Artsplosure, Got to Be NC lead weekend best bets

RALEIGH, N.C. — A very busy weekend in the Triangle. Here are our picks: 

Raleigh arts festival Artsplosure is celebrating its 35th year this weekend. This spring festival features live music, an art market, performances from an aerialist and more! Another big feature is the Kidsposure section, which has educational and interactive activities for children and their parents. Admission is free and activities will be happening at Moore Square and adjacent streets in the City Market area. 

The precursor to the NC State Fair, the Got to Be NC Festival, is this weekend at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Highlights include the Carolina Pig Jig barbecue cook-off and NC Food, Wine and Beer Expo. Both of those events require tickets. Admission and parking for Got to Be NC is free, but you will need to pay if you want to ride the carnival rides. Fireworks are happening Friday and Saturday nights at 9:15 p.m. Also, the Harvester Collectors Club will be displaying some antique tractors and farm equipment.

Head to Morrisville’s Town Hall Drive on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the East Meets West Food Festival. This annual event will feature food, music and performances from around the globe. Vote for your favorite restaurant. Children’s activities include a bounce house and face-painting. 

NC Symphony’s Fantasia: One of the most memorable Disney films, “Fantasia,” will be presented along with live music from the North Carolina Symphony this weekend at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. Shows are Thursday through Saturday and ticket prices start at $28. A family four pack for the Thursday evening or Saturday afternoon shows are $112. 

North Hills will be aglow Friday night as The Great Glow Run hits town. The run will take place at Midtown Park and will benefit Easter Seals UCP. After the run, enjoy music and more at the Afterglow party. Registration is $50. 

The 10th annual Tour D’Coop is Saturday in Wake County. Tour urban chicken coops, gardens and bee hives. The event is a benefit for Urban Ministries of Wake County. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of the tour at Urban Ministries and at local Whole Foods locations. Make sure to stop by Urban Ministries on Capital Boulevard for food trucks, craft beer, music, games and more at the Coop Carnival. 

The Carolina Railhawks soccer team will host its annual Taste of the Triangle Pre-game Festival on Saturday. This event is prior to that evening’s game against the Atlanta Silverbacks. The festival starts at 5:30 p.m. and will include cuisine from area restaurants and local beer from White Street Brewing Company. Tickets to the pre-game festival are $16 for adults and $11 for anyone under the age of 21. Children ages 3 to 5 years old can get in for $5. 

Craving strawberries? The Carrboro Farmers Market is holding its Strawberry Jamboree on Saturday featuring samples and more! 

Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina will host the 2014 Wish Ball at the Raleigh Convention Center on Saturday night. Tickets are $250 and include admission to the formal cocktail party, silent auction and dinner. Proceeds help support this amazing nonprofit that helps make dreams come true for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. 

Yelp Raleigh is helping Alter Ego launch its new Blo Dry Bar Saturday with food trucks and beer.

George Clinton, one of the pioneers of funk, will play the Red Hat Amphitheater Saturday night.

Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center in Raleigh continues its Flora and Food Trucks series this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grab some food from your favorite trucks and browse the garden center. 

“American Idol” alums Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young star in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the DPAC this week. The show runs through Sunday. 

The Town of Four Oaks will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary on Saturday with a street festival downtown. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy free rides and entertainment and shop local vendors. 

The Southern Pines Elks Lodge will be hosting its 5th Annual Festival of Beers on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. This year’s event will be outdoors and focus on North Carolina-made beer. Tickets are $30 in advance . Designated driver tickets are $10. 

Cary’s 3rd Annual Car Show – Wheels on Academy: Check out some classic cars this Saturday in downtown Cary. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be classic, hot rods and exotic cars on display, children’s activities, a detail clinic and food and entertainment. 

Comedy Central’s Dave Attell plays Goodnight’s Comedy Club this weekend. Shows are Thursday through Saturday. Tickets start at $32. 

Help Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull celebrate this birthday on Sunday. There will be lots of fun throughout the game in honor of Mr. Bull. First pitch against Louisville is at 5:05 p.m.

And if you are looking for more family-friendly events, check out Go Ask Mom's picks for this week.