Hello friends!
Wake County today is National Chicken Wing Day, and we’re celebrating the sauciest, crispiest and possibly messiest day of the year. Whether you like your wings sweet, smoky, garlicky or so spicy they require a fire extinguisher, today is your official excuse to grab the napkins and dig in!
Today’s Wing Deals
Buffalo Wild Wings: Receive six free traditional or boneless wings with a dine-in purchase of $15 or more. Offer details
Dave & Buster’s: Enjoy 50-cent boneless wings or $1 traditional wings throughout the day. Wings must be ordered in quantities of 10 at participating locations. Official offer details
So loosen your belt, choose your sauce and remember: on National Chicken Wing Day, calories don’t count—but the number of napkins you use definitely does! Welcome to today’s edition of Wake News & Events, where we keep you informed, entertained and always ready to enjoy something wonderful happening close to home.
See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane
—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
📍 Today’s Giggle📍
Kid Wisdom—
Mom asked, “Would you like mild or hot chicken wings?”
Her little boy replied, “Hot—but please blow on them first!” 🍗😄
Carolina Is Calling: Have You Answered?
We live in North Carolina, but how much of this extraordinary state have we truly experienced? Have you watched wild horses race beside the Atlantic, stood beneath a thundering waterfall, crossed a mile-high swinging bridge or wandered through the magnificent rooms of America’s largest home? From mist-covered mountains to historic waterfronts, some of the country’s most memorable adventures are waiting surprisingly close to home.
Imagine beginning your journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the road curves above peaceful valleys and layers of blue mountains slowly disappear into the horizon. Along the way, you can stop at scenic overlooks, walk among flowering rhododendrons and explore the welcoming mountain communities of Asheville, Linville, Blowing Rock and Boone. Spend a day touring Biltmore Estate, strolling through its beautiful gardens and enjoying a wine tasting before discovering Asheville’s galleries, restaurants and lively arts district.
Travel deeper into the mountains, and the landscape becomes wilder. Ancient forests, cascading waterfalls and roaming elk welcome visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains. Nearby, Cherokee offers an opportunity to learn about the history, traditions and living culture of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Farther north, Grandfather Mountain invites the adventurous to cross its famous Mile High Swinging Bridge and take in spectacular views of the High Country.
The adventure continues around Brevard, appropriately called the Land of Waterfalls. Nearly 200 cascades are hidden throughout the surrounding forests. You can walk behind the rushing water at Dry Falls, photograph Looking Glass Falls and spend the day exploring the trails of Pisgah National Forest.
Then trade the mountains for the sea. Along the Outer Banks, climb historic lighthouses, explore the towering dunes of Jockey’s Ridge and stand where the Wright brothers achieved the first successful powered flight. Travel north to Corolla, where wild horses still roam the beaches, or follow the coastline south through quiet villages shaped by generations of maritime history.
On the Crystal Coast, Beaufort’s waterfront invites you to slow down and stay awhile. Explore stories of pirates and Blackbeard before boarding a ferry to Shackleford Banks, where another herd of wild horses wanders freely. Continue to Cape Lookout for beautiful beaches, exceptional shelling and one of North Carolina’s most recognizable lighthouses.
Wilmington offers another kind of coastal escape, combining a lively riverfront with historic homes, restaurants and the Battleship North Carolina. Spend the following day relaxing at Wrightsville, Carolina or Kure Beach, then ride the ferry to Southport or explore the history and natural beauty surrounding Fort Fisher.
North Carolina’s treasures also fill the heart of the state. At the North Carolina Zoo, visitors travel through enormous habitats inspired by Africa and North America. Nearby, the country roads around Seagrove lead to working pottery studios where artists continue a centuries-old North Carolina tradition. In Winston-Salem, Old Salem brings the past to life through historic buildings, gardens, traditional crafts and the irresistible scent of freshly baked Moravian treats.
Unforgettable experiences do not always require an airplane ticket. In North Carolina, we can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic, walk through centuries of history and end the day beneath a brilliant Blue Ridge sunset.
So, how well do you really know the state you call home? Perhaps it is time to stop saying, “I’ve always wanted to go there,” pack a bag and say:
“Let’s go this weekend!”
Make Your Door Unforgettable
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What’s Happening in Wake County?
From a Hard Landing to a Place to Call Home
Senior Airman Demetrious Fitzpatrick, who fractured his spine during a parachute-training accident in January, recently received a life-changing surprise: a mortgage-free home in Knightdale. The home was generously provided by the U.S. Veterans Corps and Garman Homes in recognition of his service and sacrifice—giving this deserving airman a secure place to heal, rebuild and begin a hopeful new chapter.
Opening Doors and Rebuilding Lives
Wake County is investing $22 million in a major effort to address homelessness across the community. Through its new Wake at Home initiative, the county plans to help approximately 1,400 unhoused residents secure stable housing and access the support needed to remain housed. The 18-month program will also address homeless encampments by helping the people living there move toward safer, more permanent accommodations.
From Thirsty to Thriving
Recent down pours have delivered some much-needed relief to Falls Lake, raising its available water supply from 66% to 84%. The dramatic improvement is welcome news for more than 650,000 Raleigh Water customers who depend on the reservoir for their drinking water.
Although the rising supply offers renewed hope, Wake County remains under severe drought conditions, and Stage 1 water restrictions are still in effect. Residents are encouraged to continue conserving water so that every precious drop—and every rainy-day gain—lasts. City of Raleigh drought update
What’s Happening Wednesday, July 29
From legendary rock and Latin dance music to chicken-wing contests and plenty of laughs, Wake County has something for almost everyone today.
Concerts and Live Music
O.A.R. Three Decades Tour with Gavin DeGraw and Lisa Loeb
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕕 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.
📍 Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
💲 Tickets from approximately $25; prices and fees vary
🎟️ Tickets and information
Celebrate three decades of O.A.R. as the multi-platinum rock band takes the stage with special guests Gavin DeGraw and Lisa Loeb.
Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕡 6:45 p.m.
📍 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh
💲 Tickets from approximately $27; parking is sold separately
🎟️ Purchase tickets
Three legendary acts come together for an outdoor concert filled with memorable rock and pop hits.
3BallMTY Live in Concert
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕘 Doors open at 9 p.m.
📍 Enigma Night Club, 600 Creekside Drive, Raleigh
💲 Tickets from $37.26, including fees
🎟️ Purchase tickets
Mexican electronic music sensation 3BallMTY brings its high-energy blend of tribal Guarachero, dance music and Latin rhythms to Raleigh. This event is for ages 18 and older.
Festivals and Community Fun
Apex Wings’ First Annual Chicken Fest
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕓 4–10 p.m.
📍 Apex Wings, Apex
💲 Free admission; food and beverages available for purchase
🔗 Event information
Celebrate National Chicken Wing Day with wing-eating competitions, a police-versus-fire-department eat-off, music bingo, cornhole, a children’s bounce house and plenty of delicious wings.
Moore Square Buskers Series
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕚 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh
💲 Free
🔗 Official event information
Take a midday break and enjoy live performances from talented local buskers on the Moore Square patio.
Comedy
Joke City Comedy Show
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕗 8 p.m.
📍 Room 861 at Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Road, Raleigh
💲 $25.99–$33.99; a two-item showroom minimum may apply
🎟️ Tickets and information
Hosted by Chris Thomas, Joke City brings several stand-up performers together for an energetic evening of nonstop laughs.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
🎉 Something Fun Is Happening Every Day in Wake County! Don't let the best events pass you by! From festivals and live music to family fun, food trucks, markets, and community celebrations, there's always something happening nearby. 👇 Click the Events Calendar above and discover what's coming up this week. Your next favorite outing could be just one click away!
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
