.May 26-29Freedom Balloon FestFuquay-Varina A truly unique, free event is coming to Fuquay-Varina this Memorial Day Weekend. Gather with friends and family for outdoor fun as dozens of hot air balloons fill the sky in celebration and remembrance. More than 30 balloon pilots and teams will compete. When the balloons aren’t flying, enjoy a wide variety of N.C.-based foods, take in live local and regional musicians, enjoy field games for all ages, visit the merchant arts and craft village, and more.May 27-28Garden Jubilee FestivalHendersonvilleThe festival features more than 200 vendors selling thousands of plants, arts and crafts, garden accessories and food. Local and regional nurseries will be selling thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables and hard-to-find plants on every block of the festival. Garden Jubilee was selected as a Southeast Tourism Society 2016 Top 20 Event.May 27-29Lake Lure Arts & Crafts FestivalLake Lure One of the largest family-friendly arts and crafts festivals held in Western North Carolina, this three-day spring festival celebrates the rich tradition of handmade Appalachian arts and crafts and features more than 80 artisans and crafters who personally exhibit and sell their handmade works to the public. There are food and beverage vendors, entertaining musicians all day, a creekside picnic area and a large kids’ activity zone. May 2717th Annual North Carolina Wine FestivalClemmons Enjoy tasting more than 100 different varieties of North Carolina wines from sweet to dry. Once your glass is filled groove to the music from live bands, grab a bite from food vendors and enjoy browsing the exhibitors’ tents for treasures.May 28Coca-Cola 600Concord Charlotte Motor Speedway welcomes the biggest Memorial Day weekend party in the country with the Coca-Cola 600. The stars of the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series do battle in stock car racing’s true endurance test.May 29Battleship North Carolina Memorial Day ObservanceWilmingtonOn Memorial Day, people of all generations from across the state will gather together on the deck of the USS North Carolina to pay their respects. This moving and meaningful ceremony includes military and patriotic musical arrangements featuring a military guest speaker, an all-service Color Guard, a 21-gun salute, and a memorial wreath cast into the water. Executive Director Cpt. Terry A. Bragg and members of the Battleship North Carolina Commission invite everyone to take part in this powerful Memorial Day observance ceremony.
