Events

Feeling my muscles push, breathing hard, time – all things I took for granted before ALS. Never again. Now I race to feel alive.

According to Statista.com, 57 percent of Americans said celebrating Thanksgiving is “very important” to them with another 27 percent indicating it is “rather important.”

How are you celebrating the spooky holiday this year? In addition to the traditional nights of trick-or-treating or attending costume parties, there are many exciting or scary Halloween attractions and events happening throughout the state. From haunted houses and thrilling rides to family-friendly parades and festivals, there’s something fun or freaky for everyone.

Broadway Voices – the only concert series in Central North Carolina that features stars of Broadway shows – returns Nov. 10 to kick off its ninth season. This award-winning series at the Garner Performing Arts Center gained notoriety among performers for audience reception and the venue’s charm.

Do you know your dirndl from your Berliner? If not, you will after attending the 5th Annual Triangle Oktoberfest, Oct. 19 and 20 at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre. Organized by the Apex Sunrise and Cary MacGregor Rotary Clubs, this popular event raises funds for local and national charities, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The 9^th annual Rock Your World benefit concert is Saturday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. at The Mayton Inn, Cary. Proceeds benefit Hope for Haiti Foundation, SuNica and InterAct.

Throughout June – National Great Outdoors Month – Western North Carolina comes to life with wildflowers dotting the Appalachians. If you missed the spring blooms, look for these blossoms:

The fourth annual NC Beer Mile, May 24 at Bond Brothers Beer Company in Cary, should be the biggest, with 450 participants – serious runners to costume-clad partygoers.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 5, from 9AM–PM for the 38th annual Apex PeakFest. Taking place in historic downtown Apex, PeakFest is an arts and crafts festival that attracts hundreds of vendors and over 22,000 attendees.

While the Keep America Beautiful organization works year-round to beautify communities, April serves as the official celebration as it recognizes national Keep America Beautiful Month.

Feed the Children distributed its 1 millionth H.E.L.P. (Homeless Education and Literacy Program) backpack with community-partner support. H.E.L.P. promotes school attendance and completion across the nation.

Airbnb introduced “experiences” as an extension of its rental-booking business. According to airbnbcitizen.com, “Experiences include things like immersive experiences for travelers, from a podcast-production lesson in Chicago, to honey making in Malibu and a bike tour through Los Angeles with a landscape architect. The options are never-ending.”

On February 9, the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, kicking-off the 17 days of Olympic competition. South Korea previously hosted the 1988 Games.

In North Carolina, turkey hunting season is April 14 – May 12, 2018. Throughout the month of March, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation are offering free turkey hunting seminars in Bolivia, Concord, Clyde, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Jacksonville, Mills River, Morganton, New Bern, Raleigh and Winston-Salem. For seminar specifics such as locations, dates and times, refer to the link below.

It’s that joyful and bright time of year. The family is together and ready to celebrate the holidays all December long. Experience the special events happening in your hometown or throughout the state.

Happy Hens and Highlands Farm, a small family farm nestled in the mountains of Western NC, raises Scottish Highland cattle.

This year for the very first time, North Carolina State Fair-goers of legal drinking age may purchase and enjoy wine and beer at the fair.

Hello, fall! When it comes to fun, scary or family-friendly activities, North Carolina has a lot to be excited about. Check out what upcoming events are happening across the state this fall season:

The inaugural RDC Marathon and Half Marathon benefitting ALS will happen November 12 in Durham. The USATF-certified courses feature the American Tobacco Trail, showcasing the diversity of the local area, from modern urban city to quiet forest trails and open farmland.

Come down to the newly revamped Downtown Cary for an evening of live music, food trucks, craft beer and drinks, VIP seating, and a silent auction to benefit InterAct of Wake County, a private nonprofit providing safety, support and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

On August 21 at 2:30PM the moon will block the sun, causing daylight to wane and temperatures to drop; it will be a total solar eclipse.

Enjoy a night of live music from the rock icon Eddie Money, known for classic hits like “Take Me Home Tonight” and “Two Tickets to Paradise,” while supporting a great cause. The 8th Annual Rock Your World concert on Aug. 12 at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre benefits Water for Good, dedicated to tackling water poverty in one of the world’s most forgotten countries.

The 13th Annual Summertime Brews Festival is at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Saturday, July 15, from 1pm to 7pm.

The SAS Championship, part of the PGA Tour’s Champions Tour, has announced the addition of a competitive youth golf tournament.

Enjoy a night under the stars with rock and roll, and food and drinks while supporting a great cause. The eighth annual Rock Your World concert with Eddie Money on August 12 at Cary’s Booth Amphitheater (#RYWRaleigh) benefits the Hope for Haiti Foundation, dedicated to helping make an impact on individual Haitians, empowering them to change their own nation.

FS Series announced the initial sponsor list for the RDC Marathon and Half Marathon November 12 at The Streets at Southpoint.

What are your plans for the Fourth of July? Currituck Outer Banks Travel and Tourism is sponsoring the 25^th Annual Festival of Fireworks at Historic Corolla Park in Corolla, North Carolina. The event starts at noon and ends at 9PM after a spectacular fireworks display that begins at dusk on the northern Outer Banks.

Take a trip to the beautiful waterfront grounds of Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park to relax and gaze at the works of talented artists at the 16th Annual Under the Oaks Arts Festival.

From pork and poultry to strawberries and sweet potatoes, NC is a national leader in producing so much of the food that we enjoy each day.

FS Series, Team Drea Foundation, Team Chris Combs and Jason Capel are joining efforts to fund ALS research through the RDC Marathon and Half Marathon on November 12.