Street festivals, pet events highlight weekend best bets

Oktoberfest, a 16-day German festival, kicks off Sept. 22, and Durham's Bull City Burger & Brewery is hosting its 2nd annual Oktoberfest Street Party to celebrate. There will be live music, good food and of course, beer. For the kids there will be a bounce house and balloon animals. The party starts at 4 p.m. and is free.

Benson Mule Days begins Thursday in downtown Benson and lasts through the weekend. This four-day festival will have vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment, a carnival, rodeos and one of the largest parades in North Carolina (featuring mules, buggies and other "unusual entries"). Over 40,000 people are expected to attend, and most festival events are free.

Rottweiler Hearts Rescue is hosting a fundraiser, Pizza for Paws, at Brixx Pizza off Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh on Saturday. For everyone who brings in a flyer and purchases a 10" pizza, Brixx will donate $3 to the organization. The flyer is valid all day and can be used on dine in and carry out orders. Pizza purchases between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. will also automatically receive a free raffle ticket. The flyer can be found on the Out & About event listing.

For those of you who have kids or are a kid at heart, the Toy, Hobby and Sportscard Show will be held at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday. Day passes are only $5, and children 15 and under are free. The show features vintage and new toys and sports memorabilia. Feel free to buy, sell, trade, or browse.

The Midtown Raleigh Alliance and Woof Gang Bakery are co-hosting the first ever Midtown Barks & Rec, a family-friendly (and pet-friendly) event at North Hills East. There will be demonstrations and dog owners can register their pets for various contests. Vendors, food and a kid's area will also be on site. The event starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, and no tickets are required, although donations are encouraged.