Krispy Kreme Challenge, Mardi Gras celebrations highlight weekend best bets

RALEIGH, N.C. — Watch where you step when you hit the finish line!

Are you ready to dine and dash? The 2013 Krispy Kreme Challenge is this Saturday morning in Raleigh. Starting at the N.C. State bell tower, runners will race to the Krispy Kreme, eat one dozen doughnuts, then race back. The entire race is 5 miles, but the memories will last forever. General registration slots are all filled up, but it is free to go out and watch the race. And believe me, it is worth it to see some of the costumes. I will be one of the judges for the first Krispy Kreme Costume Contest, so bring your best outfits! Check WRAL’s Out and About on Saturday afternoon for a recap of the action and photos.

If you are in the mood to celebrate Mardi Gras, you don’t have to be in New Orleans. We have a list of local celebrations including a few this weekend.

In Wake Forest, there will be a Mardi Gras Street festival Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown. This free, family-friendly event will have a children’s parade, face painters, live music, inflatables, food trucks and more.

Motorco in Durham is holding a Mardi Gras Warm-up Party on Saturday starting at 4 p.m. Make you own costumes with materials from the Scrap Exchange and hear great music. The event is free.

Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, also in Durham, is holding its annual costume ball complete with beads, masks, contests and music on Saturday. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. and costs $15.

If you are looking to laugh, the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival continues this weekend with a show on Friday night by the Second City touring company. Sketch comedy is taking center stage this weekend.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus comes to town this weekend for shows at the PNC Arena. Tickets start at $15 and the theme is “Dragons” to honor the Chinese Year of the Dragon. This is also a family fun pick from Go Ask Mom. See more of her family-friendly picks for this week.

Former Carolina Hurricane Bates Battaglia and his brother Anthony are competing on the next season on CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” which premieres Feb. 17. To get ready for the show, Lucky B’s, the bar that Bates Battaglia co-owns, will be hosting an “Amazing Race” pre-party on Sunday. The party starts at 8 p.m.

It’s time to Tap the Neuse, ya’ll! The Big Boss Brewery is hosting a benefit concert Sunday night for the Neuse Riverkeepers Foundation. The party starts at noon and will include music from James Oden, Chip Robinson, Hank Sinatra and Magnolia Collective. There is a $10 cover charge. Food trucks Porchetta and American Meltdown will be on hand.