 6th annual Art of Cool Festival 2019, $100-$350; a collusion of R&B, soul, hip-hop, jazz, alternative and spoken word – 20-plus artists featuring Jill Scott, RunDMC; special guest host Rasheed Wallace; Durham Bulls Athletic Park , Carolina Theatre, Motorco Music Hall, Durham Armory, Pinhook, The Masonic Temple. Info: aocfestival.com.

• 9/27-28: PNC Presents Wide Open Bluegrass, all day; free street festival, including multiple stages ($40-140 for ticketed venues); Red Hat Amphitheater, Fayetteville Street (downtown Raleigh) and Raleigh Convention Center. Info: 888-438-4262, wideopenbluegrass.org.

and stage performances – plus a wide collection of ethnic foods and delicacies. Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary. Info: boothamphitheatre.com.

• 10/5: 92nd annual Harvest Festival, 10 am-10 pm; free; Wendell Chamber of Commerce, 115 N Pine St, Wendell. Info: 919-365-6318, facebook.com/wendellharvestfestival.

• 10/5: Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival and Annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off, 10 am-4 pm; live entertainment, craft beer, food, kids zone and more; free admission; Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association, 108 Raleigh St, Fuquay-Varina. Info: celebratefv.com.

• 10/5: Raleigh Tamale Festival, 2-6 pm; free; a celebration of Latino culture, featuring music, games, inflatables, latin dance lessons, art exhibits, vendors and food trucks; Dix Park Flower Field, 2105 Umstead Dr, Raleigh. Info: raleighnc.gov.

• 10/5: Harvest Festival; 2-8 pm; live music, authentic South Indian food booths, and more; St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, 225 Bashford Rd, Raleigh. Info: harvestfestnc. com.

• 10/5: Bass Lake Day, 1-4 pm; free; annual nature and environmental education festival, featuring live music, interactive exhibits, crafts and games, live animals; Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs. Info: hollyspringsnc.us.

• 10/5: Wake Forest Dance Festival, featuring local, regional, national and international dancers; emerging choreographers; free; E Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd, Wake Forest. Info: wakeforestdancefestival.org.

• 10/5: Oak View Farm Fest, 10 am-4 pm; free; features farm animals, antique farm equipment, historic crafts, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and cane pole fishing; Historic Oak View County Park, 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh. Info: 919-250-1013, oakview@wakegov.com.

• 10/5: Tacos N Taps Festival, 12-5 pm; $30 general admission, $50 VIP; food, beer, tiquela, more; Koko Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary. Info: tacosntaps.com.

• 10/5: 2nd Annual Festa Italiana, 12-8 pm; free; celebrating Italian culture with food, music and more; Tucker Street (downtown Raleigh). Info: festaitalianaraleigh.com.

• 10/26: Rolesville Fall FunFest, 10 am-4 pm; free; arts and crafts, vendors, food trucks, kids Halloween costume contest; Rolesville Main Street Park, 200 S Main St. Info: rolesvillenc.gov.

• 10/27: Galleria Craft Fair; 9 am-4:30 pm; St. Raphael Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Rd. Info: galleriacraftfair. com.

• 11/3: Sip + Savor – a wine, food and music experience, featuring 30 restaurants and 30 wineries; taste food from top restaurants, pared with great wine – plus access to an on-stage live music, dessert and “bubbles”, 4:30 pm; general admission, $95 (though price may fluctuate); Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Info: sipandsavornc.com.

• 10/5: Taste of China Chinese Food and Culture Festival, 11 am-5:30 pm; free; continuous entertainment including the dragon and lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, folk and traditional dances, musical performances, children’s pavilion activities, Chinese culture and history booths and more; Bicentennial Plaza, Downtown Raleigh; Info: 919-395- 8847.

• 10/11: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder – Allen de Art Concert Series at Louisburg College’s Selby B Jones Performing Arts Center, 501 N Main St, Louisburg. Info: 866-773-6354, jpacarts.com.

• 10/12: NC Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival, 12-6 pm; tickets, $31.95-$55.95; Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Rd, Raleigh. Info: lafayettevillageraleigh.com.

• 10/12: Beericana Craft Beer and Music Festival, 12-6 pm; Jefferson L Sugg Farm at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs; tickets, $45-$75; 70 breweries, 20 food trucks and more. Info: beericana.com.

• 10/16-19: Terra Vita Food & Drink Festival; multi-day celebration that brings together top chefs, food artisans, sommeliers, baristas, brewers, educators, distillers, cookbook authors and industry luminaries from across the Southeast to celebrate culinary excellence and sustainability in food and drink; various times and locations in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Pittsboro, with various tickets and prices. Info: terravitafest.com.

• 10/17-27: 2019 North Carolina State Fair (largest annual event in North Carolina, attracting a million visitors each year); NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh. Info: 919-821-7400, ncstatefair.org.

• 10/18-19: 6th Annual Triangle Octoberfest; Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary. Info: 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary. Info 800-514-3849, triangleoktoberfest.org.

• 10/19: St. John’s Fall Festival & FUN-Raiser to raise money for new playground equipment, 11 am-2:30 pm; live bluegrass music, car show, kids’ activities, picnic lunches for sale, and more; St Johns Episcopal Church, 834 Durham Rd, Wake Forest. Info: 919-556-3656, ogned.cora@gmail.com.

• 10/19: World Beer Festival, 12-4 pm, 6-10 pm; food, music and plenty of beer; tickets, $40-$65; Durham Bulls Athletic Park, downtown Durham. Info: worldbeerfestival.com/ durham.

• 9/21: Creedmoor Music Festival, 10 am-6 pm; free; featuring bands on two stages, food and craft vendors, free kids’ activities, car show and more; Main Street in downtown. Info: cityofcreedmoor.org/musicfestival.

• 10/26: HollyFest, 10 am-4 pm; free; features local artists, businesses, food vendors, children’s activities, local entertainment and more; Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs. Info: hollyspringsnc.us.

• 10/30-11/3: Clayton Harvest Festival, 6-10 pm (Wed-Fri), 10 am-10 pm (Sat), 12-6 pm (Sun); five-day event includes a midway with carnival rides and games – plus community-focused events, vendors, food, BBQ competition, care show music, and more. Info: claytonharvestfestival.com.

• 11/3: 2nd annual Cars & Jars Charity Car Show, 1-6 pm; Mason Jar Lager Company, 341 Broad St #151, Fuquay-Varina. Info: facebook.com/carsandjars.

• 11/3: Sip + Savor – a wine, food and music experience, featuring 30 restaurants and 30 wineries; taste food from top restaurants, pared with great wine – plus access to an on-stage live music, dessert and “bubbles”; general admission, $95 (though price may fluctuate); Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. Info: sipandsavornc. com.

The Mountains/Western NC: Fall Events

Hendersonville, NC

Fiesta Hendersonville Sept. 22, Hendersonville

Bright colors, savory smells and rhythmic music fill Hendersonville’s Main Street for the fourth annual Fiesta Hendersonville. The street festival celebrates Latin American culture with more than 20 countries represented. Through music, dance, food and art, attendees learn the nuances of Latin American culture and how it differs from one country to another.

• Celebrating Latin American Culture, 12-6 pm

• Cost: Free • Location: Downtown Hendersonville • Info: 828-989-2745, holacommunityarts.org

Home for the Holidays Nov. 1-Jan. 1, 2020, Hendersonville

Experience the hospitality and warmth of a Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas, with a series of holiday events beginning in November. On Nov. 29, revelers gather at the Historic Courthouse to await Santa’s arrival. Once the man in red makes his appearance, he illuminates the two large trees on the plaza and the twinkling lights along Main Street. From Dec. 18-Jan. 1, the parking lot at the Visitor Center transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with an iceless skating rink, curling lanes and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows. Additional highlights include a downtown merchant decoration contest, holiday performances at Flat Rock Playhouse and fresh greenery for sale at local markets.

• Various dates and times throughout November and December • Cost: Varies by event • Location: Downtown Hendersonville and others • Info: 800-828-4244, visithendersonvillenc.org/homefor-the-holidays

Wooly Worm Festival Oct. 19-20, Banner Elk

For one weekend each fall, the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Banner Elk becomes the woolly worm racing capital. Now in its 42nd year, the Woolly Worm Festival draws visitors from across Carolina to spend two days cheering their woolly bear caterpillars to the finish line. “It’s really an all-American small town at its best,” said Mary Jo Brubaker, festival chairperson. “As a society, we go to such extremes to entertain people these days, but the down-home simplicity of the festival is wonderfully refreshing.” Races take place throughout the day Saturday and Sunday at the Historic Banner Elk School in the heart of downtown. All attendees are welcome to race a woolly worm. They may bring their own or purchase one from the local PTO. The races take place on the main stage in heats of 25 contestants. Each worm inches its way up a string as its owner coaxes and cheers. The first worm to the finish line moves on to the next round.

• Saturday, 9 am-5 pm; Sunday, 9 am-4 pm • Cost: $6, adults; $4, age 6-12; free, 5-under • Historic Banner Elk School, downtown • Info: bannerelk.com

THE MOUNTAINS/WESTERN NC: Fall Events

• 9/13-14: 10th annual Dirty Dancing Festival, benefitting The Swayze Foundation; Fri kickoff party and movie screening, begins at 5 pm; Sat Festival and concluding “Lake Life”, 9 am-5:30 pm; tickets -- Fri pre-sale, $10 (adults), $5 (child), and Sat pre-sale, $25 (adults), $10 (child); Lake Lure, NC. Info: dirtydancingfestival.com.

• 9/28: Old Timey Fall Festival, 10 am-4 pm; antique tractor parade, antique and craft vendors, antique cars and trucks show; music, cloggers, children’s games and rides, and plenty of food; free; Burnsville, NC, Town Square. Info: theoldtimeyfallfestival.com.

• 10/5: 11th annual Asheville Oktoberfest, 1-6 pm; featuring beer, wine, cider and spirit samples -- plus “oompah” music, games and activities; $10-$130; Pack Square Park, downtown Ashville. Info: ashevilleoktoberfest.com.

• 10/12: 7th annual CiderFest NC, 1-5 pm; featuring sample tastings of hard cider, mead and apple wine, along with artisanal food, live music, workshops, a kids zone, and more along the scenic French Broad River – all benefitting Green Built Alliance; tickets, $15-$55; Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd, Asheville. Info: ciderfestnc.com.

• 10/19: 30th annual Apple Harvest Festival, 10 am-5 pm; free; vendor booths, apple products and treats, cider, handcrafts, live music, old-fashioned games and more. Info: haywoodapplefest.com.

• 10/26: 36th annual Barbecue Festival; uptown Lexington; celebrating and serving Lexington-style barbecue; huge street fair. Info: barbecue festival.com.

Other Events

• 9/6-15: 121st Central Carolina Fair; games, rides, exhibits, favorite fair foods, live music; Greensboro Coliseum,1921 West Gate City Blvd. Schedule, ticket info: greensborocoliseum.com.

• 9/14: 13th Annual North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest – “the only festival taking pride in making grown men cry”, 11 am-6 pm; hot sauces, barbeque sauces and pepper eating contest, along with breweries and wineries in historic downtown Oxford. Info: nchotsaucecontest.com.

• 9/21: Fayetteville Taco Festival, 12-7 pm; taste a variety of tacos and enjoy the Tiny Taco Dog Beauty Pageant, Lucha Libre Wrestling; Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest and more; tickets $10-$65; Crown Complex, 1960 Coliseum Dr. Info: crowncomplex.com/events.

• 10/5: 5th annual Hoptoberfest, 4-7 pm; tickets, $35- $65; live music, chicken wing competition, 10 breweries; Rockingham Dragway, 2153 US 1 North, Marston. Info: richmondcountychamber.com

• 10/11-13: 53rd annual Autumn Leaves Festival, 9 am-9 pm (Fri/Sat), 12-6 pm (Sun); free; a mix of music, arts and crafts, and food; Downtown Mount Airy. Info: autumnleavesfestival.com.

• 10/26: Apple Fest, 10 am-4 pm; free; features local artisans and craftsmen, puppet show, local food vendors, racing pigs, petting zoo, live music, and, of course, apples; Historic Bethabra Park in Winston-Salem. Info: cityofws.org.

THE COAST/EASTERN NC: Fall Events Wilmington /Wrightsville Beach

40th Annual Riverfest Oct 5-6, Wilmington

Celebrate Wilmington’s 40th Annual Riverfest featuring a street fair with special exhibits, a Kid’s Play Zone, and vendors selling art and jewelry, handmade crafts, fireworks, over 30 food vendors and more. See Miss Riverfest crowned as the festival’s ambassador and enjoy the traditional fireworks.

• Sat: Street fair vendors, 10 am-6 pm (some open later); Beer Garden with live music, 2-10 pm); fireworks, 8 pm

• Sun: Free; 10:30 am-5:30 pm; refreshments, vendor wares available for purchase

• Cost: Free Location: Downtown Wilmington, Market and Water Streets

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Festival in the Park Nov 30, Wrightsville Beach

Celebrate the holidays coastal-style at the NC Holiday Flotilla. This annual celebration kicks off Friday night with the Tree Lighting ceremony. Free and open to the public, the fun continues Saturday with the Festival in the Park featuring over 100 arts and craft vendors, an antique car show, a large play area for children with several inflatables, the popular Arab Choo Choo, festival food and more. The Flotilla (lighted boat parade is at 6 p.m., followed by a fireworks show.

• Fri: Tree Lighting, 5:30 pm; Sat: Festival, 10 am-4 pm; Boat Parade & Fireworks, 6 pm.

• Cost: Free, with a small charge for special rides, food and products.

• Location: Wrightsville Beach

• Info: 910-256-2120, ncholidayflotilla.org

25th Annual Cucalorus Festival Nov 13-17, Wilmington

Celebrating a quarter century as one of the largest American film festivals in the South, Cucalorus is recognized by Moviemaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Film Festivals in the World” for three years in a row -- and “One of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. Known for its gorgeous riverside setting and its laid-back, rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere, this non-competitive festival showcases nearly 200 worldwide films, a diverse selection of stage performances, and over 50 Connect Conference events (entrepreneurship-focused panels, speakers, and workshops). Cucalorus attracts an accumulated audience of over 22,000 cultural travelers who celebrate art and connect with peers.

• Event times, days vary (see website for a full schedule).

• Price: Passes and individual tickets available. Check website for details

• Location: Various Venues, Historic Downtown Wilmington

• Info: www.cucalorus.org

Taste of Wrightsville Beach Nov 16, Wrightsville Beach

Enjoy the flavors of restaurants on the waterfront at The Taste of Wrightsville Beach festival, which celebrates the island’s diverse and delicious fare on and around the beach with over 30 food, wine and beer tasting booths. Celebrity judges will rate the dishes with a “Best in Show”, while the public will select the “People’s Choice” award.

• Time: 5-8 pm • Price: Age 21-up, $75; under age 21, $25 • Location: Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 275 Waynick Blvd • Info: (910) 262-5998, weekendmealsonwheels.org/ taste-of-wrightsville

Other Events

• 9/28: New River Splash Festival, 7:30 am-4 pm; family festival, including 5K, Triathlon, Duathlon, kids activities, goat yoga, cornhole tournament, vendors, food trucks and more. Info: jacksonvillenc.com.

• 10/19: Outer Banks Seafood Festival, 10:30 am-6 pm; food, live music, vendors, boat and tackle show, vendors, more. Info: outerbanksseafoodfestival.org.

• 10/19-20: 39th annual North Carolina Oyster Festival, 9 am-6 pm (Sat), 10 am-5 pm (Sun); foods, crafts, contests and musical performances; $5 admission; 3 West Third St, Ocean Isle Beach. Info: ncoysterfesival.com.

• 10/26-27: 32nd annual Carolina Kite Festival; at The Sands, just east of 4 Corners. Details and more information, visit kitesbirds.com/events.

• 11/2: Southport Wooden Boat Show, 10 am-4 pm; exhibits, demonstrations, vendors, maritime displays, children’s activities, harbor tours, food, more; historic old Yacht Basin, Southport. Info: southportwoodenboatshow.com.

Enchanted Airlie Nov 29-Dec 21, Wilmington

Stroll through Airlie Gardens and enjoy over one million festive lights, holiday flowers and musical entertainment with the whole family. Voted one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, this beloved Wilmington event continues to please visitors year after year. Enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus himself this season and coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and more from local vendors.

• Time: TBA (usually two run-times per evening: 5-7 pm; 7-9 pm • Price: Admission charge TBA; advance tickets required. • Location: Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd, Wilmington • Info: airliegardens.org, 910-798-7700

Bald Head Island

Roast and Toast On the Coast November 8-10

Idyllic Bald Head Island – North Carolina’s laid back, ferry-accessible, no-cars-allowed island – provides the perfect backdrop for what has become a signature fall event in Southeastern North Carolina. The three-day event weekend benefits the Old Baldy Foundation, which maintains the state’s oldest lighthouse. Activities include a traditional oyster roast on the verandah at the renovated Bald Head Island Club, North Carolina pit master Matt Register of Southern Smoke Barbeque’s Cookout on The Common (featuring fine wines, craft beer and a silent auction. Bluegrass favorites Massive Grass will cap off the evening with a concert under the stars. The weekend concludes with Sunday brunch back at the Bald Head Island Club.

• Benefit for Old Baldy Foundation

• Check website for details on pricing and event times

• Info: baldheadisland.com