Happy Friday and happy almost-birthday to America. The Fourth of July falls on a Saturday this year, but Fuquay is getting a head start with our celebration on Wednesday night at South Park. The timing couldn’t be better, because Team USA just advanced to the Round of 32 in the World Cup. Not bad for a country that still calls it soccer.
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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:
Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration @ South Park - Wednesday, July 1st, 6:00 PM Fireworks around 9:15 PM, live music at 6:30, food trucks, and a splash pad open until 8:30.
Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass at Oaklyn Springs - Saturday, June 27, from 12:00 PM Free complimentary bacon while it lasts, cold beer, and three live bluegrass sets running into the evening.
Track Record Yacht Rock Weekend - Saturday & Sunday Smooth sailing all weekend at the vinyl shop with sales, raffles, and a food truck parked out front.
‘MERICA
🎆 Fuquay Fireworks for the Fourth
Image Credit: Town of Fuquay
Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration | South Park | Wednesday, July 1, gates open 6:00 PM
We’re getting the holiday week started early with an Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 1 at South Park. Gates open at 6 pm, live music starts at 6:30 pm, and fireworks are expected around 9:15 pm, weather permitting. This year’s show is being billed as the town’s biggest fireworks display yet in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
What to expect:
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab dinner from one of the many food trucks, let the kids hit the Splash Pad from 6-8:30 pm, then settle in for live music from Bounce, a high-energy band playing dance and sing-along favorites across multiple decades. There will also be line dancing during the band’s intermission, town giveaways, a kids’ craft station, and photo ops near the Town tent.
Food truck lineup includes: The Rican Lab, Mr. Puebla Tacos, Redneck BBQ Lab, Pinoy BBQ, Bare Baked Pizza, Tombachi, Chirba Chirba, Truman’s Smokehouse, Holy Fries, Party in a Pita, NC Mini Donut Co., FatCat Ice Cream, Pelican’s SnoBalls, Cinnabon, and more.
Good to know before you go:
The event is alcohol-free, but coolers are allowed. No pets, bikes, or skateboards are allowed in the event area. Main event parking is at 308 Jones Road, with accessible parking at the Community Center for vehicles with a disability placard.
This is the easy pick of the week. South Park will be busy, traffic will be traffic, but fireworks, food trucks, splash pad, and live music make this the week’s biggest Fuquay night out.
LIVE TUNES
🎶 Live Music Calendar
Image Credit: Lydia St. George
We’re back with another live music calendar because, apparently, y’all are into it. Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey and confirmed that live music is very much a thing. Here’s this weekend’s lineup:
Friday, June 26
Jason Bunch at McWally's - Friday, 7:00-9:00 PM: Acoustic, pop-rock-leaning set.
Ryan Lloyd at Steaktion - Friday, 7:00-9:00 PM
Richard Boston at Wingin' It Bar & Grille - Friday, 7:00-10:00 PM
Raleigh Assassins at Aviator Taphouse - Friday, 7:00 PM
Lydia St. George Band at Aviator Pizza & BeerShop - Friday, 8:00 PM: rock, folk, and country
Saturday, June 27
Eric "E-Train" Manning at Oaklyn Springs - Saturday, 1:00-3:00 PM: Part of Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass.
Steadfast Pine at Oaklyn Springs - Saturday, 3:00-6:00 PM: Part of Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass.
Joe's Cousin at Oaklyn Springs - Saturday, 6:30 PM: Final Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass set.
Steve Vee at Wingin' It Bar & Grille - Saturday, 7:00-9:00 PM
Mojofoot Band at American Legion Post 116 - Saturday, 7:00-10:00 PM
2Digh4 at Mason Jar Lager Co. - Saturday, 7:00-10:00 PM
Vertigo Beach Party at Aviator Hangar Bar - Saturday, 8:00-11:00 PM: Live beach-party show.
Sunday, June 28
Open Mic Jam at Oaklyn Springs - Sunday, 2:00-5:00 PM: Recurring Sunday open mic, all performers welcome.
Pat Tyler at Aviator Taphouse - Sunday, 2:00 PM
Jam Biscuit Band at Big Daddy's Roadhouse - Sunday, 2:00 PM
Like this format? Tell us. Share feedback here.
ALL WEEKEND
🛥️ Track Record sets sail
Image Credit: Track Record
Yacht Rock Weekend | Track Record Vinyl Shop | Saturday & Sunday
Captain's hats optional, smooth grooves mandatory. Track Record is running a full Yacht Rock weekend downtown with shop sales, raffles, and a food truck parked out front on Saturday. Dig through the crates, score a deal, and let the breezy soft-rock do the rest.
SATURDAY
🍺 Beer, Bacon, and Bluegrass
Image Credit: Oaklyn Springs
Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass | Oaklyn Springs Brewery | Saturday, June 27, from 12:00 PM
Three of Fuquay's favorite things in one free afternoon. Oaklyn fires up complimentary bacon (while supplies last, get there early), pours cold beer, and stacks the stage with live bluegrass all day: Eric "E-Train" Manning from 1 to 3, Steadfast Pine from 3 to 6, and Joe's Cousin closing it out at 6:30. Easy to make a whole Saturday of it.
THE REST
Honorable mentions for the week
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market + Summer Meal Kick-off - Saturday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM: The usual downtown market, plus a Summer Meal Program kickoff from 9:30–11:30 with free breakfast for kids 18 and under.
Aviator Brewery Tour - Saturday, 5:00-6:30 PM: $5 for 21+ (under 21 free), no reservation needed. Starts from the back Hangar Bar and includes beer samples.
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