Visit Beech Bluff County Park
8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
3321 NC Highway 42, Willow Spring
Explore the gardens, hiking trails, playgrounds, and educational programs of Wake County’s newest park, Beech Bluff County Park, open since March. Self-guided activities include geocaching, StoryWalk, and Adventure Backpacks with themed activities to enhance your visit. The park is committed to welcoming visitors of all abilities and has ADA-accessible facilities. Audio and text-based tours are coming soon for visitors who are blind, partially sighted, or deaf. wake.gov/beechbluff
Live at the Springs with Everclear
May 10, 6:30 P.M.
Ting Stadium
Grammy-nominated rock band Everclear will hit the stage in Holly Springs for a special live performance inside Ting Stadium. Sing along to their hit singles, including “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You a New Life,” “Wonderful,” and “Everything to Everyone.” Seating options include the ballpark seats or infield grass (lawn chairs welcome). hollyspringsnc.gov/1415/Live-at-the-Springs-Concerts
Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina Concerts
May 1 & 15, 6:30–9:30 P.M.
Centennial Square, 102 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
There’s still time to enjoy Fuquay’s signature outdoor concert series. Sip a local brew, feast on food truck fare, sing, dance, and relax with hundreds of your neighbors and friends. Bring kids and chairs; leave coolers and pets at home.
May 1: Crush
May 15: The Breakfast Club
fuquay-varina.org/414/FM2FV-Concert-Series
Fuquay-Varina Garden Tour
May 17, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
May 18, 1–5 P.M.
Fuquay-Varina
Nine beautiful residential gardens welcome visitors on a self-guided tour to experience lovely displays, ideas for garden entertaining, specimen gardens for plant collectors, art in the garden, and shopping opportunities by vendors. Hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Garden Club. fuquayvarinagardenclub.weebly.com
Women Fore Women
May 19
7:30 A.M. Check In
9 A.M. Shotgun Start
Bentwinds Country Club
Hit the links with your gal pals for a women’s-only golf tournament, hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club. Money raised through the tournament benefits more than 100 outreach and service programs supported by the FVWC in arts, education, civic engagement, and environmental causes. Participants are encouraged to wear purple to increase awareness for domestic violence prevention, dementia care research, and cancer prevention. Registration includes greens fee and cart, breakfast, lunch, course treats, golfer gift bag, and dessert after play. Golfers of all skill levels welcome. fuquayvarinawomansclub.org
Animazement
May 23–25
Raleigh Convention Center
Learn and celebrate Japanese language and culture through the world of animation and manga. At this three-day festival/convention, attendees, special guests, and panelists come together to share anime, manga, video games, J-pop/J-rock, martial arts, traditional arts and crafts, and more in a family-friendly, festival-like atmosphere. Enjoy the party and leave with a greater sense of cultural understanding and appreciation for Japanese culture. animazement.com
Run the Quay
June 7
7 A.M. 10K start
8:30 A.M. 5K start
Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church, 308 N. Ennis St.
This popular community road race, produced by the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, has something for everyone. Choose a 5K, 10K, or even combine the two for a 15K event. Sign up young athletes for the WakeMed Children’s Twinkle Dash 50-yard and 100-yard races. Enjoy an after party and rehydrate at Mason Jar Lager Company. Race proceeds support the Fuquay-Varina Growers Market. fuquay-varina.com/run-the-quay
Farm to Fork Picnic
June 8, 4–7 P.M.
Donovan Manor, 5733 Hilltop Road, Fuquay-Varina
Grab your friends, family, and a blanket for a summer picnic pairing North Carolina chefs, artisans, and farmers together to create bite-sized samples of the region’s best flavors and seasonal ingredients. Participating restaurants and farms include Longleaf Swine, Strong Arm Baking, The Fearrington House, Fox Farm & Forage, Chapel Hill Creamery, Hilltop Farms, and many others. Enjoy live music and activities for all ages, but leave pets at home. farmtoforknc.com
Juneteenth Freedom Day
June 21, 5–8 P.M.
Holly Springs Cultural Center
Honor Juneteenth with a cultural celebration featuring live performances, local vendors, food trucks, and kids’ activities, in partnership with the Holly Springs MLK Jr. Committee. hsmlk.org