1. Enjoy live local music, food trucks, a beer garden, and more than 300 artists from 16 states at the Town of Cary’s Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival! This popular two-day event has something for the whole family, so don’t miss it! Saturday, Aug. 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Cary. carync.gov/LazyDaze.
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. Photographed by Jonathan Fredin
2. Experience The Night Nation Run at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, the ultimate blend of a music festival and a fun run! This music-filled course features live DJs, bubble zones, light shows, and more. Cross the finish line and enjoy an epic main stage after-party! Saturday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m. Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. boothamphitheatre.com
3. Come shop for your fur (or feathered) babies at the North Carolina Pet Expo! Main stage activities will include a pet costume contest, a daredevil dog show, an exotic bird show, and more. Grab a beer or lunch and bring the kids for the live animal walk-thru. Saturday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. NC State Fairgrounds Exposition Building. ncpetexpo.com
NC Pet Expo. Photographed by Jonathan Fredin
4. Surviving the dog days of summer is much easier at the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, featuring two days of 60+ beers, 40+ bourbons, and barbecue galore! Admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an all-you-care-to-taste sampling of beer and bourbon, all while enjoying live bluegrass, games, and much more. Friday, Aug. 4, 6–10 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 5, noon to 6 p.m. Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary. boothamphitheatre.com
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
5. Pack (or buy) a lunch and enjoy a relaxing Brew ’N’ Choo train ride through the woods of New Hill! Food and beer will be available to purchase courtesy of Fortnight Brewery. Saturday, Aug. 5, with rides scheduled from 1–5:30 p.m. New Hope Valley Railway. triangletrain.com
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- Small Business Spotlight: Mochinut
- Sugar Koi
- Erica Chats: Savor Summertime
- Worth the Drive: Rustic Roots
- On Trend: Edible Flowers
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- For Peach Sake
- Things to Do: August 2023
