September 25, 2024

Today’s Forecast

85º | 40% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. | Sunset 7:06 p.m.

🎃 How gourd-geous!

Two dogs sit in a truck bed with pumpkins.

Bring the pups along to farms like The Family Farm on Avent Ferry. | Photo provided by @rustynrosie

‘Tis the season of the Pumpkin King and autumnal decor galore. Which begs the question: Why do we display jack-o'-lanterns and gourds during fall?

Well, it all started with the Irish legend of Stingy Jack. In the 1800s, people in Ireland would carve creepy faces out of turnips to scare away Jack’s wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the US, they adapted and carved jack-o'-lanterns from fruit native to the region. Enter: Pumpkins.

Keep Jack away this season or just indulge in the seasonal decor with pumpkins from these eight patches + farm stands. Heads up: Some of these patches aren’t primed for picking just yet, so save this list for later.

Pumpkin patch experience

DJ’s Berry Patch, Apex | Fill your cart with gourds, corn stalks, NC apples, and mums.

Grasshopper Farms, Knightdale | After finding your way through the four acre corn maze, browse fall produce.

Naylor Family Farm, Fuquay-Varina | Grab tickets in advance for hay rides, gem mining, and apple cannons to pair with your pumpkin patching.

Page Farms | Visit this family-owned farm to pick the perfect pumpkin, relax in the corn crib, and enjoy hayrides + farm animals.

Phillips Farms, Cary | After you grab a few pumpkins, play human foosball, gaga ball, roller racers, and ride down the quad slide.

Ragan and Holly’s Pumpkin Patch, Apex | Grab your pick of pumpkins then shop the neighborhood market filled with gift options, local goods, and much more.

A stack of decorative pumpkins. — Pick your favorite decorative pumpkin stack at Shepherds Way Farms.
|
Photo by Emma Hayes

Grab-and-go decor

The Family Farm on Avent Ferry, Holly Springs | This sixth-generation farm has decorative hay bales, flint corn, cornstalks, and, of course, pumpkins to make your home the most gourd-geous on the block.

Shepherd’s Way Farms, multiple locations | Pick up a premade pumpkin stack to display on your front porch.

State Farmers Market | Shop from several different local farmers to complete your fall arrangements.

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Pests 101 | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Copperline Plant Co. | $35 | Learn how to properly identify and eradicate houseplant pests + make your own insecticidal soap to take home.
Leigh Ann Henion: “Night Magic” | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 7-8 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books | $30 | The author of this magical new book — perfect for the spooky season — will join the bookstore for a reading + talk.

Thursday, Sept. 26

DIY Chocolate Brigadeiros | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co. | $65 | Learn how to make this Brazilian confection.
Abbey Road: Tribute to the Beatles | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 8-10 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | $20+ | Watch John, George, Paul, and Ringo perform The Beatles’ greatest hits.

Friday, Sept. 27

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers | Friday, Sept. 27 | 6 p.m. | PNC Arena | $25+ | Watch the Canes take on the reigning Stanley Cup champs in this preseason matchup.
IBMA Bluegrass Live! | Friday, Sept. 27 | Downtown Raleigh | Price varies | Expect plenty of banjo pluckin’ and good eats throughout downtown in this event’s last stand in Raleigh.
Outdoor Films: Mamma Mia! Sing-Along Double Feature | Friday, Sept. 27 | NC Museum of Art | $8+ | Calling all dancing queens: Take a chance on this double feature filled with ABBA’s hits.

More for your week

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Cause

💚 Your community needs you this September

Two volunteers stand behind a table full of food at a Food Bank pop-up event.

September is a vital time of year to make a difference by volunteering your time, energy, or funds. | Photo provided by the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina

We believe that local community encompasses everyone, and right now, our community is in the middle of a worsening hunger crisis.

560,000+ children and adults are facing food insecurity across the region, and the Food Bank of Central + Eastern North Carolina is experiencing record-high demand for assistance — even higher than at the peak of the pandemic.

That’s where you come in.

September is Hunger Action Month — and the Food Bank is critically looking for volunteers + donors to help fight hunger.

Here's how we all can help

News Notes

Edu

All three Tobacco Road universities made US News and World Report’s “Best National University Rankings.” NC State nabbed No. 58, UNC hit No. 27, and Duke tied for No. 6. NC State and Duke moved up from last year’s rankings while UNC dropped a few places.

History

The new stretch of 540 opens this week, but before construction began, archaeologists found a rich history of artifacts dating back to 6,000 BCE. The pieces found won’t be shown in a museum but will help researchers understand the area’s history. (The News & Observer)

Shop

Raleigh is getting a new Nordstrom Rack, and it opens next month in Triangle Town Center. The store will be 32,000 sqft at 3604 Sumner Blvd. and opens Thursday, Oct. 10 with deals on high-end + designer brands. (The News & Observer)

Eat

The New York Times just dropped its list of top 50 restaurants in the country — and Raleigh was totally snubbed. Clearly, they haven’t heard of all the good food around town.

Ranked

Raleigh ranked at No. 44 on WalletHub’s list of best cities for vegans + vegetarians. Guess they haven’t read our guide to vegetarian and vegan fare around Oak City, like Irregardless and Element.

Seasonal

When it comes to fall fests, Mumfest in New Bern is as magical as they come. The October coastal celebration features two days of nonstop festivities in a cozy small-town setting. Here’s everything happening.*

Try This

Make your next event memorable with Sports & Social Cary — offering everything from interactive games like skeeball, a rooftop bar, a PBR cowboy bar, and all those game day vibes (think: 42-foot big screen, over 30 HDTVs, and more). Learn more + book.*

Number

$399. That’s a real flight deal from RDU to Iceland this year. Sign up for Going’s two-week free trial + never miss a great deal again.*

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (Yes, it sounds pumpkin-spice bananas. But it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*

Opening

💎 A new local GEM

Giorgios Epicurean Market promises a variety of options taking you from day to night. | Photo by Forrest Mason

Giorgios Epicurean Market, known as GEM, is the latest venture from restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias and will open its doors tomorrow near Raleigh Iron Works and East Bower Cider Co. The market, inspired by those in Europe + the Mediterranean, will feature coffee, cocktails, a butcher, baked goods, and food options for every meal.

For the most important meal of the day, expect French-inspired bread and pastries, Greek quiche, egg sandwiches, pan conchas, and more. The all-day menu will include more European, Mediterranean, and Americana inspired flavors. While you’re there, shop the market for premium pantry items, cookbooks, and kitchen accessories.

GEM opens for breakfast tomorrow, Sept. 26 at 2020 Progress Ct., Ste. 150 and will expand its offerings over time. Bakatsias is also the face behind local eateries like East End Bistrot, Giorgio Pizza Bar, Nikos, and Las Ramblas.

The Buy

Shop the best shoes to pair with your fall wedding guest look, from Nordstrom’s “Wedding Guest” selection:

🥿 Save your ankles with sparkly Betsey Johnson flats.
👡 Choose champagne or silver for this five-star rated sandal.
💎 Add a touch of sparkle to your outfit with jeweled slingbacks.
👠 Go for style + function with a kitten heel on pointy-toe pumps.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Allie

From the editor

Statesville’s Carolina BalloonFest is less than a month away and one of the most stunning experiences you can have in NC. This festival is the second oldest hot air balloon fest in the US and you can even book a ride for yourself.

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