Feliz viernes, Fuquay.
Somewhere, there's a family still living off leftover hot dogs from the Fourth of July. And at least one person is insisting they're "only watching Love Island because someone else put it on." Summer is in full swing, and Fuquay's calendar isn't slowing down either. In this edition, we’ll tell you what's worth leaving the house for this weekend.
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— First Sip Fuquay Team
THE SHORT LIST
Start Here: Your Weekend Lineup
If you only read one thing this week, make it this. The biggest stuff happening across town this week:
Happy Place Day: 9-Year Anniversary @ Mason Jar Lager Co. — Saturday, 4:00 PM Mechanical shark rides, a charity dunk tank, and a bring-your-own pool party contest to celebrate nine years on Broad Street.
FM2D Run Club @ Dupres Coffee — Sunday, 7:00–10:00 AM Start your Sunday with a community run followed by coffee at Dupre’s. Whether you're chasing a PR or just there for the caffeine, all paces are welcome.
Maverick Rose @ Wingin' It Fuquay — Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM Live music to kick off the weekend at Wingin' It on N. Main.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Mason Jar turns nine and goes completely unhinged (in the best way)
Image Credit: Mason Jar Lager Co.
Happy Place Day: 9-Year Anniversary | The Mason Jar Lager Company | Saturday, July 11, 4:00 PM
Nine years is a real milestone for a local bar, and Mason Jar is not celebrating quietly. Saturday afternoon they're rolling out mechanical shark rides, a charity dunk tank, and a bring-your-own pool party contest, all starting at 4:00 PM on Broad Street. It's free to show up, very much a "bring the whole crew" kind of afternoon, and exactly the kind of thing that makes Fuquay feel like Fuquay. Get there early if you want a shot at the shark.
SUNDAY RUNDAY
🏃 Dupre’s finds new legs in Willow Spring
Image Credit: @duprescoffeeco
FM2D Run Club Launch | Dupre's Coffee & Company | Sunday, July 12
Big change for a local favorite: Dupre's Coffee & Company has packed up its beloved Judd Parkway camper and put down roots in Willow Spring, opening July 8 at 8616 NC-42. If you haven't made the short trip to check out the new spot yet, this is your excuse…because Dupre's is launching the "Follow Me 2 Dupre's" (FM2D) Run Club there this Sunday.
The inaugural route is an easy 3.25 miles, and every pace is welcome. PR chasers and conversational joggers alike. Here's how the morning runs:
7:15 AM — Welcome and debrief
7:20 AM — Start running
After the run — Sip and connect over coffee
You finish right where the coffee is, so reward the miles with an award-winning latte and one of Annet's fresh-baked scones. Route details are on their Instagram.
LIVE TUNES
🎶 Your Weekend Music Calendar
Image Credit: Janis & The Crew
This week is front-loaded—in a good way—with more than a dozen confirmed shows between Friday and Sunday. Aviator is running music across nearly every stage it owns, Paige King Johnson brings hometown country credentials to Oaklyn Springs, and Sunday offers a surprisingly respectable afternoon lineup for anyone refusing to let the weekend end quietly.
Here’s this weekend’s lineup:
Friday, July 10
MikeMickXer Duo at Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: An easygoing brewery set
Jack Spades at Aviator Taphouse - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Three hours of live music inside the old depot
Wagstaff Road at Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Pizza, cold beer and a local band
Michael Blakey at Aviator Ready Room - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: A more laid-back corner of the Aviator campus
Maverick Rose at Wingin’ It - Friday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Live music, wings and three full hours to determine whether “just one more basket” was a lie.
Janis & The Crew at Aviator Hangar Bar - Friday, 8:30–11:30 PM: A late-night run through ’90s favorites and other crowd-friendly throwbacks
Saturday, July 11
Josh Rhyne & The Silvertones at Aviator Amphitheater - Saturday, 6:00–9:00 PM: An outdoor evening set on the brewery lawn, with enough room to bring the whole crew
Paige King Johnson at Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Saturday, 7:00–10:00 PM: The Angier-raised country singer brings her honky-tonk sound back close to home after sharing stages with some very recognizable Nashville names.
Jared Place at Aviator Taphouse - Saturday, 7:00–10:00 PM: A downtown Saturday-night set in the Taphouse, best paired with something cold
Local Heroes at Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop - Saturday, 7:00–10:00 PM: Live music on the BeerShop side of Broad Street, where ordering another pizza is technically supporting the local arts.
Wagstaff Road Band at American Legion Post 116 - Saturday, 7:00–10:00 PM: A full three-hour country night at the Legion
The Cheeze Factor at Aviator Hangar Bar - Saturday, 9:00 PM–Midnight: The late shift at Aviator
Sunday, July 5
The Monika James Band at Rusted Palm Tiki Bar - Sunday, 2:00 PM: An afternoon set at the tiki bar
Savanna Bassett at Aviator Taphouse - Sunday, 2:00–5:00 PM: A relaxed afternoon performance downtown
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THE REST
Honorable mentions for the week
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market — Saturday, July 11, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM: Downtown market running through noon — produce, vendors, the usual Saturday morning routine.
$4 Mimosas at The Mill — Sunday, July 12: Recurring Sunday special, easy recovery brunch option.
$3 Domestics at The Mill — Monday, July 13: Cheap domestic beer on Monday if you need a reason to extend the weekend.
$2 Off NC Drafts & Kick the Keg at The Mill — Tuesday, July 14: $2 off North Carolina drafts plus a chance to win a $15 gift card by kicking the keg.
$1 Off Wine at The Mill — Wednesday, July 15: $1 off glasses, $4 off bottles — solid mid-week wine bar move.
$1 Off Bottles/Cans at The Mill — Thursday, July 16: The Mill's Thursday deal on bottles and cans.
Trivia Night at TCB — Saturday, July 11, 8:00–10:00 PM: Post-dinner trivia at The Corner Biergarten if you want to cap your Saturday.
Professional Happy Hour at Aviator — Thursday, July 16, 6:00–8:00 PM: Casual networking event at Aviator Brewing, no agenda required.
Open Mic Jam at Oaklyn Springs — Sunday, Time TBD: Recurring Sunday afternoon open mic, all performers welcome.
Live Music Fridays at My Way Tavern — Friday, 9:00 PM: Live music every Friday night — performer TBD this week.
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