Get out and about this weekend, as the seventh annual Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival takes place over two days, featuring live entertainment, kid-oriented fun, classic cars, art and food.
Kicking off the town’s signature festival is a free concert by Spare Change tonight, June 5 at 7:30 p.m., on Broad Street in the Varina side of town. Lawn chairs and coolers are allowed, minus any alcoholic beverages.
Then on Saturday, it’s a road race followed by all-day fun and free shuttles departing from the Fuquay-Varina Community Center.
Enjoy two Kid Zones, live entertainment, a BMX show, the Fuquay Cruisers, more than 85 arts and crafts vendors, the En Plein Air Auction and lots more.
Here’s the Saturday lineup; for more info and an event brochure, see CelebrateFV.com.
Run the Quay, 7 a.m.
Begins at Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church
The 10K begins at 7 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m., and the Children’s Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. The race offers a wheelchair division, and children’s divisions including a 1-mile run and a 100-yard dash.
King BMX Bike Show, 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 2:45 p.m.
Near Fidelity Bank
BMX stunt riders perform tricks on flatland, as well as ramp jumping.
Mayor's Walk & History Tour, 1:15 p.m.
Starts at Main Entertainment Tent on Main Street
Fuquay-Varina Mayor John Byrne provides a leisurely tour through the festival grounds with stops at historic sites. Free T-shirts for first 50 participants.
En Plein Air Paint-Off Auction, 2 p.m.
Community Showcase Tent, Vance Street
Each painting being auctioned was produced by a N.C. artist during the April En Plein Air Paint Off. Artists had four hours each to complete a painting of their subject or streetscape; all locations were in the historic downtown districts. Works can be viewed online at facebook.com/FVDowntown or in person at the Stars Theater and Art Center at 123 E. Vance St.
Kids Zone, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Corner of Main and Raleigh streets; Corner of Main and Vance streets
The Inflatable Kids’ Zone features Toddler Town Inflatables; free and monitored by trained staff. The Extreme Kids Zone provides free motion rides such as the three-lane Hard Slide, Pirate Ship and Berry-Go-Round.
Celebration of the Arts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Fuquay District, Main Street
All art genres are represented including photography, painting, pottery, beaded, metal and glass jewelry, wood art, metal art, sculpture, glass art, stained glass, textiles, and mixed media Visit with the artists and learn about their work.
Fuquay Cruisers Classic Car Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Raleigh Street parking lot
The Fuquay Cruisers Car Club, with more than 50 members, displays American-made hot rods, street rods, muscle cars, pick-ups and other collectible vehicles.
Fuquay-Varina Museums, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
131 Fuquay Ave.
The Fuquay-Varina Museums Complex will be open for visitors, featuring the first Fuquay Springs Post Office; "Squire" Ballentine Schoolhouse; and Centennial Museum. To learn more, visit Fuquay-Varina-Museums.org.
Main Street Entertainment Tent, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Main Street, near the intersection of Depot Street
10 a.m., DJ
11 a.m., Michael Creech
11:45 a.m., Eric “E-train” Manning
1:15 p.m., Mayor's Walk, starts from Main Entertainment Tent
1:30 p.m., Lauren Light
2:30 p.m., Michael Creech
3 p.m., Lauren Light
Community Showcase
Vance Street
10 a.m., Zumba Party with Erin Ramsey and Rolonda Thomas
10:45 a.m., Taylor Leopold
Noon, Josh Pepper
