Enjoy the last month of summer with unique Raleigh traditions, leisurely meals and live music for everyone in the family.
by Addie Ladner
Make a Splash!
The perfect way to cap off a steamy weeknight: a dip in the pool. Raleigh has four outdoor public pools open during the summer. “We have some great water features for kids and tons of space to lounge, so families love to enjoy our pools,” says seasonal aquatics director LeeAnne Quattropani. Just off Wade Avenue, Ridge Road Pool has a wade pool for the littles along with a larger pool (1709 Ridge Road). Lake Johnson Pool has a splash pad — with dump buckets! — along with a regular pool (5863 Jaguar Park Drive). Biltmore Pool offers both lap and free-swim areas in its pool (701 Crown Crossing Lane) and Longview Pool has a large pool with lap lanes and a wade pool (321 Bertie Drive). Each pool has tables, lounge chairs and umbrellas to claim, and you can bring your own drinks and food (no glass or alcohol). Open until Labor Day, Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 1- 6 p.m. Visit raleighnc.gov/aquatics lap swim hours and pricing.
Head to Cary for Beer, Bourbon & BBQ
Head to Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the traveling Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, a two-day celebration of some of our favorite things here in the Southeast. General admission gets you a tasting glass for all the sips you want — choose from more than 20 kinds of beer and 30 kinds of bourbon — and access to all live entertainment, including performances by country artist Mark Taylor on Friday night and bluegrass musician Caroline Owens on Saturday. A VIP ticket gets you all that, plus a BBQ dinner plate to pile high with ribs, pulled pork, brisket and more. Also explore the tasting theater, a slew of on-theme vendors and the “Swine Shrine,” a whole-hog cooking demo by top pitmasters.
Aug 2 & 3 | From $45; 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary; boothamphitheatre.com
Cheer on Runners at the Sir Walter Miler
“It’s the most fun you’ll have at a track meet anywhere in America!” says Pat Price, who’s in charge of the Sir Walter Miler, a Raleigh race that has garnered international attention. Last year, upwards of 3,000 people showed up at Meredith College’s track to cheer for top runners from around the world as they tried to run their fastest mile for a cash prize. Six men ran the mile in under 4 minutes, and six women did it in under 4:30. Keep an eye out for last year’s defending champions — pro runners Abbie Nichols of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Amon Kemboi of Chapel Hill — among the top collegiate and professional athletes. Price says this year they are adding more amenities to the spectator experience to make it even more fun. “The carnival atmosphere will be expanded this year with food trucks and additional seating near the finish line,” Price says. “We’re so thrilled to still be doing this and growing the accessibility every year.” The day also includes coaches’ races, a group relay, pre- and post-parties at Raleigh Brewing and community runs.
Aug. 2 | 6 p.m.; Free; 3800 Hillsborough Street; sirwaltermiler.com
Play Bingo Night at Longleaf
Kick off the week with a retro-style game on the patio at The Longleaf Hotel & Lounge. Hosted by local performer John Riccitelli, aka Bingo Starr, play a round (or two) as you compete for Longleaf-themed merchandise including its coveted shibori-dyed bathrobes, custom totes and koozies. Check in a few days before to see what craft cocktail specials will be on the menu.
Mondays | 7 – 9 p.m.; Free to play; 300 N. Dawson Street; thelongleafhotel.com
See Holy Roller with Jack The Radio
Hear two styles of Southern rock when Raleigh group Jack the Radio opens for Holy Roller at The Pour House. Holy Roller, based in Richmond, Virginia, is a new-ish band from members of the former Big Mama Shakes, a band that toured with Passion Pit, Nathaniel Rateliff, Incubus and others. Made up of Brady Heck on vocals/guitar, drummer Ryan Davis, bassist Peter Cason and keyboardist Bryce Doyle, expect roots rock with influences of outlaw country. Before the show, pop in the venue’s record shop to peruse its new and used vinyl collection for treasures.
Aug. 9 | 9 p.m.; from $12; 224 S. Blount Street; pourhouseraleigh.com
Have Tea with Seagrove Potters
An hour and a half from Raleigh is Seagrove, a town known for its vibrant community of clay artisans. August in the village brings Tea with Seagrove Potters, an opportunity to mosey in and out of shops and studios, gallery-crawl-style, while sampling various teas and local pastries. Participating potters include Blue Hen, which is known for its ceramic pumpkins, pears, mugs and, of course, hens, as well as Eck McCanless, a second-generation potter known for his colorful “agateware” vessels. Carriage House Tea will be providing the beverages and The Table and Seagrove Cafe will be providing the pastries, all served in handmade items. Stop in the North Carolina Pottery Center first to grab a map and plan your route.
Aug. 10 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Free; 233 East Avenue, Seagrove; discoverseagrove.com
Decorate Cupcakes at Sweet Peas’ Blooming Delights Event
Sweet Peas Urban Gardens in Garner is hosting a cupcake-decorating workshop on its property led by Tara Coley from BE Bakery, who specializes in vegan pastries. Each guest will receive four vanilla cupcakes to decorate along with white, pink and blue buttercream icing in addition to edible glitter. Then they’ll get to top them with edible flowers, including yellow yarrow and Johnny Jump Ups, a petite yellow and purple violet, all grown right on the property.
Aug. 11 | 12 – 1:30 p.m.; $40; 107 St. Marys Street, Garner; sweetpeasurbangardens.com
Get Ready and Play at the Back to School Jamboree
Is the school year really starting soon? Yup — and the City of Raleigh is ready to spark some excitement! At John Chavis Memorial Park, bring the kids to enjoy live music, craft and food vendors, carousel rides, inflatables, haircuts (sponsored by the Raleigh Police Department) and more school-prep-themed fun. Lunchboxes and water bottles will also be provided (while supplies last), and the park’s beloved splash pad will be on to cool off.
Aug. 17 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Free; 505 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard; raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation
Watch the Kirby Derby Race
A lively and quirky City of Oaks tradition of more than 20 years, the Kirby Derby is a day for family fun, creativity and racing. It kicks off with a pine-car race for kids, who can bring their own homemade wooden cars to see how fast they glide (to be inspected before the race; see website for car-size rules). The Kirby Derby Parade kicks off at 4:30 p.m., where participants dress up and walk the route or pull homemade, non-motorized floats in gear inspired by this year’s theme, Games People Play. Last comes the main event, the Soapbox Derby, where homemade non-motorized “cars” of all shapes, sizes and materials will race down Dorothea Dix Park’s Harvey Hill.
Aug. 17 | 3 – 9 p.m.; Free admission; Richardson Drive Loop at Tate Drive; kdd.gamil.com
Check out HOT TO GO! at Hightide Salon + Suites
Hightide Salon + Suites is hosting a complimentary day of services for the Raleigh-area LGBTQ2S+ community with Hot to Go! The event is in partnership with Dresscode Project, a global initiative where salons pledge to provide their patrons a safe, inclusive space for gender-affirming aesthetic services. The day includes haircuts and styling, manicures, pedicures, massages, makeup tutorials and a sound bath. Also enjoy seminars like nurse Courtney Eason’s talk on pre-op education for gender-affirming surgeries and a live consultation with Jessie Cooling of permanent makeup and tattoo clinic Woke Up Like This. Snacks and beverages will be served, and while attendance is free, registration is encouraged.
Aug. 18 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free; 309 W. Martin Street; thehightidesalon.com
See Band of Horses at Memorial Auditorium
Charleston, South Carolina indie group Band of Horses will grace the stage at Memorial Auditorium with their alternative rock songs for one night. Now in its 20th year together, the Grammy-nominated band is helmed by writer, singer and guitarist Ben Bridwell and known for its raw, inspiring songs. Expect to hear tracks from its latest album, Acoustic at the Ryman Vol. 2, as well as favorites like “No One’s Gonna Love You” and “Slow Cruel Hands of Time.”
Aug. 23 | 8 p.m.; From $32; 2 E. South Street; martinmariettacenter.com
Celebrate Ella West Gallery at Fête Bleue de Fin d’Été
To celebrate one year in operation, Ella West Gallery is hosting a blue-and-white-themed summer soiree. “In a throughline to our current exhibition, Holding Space: Dreams and Memories, the past year has been underscored by an incredible swell of community support,” says Linda Shropshire of the gallery she founded. “As we celebrate an inspiring first year, we continue our work to shift narratives around what is beautiful and deserving of recognition in the canon of art history.” Enjoy music by The Aaron Van Nynatten Trio and other special performances, as well as culinary art by Queen Precious-Jewel and Jay White. The feast starts with a signature French 75 and will include oysters on the half shell, French fusion delights and petit fours. There will also be a silent auction for new pieces from the gallery’s Legacy Collection, which includes works by previously exhibited artists like Kennedi Carter and Clarence Heyward.
Aug. 24 | 7 – 10 p.m.; $200; 104 W. Parrish Street, Durham; ellawestgallery.com
Take the Kids to See Pierce Freelon at NCMA
Adults aren’t the only ones who enjoy the soul-satisfying experience of live music. Bring the littles to hear Grammy-nominated musician and author Pierce Freelon as part of the Museum Park Concerts for Kids at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Freelon’s music blends pop, jazz, soul and techno to offer songs with fun, relatable advice on navigating childhood — like “Cootie Shot,” an addictive, up-tempo tune about doctor visits, and “No Is a Love Word,” which teaches the power of one’s voice. Freelon has also published two childrens books and co-created the PBS Kids podcast “Jamming on the Job.” This is the inaugural performance of the museum’s new outdoor family-focused music series.
Aug. 24 | 11 a.m.; From $12; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org
See Sixpence None the Richer Downtown at Live After 5!
Catch the grand finale of Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s community music series Live After 5! in One City Plaza. Musician Brooke Hatala will open the show with covers from two legendary female music icons, Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow. The main act is Sixpence None the Richer, a band known for pop hits from the late 1990s and early 2000s like “Kiss Me” (cue visions of Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook in She’s All That). BYO chairs, blankets, kids and friends; food trucks and drink vendors will be on-site.
Aug. 28 | 5 – 8 p.m.; Free; One City Plaza, Fayetteville Street; downtownraleigh.org
See A Wrinkle In Time at Southgate Community Library
Need an idea for some air-conditioned entertainment? Bring the troops to Family Movie Day at the Southgate Community Library to see the fantastical film A Wrinkle In Time. Naturally, the book has a literary connection — it’s based on the Newbery Medal-winning and Hans Christian Andersen Award-nominated novel by Madeleine L’Engle, which was published in 1962. The book and movie touch on themes of good versus evil and self-discovery as the story follows brother-and-sister duo Meg and Charles on a voyage through time and space to find their missing father. The library is also planning story-inspired activities to be announced closer to the date.
Aug. 31 | 2 – 4 p.m., Free; 1601-14 Cross Link Road; wake.gov/events
This post originally appeared in the August, 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.
