Weekend Best Bets: State Fair, Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo

RALEIGH, N.C. — The state fair and a lot of food-centric events are coming up this weekend. Here are our picks:

N.C. State Fair (N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh) - The big event for this event is the annual state fair, which kicks off Friday (opening day got pushed back from Thursday due to Hurricane Michael) and runs through Oct. 21. There are new rides, attractions and food!

Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival (Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Rd, Raleigh) - Enjoy tastings, browse vendors and enjoy live music at Lafayette Village on Saturday during this event.

Sip and Savor: A Wine, Food and Music Experience (DPAC, 123 Vivian Street, Durham) - More than 30 Triangle area restaurants will be serving up great cuisine paired with world-class wines at this event Sunday at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo (Fayetteville Street, downtown Raleigh) - There will be more than 50 food trucks on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser (Weaver Street Market, 101 East Weaver St, Carrboro) - TABLE presents this sixth annual fundraiser on Sunday featuring live music and delicious soups, breads, sandwiches and desserts from some of Chapel Hilland Carrboro's leading chefs. All proceeds go to helping TABLE provide hunger relief and nutrition education programs to kids living in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Little City's Blocktober Fest (400 W. North St. between West and Harrington Streets in Raleigh) - Little City Brewing and Provisions Co. is celebrating two years in business on Saturday with a block party featuring live music, beer tents, food vendors, carnival games and more. The event will also help raise money for Dynamic Water, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to clean, safe drinking water to communities in need.

Oak and Smoke (Oak City Brewing, 616 North First Avenue, Knightdale) - This is non-sanctioned backyard barbecue competition is Saturday at Oak City Brewing in Knightdale.

Brier Creek Food Truck Festival (Brier Creek Corporate Center, 8010 Arco Corporate Drive, Raleigh) - This event includes more than 50 food trucks, live music and face painting for children on Saturday.

Downtown Cary Food and Flea (100 W. Chatham Street, Cary) - This artisan and vintage market is Sunday in downtown Cary. There will be live music, local arts, shopping, food trucks and local craft beer. 

Brueprint Anniversary (1229 Perry Road, Apex) - Help this brewery celebrate four years in business on Saturday with a party featuring special beer releases, food trucks, live music and lots of family fun and games.

Double Barley Brewing Anniversary (3174 Hwy 70 W, Smithfield) - There will be live music, vendors and more during this party and sip and shop event on Saturday. 

Durty Anniversary (Durty Bull Brewing Company, 206 Broadway St, Durham) - Help this brewery celebrate its anniversary on Saturday. There will be new and small-batch brews, ax throwing, live music and food trucks.

Chris Stapleton's All American Road Show Tour (Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd., Raleigh) - The singer performs Friday night along with Marty Stuart and Brent Cobb.

NC Symphony: Rhapsody in Blue (Meymandi Concert Hall, 2 E. South St., Raleigh) - Gershwin captures the soul of the Roaring 1920s in his sweeping Rhapsody in Blue for piano and orchestra, while Copland evokes idyllic country life in Appalachian Spring. The Cherokee Chamber Singers will join the symphony to share music reflecting the Cherokee culture. See this show Friday and Saturday at Meymandi Concert Hall.

Raleigh Film and Art Festival (IMAX at Marbles, 201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh) - Explore art, music and film during this all-day event on Saturday. There will be painters, tattoo artists, filmmakers, jewelry makers, fashion designers, jazz, blues and more.

Walk for Hope (Angus Barn, 9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh) - This annual race is Sunday at the Angus Barn in Raleigh. The event brings together participants to show solidarity for family, friends, and community members living with a mental illness. After the walk is over, there is a family-friendly afternoon of food, games, music and prizes.

International Night Market (Fullsteam Brewery, 726 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham) - Head to Fullsteam Friday night for this local market featuring about a dozen small businesses with a global focus. 

Oak City Haunted presented by The Great Raleigh Trolley (Paddy O'Beers, 121 Fayetteville St, Raleigh) - The Great Raleigh Trolley presents this haunted tour with paranormal expert and storyteller JD Thomas. The tour runs through Oct. 29.