One could call this the official first summer weekend in Raleigh, because there is more to do than most of us can handle! Parking for all of the downtown events is, basically, “anywhere”, but don’t forget about riding the free R-Line bus.

Today’s forecast: Mostly Sunny with a high of 84!

Mosaic Spring Music Fest

The 11-day Mosaic Spring Music Fest kicked off on Thursday and features local music talent on each day. Today’s offering is called “Turntables on the Hudson Meets Julius the Mad Thinker”. Here is the schedule:

• 2-6p Rich L/ Morey
• 6-10p Mariano (Toth)
• 10-11p Julius the Mad Thinker
• 11p-12a Mariano
• 12-1a Nickodemus
• 1-2:30a Julius the Mad Thinker

The event takes place at the Mosaic Wine Bar & Lounge (Jones/Glenwood, across from 518)

Bud Light Downtown Live

The seven-date, free concert series known at Bud Light Downtown Live kicks off today and features “Multi-platinum grunge rockers” Candlebox. There is more to the day, however, as a full day of music kicks off at 2pm.

• 2:00 PM – Big Rick and the Bombers
• 3:30 PM – The Jackets
• 4:30 PM – The Last Hour
• 5:30 PM – Old Habits
• 6:30 PM – Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
• 7:30 PM – Parmalee
• 9:00 PM – Candlebox
  Monster Second Stage (All day during breaks) – Elysium

Here are some more details about the event:

Family Event:  Downtown Live is a family event.  From 2pm until 7pm there is a huge Downtown Live kids zone complete with inflatables, bouncing houses, slides, and pony rides.  Also, expect visits from many of the area sports teams.  All ages are welcomed at Downtown Live, but you must be 21 to consume alcohol.  If you plan on consuming alcohol, please remember to bring a valid I.D.

What can I bring inside the park?

You MAY bring:

• One bottled water
• Needs for children (i.e. diapers, strollers, etc.)
• Blankets and chairs
• Umbrellas

You may NOT bring:

• Professional recording or camera equipment.  Professional cameras are defined as cameras with a detachable lens.  Small digital and phone cameras are okay.
• Food or Beverage (including alcohol).  There are a wide variety of local food vendors set up inside the park, in additional beer and beverage stations.
• Pets, even if on a leash.  No pets allowed of any kind.
• No coolers, bags, picnics, bikes, rollerblades.

Got To Be N.C. Festival

Celebrate North Carolina agriculture at the Got To Be N.C. Festival. Taste the best foods from the mountains to the coast in the Got to Be NC Agriculture trade show in the Expo Building. Sample the thousands of foods raised here in the state and buy some to take home. Sauces, candies, nuts, meats, snacks and beverages will all be available for your sensory safari.

There will be a chef’s stage featuring the following:

Saturday

• 1p Lucindy Willis (The Yancey House, Yanceyville)
• 2p Adam Rose (Il Palio, Chapel Hill)
• 3p & 4p Wayne Judd (Cook It Up with Chef Wayne)
• 5p Jason Smith (18 Seaboard, Raleigh)

Sunday

• 1p Chuck Nelson (The Table at Crestwood, Boone)
• 2p James Welch (Crippen’s, Blowing Rock)
• 3p Shane Ingram (Four Square, Durham)
• 4p Michelle Briggs (Inn on Church, Hendersonville)
• 5p Tim Grandinetti (WS Prime, Winston-Salem)

You can also tour the antique farm equipment preserved and restored by collectors all over North Carolina and neighboring states. Antique tractor clubs from across the state will be on hand with knowledgeable collectors and restorers ready to answer questions. Look at over 1,000 pieces of farm equipment on display. Then see those antique tractors pull in the Grandstand shows.

There are rides, many beach, country, and bluegrass bands, and tons of food! (Last year’s festival, unlike the State Fair for the past dozen-or-so years, featured a double-ferris wheel.

Admission is free. Rides, grandstand events, food, and games are pay-as-you-go. The event is taking place at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.