Enjoy the beautiful weekend at the fairgrounds and spend some time at the Raleigh Flea Market. It's a good weekend to shop for a Mothers' Day gift.
All things moms comes a week early to the N.C. State Fairgrounds as the All about Motherhood Expo will be held in the Holshouser Building on Saturday and Sunday. The expo will include talks by pregnancy, childbirth and parenting experts, educators and real parents as well as a maternity expo, dads panel, exhibits by local retailers and more. Event hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Other events this weekend:
The Raleigh Flea Market in the Commercial and Education Building and outside grounds. The flea market is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, featuring hundreds of dealers, craftsmen and booths.
Dixie Gun and Knife Classic is Saturday and Sunday in the Graham Building. This is a buy, sell or trade event. Modern and collectible firearms, custom-made knives, hunting and fishing equipment, ammo, gun accessories, reloading supplies and more will be available. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults and children under 12 are free with paying adult. Visit their website for a coupon for $1 off admission. Show visitors who wish to bring unloaded firearms to sell or trade must enter through Gate 4.
The Toy Train Sale and Swap Meet is Saturday in the Scott Building. More than 100 vendors featuring Lionel, K-Line, MTH, Weaver, Atlas, Williams, Marklin, Ives, Marx, LGB, Aristocraft, Bachmann, Varney, American Flyer, “N”, “HO”, “O”, “S” and “G” gauge trains, accessories, track, switches and hard-to-find parts will be available. Other activities include hands-on layouts and train races for the children. Minor on-site repairs also offered. Door prizes and a raffle drawing for a Lionel #6-11745 US Navy Diesel Freight Set. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $6 for adults, free for children under age 13 accompanied by paying adult.
Double L Bar Cowboy Mounted Shooters is Friday and Saturday at the Hunt Horse Complex and features riders dressed in period and contemporary Western costumes. Riders on horseback shoot balloons from their galloping horses in the main arena with six guns, rifles and shotguns using safety blanks. The timed event combines shooting skill with horsemanship. Shows start at 7 p.m and admission is free.
Also at the Hunt Horse Complex is the Triangle Wide Horseman’s Association May Days horse show event featuring halter, Western, English and saddle seat classes for all horse breeds. Activities begin at 9 a.m. daily. Free admission.
Mark your calendars for May 16-18 for the Got to Be N.C. Festival. Events include the Carolina Pig Jig BBQ cook-off, Gator Wars, carnival rides and the Food, Wine and Beer Expo. Gate admission is free. Expo admission is $2.
