This weekend features Food Trucks in Wake Forest, the return of Raleigh’s First Friday and Cinco De Mayo celebrations all weekend long. See below for my top picks for things to do this weekend in the Triangle. Have a tip or suggestion for next week? Send me an email at TriangleExplorer@gmail.com.
Friday May 3rd
Spring Fling & Food Truck Rodeo in Wake Forest
The Wake Forest Elementary PTA is hosting a fun community event in Wake Forest to raise funds for a new park.The Event will feature severla food trucks: Traditions Sweets (Cupcakes), Captain Panchos Tacos, Sarges Chef, Pie Pushers, and Delicious. The fun will also include games for the kids, giant slide & obstacle course, photo booth, silent auction and raffle
When: Friday 5-8:30
Where: 136 W. Sycamore Avenue, Wake Forest
More Info: website
First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Raleigh
First Friday is a free self-guided tour of downtown’s cutting edge cultural hot spots. Local art galleries, art studios, alternative art venues, and museums stay open late the first Friday of every month to welcome thousands of art-seeking enthusiasts downtown. The event runs from 6 pm-9 pm, but some venue hours may vary. My favorite places to visit are the Oak City Cycling Project where you can find Slingshot coffee. Other great venues to visit include Artspace and the Clark building. For detailed venue information, click here.
When: Friday 6-9pm
Where: Various locations throughout downtown Raleigh
More Info: website
Saturday May 4th
Brew Durham
If you enjoy tasting local homebrew and sampling scrumptious treats from local restaurants, then Brew Durham 4 is the event you don’t want to miss! Brew Durham is a beer festival that celebrates the art and craft of making home brewed beer. The festival takes place on Belt Line Station, an old train platform that has been converted to a unique outdoor event space at The Cordoba Center for the Arts in Durham. Attendees will be invited to taste 50 types of beer crafted by 25 of the Triangle’s finest home brewers.
Brew Durham 4 also includes a new tasty treat for ticket holders – food served by local restaurants prepared with local ingredients! Six downtown Durham restaurants will provide a delicious sampling of small bite snacks prepared specifically to accompany the home brew during the festival. Participating restaurants include: Monuts Donuts, Toast, Geer Street Garden, Dos Perros, Mateo Bar de Tapas, and Loaf.
When: Saturday 1:00-8pm
Where: 923 Franklin Street, Durham
Tickets: $35 in advance / $40 at the door
More Info: website
Handmade Market
This one day, indoor designer craft market features fine art, apparel, jewelry, accessories, housewares, paper goods, and more. Find unique, handmade gifts or treat yourself to something special. You’re sure to find what you’re looking for (and more!) at The Handmade Market.
When: Saturday 11am-4pm
Where: Cobblestone Hall – City Market, Downtown Raleigh
More Info: website
Cin De Mayo at Dos Taquitos Xoco (Sat / Sun)
Dos Taquitos Xoco in downtown Raleigh is holding “Weekend de Mayo” on Saturday & Sunday. It’s a block party in their neighboring parking lot with great Mexican bands, great food, margaritas and Mexican beer!
When: Saturday noon-11pm
Where: Dos Taquitos Xoco, Glenwood Avenue, Downtown Raleigh
More Info: website
Apex Peak Fest
Peakfest is the largest public event in Apex and, it is about more than fun. Live music all day, artist of every kind (jewelry, pottery, watercolor and acrylic), a bmx show, skateboard demonstrations, entertainment for the kids, food that you would find at the fair, and so much more! Vendors are charged a fee to participate and businesses become sponsors, helping to offset the expenses of the day.
When: Saturday 9am-5pm
Where: Salem Street, Downtown Apex
More Info: website
Sunday May 5th
Cinco De Mayo at Dos Taquitos – Creedmoor Road
We’re closing down the parking lot in front of Dos Taquitos to celebrate the best day of the year! We’ll have a margarita waiting for you! Festivities and face painting kicks off at noon with live music at 5pm!
When: Sunday noon-11pm
Where: Dos Taquitos, Creedmoor Road, North Raleigh
More Info: website
New Business Alert! Local Brewery Now Open In Clayton!
Check out Clayton’s new brewery, Deep River Brewing Company! If you can’t make it down to the brewery, here are several opportunites to sample their beer at bottle shops in Raleigh:
Wednesday 5/1 tap takeover at BottleMixx
Thursday 5/2 tap takeover at Tasty Beverage Company
Thursday 5/2 brewery open at 5pm (D’burritos food truck)
Thursday 5/9 Tasting and Tap takeover at Bottle Revolution
Thursday 5/16 Downtown Clayton, NC concert series.
The Triangle Explorer 
My husband told me the Handmaiden Market was “for girls”…he’s hoping to get out of having to go shopping!