Kerry has been making his own Instagram Reels since 2023. | Photos via @northcarolinakerry
You might have first come across Kerry in 2019 talking about the Tar Heel State’s storied past for the NC Museum of History on Instagram. Now, with nearly 75,000 Instagram followers as @NorthCarolinaKerry, he’s expanded his reach to everything from Cookout orders to odd local customs.
Kerry covers every facet of the North Carolina experience, including history; ubiquitous state brands like Cheerwine, Bojangles, and Food Lion; hard-to-pronounce town names; and state-specific conventions, like leaving a white sock or T-shirt in the window of an abandoned vehicle or the 12 seasons of NC.
Because of his work promoting and uplifting the state, Kerry was recently awarded the Charles Kuralt Award from the NC Travel Industry Association.
“It’s very humbling,” Kerry said about receiving the award. “To get something like that was like, wow, this has become something that I want. It invigorates me to keep going and continue to grow it.”
2025 Run The Peak | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Apex Town Hall, Apex | $35 | Walk, run, or jog through Apex with a 5K or 10K.
A Taste of Downtown Raleigh Food Tour | 2:30-5:30 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum | $89+ | Indulge in Raleigh’s best local flavors with the help of a tour guide + RAL’s most acclaimed restaurants.
✈️ Here’s how to score a $196 flight deal to San Diego (or Key West, or Las Vegas)
Presented by Going
$196. That’s the average deal Going finds for its members to fly round-trip to San Diego. | Photo by Griffin Wooldridge via Pixabay
Psst — the secret to feeling amazing when you book this year’s vacation? Signing up for free flight tracking, so you’ll be notified when flights you have your eye on are seriously discounted.
Escazu Chocolates will expand its sweet biz to Gateway Plaza in the former home of Craft Habit. The chocolatier, which sources beans from Latin America, has an outpost near Mordecai Historic Park. Gateway Plaza is also home to Fiction Kitchen, Union Special, and Mordecai Beverage Company. (Triangle Business Journal)
Sports
NC Courage and NCFC games just got a bit sweeter. Two Roosters will serve up its signature flavors at WakeMed Soccer Park this season, including “Roary Tracks,” a new flavor with golden Oreos, golden fudge sauce, and red + blue M&Ms.
Edu
Wake County’s newest elementary school in Wendell will not bear the name Lizard Lick despite community support. The name wasn’t chosen because of potential negative connotations related to reality TV show “Lizard Lick Towing” about a business in the unincorporated community. (The News & Observer)
Community
Want to help make downtown Raleigh even better? Take Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s annual survey and help guide the future of our downtown — it only takes a few minutes.
Read
The possibilities are endless for the future of a former DMV on New Bern Avenue in southeast Raleigh. The top priority for residents surveyed would be affordable housing, and other potential options include a grocery store or entertainment venue. Read about the group figuring out what’s next for the space. (INDY Week)
Traffic
NCDOT has named 21 intersections in Raleigh among the most dangerous in the state. The most dangerous in Oak City, according to NCDOT, is the intersection of Buffaloe Road at New Hope Road in northeast Raleigh. (ABC 11)
Drum roll, dear readers... one of the best balance transfer cards is here. Say “see ya” to high-interest debt with 0% intro APR into 2026 (plus no annual fee, and cash back on your buys). Apply.*
Pets
Veterinary clinics are being pushed to focus on profit, resulting in higher bills. Pet insurance could help you offset some of these rising costs — with up to 90% reimbursement. Find plans starting at only $10/month.*
Correction
Oops— looks like someone’s been seeing leprechauns. The Columbia, SC Five Points St. Pat’s Festival is actually happening March 15. So grab your green gear, rally your crew, and get ready for a day packed with live music, a festive parade, and plenty of Irish cheer. Snag tickets.*
Category
Plan Ahead
📆 March on
Plenty has changed in 50 years at Irregardless, but it’s still the same classic Raleigh eatery. | Photos provided by Irregardless
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are just a few of the top events we recommend heading to this month.
Feminist First Friday — Women’s History Month Market & Block Party | Friday, March 7 | 5-8 p.m. | Hartwell | Celebrate Women’s History Month with this special First Friday featuring a community art project, professional headshots, flash tattoos, and a panel with the owner of Hartwell.
Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Saturday, March 15 | 10 a.m. | Downtown Raleigh | Free | Watch this non-motorized parade make its way through downtown to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — don’t forget your green.
1975 Dinner | Wednesday, March 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Irregardless Cafe | $80 | Drink and dine like it’s 1975 at this historic restaurant with dishes like shrimp cocktail, pasta primavera, and upside down cake.
Watch out! Yellow pollen season is just around the corner. The Pollening, as locals call it, didn’t hit until mid-March last year, but in years previous, it’s come as early as February. Consider investing in a car wash membership, buckets of antihistamines, and yellow-tinted sunglasses since it’ll look the same anyway.
}})
}})
