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Weekend Plans: International Festival, Cary Diwali, pumpkin patches, more

This weekend's family fun post has an international flavor with the 30th annual International Festival in Raleigh, the 15th annual Cary Diwali Festival and more.

Posted Updated
2012 CARY DIWALI CELEBRATION
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
Happy weekend! The N.C. State Fair starts next week! But there are plenty of activities to keep you busy this weekend.
If you’re looking for pumpkins, corn mazes and haunted houses, our Halloween and fall fun guide has the details. Also, the Museum of Life and Sciences’ Hideaway Woods exhibit is a don’t miss! And, as always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more ideas, including at least one holiday market.

Here’s your weekend family fun!

The International Festival runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Raleigh Convention Center. The annual event, now in its 30th year, features music, dance, food, crafts and more from around the world. A special kid’s corner features hands-on activities and workshops on each day of the festival. Tickets are $9.95 for adults and $7.50 for kids ages 7 to 12, seniors and the military. A family four-pack is $25. Kids 6 and under are free. The festival is open 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday.
Cary’s Diwali Festival, now in its 15th year, starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, and ends at 8:30 p.m. with a fireworks display at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Diwali is a major religious and cultural event in India and also known as the festival of lights. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per car. The day includes music, dancing, theatrical troupes, food, a bazaar and opportunities to learn about Indian culture and history. Renowned Bollywood singer Kavitha Krishnamoorthy will perform.
Cary also will host a Safety Town on Saturday at Park West Village Shopping Center. The free event includes interactive safety displays, visits with other emergency personnel and more.
Day & Night in Downtown Fuquay-Varina is noon to 7 p.m., Saturday, on Main Street in the town’s Fuquay retail district. There will be food, beer, wine, music and an arts and crafts fair. The Kids Kourt will include art projects, a children’s train, climbing wall, inflatables and carnival games. The Kids Kourt and arts and crafts show will be from noon to 5 p.m., but other activities will continue until 7 p.m.
Peak-a-Palooza is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, at the Apex Town Campus, 73 Hunter St. There will be live music, food trucks and lots of activities for kids, including inflatables, a climbing wall, a mini train, crafts, mascots, a magician and more.
Alvin & the Chipmunks are live on stage at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts with a show at 2 p.m., Sunday. (Note: The 5 p.m. show was canceled).
WakeMed pediatric surgeons will be helping out during Operation Pumpkin from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. The surgeons will help kids carve pumpkins. Participants will get a free pumpkin while supplies last. This is free with admission, which is $5 per person.
The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism is Saturday in downtown Raleigh. There's still time to participate!

There will be a Flapjack Fundraiser to benefit the BackPack Buddies program, which provides bags full of food for kids in need to take home from school for the weekends. It's from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday, at the Applebee's at 501 E. Six Forks Rd., Raleigh. Tickets are $8. They'll be available at the door or can be purchased in advance by emailing hypeunc@hotmail.com. Anna and Elsa, Ariel, Sophia, Ironman, Doc McStuffins and Spider-Man will make appearances courtesy of Enchanted Wishes.

We have a couple of consignment sales this week, including the large Kidcycle consignment sale which runs through the weekend at Northgate Mall in Durham.
There are a lot of food truck rodeos across the region this month, including a big one in downtown Raleigh this Sunday. WRAL.com’s Out & About has a list of them.

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