G’day, Fuquay. A hockey team from Hartford landed in Raleigh in 1997, a market that nobody believed in. Nine years later, it won the Stanley Cup. Twenty years after that, it won again.
Say what you want about hockey in the South. North Carolina is a hockey state now, and this week the proof is coming to Fuquay. The Stanley Cup will be at the municipal building Monday morning for a public photo opportunity. Get there early, bring your camera, and try to act normal standing next to the most famous trophy in hockey.
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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:
The Stanley Cup comes to Fuquay | Monday, 9:30–11:00 AM: A public photo opportunity at the municipal building. Arrive early; photos aren’t guaranteed.
Guided tequila tasting at Moonlight | Tuesday, 7:00–8:30 PM: Four tequila pours and a cocktail for $35.
Oaklyn-Toberfest | Saturday from noon: Seasonal drinks, brats, a polka band and stein-holding contests at the North Main brewery.
American Legion car and truck show | Sunday: A fall show supporting veteran and community programs. Vehicle registration is 8:00 AM–noon.
Liquid Pleasure downtown | Thursday, 6:00–9:00 PM: A free outdoor concert with beer vendors in Downtown Varina.
MONDAY
🏆 The Stanley Cup Comes to Fuquay
Image Credit: Town of Fuquay-Varina
Stanley Cup visit | John W. Byrne Municipal Building | Monday, September 28, 9:30–11:00 AM
The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing the Stanley Cup to 134 N. Main Street Monday morning. You can get in line for a photo with hockey’s biggest trophy without driving to an arena.
Facing the building, the photo line forms on the right; the Cup enters on the left. Have your phone ready to hand to staff. The Town says to arrive early, and a photo is not guaranteed: the Keeper of the Cup leaves at 11:00 sharp. Parking is available at Centennial Square, 114 N. Main Street and the Main/Vance lot.
TUESDAY
🥃 Guided tequila tasting at Moonlight
Image Credit: Moonlight Liquor Lounge
Get to Know Tequila: Código 1530 | Moonlight Liquor Lounge | Tuesday, September 29, 7:00–8:30 PM | $35
Moonlight’s guided tasting puts four Código 1530 expressions side by side: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Rosa. You’ll work through the styles, learn how barrel aging changes the spirit and finish with a cocktail. All four pours and the final drink are included.
This is a small session, with ten seats offered for advance booking. Check the ticket page for remaining availability. Bring valid ID; guests must be 21 or older. If your tequila education has mostly involved someone yelling “shots,” this seems like a useful next chapter.
SATURDAY
💪 Brats, beer and a test of arm wrestlin’
Image Credit: Oaklyn Springs Brewery
Oaklyn-Toberfest | Oaklyn Springs Brewery, North Main Street | Saturday, September 26, from noon | Free admission
Oaklyn Springs’ Oktoberfest celebration brings seasonal drinks, complimentary brats while supplies last and stein-holding contests to the brewery at 2912 N. Main Street. The North Carolina Polka Time All Stars are listed to play from 3:00–6:00 PM.
That gives Saturday a straightforward plan: something to eat, something to drink and a band for the afternoon. Enter the stein contest if you’d like to find out how quickly a beer can become exercise. This one is at the North Main brewery, so make sure that’s the location in your directions.
THURSDAY
🎶 Celebrate Fuquay-Varina festival kickoffs with Liquid Pleasure
Image Credit: Celebrate FV
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina kickoff concert | Downtown Varina | Thursday, October 1, 6:00–9:00 PM | Free
Liquid Pleasure opens the Celebrate Fuquay-Varina festivities with a free outdoor concert at 500 Broad Street. Beer vendors will be onsite, and the Town suggests grabbing dinner at a downtown restaurant before the music starts. That’s most of your Thursday evening arranged.
Bring a chair, leave pets and coolers at home, and plan for an outdoor show that runs rain or shine. Parking options include Action Park and the front lot of Fuquay-Varina High School. The social district stays open until 10:00 PM, with its usual boundaries and beverage rules. This is the Thursday kickoff, ahead of the main festival on October 3.
SUNDAY
🚗 Fall Car & Truck Open Show
American Legion Cruisers Fall Car & Truck Open Show | American Legion Post 116 | Sunday, September 27
Post 116’s fall show brings cars and trucks to 6400 Johnson Pond Road, with a DJ, awards and proceeds supporting veteran and community programs. It’s a good excuse to spend part of Sunday looking under somebody else’s hood.
Bringing a vehicle? Registration runs from 8:00 AM–noon and costs a $20 donation, paid at the show. There is no online registration. That’s the vehicle-entry fee, so don’t mistake it for a spectator ticket price. The flyer lists October 4 as the rain date.
LIVE TUNES
🎶 Your Weekend Music Calendar
Image Credit: Southern Rant
Friday, September 25
Southern Rant at Aviator Pizza Pub - Friday, 7:00-10:00 PM: Country and pop during the dinner-hour slot.
Nicholas Vernon at Aviator TapHouse - Friday, 7:00-10:00 PM: Country at the TapHouse.
Midnight Thirty at Aviator Ready Room Stage - Friday, 7:00-10:00 PM: Rock in the Ready Room, separate from the other Aviator stages.
Tone Merchants at Aviator Hangar Bar Stage - Friday, 8:30-11:30 PM: Rock in Friday’s latest confirmed time slot.
Saturday, September 26
Josh Rhyne & Silvertones at Aviator Amphitheater - Saturday, 5:00-7:00 PM: An outdoor rock set that finishes as the indoor stages begin.
Those Guys at Aviator Pizza Pub - Saturday, 7:00-10:00 PM: The blues option among Saturday’s Aviator shows.
Raleigh Assassins at Aviator TapHouse - Saturday, 7:00-10:00 PM: Rock at the TapHouse.
Your Momma’s New Boyfriend at Aviator Hangar Bar Stage - Saturday, 8:30-11:30 PM: Rock and pop for the late shift.
Sunday, September 27
Pat Tyler at Aviator TapHouse - Sunday, 2:00-5:00 PM: Pop and rock in the afternoon.
Open Mic at Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Sunday, 2:00 PM: Local musicians rotate through the brewery’s weekly live session.
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THE REST
Honorable mentions for the week
Birding at Hilltop-Needmore Park | Saturday, 8:30-10:30 AM: A free Wake Audubon walk capped at 20 participants. RSVP and bring binoculars if you have them.
NC State vs. Appalachian State at McWally’s | Saturday, 7:30 PM: The game goes on McWally’s large screens at kickoff.
Sip & Spin at Track Record | Thursday, 6:00 PM: Bring a record and add it to the queue while a DJ spins the selections.
Latino Arts Festival | Apex, Saturday, 3:00-7:00 PM: A salsa lesson, Orquestra K’che, a flag parade, cultural booths, art activities and six food trucks.
Raleigh Tamale Festival | Raleigh, Saturday, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM: Tamales, seven food trucks, folkloric performance, line dancing and live sets from the Raleigh Music Collective and NRG Band.
Made in NC Encore Performance | Cary, Saturday, 7:30-9:00 PM: Four American Dance Festival-commissioned works by North Carolina artists return for an outdoor encore.
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