Dessert before dinner? Sign me up! The NC Sugar Rush Dessert Food Rodeo will be held at City Plaza in Downtown Raleigh on Sunday, May 26, from noon until 7 p.m. This free and kid-friendly festival includes live performances, a DJ, and 20+ dessert vendors! Everyone is welcome including pets. RSVP to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Friday Five: Shop, Sip, and Snack All Weekend Long
Happy Friday, Raleigh! As the summer inches closer and the days get longer, the Raleigh festivities are kicking into high gear, and I’m here for it. This weekend’s lineup includes festivals, grand openings, food trucks, and more local fun that you’re going to love. So, without further ado, let’s get this party started!
But First… An Un-fore-gettable Giveaway
Cue the golf clap! The 124th U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst June 10-16, and the Raleigh Weekend team is here to help you stock up on local favorites that are above par to enjoy while you are watching the tournament at home!
Register to win a “Taste of the U.S. Open” gift bag before Friday, May 31. The bag is stocked with local favorites that will be showcased at the U.S. Open. Ridgewells Catering provides most of the food for the U.S. Open, however, they have teamed up with local partners to help highlight the state, with many of the North Carolina Specialty Foods Association members being chosen for the event. We would like to extend a special thank you to the association for providing these gift bags and yummy goodies! Since 1994, the North Carolina Specialty Foods Association has been promoting local artisanal foods made by its members. The organization serves more than 150 North Carolina companies and we are so excited to be partnering with them on this giveaway.
Each week, we will be focusing on a different North Carolina Specialty Foods Association member whose products have been selected. For some cheesy, game-changing goodness, let me introduce you to this week’s delicious bite: Piedmont Pennies. Their Gift Duo – Original & Spicy Chipotle Penny Package are included in the gift bag.
Piedmont Pennies all started with a family cheese straw recipe that tasted irresistibly crunchy and delightfully spicy. Evolving from simple straws to savory “pennies,” these bite-sized biscuits garnered widespread acclaim, propelling them from an MBA class project to a snack sensation with top-notch ratings. Today, Piedmont Pennies bakes full-time in Charlotte, NC, and can be found in retail stores throughout the U.S. as well as online. Don’t miss your shot to snag our “Taste of the U.S. Open” gift bag—register before Friday, May 31, and get ready to snack like a champion!
Local Vibes Only at the Got to Be NC Festival
Come and party with the locals because the Got to Be NC Festival is back at the NC State fairgrounds! Get a taste of North Carolina’s finest agriculture with locally made and grown goodies that you won’t want to pass up. Mark your calendars for three days of fun from Friday, May 17, to Sunday, May 19. Explore vintage farm gear, marvel at adorable animals, thrill at the carnival rides, and groove to live tunes. Round up your crew and join us for a celebration of all things local! Gate admission and parking is free.
Get Your Art on With Artsplosure! 🎨
Soak up the artsy vibes at Artsplosure, the legendary Raleigh Arts Fest that’s been rocking since 1980 and showing no signs of slowing down! The streets come alive with creativity and talent during this two-day packed event on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. Be sure to delve into the Art Market featuring 175 outstanding artists showcasing a variety of mediums, including ceramics and photography, and enjoy live music from up-and-coming stars on the main stage. And, of course, be sure to catch the mesmerizing art installations scattered throughout downtown. It’s an event not to be missed!
Ladies and Gents, It’s Tiki Time
Bring on the grass skirts and leis! Wolfe and Porter and Cellar Liquor Bar are celebrating their grand opening with an island-inspired party dubbed Tiki Fest on Saturday, May 18, from 4 p.m. until midnight (the bar opens at noon). Inspired by North Carolina’s literary icons Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry, Wolfe & Porter offers not one but two bars in its sprawling indoor and outdoor space. Swing on by for the festivities, including live music, food trucks, and giveaways. Be sure to indulge in the island-inspired cocktails served at both Wolfe & Porter and The Cellar Liquor Bar—you don’t want to miss out! 🍹🌺
It’s Ofishally Open! The East Raleigh Seafood Market 🐟
Raleighites, get ready for a shell of a good time! Locals Seafood is celebrating the grand opening of its new East Raleigh Seafood Market on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Enjoy chef demos every hour, from fish filleting, oyster sucking, soft shell crab cleaning, and more! Locals Seafood will be offering a 10 percent discount on a variety of seafood packages, like the Summertime Shrimp Broil and Shrimp Steam Bags, during its grand opening. Plus, customers can score a free “Locals Only” t-shirt with a $100 purchase. So come on out to shop, shuck, and socialize!
Calling All Foodies! Get Ready for a (Food) Truckin’ Good Time
Get in line for the best of both worlds: food and music! The Brier Creek Food Truck Festival is back and jam-packed with tasty treat options from the area’s most popular food trucks. Be sure to pull up a seat or bring your own to enjoy an unforgettable show by the Irresistible Groove, a band that’s rocked with legends like Prince and James Brown. And hey, for the kiddos, there’s a whole zone of fun with face painting, a bounce house, and games. Best part? It’s all free! So, mark your calendars for Sunday, May 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., and let’s get this party started! 🎉🍔🎶