The week ahead: SPARKcon, Honey Buzztival

RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh comes alive in September with free community events.

Join local musicians for a free Bluegrass Jam at Busy Bee in Raleigh. You can play along or just listen in!

Eric Schlosser, author of popular book "Fast Food Nation," will be speaking about his new book at NC State's Hunt Library Tuesday evening. He was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his new book, "Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident and the Illusion of Safety."

Head to the Raleigh Downtown Farmers' Market for the Honey Buzztival. Taste and vote for the best honey-infused pastries, shop North Carolina-made honey and products, sip beer from Raleigh Brewing Company and more.

SPARKcon, an annual celebration of creative arts in downtown Raleigh, kicks off Thursday. Today's events include photography exhibitions, yoga, a scavenger hunt, a latte art competition and more. SPARKcon continues through Sunday.

Toast the end of summer at the NC Museum of Art's Pop and Fizzies, where gourmet popsicles are paired with sparkling wine. There is also live music at the museum Friday evening.