Wow, after the NC State Fair knocked it out of the park 12/10 this year, trying to make a list of classic and new events to try this winter season. The Ren Faires are jamming. Oceans of white lights and decorations are going up for families to drive through neighborhoods in a few weeks for the Night of Lights at Dorthea Dix and other spots though WRAL normally doesn’t publish this year’s list until Dec. 1st. Most of them are free or $20/car.
There was a lot to love at the State Fair last week with all the events, booths, food, and rides. Didn’t really know where to put this in the list, but the PR and word-of-mouth around the whole event were just excellent. You could wander around downtown or grab almost any bus or mass transit for two weeks and it’s full of happy people from all walks of life headed there or talking it up. Thursday was particularly loved as the Department of Agriculture hosts can day which is a food drive in which people can get in by bringing 6 cans/person. The cans are donated to the local food banks by local volunteers. By early afternoon, they’d already filled 9 out of 15 entire trucks top to bottom which is pretty cool. You know it’s not necessarily flashy and anyone can do a can drive. However, because the concept is easy to explain and most people have a few extra cans in their pantry or dried food…it sticks with the public in a way many things don’t. You can then drop the goods off at any soup kitchen near you. Shepard’s Table in downtown Raleigh is the most popular one you hear homeless people vouch for as actually feeding them in case it matters. They’ve got a clear website with needs and supply list needed which makes this an easy charity if you’re considering hosting a food drive as part of your event. Food drives aren’t a new idea, but there's no shame in stealing a good idea that works.
Good luck all on your coming week and in-person events.