Stop by the fairgrounds for the Raleigh Flea Market and other fun events.
Enjoy the first weekend of Spring with a visit to the Raleigh Flea Market or one of the other events at the N.C. State Fairgrounds this weekend. The Raleigh Flea Market will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with hundreds of vendors offering a variety of goods and services in the Commercial and Education buildings and the outside grounds.
Other events:
On Sunday, the Let’s Shop Local – A Southern Shopping Spree will feature creative and small businesses from the Raleigh area in the Holshouser Building. Items available include reasonably priced jewelry, hand-painted scarves, soaps, lotions, unique crochet items, pottery, art and more. All vendors live within 30 miles of Raleigh. There will be a special performance at 12:30 p.m. of songs from the musical Pinocchio, performed by the Raleigh Little Theatre. Also, $1 of each admission ticket will be donated to the theater. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under.
The Let's Shop Local! event will feature handmade pottery, jewelry, scarves, soaps and more.
The Pet and Horse Expo will be Saturday and Sunday in the Exposition Center. Clinicians, educational seminars, shopping and other activities will be available. Training demos, agility and nose work demos and other pet seminars will also be offered. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and older, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for under 6. Discount admission is available online.
The Children’s Spring Clothing and Baby Equipment Sale will be Saturday in the Scott Building. Gently used and affordable infant, children’s and maternity clothing, toys, books, games, videos, bikes, bedding, shoes, strollers, swings, cribs, highchairs, car seats and more will be available. This event is sponsored by Triangle Mothers of Twins & Triplets. Sale runs Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. Cash only except for credit card purchases of $50 or more.
IndiaFest – A Cultural Arts Showcase will be Saturday and Sunday in Dorton Arena. Indian cultural arts, including dance, music, cultural cuisine and traditional crafts will be featured. Hours are Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. With more than 1,200 performers, IndiaFest is one of the largest such productions in the United States. Bollywood Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer award winner, and singer of many popular Bollywood songs, Shalmali Kholgade will headline India Fest at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Raffles and door prizes throughout the event. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children after 5 p.m. on Saturday only.
Chinese Crested on a teeter totter (photo from raleighkennelclub.org)
Kennel Club Dog Show will be through Sunday in the Graham Building. AKC-registered dogs will compete each day in dog shows, obedience and rally trials. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 7 to 12 and senior citizens. Children under 7 admitted free. A different kennel club hosts competitions each day: Wednesday – Cary Kennel Club; Thursday – Alamance Kennel Club; Friday – Durham Kennel Club; Saturday – Raleigh Kennel Club; and Sunday – Fayetteville Kennel Club.
The Raleigh Spring Premier Benefit will be at the Hunt Horse Complex through Saturday. Show features classes for American Saddlebred horses, Roadster horses and ponies, Hackney ponies, Southeast riders and a full Morgan Division. The show also offers a full division for beginning riders who participate in the academy starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Spectator admission is free.
HOOPLA will be held Saturday evening in the Holshouser Building. Hoopla – Fair Play is INTERACT’s signature fundraising event and a fun twist on the NCAA’s March Madness. This basketball-inspired event will feature teams competing to raise money for InterAct. The event will also include food, silent and live auctions, ballgames on television and a basketball shoot-out. Watch NCAA hoops, live music, food, silent auction and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $30. Purchase tickets at www.interactofwake.org. Reservations are required.
