Good morning Wake County!

Welcome to another edition of Wake News & Events. Today is a chance to celebrate the place we call home—from our beautiful coast and mountains to the people and places that make Wake County feel like a community.

You don’t have to travel far to join in. Take a walk in a local park, visit a museum, try a North Carolina favorite at a neighborhood restaurant, or stop by a small business you’ve been meaning to explore. Better yet, invite a friend or neighbor along and make a new memory together.

However you celebrate, thank you for being here and for helping us shine a light on the people, events, and businesses that make our corner of North Carolina special.

See you out there in beautiful Wake County,

Diane

PS Be sure to join our NEW Facebook Group. 👈

—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Why did the North Carolina biscuit visit the doctor?

It was feeling a little crumby—but the gravy made everything better!

There’s a particular kind of magic that settles over the Morehead City waterfront the first full weekend of October. The air smells of salt and woodsmoke, boats rock gently at the docks, and the entire town seems to lean toward the water. From October 2–4, 2026, that magic takes full form as the North Carolina Seafood Festival celebrates its 40th year—one of the largest free three-day festivals in the state and a true Crystal Coast classic.

Mark the calendar for Friday through Sunday, October 2–4. Hours run noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Everything unfolds along the Morehead City waterfront (centered near 412 D Evans Street), with the harbor, working docks, and Sugarloaf Island as the backdrop. Admission is free.

This is a festival built around North Carolina’s commercial fishing fleet and the state’s freshest catch. Dozens of vendors serve local shrimp, oysters, clam chowder, charcoal mullet, calamari, and more—many proudly displaying “Fresh. Local. Got to be NC Seafood” signs. Cooking demonstrations and tastings run throughout the weekend, giving visitors a chance to learn (and sample) classic coastal recipes.

Live music fills multiple stages from afternoon into the night, with continuous sets that keep the energy high. Families flock to the amusement rides and kids’ activities, while artisans line the streets with handmade crafts perfect for early holiday shopping. Traditions run deep here: the Blessing of the Fleet, the playful Flounder Fling (yes, Miss North Carolina traditionally launches the first fish), a boat show, and—on Saturday night—fireworks blooming over the water.

Expect roughly 150,000 visitors across the three days. The festival is rain-or-shine, proudly non-profit, and deeply rooted in celebrating the people who bring North Carolina seafood to the table.

Come for the seafood, stay for the easy coastal atmosphere. Stroll the waterfront with a plate of steamed shrimp in one hand and a cold drink in the other. Watch working boats glide past. Catch a free concert as the sun drops behind the sound. It’s the kind of weekend that feels both celebratory and genuinely local—less polished tourist spectacle, more community gathering with excellent food.

Whether you’re driving in for the day from the Triangle or making a full Crystal Coast escape, the North Carolina Seafood Festival delivers exactly what fall on the coast should: flavor, music, salt air, and a sense that you’ve arrived somewhere worth remembering.

For the latest schedule, special-event tickets, and parking details (including free shuttle options from the State Port), visit ncseafoodfestival.org.

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