Food truck rodeo, Blake Shelton lead our weekend best bets

RALEIGH, N.C. — Another great summer weekend is upon us and we have a rodeo and a country crooner on tap. 

More than 70 trucks have been confirmed for the Downtown Raleigh food truck rodeo on Sunday. Head downtown from 4-9 p.m. to enjoy some amazing food from the likes of American Meltdown, Pie Pushers, Only Burger and more! Entrance is free but you do have to pay for your food. Bring a group, sample a few trucks and be prepared to wait in line because these rodeos are quite popular! 

Country singer and judge on NBC's "The Voice" Blake Shelton will take the stage Friday night at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh. He will be joined by Easton Corbin and Jana Kramer. Tickets start at $35.

Comedian Bill Maher will take his politically-charged act to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Saturday night. The host of "Politically Incorrect" will present an evening of conversation with his controversial and entertaining wit and humor. He has had a lot to say about North Carolina recently, so expect an interesting night. Tickets start at $47 and some are still available, but they are going fast.

Garner's Moonrunners Saloon is celebrating the airing of their episode of the popular nightlife redesign show "Bar Rescue" with a party on Sunday night. There will be T-shirts, giveaways and more. It will be the first time the staff has seen the episode. The Spike TV show transformed the place from the failing Characters Quarters earlier this year.

Also on Sunday, there is a kickoff party at Duke University for The Freedom 500. As the name implies it is a 500-mile journey from Duke’s Chapel Quad to One World Trade Center in New York City - all in six days! The race was created by Active Duty Army Officers and former Duke graduates and will benefit veterans. The kickoff event is Sunday from 1-3 p.m. at Duke's Chapel Quad. There will be live music and a ceremonial 5K run with veterans participating in the big race.