State Fair, Bull City Race Fest lead weekend best bets

RALEIGH, N.C. — This is a busy weekend in the Triangle with the NC State Fair, 5K runs, cultural events and more!

It is the first weekend of the NC State Fair and there are tons of shows and activities happening at the fairgrounds. For a complete list, check out our guide to the state fair. You can also get to the guide by searching "state fair" on WRAL.com.

The second annual Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo offers a half-marathon, five-mile and one-mile distances followed by a host of post-race activities. Food trucks, a beer garden, a kids's zone and entertainment make this a fun event for everyone. Everything starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the American Tobacco Campus.

It's a sweet 5K at the WakeMed Soccer Park. A family-friendly three-mile course with chocolate treats along the way make The Chocolate 5K a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Things start at 9 a.m. Registration prices start at $30.

It's Third Friday in Durham this week! We have your guide to new exhibits, receptions and events in the Bull City.

Head to downtown Cary from 2-6 p.m. Saturday for the annual Harvest Festival. Admission is $2 and children 2 years and younger are admitted for free. There will be carnival games, prizes and a slide.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts Cary Diwali, a celebration of Indian culture, performing arts and cuisine. Lawn seating is free and reserved seats are $10. The event is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and concludes with fireworks.

Three concerts, one fashion show and unlimited style. The Backyard Concert Series and Fashion Show kicks off Friday at Cameron Village. The show, featuring The AJ Ghent Band and Matrimony, starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. It is going to be at the corner of Woodburn and Clark streets. The event is free.

Baseball season is over, but the Durham Bulls are still bringing on the fun with a Fall Fan Fest on Saturday. This free festival includes autograph sessions, tours and a "Ballpark Corner store" yard sale! Admission is free with a donation of three canned food items. All guests will be entered into a raffle to win a trick-or-treat outing with Wool E. Bull - yes, Wool E. Bull will go trick-or-treating with you in your neighborhood!

Head to Hillsborough Street in Raleigh on Saturday for Art it Up!, a neighborhood art showcase. There will be live music, plays, gallery open houses, art on display and more. Raleigh Little Theater is even having a costume sale!

Help CloudBearing raise $10,000 for local charity Communities in Schools of Wake County at Cloudtoberfest Saturday afternoon. Admission includes local beer, games, German food, raffles and live music.

The annual Cooke Street Carnival is Saturday in Raleigh. This year's theme, "Idlewild West," features a old west-style saloon, mess hall and farm. There will be live music, a moon pie eating contest and an after party at Quality Grocery.

Comedian Hannibal Buress takes the stage at Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh Sunday evening. Tickets start at $27.

The classic musical A Chorus Line plays Raleigh Memorial Auditorium through Sunday. Tickets start at $26.

Try some delicious vegetarian and vegan fare at Triangle VegFest Sunday at Carolina Pines Park. There will be vendors, samples, live music, yoga and tai chi classes and more.

Lonerider’s Brew It Forward competition is this Saturday. The winners of the homebrew competition will be announced during an awards ceremony Saturday afternoon. Leading up to the announcement, there will be food trucks and some limited edition beers, including Pistols at Dawn.

Even more homebrewing fun is going on this weekend. The fourth annual Homebrew for Hunger Beer Festival is Sunday at Fifth Season Gardening in Carrboro. The event features more than 100 brews from local homebrewers and local breweries. Tickets are $25 in advance and benefit PORCH.

Another Oktoberfest is going on Saturday, this one at Deep River Brewing in Clayton. There will be live music, food trucks and more. You can even grab a limited edition Deep River stein filled with their Oktoberfest Marzen.

The Main Event at CAM Raleigh, a fundraiser for the Jamie Kirk Hahn Foundation, will include North Carolina-based breweries serving up collaboration beers. The event will also include food by Centro, Garland and Stanbury. Tickets are $50.

A restaurant event Sunday night for a good cause: Empty Bowls at Provence in Carrboro benefits TABLE. Tickets are $30 and include soup, bread, dessert and a locally-made pottery bowl.