Got to Be NC Festival 2025: Local Flavor and Big Fun
Three days of family fun and North Carolina pride.
Shannon
May 16, 2025
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Get ready to celebrate all things North Carolina at the Got to Be NC Festival 2025! From May 16–18, the State Fairgrounds will be buzzing with carnival rides, live music, local eats, and the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace. And the best part? General admission is completely free. Whether you're tasting your way through the vendors or watching the Masonic Carolina Pig Jig, there's something for everyone.
Still not convinced? Check out the full lineup for vendors and food as well as who’s entertaining. We guarantee you won’t want to miss this.
This isn’t sponsored (we’d tell you if it was). We just really like BMX Stunt Shows and BBQ cook-offs. (Just so you know: Sponsored content in our newsletter is always marked with “*”).
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The Raleigh Mystery Box 🎁
We’ve packed some of our favorite locally inspired surprises into the Raleigh.com Mystery Box—only 8 left! Inside, you’ll find a mix of curated Raleigh goodies: think snacks from beloved Triangle makers, fun local flair, limited-run Raleigh.com merch, and a few hand-picked extras to make you smile. Each box is different, and that’s part of the fun.
More than just a treat for yourself (or a gift for a Raleigh-loving friend), every purchase supports our independent newsletter and helps us keep bringing you the best of Raleigh—daily, ad-light, and community-driven.
Quantities are very limited, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Want one? Simply head to this link and pay $119 to claim your Raleigh mystery box today. You’ll also get the Raleigh Bundle of expert guides to the Triangle, and you’ll be helping support our free daily newsletter.
The 919 Deal Drop:
Stock Up & Save on Craft Brews at D's Bottle Shop & Craft Beer College 🔥
Get 15% off mix 6-packs every Monday, 15% off bottles of wine every Friday, and half off Growler fills every Saturday. No coupon needed—just show up and enjoy the savings.
📍Where: D's Bottle Shop & Craft Beer College
📅 When: Every Monday, Friday, and Saturday
Raleigh Real Estate:
🏡 FOR SALE UNDER $300K: 2 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS | 1,232 SQ FT | .05 ACRES | $200,000
Desirable end-unit townhouse with a spacious living room and fireplace, updated HVAC (2024), two large bedrooms, kitchen with appliances, and two assigned parking spaces—ideal for a homeowner or investment property.* Take a look here →
🏠 FOR SALE UNDER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 1,630 SQ FT | .04 ACRES | $350,000
Beautiful end-unit townhome with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, conveniently located near major highways and minutes from both Downtown Raleigh and Wake Forest.* Take a look here →
🏘️ FOR SALE OVER $400K: 3 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 1,856 SQ FT | .04 ACRES | $445,000
Elegant Silver Lake Bluffs townhome with open layout, gourmet kitchen, screened porch, luxurious primary suite, and resort-style amenities near I-40, NC State, and Lake Johnson.* Take a look here →
🏰 FOR SALE OVER $1M: 4 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS | 3,122 SQ FT | .42 ACRES | $1,100,000
Beautifully updated 4-bedroom split-level home with an inground saltwater pool, detached workshop, studio space, and prime location near Crabtree, Midtown, and downtown Raleigh.* Take a look here →
👨 WANT TO VIEW THESE HOUSES OR OTHERS IN PERSON (OR SELL YOUR OWN)? TEXT OR CALL RYAN FOR A FREE CONSULTATION…
Owner at Raleigh Realty, real estate agent Ryan Fitzgerald has…
been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News & World Report
accumulated 595 Google reviews and a 5-star rating
been voted the Triangle's best real estate company by INDY Week
Whether you're buying or selling, he and his team are ready to help you navigate the fast-moving Triangle market. Don’t wait—reach out today!*
Contact Ryan and mention Raleigh.com sent you and he’ll send you a FREE $6 Starbucks gift card!
📱 Text or call: 919-249-8536
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: RaleighRealty.com
🏡 View Homes in Raleigh: RaleighRealty.com/raleigh
Raleigh Overtime:
🍴 FOODIE FIND: Jasmin and Olivz’s Feta Walnut Salad is a vibrant mix of tangy feta, crunchy walnuts, fresh greens, and a light vinaigrette that perfectly balances savory, nutty, and crisp flavors.
🐾 FOR ADOPTION: PISTACHIO | DOG | 2 MONTHS | MALE
Pistachio is a sweet, playful, and affectionate boy whose shy charm, cuddly nature, and adorable mismatched paws will quickly steal your heart. Check him out here →
🛍️ GARAGE SALE: Head over to Pacesferry Drive on May 17-18 at 8AM for a unique mix of new, used, and antique items—including freshwater and saltwater treasures—with presale appointments, whole-lot bids welcome, and deals happening rain or shine! More details here →
📝 LOCAL CLASS: Beginner Level Soul Line Dance Class at Greystone Recreation Center on May 19 at 6PM.
The Dance & Get Fit Line Dance Class offers a beginner-friendly workout combining dance moves with full-body fitness for active adults. Sign up here →
Local Vocals:
🎸 This Week: The Spectacles | Jazz, Funk
Join The Spectacles, Raleigh's high-energy brass band, for a bold fusion of jazz, funk, and groove that turns every performance into a party. | Slim's Dive Bar | May 18, 9PM
🎤 Plan Ahead: Tyler, The Creator | Hip-Hop, Rap
Tyler, The Creator is a Grammy-winning hip-hop and rap artist known for his genre-bending music, bold creativity, and visionary approach to both sound and style. | Lenovo Center | July 12, 7:30PM | Get tickets here →
Save Hours of Searching—These Vetted Pros Are Ready to Improve Your Life (Updated Daily)
When you need to get things done (the right way, and fast), you don’t have time to read endless reviews. We’ve done that for you. These leading local service professionals have earned their stellar reputations and are ready to help you simplify your life.
Call them and tell them we sent you!*
✔️ Auto Mechanic: King’s Auto Service has 630+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted for over 75 years for reliable, expert car care in Raleigh.
✔️ Botox: BeautyCo has 260+ Google reviews and a perfect 5.0-star rating—Raleigh’s go-to spot for expert Botox treatments and natural-looking results.
✔️ Cosmetic Surgeon (Body): Amelia Aesthetics has 580+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted experts for body contouring and enhancement.
✔️ Cosmetic Surgeon (Face): Raleigh Eye and Face has 140+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—expert facial aesthetics and surgical care you can trust.
✔️ Dentist: Russo DDS has 1,500+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—trusted by families all over Raleigh for exceptional dental care.
✔️ Handyman: Ace Handyman Services Greater Triangle and Johnston County has 900+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—because getting things fixed right matters.
✔️ Home Remodeler: Simply Right Remodeling has 100+ Google reviews and a perfect 5.0-star rating—expert craftsmanship to transform your home with style and precision.
✔️ HVAC Services: Air Experts—Raleigh’s go-to HVAC specialists with 7,300+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating. Don’t wait for the next heatwave!
✔️ Laser Hair Removal: BodyLase Med Spa has nearly 900 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating for expert laser hair removal. Book your glow-up today!
✔️ Massage Therapist: Lorena Luca Spa & Skin Clinic boasts 460+ Google reviews and a 4.8-star rating—because you deserve to relax.
✔️ Mortgage Broker: Erika Fonseca - Oak City Lending (NMLS #2679761) has 15 Google reviews, all 5.0 stars. Get the best home loan options with a pro who truly cares!
✔️ Orthodontist: Wake Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry has 1,400+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating—creating confident smiles for kids and adults across Raleigh.
✔️ Therapist: Elizabeth Tatum, LCMHC has 5.0 stars and 30+ Google reviews for compassionate, effective therapy. Take care of your mental wellness with one of Raleigh’s best.
✔️ Wealth Advisor: Capitol Financial has 25+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating for expert financial planning. Your future self will thank you.
Let’s Get Laughing:
🎤 This Week: Mike Goodwin at Goodnights Comedy Club | May 18, 4:30PM | Mike Goodwin is a refreshingly funny comedian, speaker, and leader known for his clean, relatable humor and signature bowtie, delivering inspiration and laughter to audiences across churches, corporate events, and galas. Get tickets here →
😂 Plan Ahead: The Sklar Brothers at Goodnights Comedy Club | September 19, 7:30PM | The Sklar Brothers are a comedic duo known for their rapid-fire, tag-team delivery and sharp observational humor, often riffing on sports, pop culture, and absurd news stories with a uniquely synchronized style that highlights their twin dynamic. Get tickets here →
Find Friends in Raleigh:
Curated social events without an emphasis on alcohol or romance:
👋 Women’s Bible Study @ Harvey Hill at Dix Park | May 31 | 5PM
Connect with other Christian women at this uplifting Bible study and fellowship meetup in Dix Park. Get details here →
🤝 Raleigh Drone Pilot Meetup @ 812 Barbour Drive | June 7 | 10AM
Meet fellow drone enthusiasts of all skill levels at this welcoming monthly meetup that’s been bringing people together since 2017. Get details here →
If you know where to look on Salisbury Street, there's a secret door that leads to The Merchant—a cozy speakeasy that feels like stepping into another era. The cocktails are inventive, the lighting is moody, and the vibe? Pure downtown Raleigh charm with a twist of mystery. It's the kind of place you only tell your favorite people about
—Chandler, a longtime reader
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Hey, y’all: Event info can change—always check the organizer’s site before you go.
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