TACO on Thursday brings Garden Bingo at the JC Raulston Arboretum, Fishing Day at Lake Johnson, Birding for Preschoolers at Eastgate Neighborhood Park, Fox Run on the American Tobacco Trail, Here, Fishy, Fishy at Lake Crabtree County Park and a Pre-school Swamp Romp at Walnut Creek Wetland Center.

 

TACO on Friday offers a wide variety of activities ranging from Name That Tree at Lake Crabtree County Park, a Family Campout at Durant Nature Park, the Park After Dark at Harris Lake County Park, Yates By Night at Historic Yates Mill County Park, Let's Build A Boat at Eno River State Park, a Nature Play Day at Wilkerson Nature Preserve and Kid's Nature Night at Walnut Creek Wetland Center. The JC Raulston Arboretum invites you to bring the kids for a Garden Storytime in the morning and Get Moving, a school age scavenger hunt for the early release afternoon.

 

Saturday's TACO events culminate with the Storytelling Festival at Historic Oak View Park. The annual event is a celebration of the wonderful and wide variety of storytellers out there. From pirates and spooky stories to songs and preschool ditties, they will be spinning tales at several spots throughout the pastural park.

 

In celebration of TACO Week, Prairie Ridge Ecostation will highlight the importance of outdoor play for children of all ages with the Ceremonial Vine Cutting and Grand Opening of the new Nature PlaySpace.

 

On Saturday, you are also invited to Cloud Watching at the JC Raulston Arboretum, Dandelion Adventures at Blue Jay Point County Park, a Caterpillar Hunt at Umstead State Park, to Get in Touch with Trees at Falls Lake State Recreation Area, a Salamander Search at Eno River State Park, Moth-er's Night at Lake Crabtree County Park, Hawk Migration at Blue Jay Point County Park and Fishing at Jordan Lake

 

Sunday continues TACO Week with more Cloud Watching at JC Raulston Arboretum, Mysterious Mushrooms & Waterbirds at Lake Crabtree County Park, Fishing Basics at Lake Wheeler Park, a Garden Fairy Tea Party at Harris Lake County Park and Family Fishing Fun at Yates Mill Historic Park.

Monday finishes out TACO Week with a Beautiful Butterflies Hike at Crowder District Park, a Canoe Tour of Lake Wheeler Park and making Seed Balls at the JC Raulston Arboretum.

 

Right outside Marbles, you can enjoy the Irish Fall Music Festival at Moore Square on Saturday. The event features Irish music, children"s entertainment, craft vendors, demonstrations and plenty of great Irish foods and beverages.

 

Come celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Historic John Chavis Memorial Park. The festivities start Friday with a reception, live music and food trucks. The fun continues Saturday with a community celebration with carousel rides, inflatables, games and activities, music and more food trucks.

 

You are invited to the second annual Eastgate Park Neighborhood Fun Day. on Saturday. This family event features a cool take home art project, fun games, program demonstrations and much more.

 

Latin music lovers will "feel the music" at the Annual Latino Festival Saturday at Rock Quarry Park. Festival goers can dance to live music, taste authentic foods, shop the marketplace for arts and crafts, and learn about health, education and employment opportunities available in the community.

 

Come to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission"s celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day at Lake Wheeler Park on Saturday. You will enjoy events such as pellet range, archery range, fishing, outdoor cooking, mountain man, Indian history, birds of prey, and reptiles.

 

After a week of Music on the Streets, outdoor concerts every day, the Carrboro music scene culminates Saturday & Sunday with the Carrboro Music Festival. There will be over 180 free acts at 25 different locations throughout town.

 

The World of Bluegrass Convention comes to the North Carolina Museum of History with both lectures and performances through Friday.

 

Thursday marks the annual Sweet Potato Day at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. Come on out at lunchtime to get a free sample of a Sweet Potato Dessert, some recipes and some local sweet potatoes.

 

The NC State Fairgrounds will host the Annual Chinese Harvest Moon Festival Saturday. The event will include cultural performances, exhibits, food and merchandise vendors offering arts and crafts for the entire family to enjoy.

 

Join Bennett Place Historic Park Saturday and Sunday as they celebrate the Tarheel Harvest Fair and Farmer's Market with a variety of produce stands, music, farmyard animals, children's games, and other festivities.

 

Kick off the fall season Saturday with the second annual Fresh Roots Festival in Hillsborough featuring live music by yepROC Records artists. Join them for a celebration of Downtown Hillsborough shopping, dining, art, music and more!

 

Activities at the State Fairgrounds are winding down in preparation for the State Fair, but this weekend there will be an Outdoor Horse Show, a Quarter Horse Futurity Show, the Southern Ideal Home Show, a Flyball Tournament and a Toy & Hobby Show. On Sunday morning, the public is invited to join St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary Mass.

 

Thursday night's Science Cafe will Explore What's in My Water?

Downtown Historic Hillsborough comes alive for the Last Friday Art Walk with artists, food vendors, musicians and craftspeople set up on the sidewalks around the courthouse. There will be a concert by Cyril Lance and Band.

 

The Prince of Egypt will be the last of the rescheduled summer Movies in the Park Friday night at Falcon Park.

 

The Claire Lynch Band will be playing a Saturday evening bluegrass concert at the Sertoma Amphitheater and a Saturday afternoon concert in Downtown Cary.

 

Bolt will be the featured family flick at the Holly Springs Cultural Center Saturday morning.

 

Bring your blankets & chairs to Downtown Apex for Iron Man 3 after dark under the stars Saturday.

 

This year's Brass at Bond on Sunday afternoon at the Sertoma Amphitheater will feature some of North Carolina's most innovative brass ensembles.

 

Wallace & Grommitt will be the Tuesday Morning Movie at the Halle Cultural Arts Center. The Great Gatsby will be the featured for Wednesday night's Academy Award Film Series.

 

Starting Tuesday and running through Saturday, you are invited to celebrate the second annual Global Cardboard Challenge at the Museum of Life and Science. Use their supplies to create and construct your own addition and watch as the machine changes from day-to-day! The final room-size cardboard machine will be unveiled for all to see and add to on Saturday, October 5th.

 

YogaFest continues every Tuesday evening through October 22nd in Raleigh's City Plaza with free yoga classes.

 

 Historic Yates Mill County Park will be offering tours of the fully restored Historic Grist Mill as well as three sessions of canoe floats.

 

Saturday is Playground Build Day at Peach Road Community Park. Come help them build the new, 3,520 sq.-ft., playground from start-to-finish in one day in a fun, old-fashioned barn raising - with a playful twist!

 

The Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington invites you to join them for Battleship Alive on Saturday. The event brings historical events, places and people "alive" for the public by demonstrating various aspects of the past and allowing interaction with the interpreters. The event is included with regular admission.

 

Saturday is also Fall Family Day at Tryon Palace. Families of all ages can enjoy interactive crafts, tours, and activities celebrating the many cultures that made North Carolina what it is today. All teachers with valid ID will be admitted for free and there will be discounted One Day Passes for family members.