Want to include your event in Out and About? Click here to submit it for consideration or send it via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Regional
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina
- Sports

Holly Springs, NC, October 1, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

October 2 – 4

A Haunting in Holly Springs
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
A comedic mystery theater production in which a retired rock star faces ghostly disturbances and suspicious characters in his Holly Springs home; recommended for ages 13 and up.
Oct 2 – 7:30 PM · Oct 3 – 2:00 & 7:30 PM · Oct 4 – 2:00 PM

October 2 – 3

12th Annual Triangle Oktoberfest
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Apex Sunrise and Cary MacGregor Rotary Clubs host North Carolina’s largest Oktoberfest, featuring the King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band, Wiener Dog Races, stein-hoisting competitions, over 50 German and craft beers, and traditional Bavarian food, benefiting local and international charities.
Oct 2 – 5:00 PM · Oct 3 – 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM

Friday, October 2

“Drinking Habits” Fall Play
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
A community theater comedy in which two reporters go undercover at a convent to investigate a secret wine-making operation, leading to mistaken identities and romance. Tickets: $18 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students 16 and under.
7:30–9:00 PM

Saturday, October 3

TUTA Diwali – Holly Springs
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC
A free Diwali festival featuring cultural performances, shopping, kids’ activities, authentic Indian food, and a fireworks display; attendees should bring their own seating.
9:30 AM–9:30 PM

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival
Downtown Fuquay-Varina, Fuquay-Varina, NC
An annual downtown festival featuring live entertainment, a craft beer garden, food trucks, an artist village, and a kid zone, with a Downtown Social District open from noon to 10 PM allowing approved to-go alcoholic beverages.
10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Autumn Wines & Oysters
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
A $35 wine-tasting experience hosted by three sommeliers featuring four different wines each (12+ to sample), finger food snacks, and fresh oysters available for separate purchase; wine club members receive a $20 credit toward bottle purchases.
1:00–4:00 PM

Indigo Girls w/ Linda Perry
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
Folk duo Indigo Girls, known for the 1989 hits “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears,” perform with special guest Linda Perry, drawing on a 35-year career and sixteen studio albums including their recent release Look Long.
7:00 PM

Sunday, October 4

Weezer – The Gathering Tour
Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
Weezer brings their 32-city arena tour to Raleigh with special guests The Shins and Silversun Pickups, part of a Live Nation-promoted run following the band’s sold-out 30th-anniversary and Hella Mega tours.
7:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

October 6

Tom Jones
DPAC, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC
Legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones, now 85, performs as part of his ongoing touring, drawing on a six-decade career of hits including “Delilah,” “It’s Not Unusual,” and “What’s New Pussycat?”
8:00 PM

October 10

Kids in Nature Day
Lake Benson Park, Garner, NC
A free, family-friendly nature event hosted by South Wake Conservationists featuring live animal exhibits, interactive nature activity stations, live music, and appearances by Ranger Rick.
1:00–4:00 PM

Regional

Saturday, October 3

Event
Wake County Board of Commissioners Candidate Forum
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 600 Walnut St, Cary, NC
League of Women Voters of Wake County hosts a nonpartisan forum for Wake County Board of Commissioners candidates — including District 2, covering parts of Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina — moderated by ABC’s Michael Perchick; free and open to the public.
10:00–11:30 AM

HOLLY SPRINGS

Friday, October 2

Live Music
Tony Gregory
Golf Hour, 131 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Burgeosity (Paul and Braxton Burge)
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
J. Colin McGough
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, October 3

Event
Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Keith Ganz & Kevin Van Sant, Guitar Duo
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Maskell Freeman
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Drew Johnson
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Strange Invitation
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

APEX

Friday, October 2

Live Music
This Functional Family
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Lanif & the Barrios
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Event
Live DJ – DJ M.Omega
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Dirty Little Secret (8 PM) & DJ Brian (10 PM)
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

Saturday, October 3

Event
Apex Farmers Market
Downtown Apex, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Fast Lane
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Country Concert with 2Digh4
TapStation, 320 S Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Heavy Weather
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Live Music
The Roguez
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

FUQUAY-VARINA

Friday, October 2

Live Music
Kerry Long
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 505 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
6:30–9:30 PM

Live Music
The Watchmen
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
2Digh4
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Twilight & Vinegar
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Saturday, October 3

Event
Wag-O-Ween
Aviator Brewing Company, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
11:00 AM–3:00 PM

Event
Oktoberfest
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 116 hosts an Oktoberfest with beer, brats, kielbasa, and German sides, plus a best-dress contest, silent auction, and games, with proceeds benefiting CASA and veteran organizations.
2:00–6:00 PM

SPORTS

Friday, October 2

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM

Saturday, October 3

UNC vs. #3 Notre Dame
Kenan Stadium, 104 Stadium Dr, Chapel Hill, NC
Noon

NC State vs. Louisville
Carter-Finley Stadium, 4600 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC
3:30 PM

Note: Top 10 Sales by town are included below.

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 27, 2026 — Wake County’s median home price fell to $440,000 in August, down $18,500 from July, as both lending activity and real estate transactions slowed slightly across the county.

The county recorded 2,998 new real estate loans during the month, compared with 3,132 in July. Most activity remained in the traditional housing market, with 88% of transactions involving properties valued at less than $1 million rather than large commercial deals.

South Wake’s housing market held up relatively well. Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina combined for 259 home sales in August, with a median sale price of $525,000.

Apex had the most activity, recording 141 sales at a median price of $631,500. The town’s highest-priced residential sale was a newly built home on Weston Farm Way that sold for $2.04 million.

Holly Springs recorded just 26 sales but had the highest median price of the three towns at $744,000. The most expensive sale was a home on Rambling Oaks Lane that sold for $1.115 million.

Fuquay-Varina remained the least expensive of the three markets, with 92 sales and a median price of $447,500. Its highest-priced residential transaction was a newly constructed home on Granary Farm Lane that sold for $1.124 million.

Data Source: Wake County Government: Register of Deeds, September 2026. (link)

Holly Springs — Top 10 — August 2026

804 Rambling Oaks Ln | $1,115,000
Date Sold: 8/13/2026 | Year Built: 2017 | Square Feet: 3,010 | Acreage: 0.33

144 Utley Creek Ct | $1,004,500
Date Sold: 8/12/2026 | Year Built: N/A (new construction) | Square Feet: N/A (new construction) | Acreage: 0.19

212 Middlegreen Pl | $935,000
Date Sold: 8/6/2026 | Year Built: 2012 | Square Feet: 3,089 | Acreage: 0.43

117 Ocean Mist Ln | $894,000
Date Sold: 8/17/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: 4,690 | Acreage: 0.20

109 Ocean Mist Ln | $894,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: 4,740 | Acreage: 0.19

312 Silent Bend Dr | $875,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2021 | Square Feet: 3,558 | Acreage: 0.23

505 Wanderview Ln | $866,000
Date Sold: 8/27/2026 | Year Built: 2012 | Square Feet: 3,499 | Acreage: 0.22

104 River Ledge Dr | $830,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2021 | Square Feet: 3,525 | Acreage: 0.39

100 Magma Ln | $798,500
Date Sold: 8/19/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: 3,729 | Acreage: 0.39

113 Grantwood Dr | $789,000
Date Sold: 8/26/2026 | Year Built: 2006 | Square Feet: 3,548 | Acreage: 0.30

Apex — Top 10 — August 2026

1322 Weston Farm Way | $2,041,500
Date Sold: 8/26/2026 | Year Built: N/A (new construction) | Square Feet: N/A (new construction) | Acreage: 0.49

3110 Westonview Ct | $1,922,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: N/A (new construction) | Square Feet: N/A (new construction) | Acreage: 0.58

2530 Horton Park Dr | $1,566,000
Date Sold: 8/28/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: N/A (new construction) | Acreage: 0.30

2817 Flora Oaks Way | $1,550,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2017 | Square Feet: 5,436 | Acreage: 0.40

439 Grand Highclere Way | $1,425,000
Date Sold: 8/5/2026 | Year Built: 2021 | Square Feet: 4,099 | Acreage: 0.55

2555 Beckwith Rd | $1,405,000
Date Sold: 8/20/2026 | Year Built: 2017 | Square Feet: 5,013 | Acreage: 0.26

3340 Colby Chase Dr | $1,270,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2025 | Square Feet: 3,620 | Acreage: 0.23

2523 Tuffeto Trce | $1,270,000
Date Sold: 8/3/2026 | Year Built: 2013 | Square Feet: 3,759 | Acreage: 0.33

207 Weddington Park Ln | $1,265,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2020 | Square Feet: 4,226 | Acreage: 0.22

2130 Vittorio Ln | $1,180,000
Date Sold: 8/24/2026 | Year Built: 2017 | Square Feet: 4,405 | Acreage: 0.22

Fuquay-Varina — Top 10 — August 2026

6317 Granary Farm Ln | $1,124,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: 4,670 | Acreage: 0.61

2316 Hilltop Bluffs Ct | $980,500
Date Sold: 8/13/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: 3,525 | Acreage: 0.25

656 Aiken Pkwy | $800,000
Date Sold: 8/3/2026 | Year Built: 2007 | Square Feet: 3,331 | Acreage: 0.41

1904 Del Webb Gardens Dr | $780,000
Date Sold: 8/25/2026 | Year Built: 2024 | Square Feet: 2,750 | Acreage: 0.21

506 N Ennis St | $750,000
Date Sold: 8/31/2026 | Year Built: 1924 | Square Feet: 3,695 | Acreage: 0.69

5701 Mizuno Dr | $735,000
Date Sold: 8/31/2026 | Year Built: 2018 | Square Feet: 2,975 | Acreage: 0.29

1626 Immagene Way | $730,000
Date Sold: 8/11/2026 | Year Built: N/A (new construction) | Square Feet: N/A (new construction) | Acreage: 0.45

5700 Metalmark Dr | $729,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 2006 | Square Feet: 2,947 | Acreage: 0.64

5009 Beckwyck Dr | $725,000
Date Sold: 8/14/2026 | Year Built: 1994 | Square Feet: 3,489 | Acreage: 0.84

1436 Rose Gum Way | $700,000
Date Sold: 8/12/2026 | Year Built: 2023 | Square Feet: 2,780 | Acreage: 0.32

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 25, 2026 — A series of laws passed by the North Carolina General Assembly this year will change how Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina regulate growth and development.

Beginning next year, the towns generally will no longer be able to require developers to provide a minimum number of parking spaces. Other changes limit stormwater requirements when existing properties are redeveloped, extend protections for approved development plans from two years to five and protect certain home-based businesses from local permitting requirements.

The legislature also created statewide rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in larger municipalities and new requirements intended to make development fees more predictable. The laws leave much of local zoning intact but set new limits on what towns can require.

Minimum parking requirements are going away

Beginning January 1st, Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina generally will no longer be able to require a development to provide a minimum number of off-street parking spaces.

House Bill 162, enacted as Session Law 2026-39, prohibits local development regulations from requiring a minimum number of parking spaces based on a development, structure, occupancy or use. It also generally prevents local governments from requiring individual spaces larger than 9 feet by 20 feet, with exceptions for accessible, parallel and diagonal parking.

Developers can still provide as much parking as they believe a project needs. But if an apartment project that previously would have required 350 spaces proposes 275, for example, the town generally can’t require the additional 75 simply because of its previous parking formula.

The law treats communities in North Carolina’s designated coastal area differently. Wake County is not part of that area.

Redevelopment gets different stormwater treatment

House Bill 376, enacted as Session Law 2026-32, changes how existing pavement and buildings are treated when developed property is redeveloped.

Existing built-upon area receives square-foot-for-square-foot credit when calculating additional stormwater-control requirements, whether it remains in place or is demolished, relocated or replaced. Additional controls generally apply to new impervious surface above what previously existed, although federal requirements can supersede the state provision.

Consider an older shopping center with 10 acres of buildings and pavement that is replaced by a development with 11 acres of built-upon area. The town generally couldn’t treat all 11 acres as new impervious surface; the existing 10 acres would receive credit.

Local governments must bring their stormwater programs into compliance by July 2nd, 2027. Towns can still offer voluntary incentives, such as waived fees or regulatory concessions, for developers that provide stormwater controls beyond the minimum requirements.

Development approvals can remain protected for five years

The 2026 Regulatory Reform Act, Senate Bill 445, extends the statutory vesting period for a site-specific development plan from two years to five years. Local governments can approve longer periods of up to eight years when circumstances warrant it, compared with a previous maximum of five.

Vesting generally protects an approved development from subsequently adopted regulations that would impair or delay the project, subject to exceptions in state law.

For example, if Apex approves a large mixed-use development in 2027 and changes its development standards in 2029, a project with vested rights generally could continue under the rules associated with its approval. That protection isn’t absolute, but the change gives large projects substantially more time before their statutory vesting expires.

Apex must allow accessory dwelling units

The Regulatory Reform Act also creates new rules for accessory dwelling units, commonly called ADUs. They can include apartments over garages, converted portions of existing structures or smaller detached homes on the same property as a primary residence.

Beginning January 15th, covered municipalities must allow at least one ADU with each detached single-family home in residential areas where detached single-family homes are allowed.

A town can’t require additional parking for the ADU, require conditional zoning, prohibit the main house and ADU from being rented long-term to separate households or prohibit connection to existing utilities when adequate capacity is available.

Towns retain some control over placement, setbacks and size. They can require an ADU to be smaller than the primary home and can establish a maximum size, but that maximum can’t be set below 800 square feet or above 1,000 square feet. Private covenants and HOA restrictions are not overridden by the new law.

The provision applies to non-coastal municipalities with populations of at least 50,000. North Carolina’s Chapter 160D allows municipalities to use the most recent annual state-certified population estimate when determining population for purposes of the chapter.

The latest published state figures put Apex at 75,059, Holly Springs at 49,039 and Fuquay-Varina at 44,237. That puts Apex above the threshold, with Holly Springs just below it.

Holly Springs doesn’t necessarily have to wait for the 2030 Census. If a future applicable state-certified population estimate puts the town above 50,000, it could become subject to the ADU law at that point.

Covered municipalities must adopt compliant regulations by July 1st. If they don’t, state law says ADUs must be allowed without the limitations the municipality otherwise would have been permitted to impose.

Certain home businesses get new protection

House Bill 372, enacted as Session Law 2026-51, prevents towns from prohibiting what the law defines as a “no-impact home-based business” or requiring its owner to obtain a permit, license, variance or other municipal approval simply to operate.

To qualify, the business can’t generate on-street parking or a substantial increase in neighborhood traffic. Its activities must occur inside the home or yard, can’t be visible from the street and can’t involve outdoor storage of business merchandise, equipment or supplies.

A consulting business operated from a home office with little or no customer traffic is one example of the type of business that could qualify. Towns can still impose narrowly tailored health and safety regulations and ensure the business remains secondary and compatible with residential use.

The state law doesn’t override private deed restrictions, covenants or HOA rules.

Developers get more certainty about town fees

The Regulatory Reform Act also requires towns to publish their development-fee schedules online and provide applicants with an estimate of applicable fees within 10 business days after receiving a completed development application.

When approval is issued, the town must provide a final, binding statement of the fees due. That amount generally can’t exceed the most recent estimate unless the fee schedule has changed.

If a project materially changes during review, the town has 10 business days after receiving the new information to issue a revised estimate. So a developer initially quoted $600,000 generally couldn’t reach the end of an unchanged project and unexpectedly receive a $750,000 bill for fees that should have been included in the estimate.

The law doesn’t eliminate development fees. It gives applicants earlier information about what those fees are expected to be and provides a process to enforce the requirements in Superior Court.

The state is limiting some building-design requirements

Beginning October 1st, towns generally can’t require windows, storefront glass or similar glazing to cover more than 35% of the ground-floor facade of a commercial or mixed-use building.

For certain non-storefront uses, including some medical, religious, educational, nonprofit and institutional uses, the limit on what a town can require is 20%. The law includes exceptions, including provisions involving historic properties.

Developers can use more glass voluntarily. The restriction applies to how much a local government can require through its development regulations.

Apex faces another change because it owns an electric utility

Apex also is affected by a new law governing municipalities that participate in the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency.

Session Law 2026-27 restricts how covered municipalities can use electric-system revenue, and Apex is specifically included. Electric revenue can pay the direct and indirect costs of the system and other expenses allowed by the statute, while remaining revenue generally must be used to lower electric rates or make additional payments on electric-system debt.

For Apex, the change is primarily a municipal-finance issue rather than a development issue. It places tighter limits on transferring money generated by the electric utility to unrelated municipal purposes.

Another development rule could eventually reach Apex

One of the Regulatory Reform Act’s more significant land-use provisions doesn’t currently apply to Holly Springs, Apex or Fuquay-Varina.

The law requires qualifying municipalities to allow specified residential development by right when previously developed property in commercial, business or light-industrial zoning districts is redeveloped. Those municipalities also can’t impose a maximum building height below 60 feet on the residential uses covered by the law.

The provision applies only to cities with at least 80,000 residents in counties with at least 1 million residents, according to the most recent federal decennial census. Wake County clears the county threshold, but none of the three towns clears the municipal threshold under the census measurement required by the law.

Apex is the one to watch. Its corrected 2020 Census population is 63,591, although more recent annual estimates put its population considerably higher.

Those annual estimates don’t trigger this provision because the legislature specifically tied it to the federal decennial census. If the 2030 Census puts Apex above 80,000, the provision could then have significant implications for redevelopment of qualifying commercial properties.

It also creates an unusual distinction within the same law. Apex is large enough to fall under the ADU provision using current population data but remains below the threshold for the commercial-redevelopment provision because that section specifically uses the decennial census.

What changes for the towns

Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina still control many of the decisions that shape growth, including rezonings, comprehensive planning, utility capacity, transportation, subdivision design and development approvals.

But the state has narrowed local authority in several areas. The towns generally will no longer set minimum parking requirements, have less discretion over stormwater requirements for redevelopment, must provide longer protection for some approved development plans and face new limits involving home businesses, development fees and building design. Apex also must accommodate ADUs under the state’s new rules, with Holly Springs approaching the population threshold.

For residents and developers, that adds another question to the local development process. In addition to what a town’s development ordinance says, it increasingly matters what state law allows the town to require.

Source documents: Direct links to the actual enacted laws on the North Carolina General Assembly website:

• HB 162 / Session Law 2026-39 — Parking:
  https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2025-2026/SL2026-39.html

• HB 376 / Session Law 2026-32 — Stormwater / Water & Wastewater:
  https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2025-2026/SL2026-32.html

• SB 445 / Session Law 2026-59 — Regulatory Reform Act (vesting, ADUs, development fees, glazing, commercial redevelopment):
  https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2025-2026/SL2026-59.html

• HB 372 / Session Law 2026-51 — Home-Based Businesses:
  https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2025-2026/SL2026-51.html

• SB 1076 / Session Law 2026-27 — Municipal Electric Revenue / Apex:
  https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2025-2026/SL2026-27.html

Want to include your event in Out and About? Click here to submit it for consideration or send it via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, September 25, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

Friday, September 25

Jim Quick & Coastline: Press Play Music Series
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
For more than two decades, award-winning band Jim Quick & Coastline has entertained Southeast audiences with a signature blend of beach music, soul, R&B, country, and classic rock, delivering high-energy performances as part of Holly Springs Cultural Center’s Press Play Music Series.
7:30 PM

Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26 / Sunday, September 27

1776 (The Musical)
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, 123 E Vance St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Southern Wake Players presents “1776,” a musical following John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they work to convince the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. Tickets: $15 Adults; $13 Seniors & Students.
Fri & Sat Sept 25 & 26 – 7:30 PM · Sun Sept 27 – 2:00 PM

Saturday, September 26

3rd Annual Pride Festival — Proud to Be Me!
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Holly Springs’ third annual Pride Festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with an afternoon themed “Proud to Be Me,” opening with a strut at 2:15 PM before the festival runs 3:00–6:00 PM. The event features more than 50 vendors showcasing local businesses, artists, and organizations, along with 10 food and drink vendors, a Kids Zone with yard games, activities, and book readings, a kids’ raffle, and a raffle tent with additional prizes.
Strut 2:15 PM | Festival 3:00–6:00 PM

Latino Arts Festival
Apex Town Hall Campus, 73 Hunter St, Apex, NC
The Town of Apex hosts its Latino Arts Festival, celebrating Latino culture and heritage with live music and entertainment, country booths highlighting Central and South American traditions, a hands-on Ofrenda Workshop and Arts & Culture BINGO Scavenger Hunt, a vendor marketplace, and food trucks. Salsa dance lesson 3 PM · Orquestra K’che 4:15 PM · Flag parade 5:30 PM · Mambo Dinamico Dance Co and Sabrosura 6:15 PM.
3:00–7:00 PM

Live Music: Gov’t Mule & Ziggy Marley — Dreaming the Same Dream Tour
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM

Monday, September 28

Pimiento Tea Room Supper Club
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
Chef Christy’s Supper Club series features a 7-course tasting menu that showcases familiar ingredients in inventive ways alongside wine pairings by Sommelier Matt Weiss, with all proceeds benefitting CureSearch for Children’s Cancer.
6:30 PM

Upcoming Dates

October 1

Jonas Brothers — The Burning Up Tour All Over Again
Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
Doors 6:30 PM | Show 7:30 PM

October 10 (rain date: October 11)

Kids in Nature Day
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Rd, Garner, NC
South Wake Conservationists hosts its fifth annual Kids in Nature Day, a free, family-friendly event featuring live animal exhibits, over twenty interactive nature activity stations, live music, ice cream and treats, and a visit from Ranger Rick.
1:00–4:00 PM

October 14

Sensory-Friendly Fall Rides
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Rd, New Hill, NC
10:30 AM & 12:00 PM

October 10, 17, 24 & 23

Track or Treat Halloween Express
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Rd, New Hill, NC
Various times

October 31

HollyFest
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC
This free, family-friendly Holly Springs tradition celebrates the community with local artists, businesses, food vendors, children’s activities, and local entertainment.
10:00 AM–4:00 PM

December 5, 6, 12, 13 & 19

Santa Express
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Rd, New Hill, NC
Various times

HOLLY SPRINGS

Friday, September 25

Live Music
Richard Boston
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Saturday, September 26

Event
Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Event
Complimentary Wine Tasting with Michael Tinley of Advintage Wines
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
3:00–6:00 PM

Live Music
Sayer McShane
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Frank Longino & Ben Palmer
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Chris and Luke Gentri
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Tone Merchants Sing Along Rock Show
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Tanner Hunt
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

APEX

Friday, September 25

Live Music
Sam Trebing
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Ari Pappalardo
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
GemBox (Debut)
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Suburban Mojo
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Live Music
DJ Brian Joseph
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
9:00 PM

Saturday, September 26

Event
Apex Farmers Market
Downtown Apex, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Apex Country Band
The Local Apex, 2237 Old US Hwy 1, Apex, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Deep 6 Pearl Jam Tribute Band
Tap Station, 320 S Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Wagstaff
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
8-Track Minds
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US-64, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Neon Nights
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Event
Latino Night (Live DJ Josh)
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Sunday, September 27

Event
Oktoberfest Celebration
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US-64, Apex, NC
3:00 PM

FUQUAY-VARINA

Friday, September 25

Live Music
Nicholas Vernon
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Southern Rant
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Midnight Thirty
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Tone Merchants
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30 PM

Saturday, September 26

Event
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Josh Rhyne & Silvertones
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
5:00 PM

Event
Oaklyntoberfest
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Live Music: NC Polka Time All Stars at 3:00 PM
All Day

Sunday, September 27

Event
American Legion Cruisers Fall 2026 Car & Truck Open Show
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Registration: 8:00 AM – Noon | Awards: 2:00 PM | Entry donation: $20 | No online registration | Rain date: October 4
8:00 AM–Awards 2:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, Sep 22, 2026 — The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 at its Monday meeting to approve amendments allowing Atrium Health to become the sole corporate member of WakeMed, clearing a major hurdle for the county’s public safety-net hospital system to join the Charlotte-based Advocate Health enterprise.

Two protections commissioners repeatedly cited in explaining their votes, however, aren’t included in the documents they approved: a guarantee that Atrium will provide the money for a $2 billion capital commitment and a limit on rate increases. Those provisions currently rest on a letter from Atrium and assurances from county attorneys. They are expected to be incorporated into a separate agreement between WakeMed and Atrium that will not be made public.

WakeMed operates three community hospitals, its main Raleigh campus, Cary Hospital and North Hospital, along with specialty rehabilitation and mental health hospitals. The system has a combined 973 licensed beds and nearly 12,900 employees. In its most recently reported fiscal year, WakeMed recorded more than 354,000 emergency visits and 71,000 patient discharges.

The vote followed hours of public comment, staff presentations, and commissioner debate. Roughly 50 residents, hospital employees, advocacy group representatives, and Atrium and WakeMed staff addressed the board, with most of those who spoke urging commissioners to reject the proposal or postpone a decision. Commissioners Waters and Adamson voted no. Chair Don Mial and Commissioners Jackson, Stallings, Evans and Thomas voted yes.

“With a broken heart, I vote no,” Adamson said before the roll call.

Atrium’s new role

The transaction doesn’t merge WakeMed into Atrium or transfer WakeMed’s assets. WakeMed remains a separate legal entity with its name, nonprofit status and existing 14-member board structure. The significant change is that Atrium becomes WakeMed’s sole corporate member, a role nonprofit corporations can use in place of shareholders under North Carolina law.

County attorneys described the change as “very drastic” compared with WakeMed’s current governance structure because it gives Atrium authority it doesn’t have today. They also distinguished the arrangement from a merger, in which one corporation would cease to exist, and from an asset transfer such as those involving Mission Hospital and New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

The agreements commissioners approved

Monday’s vote covered two documents: amended and restated Articles of Incorporation for WakeMed and a second amendment to the 1997 Transfer Agreement between Wake County and WakeMed. Approval doesn’t immediately complete the transaction. The combination remains subject to federal antitrust review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and county attorney Roger Askew told commissioners that if federal regulators reject it, the documents approved Monday become null and void.

The board also placed conditions on Chair Don Mial’s authority to sign the amended transfer agreement. Those conditions include a guarantee that Atrium’s promised $2 billion capital investment will be funded by Atrium rather than WakeMed and a five-year limit on rate increases of 1.5 times the annual Medicare reimbursement adjustment.

Neither provision appears in the Articles of Incorporation or amended transfer agreement.

The two commitments came from a Sept. 19th letter from Atrium’s CEO to Governor Josh Stein after the governor intervened publicly in the proposed transaction during the weekend before the vote. The terms are expected to become part of a separate Member Addition Agreement between Atrium and WakeMed. That agreement wasn’t before commissioners Monday and isn’t public. Askew said state law permits the hospitals to withhold it as competitive business information.

Askew told commissioners he will review the final language and won’t allow the chair to sign the transfer agreement if the Member Addition Agreement doesn’t reflect the commitments Atrium has made.

Governance changes

Wake County will continue to appoint eight of WakeMed’s 14 directors, with Atrium appointing the other six. County appointees will now be required to live in Wake County, a requirement that doesn’t apply to Atrium’s appointees.

Before closing, the county will seat its initial eight directors, five of whom must be current WakeMed board members. That requirement was added during negotiations in the final days before the vote. The final documents also restore WakeMed’s more specific standards for removing county-appointed directors for cause after an earlier version contained broader language that could have allowed removal for such reasons as failing to collaborate effectively with other board members.

Atrium also gains significant authority over WakeMed management. The WakeMed board keeps its existing power to fire the CEO, but Atrium will have the ability to terminate the CEO without action by the board.

Money, indigent care and debt collection

The amended transfer agreement increases WakeMed’s minimum indigent-care requirement from 4.8% to 8% of a defined measure of patient revenue, the first increase in that minimum since 2008. Atrium will also fund a new $150 million Wake County Whole Health Program through annual payments of $15 million for 10 years. The county will direct the money toward housing, homelessness, food security, and behavioral health programs.

The $2 billion capital commitment changed significantly during negotiations. An earlier proposal allowed the investment to include money generated by WakeMed through operating revenue and investment income and contemplated spending it over 10 to 13 years. Under Atrium’s latest commitment, the full $2 billion would come from Atrium over 15 years. That funding guarantee is contained in the correspondence with the governor rather than the agreements commissioners approved Monday.

During the presentation, Askew gave two figures for the amount of the $2 billion expected to go toward routine facility improvements, first citing approximately $400 million and later $460 million. The difference wasn’t resolved during the meeting and couldn’t be reconciled from the documents reviewed. Four projects were specifically identified: a Garner health campus, a Rolesville health facility, an expansion of WakeMed’s North Tower and expansion of its emergency department and trauma center.

The agreement also prohibits WakeMed from using a series of aggressive debt-collection practices. The hospital won’t be permitted to sell patient debt, report patients to credit bureaus, place liens, garnish wages, or pursue arrest over unpaid medical bills.

Askew said failure to fulfill the $2 billion capital commitment or comply with the debt-collection provisions would constitute a contractual issue to be pursued through WakeMed’s county-appointed board members. Neither would allow Wake County to reclaim hospital property.

The county’s property reversion rights apply if WakeMed stops operating as a nonprofit community hospital, engages in discrimination, or fails to meet the 8% indigent-care requirement. Even then, those rights don’t extend across the WakeMed system. They cover the main Raleigh campus and a portion of the Cary campus.

Objections to the process

For Waters and Adamson, the process leading to Monday’s vote was among the reasons for opposing the transaction. Both said important terms continued to change shortly before the meeting. The rate limit and guarantee surrounding the source of the $2 billion commitment arrived only days before commissioners voted, and some language wasn’t available when the meeting agenda was posted.

Waters also objected to holding the vote on Yom Kippur, saying the timing prevented some Jewish residents from participating. She argued that the compressed timeline made it harder for the public to have confidence that its questions and concerns had been fully considered.

Commissioners who supported the transaction also acknowledged shortcomings in the process. Evans and Thomas said the agreement had improved substantially from the proposal commissioners first reviewed in the spring, when the county would have had considerably less influence over WakeMed’s future.

Jackson, who made the motion for approval, pointed to protections commissioners had negotiated into the agreement while saying public scrutiny shouldn’t end with Monday’s vote. She called for continued attention to whether the commitments made during negotiations are fulfilled.

Opponents also raised concerns about what Atrium’s involvement could eventually mean for health-care prices. Two speakers cited an analysis they attributed to Brown University researchers, saying prices at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center increased 28% from 2020 through 2024 following Atrium’s 2020 acquisition, compared with approximately 20% at other North Carolina hospitals.

The underlying research wasn’t independently verified for this report, so those figures remain claims made by speakers at the meeting rather than independently established findings.

“That is not a partnership. That is a change of ownership dressed up in governance language,” said Grant Welch, the Communications Workers of America’s North Carolina legislative political director, who spoke against the proposal.

Jackson placed the WakeMed transaction in a larger context, describing it as part of “a 15- to 20-year national and state consolidation trend” involving hospitals.

What happens now

Monday’s vote doesn’t close the transaction. Federal antitrust review must be completed first, and the final language governing the source of Atrium’s $2 billion investment and the five-year rate limit will be contained in the Member Addition Agreement between Atrium and WakeMed rather than the public agreements approved by commissioners.

Askew said he will share that language with commissioners before the transaction is signed but did not provide a timetable for when that will occur. The Member Addition Agreement itself will remain non-public.

Want to include your event in Out and About? Click here to submit it for consideration or send it via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, September 17, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

Thursday, September 17

Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina (FM2FV) — North Tower
Centennial Square, 102 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
The Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina concert series continues with North Tower at Centennial Square, featuring food trucks, local beer vendors, and free face painting for kids.
6:00–9:00 PM

Little Feat — The Last Farewell Tour
DPAC, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC 27701
Founded in 1969, Little Feat announces “The Last Farewell Tour,” a multi-year wind-down of touring for the band known for songs like “Dixie Chicken” and “Willin’.”
7:30 PM

Saturday, September 19

Canine-Con — “You’ve Got A Fur-iend In Me!”
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC
Holly Springs Parks & Recreation hosts Canine-Con, a dog-themed event featuring rescue organizations, food trucks, vendors, and a free rabies and microchipping clinic.
8:00–11:00 AM

SuperFun Saturday
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
The Halle Cultural Arts Center hosts SuperFun Saturday, a family-friendly event with free arts and crafts for children ages 4–12, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Festa Italiana
Apex Town Hall Campus, 73 Hunter St, Apex, NC
Festa Italiana brings Italian heritage and culture to downtown Apex with live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, a kids zone, food trucks, and street vendors.
11:00 AM–7:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

September 22 – 26

Live Music: Buena Vista Social Club
DPAC, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC 27701
Various times

September 24

Live Music: ZZ Top & Dwight Yoakam — Dos Amigos Tour
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
7:00 PM (Doors 5:30 PM)

September 26

Live Music: Gov’t Mule & Ziggy Marley — Dreaming the Same Dream Tour
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM)

HOLLY SPRINGS

Thursday, September 17

Event
Music Bingo Night
Local Time Brewing, 300 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Friday, September 18

Live Music
Ryan Mullaney
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Richard Boston
Golf Hour, 131 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Saturday, September 19

Event
Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Farmers Market, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Jim Morgan Music
Holly Springs Farmers Market, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
9:30–11:30 AM

Event
Wine Tasting with Geoff Sandberg of Grapevine Wines
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

Live Music
Raad OG
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
4:00–7:00 PM

Live Music
Jim Morgan Music
Homegrown Pizza, 4928 Linksland Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–8:00 PM

Live Music
Angela Bingham (voice) & Grant Osborne (piano)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Brooke McBride
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00 PM

Live Music
Garland Mason
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Sunday, September 20

Event
Pop-Up Shopping with Fuq’n Vinyl
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
1:00–4:00 PM

APEX

Thursday, September 17

Live Music
David Buchanan
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Friday, September 18

Live Music
Covered in Jam
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Live Music
Sums Divide (Acoustic)
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Event
DJ Brian
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
10:00 PM

Saturday, September 19

Event
Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Bucket Jam
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
For the People
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Live Music
Tater-Pop
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Twilight & Vinegar — “Talk Like a Pirate Night”
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Moonlight Rescue Band
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:30 PM

Event
“White Out” DJ Party
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
10:00 PM

FUQUAY-VARINA

Thursday, September 17

Live Music
Mike Davis
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Event
Brian Jones - Open Mic
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 PM

Friday, September 18

Live Music
Stuart Smalley Trio
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Jim Morgan Music
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 505 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Deep 6 — A Tribute to Pearl Jam and the Seattle Sound
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Saturday, September 19

Event
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Event
Emo Night / Night Market
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
4:00–9:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 11, 2026 — Holly Springs Town Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 15th on its 22-step Affordable Housing Action Plan (document) that proposes incentives for qualifying developments, faster approval processes and new programs for existing homeowners.

The plan comes as home prices continue to rise. Sale prices in Holly Springs have increased 59% since 2019, according to the plan, and the town’s 2025 median sale price for a single-family home was $565,000, well above what a household earning the area’s median income can afford.

The proposal grew out of a 2023 Housing Affordability Study prepared by consultants HR&A. That study identified housing challenges, but the council never adopted it, and it stopped short of recommending specific actions. Council revived the issue earlier this year and directed staff to turn the earlier work into an action plan.

Nine months later, staff presented the 22-step proposal during council’s Sept. 8th council workshop. Unlike the earlier study, the town developed the action plan in-house, which Town Manager Randy Harrington said saved the town an estimated $250,000.

What does “affordable” mean?

One unresolved issue surfaced during the workshop when a council member noted that Holly Springs has never formally defined what it considers affordable housing. The council member pointed to a mixed-income development in nearby Garner, where Habitat for Humanity purchased and resold some homes within an otherwise market-rate development, as an example of how affordable housing can take different forms.

Even if Holly Springs settles on a definition, however, state law limits what the town can require from developers. The town attorney told council that municipalities cannot base zoning decisions on anticipated home sale prices and said the General Assembly has been moving toward making that restriction more explicit.

As a result, the town’s strategy largely relies on incentives rather than requirements. Holly Springs can make qualifying projects easier or less expensive to develop, but it cannot require a builder to sell homes at a particular price as a condition of zoning approval.

What’s in the plan

The 22 actions fall into three areas: improving access and outreach, creating programs and policies, and building the town’s capacity to administer housing programs.

The first includes an expanded housing resources webpage, a network of housing partners, and a Housing Advisory Group. The group would initially use the town’s existing Land Use Advisory Committee, then expand to include additional community stakeholders.

The second includes some of the plan’s more substantial proposals. Holly Springs would develop an affordable housing incentive zoning policy and an expedited approval process intended to reduce average development review times from about 18 months to 12 months for qualifying projects. A pilot rehabilitation and repair grant program would assist existing homeowners.

The third focuses on the town’s ability to carry out the work. Holly Springs is hiring a planner who would work on housing issues and plans to pursue additional grant funding, including through Wake County. The town currently has no staff member dedicated specifically to housing programs.

Who would the plan serve?

The incentive zoning policy is targeted for the plan’s first year. Before adopting it, the town would determine the income levels it wants to serve, identify where to encourage affordable housing, and decide which incentives and fees should apply. An annual report would track the results.

Staff placed the area’s median income at about $132,300 for a four-person household. Senior Planner Sarah Lipkin-Sularz cautioned that the regional figure can be misleading given local housing costs, noting that Holly Springs is among the few Wake County communities where home prices are still increasing.

The plan initially focuses on households earning between 30% and 80% of area median income, although some programs could reach households earning up to 100%. Staff said serving households below 30%, particularly unhoused residents, generally requires resources and staffing beyond what Holly Springs can provide on its own.

Council members also asked how large housing developments outside Holly Springs factor into the town’s planning and whether regional construction could affect how much additional housing will ultimately be needed. Staff said it is already tracking regional growth and housing trends and will continue to consider them as the plan moves forward.

What happens next

The public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15th, with possible adoption in October. If council decides the proposal needs more work, staff can instead revise it and return to the October workshop.

If adopted, work on the incentive zoning policy would begin in the first year, followed by the expedited approval process in year two and the pilot rehabilitation and repair grant program in year three, subject to funding.

Town Council Business Meeting

Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Town Hall, 128 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Directions: Click here

Want to include your event in Out and About? Click here to submit it for consideration or send it via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, September 11, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

Friday, September 11

Event
Bike Night – Kick Off the “Let’s Roll” Weekend
Aviator Brewing Company, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
A motorcycle-themed gathering with food and drinks ahead of the CVMA NC 15-6 Annual “Let’s Roll” Ride the following day.
7:00 PM

Saturday, September 12

Event
Annual Shred-a-thon Offered by Holly Springs Police
North Main Athletic Complex, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC 27540
A free, drive-through paper shredding event hosted by the Holly Springs Police Department, running until the mobile shredding truck is full or 10 a.m., weather permitting.
7:00–10:00 AM

Event
International Cultural Festival
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, 123 E. Vance Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
An annual free celebration of community diversity featuring international food trucks, cultural booths, and a full day of performances and workshops representing multiple countries.
11:00 AM–4:00 PM

Event
End of Summer Bash
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
An annual end-of-summer celebration featuring live music from For the People (1–4 PM) and Fleming Road (6:30–9:30 PM), plus a dunk tank and cocktail specials.
Noon–9:30 PM

Event
Arts Holly Springs Jazz Series — The Ladies of Swing
Ashe Music Hall, 104 Avent Ferry Rd, Holly Springs, NC
A jazz concert presented by Arts Holly Springs honoring Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan, featuring pianist Noel Freidline and vocalist Maria Howell.
6:00 PM & 8:00 PM

Event
Air Supply – A Matter of Time Tour
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (Raleigh Memorial Auditorium), 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
Air Supply’s Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock perform as part of a 50th-anniversary tour ahead of their first new album in 15 years.
7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM)

September 12 – 13

Event
Thomas and His Friends in the Garden
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Rd, New Hill, NC
A family-friendly weekend event at the Garden Railroad featuring G-scale Thomas & Friends characters, along with rides on the full-size train.
Various times

Event
Monster Truck Wars
Rand Grandstand at NC State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC
A monster truck competition featuring Shark Attack, T-Rex, Outlaw, and the debut of Locomotive, plus Quad Wars racing and Kids Power Wheel races.
Sept 12: 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM · Sept 13: 2:00 PM

Sunday, September 13

Event
Food Truck Rodeo
Downtown Varina Parking Lot, 801 Durham Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
A community food truck festival featuring live DJ music, a kids’ zone, a touch-a-truck exhibit, and beer from Mason Jar Lager Company and Oaklyn Springs Brewery.
12:00–3:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

September 17

Live Music
Little Feat — The Last Farewell Tour
DPAC, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC 27701
7:30 PM

September 19

Live Music
Cash Money + No Limit Tour
Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)

September 24

Live Music
ZZ Top & Dwight Yoakam — Dos Amigos Tour
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
7:00 PM (Doors 5:30 PM)

HOLLY SPRINGS

Friday, September 11

Live Music
Kenny Shore
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Hamerytsky Kray
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, September 12

Event
Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
8:00 AM–Noon

Event
Black Dog’s 8th Anniversary Adoption Event
Black Dog Bottle Shop, 140 W Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs, NC
1:00–4:00 PM

Event
Complimentary Wine Tasting with Jeremy Reiter (Empire Wines)
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

Live Music
Kevin Van Sant (guitar) & Angela Bingham (voice)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Midnight Ripple
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
The Ridge Band
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Richard Boston
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

APEX

Friday, September 11

Event
DJ Brian Joseph
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
9:00 PM

Live Music
Story Charlemagne
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Raleigh Assassins
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
The Solutions
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Sayer McShane
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, September 12

Event
Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Event
St. Patrick’s Halfway Party
Doherty’s Irish Pub - Apex, 5490 Apex Peakway, Apex, NC 27502
An outdoor Irish-themed party at Doherty’s featuring live music from Nine Times Around at 2 PM, an Irish dance performance by Triggle Academy at 5:15 PM, and a U2 tribute set by ONE40 at 6 PM.
11:00 AM

Live Music
Jack Hnatt
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Dueling Pianos with Blazin’ Keys Entertainment
TapStation, 320 S Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Thousand Ways
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Maverick Rose
Southern Peak Brewery, 950 Windy Rd, Apex, NC
6:30–9:00 PM

Live Music
Ian McMahan
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Morton
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Cape Fear Revival
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Sunday, September 13

Event
Classical Concert Series — Thron-Larkin Duo
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem Street, Apex, NC 27502
3:00–4:00 PM (Doors 2:30 PM)

FUQUAY-VARINA

Friday, September 11

Live Music
Rodney Brady
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
The Ridge Band
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Joe Conroy
Aviator Brewing Taphouse Patio, 209 Technology Ln, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Bad PR
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30 PM

Saturday, September 12

Event
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Janis & Crew
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
5:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 7, 2026 — The U.S. conflict with Iran has lasted more than six months. Whatever judgment history ultimately makes about the decision to fight it, the war has provided a useful test of assumptions Americans have made for decades about U.S. military power.

The United States can move aircraft carriers, bombers, fighters, submarines and thousands of military personnel halfway around the world. It maintains military facilities across the globe and fields weapons few countries can match. But ships sent to one part of the world aren’t available somewhere else, and sophisticated weapons can be fired much faster than American factories can replace them.

286 days at sea

The USS Abraham Lincoln left San Diego on November 21st, 2025, for what began as an Indo-Pacific deployment. It was redirected toward the Middle East in January as tensions with Iran escalated and spent much of the following months supporting combat operations.

When the Lincoln arrived in Thailand on September 2nd, its roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines had spent 286 consecutive days at sea, according to Reuters. Reports during the deployment raised concerns about living conditions and the physical and mental strain on the crew. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has disputed reports portraying conditions aboard the carrier as poor.

The Navy once worked under a very different standard. In 1985, it established a 180-day deployment limit as part of an effort to control operating tempo and the amount of time sailors spent away from home. Six months remained the traditional deployment model for years afterward.

There were more carriers then, too. The Navy had 14 in 1989 and briefly reached 15 in 1991. Six participated in Operation Desert Storm, with deployments among those carriers running roughly six to eight months. The United States has 11 carriers today. Since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, carrier deployments have averaged about 8 1/2 months, according to the U.S. Naval Institute’s carrier deployment database.

Having 11 carriers does not mean all 11 are readily available for deployment. At any given time, some are undergoing maintenance, others are training for deployment and others are returning from sea.

When it came time to relieve the Lincoln, the Navy sent the USS George Washington, the carrier based in Japan, to the Middle East. The George Washington had been operating in the South China Sea shortly before moving west. The Navy found another carrier for thecIranian conflict, but it came from the region where the United States faces China.

The missile problem

The Iran conflict has also consumed substantial quantities of American munitions, particularly interceptors used against ballistic missiles and drones.

We don’t know exactly how many. The inventories are classified, published estimates vary and the Pentagon has challenged some of the higher figures. The Atlantic Council reported in August that estimates suggested the conflict may have consumed as much as three-fifths of U.S. Patriot interceptor stocks and roughly half of THAAD interceptor inventories. Those are estimates, not Pentagon inventory figures.

The Associated Press later reported that Patriot inventories available in Europe had fallen to levels some officials described as “beyond critical.” The Defense Department disputed that description and said reports about the severity of the shortage were misinformed.

The disagreement over the numbers doesn’t change how long replacement takes. Experts cited by the Atlantic Council say fully replenishing some stocks could take years. A missile can be fired in seconds. Building its replacement requires a factory, workers, components and time.

For much of the past few decades, the United States fought opponents that could not challenge it on anything approaching equal technological terms. It became easy to think about military strength in terms of how much Washington was willing to spend. Congress can appropriate billions of dollars in an afternoon. The weapons still have to be built.

Iran doesn’t have to match us

Regional adversaries still can’t match the United States technologically across the board. They don’t need to.

Drones, precision missiles, satellite imagery and modern air defenses give smaller countries capabilities that once belonged mostly to major powers. Some relatively inexpensive drones and missiles can require much more expensive interceptors to destroy them. More important in a prolonged fight, those interceptors may take far longer to manufacture than the weapons they are being used against.

Iran also has the advantage of fighting close to home. China would have the same advantage in a war over Taiwan, as would Russia in a conflict along NATO’s eastern flank. Land-based missiles, aircraft and drones can operate from nearby territory and be supplied over relatively short distances.

American forces have to cross oceans and then keep fuel, ammunition, spare parts and people moving across those distances for as long as the fighting continues.

That matters because Iran is not the most demanding military challenge the United States is preparing to face.

What if Taiwan comes next?

Iran’s economy and conventional military are substantially smaller than America’s. It doesn’t have a comparable navy or air force, and it doesn’t maintain a worldwide network of military bases. Even so, months of fighting have put demands on carriers, interceptor inventories, sailors and weapons production.

If China moved against Taiwan while substantial American forces remained committed in the Middle East, some U.S. ships would already be deployed and some weapons already expended. American factories would already be replacing equipment used in another theater.

No one can look at the Iran war and know how a simultaneous conflict with China would end. We can see how quickly a prolonged regional war begins using resources that might be needed somewhere else.

How much is actually available?

The United States has 11 aircraft carriers. It spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year on defense. Both numbers say something important about American military strength.

Neither tells us how many carriers are ready to deploy today, how many months their crews can remain at sea, how many interceptors are in their magazines or how quickly those weapons can be replaced. They don’t tell us what happens to maintenance schedules when deployments run long, or what happens to another region when a carrier has to be moved.

Those questions matter regardless of whether someone wants the United States to do more or less overseas. NATO, South Korea, Japan and American policy toward Taiwan ultimately depend on having ships, aircraft, weapons and people available when they are needed.

The Lincoln can stay at sea a long time. Keeping roughly 5,000 people supplied, replacing the weapons they use and eventually finding another carrier to take their place is another matter.

In this case, the United States found one. The USS George Washington left the Pacific and went to the Middle East.

That worked. But if the next crisis is in the Pacific, where does the next carrier come from?

Christian A. Hendricks is the publisher and founder of Holly Springs Update, a local news publication covering Holly Springs, NC, and its surrounding area. From time to time, he shares his views on national, regional, and state issues. He can be reached via email at news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Apex, NC, Sep. 4, 2026 — Fourteen Apex food establishments inspected in August received A grades, with scores ranging from 95.5 to 98.5. Eight of the 14 inspections included priority-level violations involving food safety practices.

Temperature control was among the most common problems. Inspectors found refrigerated foods, including milk, deli meats, dumplings and noodles, being held above the required 41 degrees. In some cases, inspectors attributed the temperatures to overfilled containers, open cooler doors, or refrigeration equipment that could not keep up with demand.

Inspectors also cited problems with how some foods were cooled after preparation. Watermelon, sweet potatoes, and noodles were among the foods that did not cool quickly enough or were not cooled using methods such as shallow pans or ice baths.

Other violations included handwashing stations that were blocked or lacked soap or paper towels, as well as chemical spray bottles that were not labeled. Inspectors also cited dirty or damaged equipment, including ice machines, gaskets, and shelving, as well as grease, dust, and other residue on surfaces.

Several inspections identified repairs needed to floors, walls, ceilings, or walk-in coolers. Repeat violations included facility maintenance problems and the improper reuse of containers intended for single use.

Despite the violations, all 14 establishments inspected during August received A grades. The full listings below include each establishment’s score, inspection findings, and corrective actions.

Note: Inspector’s observations and corrective actions taken are available below the summary report. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments

Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2662 GRADING)

(a) The grading of food establishments is based on a system of scoring. A food establishment that earns a score of at least:

(1) 90 percent shall receive a grade A;

(2) 80 percent and less than 90 percent shall receive a grade B;

(3) 70 percent and less than 80 percent shall receive a grade C.

Permits shall be immediately revoked in accordance with G.S. 130A-23(d) for food establishments receiving a score of less than 70 percent.

Summary Report for June 2026

BAAN THAI RESTAURANT | 98.50 A
CALYX LIVING OF APEX | 97 A
CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL #8412 | 96 A
CHICK-FIL-A APEX | 98.50 A
FIREHOUSE SUBS | 96.50 A
IHOP #3181 | 98.50 A
MUSTANG CHARLIE’S | 98.50 A
NOODLES COMPANY #866 | 95.50 A
SHAKEY RAY’S | 98.50 A
TACOS MEXICO RESTAURANT | 97 A
THE PROVINCIAL | 96 A
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE | 95.50 A
TURKISH COFFEE LADY | 98 A
YAGG SII TENN | 98.50 A

Observations and Corrective Actions

BAAN THAI RESTAURANT | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

758 WILLIAMS ST, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/6/2026

Comment

4-602.11(E) Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils - Frequency - C The black panel in the ice machine is soiled with organic build up. (4) Enclosed components of EQUIPMENT contacting non TCS food in equipment such as ice makers shall be cleaned: (b) Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. The PIC melted ice and cleaned the ice machine. Increase cleaning frequency. ***CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)*** .

CALYX LIVING OF APEX | Final Score @ Grade: 97 A

7501 JENKS RD, APEX NC 27523
Inspection Date: 8/3/2026

Comment

6-301.11; Priority Foundation; The handwashing sink near warewashing area had no soap. Dispenser was empty but still appeared to create small amounts of foam when lever was pressed, indicating it had just run out. Each handwashing sink shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. CDI- soap replaced. No point taken today.

3-501.16(A)(2); Priority; Milk in the reach-in unit near bistro station measured 46F. PIC stated milk was out during lunch and may not have been in enough ice to keep temperature. Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. CDI- milk was voluntarily discarded. All other cold holding observed compliant. Full points may be taken for repeat violations.

3-501.18; Priority; Multiple ready-to-eat, TCS foods including boiled eggs and noodles were observed in the walk-in cooler with prep dates exceeding 7 days. Some foods such as noodles and boiled eggs had prep dates of 7/13 and 7/26. Ready-to-eat, TCS foods shall be discarded after 7 days in refrigeration. The day of preparation or opening from a commercial package shall count as day 1. CDI- all foods voluntarily discarded.

CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL #8412 | Final Score @ Grade: 96 A

1201 HADDON HALL DR, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/17/2026

Comment

3-501.16 (A)(1); Priority; Lemon veggie sauce on the cookline was holding at 96F. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when TPHC is used, TCS food shall be maintained at 135°F or above. CDI- PIC had employee reheat sauce on stove to 165F+. All other hot holding observed compliant. No points taken today.

3-501.16(A)(2); Priority; Some TCS foods in walk-in cooler were observed slightly over 41F (see temp chart). Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. PIC indicated that the door may have been left open during restocking. Bulk cooling of sauces may have also raised the temperature slightly. CDI- freezer door was left open for fifteen minutes to rapidly flash cool walk-in refrigerator and foods. Ambient temperature of walk-in was observed at 41F before freezer door was opened. PIC may want to lower temperature setting on cooler to allow for a temperature buffer. Full points not taken today. All other units observed cold.

3-305.11; Core; Pooled condensation observed on metal salad dressing lids inside salad fliptop cooler. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location; where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI- excess moisture was drained off lids and EHS instructed employee to dry the lids. Keep lids free of excess moisture to prevent contamination of contents below.

3-304.12 (F); Core; Several utensils were stored in water at less than 135F. Containers of water used for storing in-use utensils must be maintained at a temperature of at least 135F and cleaned at least every 24 hours or when container has accumulated soil or residue. CDI- water drained. Full point taken for repeat violations. In-use utensils stored dry must be cleaned and sanitized every 4 hours.

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Cleaning is needed around fliptop hinges and undersides of fliptop lids at the cookline. Dust accumulation observed on shelving near warewashing area. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Increase cleaning frequency.

5-205.15; Core; A drip was observed coming from the drain seal underneath middle compartment of three compartment sink. A plumbing system shall be maintained in good repair. Repair leak.

CHICK-FIL-A APEX | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

1110 BEAVER CREEK COMMONS DR, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/4/2026

Comment

6-301.12; Priority Foundation; No paper towels were available a handwashing sink near sandwich prep area. Each handwash sink shall be provided with paper towels or an air drying device. CDI- towels replaced.

3-304.12 (A); Core; Chicken scoop handle laying in raw chicken. In-use utensils in TCS food, must be stored with handles above the food and top of the food container. CDI - scoop handle removed.

4-903.11(A) and (C); Core; Single-use trays were observed on a shelf with the food-contact portion exposed. Single-use articles shall be stored as specified under par. (A) of this section and shall be kept in the original protective package or stored by using other means that afford protection from contamination until used. CDI- items inverted. No point taken

6-501.12; Core; Walk-in freezer floor has visible residue and debris accumulation. Physical facilities shall be kept clean. Increase cleaning frequency. All other areas observed clean. No point taken

FIREHOUSE SUBS | Final Score @ Grade: 96.50 A

1047 BEAVER CREEK COMMONS DR, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/12/2026

Comment

3-501.16(A)(2); Priority; Multiple TCS foods including deli meats in multiple refrigeration units measured over 41F (see temp chart). Some foods in makeline fliptop were stacked too high to maintain temperature. Ensure foods are not stacked above the chill line of containers. Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. CDI- all products were voluntarily discarded. Full points taken for repeat violation.

4-301.11; Priority Foundation; The two main refrigeration units were observed with ambient temperatures in the low 50s. Equipment for cooling and heating food, and holding cold and hot food, shall be sufficient in number and capacity to maintain required food temperatures. Facility does not have adequate refrigeration capacity without these units to keep foods at safe temperature. Verification required.

4-204.112; Core; No ambient air thermometer was available in the glass door display unit. Cold or hot holding equipment used for TCS food shall be designed to include and shall be equipped with at least one integral or permanently affixed thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the device’s temperature display. Provide and appropriately place an ambient air thermometer in all refrigeration units unless already equipped with one.

IHOP #3181 | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

1150 BEAVER CREEK COMMONS DR, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/12/2026

Comment

4-501.11; Core; Ice scoop holder on side of ice machine is cracked. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Replace this item.

4-601.11 (B) and (C); Core; Toaster and sides of cookline equipment have food residue and greasy accumulation. The nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris accumulation. Clean these surfaces more frequently.

5-205.15 (B); Core: A small leak was observed on filter cartridge behind ice machine. A plumbing system shall be maintained in good repair. Repair ice machine filter leak. No point taken today.

6-501.12; Core; Floor behind ice machine is soiled with residue and visible debris. Ceiling tiles near grill and above prep unit have visible dust accumulation. Physical facilities shall be kept clean. Clean these areas.

MUSTANG CHARLIE’S | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

1501 N SALEM ST, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/10/2026

Comment

2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C) No one working in the restaurant at the time of the inspection held a certified food protection manager certification. The PIC must be a certified food protection manager. A list of ANSI approved CFPM classes is available at wake.gov/food. The PIC is advised.

4-602.11(E) Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils - Frequency - C The white panel inside the ice machine and surfaces behind said panel are soiled with moderate black build up. Except when dry cleaning methods are used, surfaces of UTENSILS and EQUIPMENT contacting nonTCS FOOD shall be cleaned: (4) In EQUIPMENT such as ice bins and BEVERAGE dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of EQUIPMENT such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, BEVERAGE and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending EQUIPMENT: (b) Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Increase cleaning frequency. .

NOODLES COMPANY #866 | Final Score @ Grade: 95.50 A

1055 BEAVER CREEK COMMONS DR, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/17/2026

Comment

6-301.12; Priority Foundation; No paper towels were available at the front handwashing sink. Each handwash sink shall be provided with paper towels or an air drying device. CDI- towels replaced.

3-501.14(A); Priority; Noodles in the reach-in unit cooling from last night were still above 41F (see temp chart). TCS food shall be cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours and from 135F to 41F or less within a total of 6 hours. CDI- noodles voluntarily discarded.

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Dumplings were stacked too far above chill line in fliptop cooler and measured over 41F (see temp chart). TCS foods shall maintain 41F or below in refrigeration unless actively cooling. CDI - excess dumplings were voluntarily discarded. All other cold holding observed compliant. No points taken today.

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Multiple deep containers of noodles with lids were observed in reach-in cooler. Some noodles had been cooling since last night. When cooling TCS foods, use small or thin portions, open or vented containers if protected from overhead contamination and rapid cooling equipment (walk-in cooler) to cool foods quickly. Ice baths or ice wands may also be used. CDI - noodles cooling since last night were voluntarily discarded. Other noodles measuring 50F from earlier this morning were placed in an ice bath to rapidly chill.

4-501.14; Core; Warewashing machine is soiled with food debris and residue from previous days use. Warewashing equipment, sinks and drainboards shall be cleaned at least every 24 hours or at a frequency necessary to prevent contamination of clean equipment. Clean this machine more frequently, paying close attention to areas around and under the door. Full point taken for repeat violations.

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Food residue accumulation observed inside cooler drawer unit and reach-in cooler. Shelving under steam well is soiled. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Increase cleaning frequency. Cleaning has improved since previous inspection. Full point not taken.

6-501.14; Core; AC vent on ceiling in back storage area is dusty. Ventilation systems shall be cleaned and filters changed so they do not become a source of contamination. Clean this vent.

SHAKEY RAY’S | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

5160 SUNSET LAKE RD, APEX NC 27539
Inspection Date: 8/25/2026

Comment

7-102.11 Common Name - Working Containers (Pf) One spray bottle glass cleaner not labeled. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Labeled at time of inspection. No points taken.

4-501.11 Gaskets on reach in coolers torn. Maintain equipment in good repair. Replace.

6-501.12 Cleaning needed walls and ceilings around vents. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

TACOS MEXICO RESTAURANT | Final Score @ Grade: 97 A

209 E WILLIAMS ST, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/19/2026

Comment

6-501.112 Removing Dead or Trapped Birds, Insects, Rodents and other Pests (C) Cobb webs observes in corners in the dish washing area and storage areas. Dead insects and other pests shall be removed from control devices and the PREMISES at a frequency that prevents their accumulation, decomposition, or the attraction of pests.

4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment Coated metal wire shelving in the walk-in cooler is corroding and rusting, with paint flaking off. Walk in cooler door has large hole in exposing insulation. Equipment must be maintained in good repair. Deteriorated surfaces such as flaking paint can contaminate food and compromise cleanability. PIC advised to replace shelving in the near future to prevent contamination and maintain equipment in a sanitary condition. 4-202.11 Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleanability The rice container lid is cracked and badly damaged. Multiuse food-contact surfaces must be smooth, free of cracks, chips, or crevices, and easily cleanable to prevent contamination. PIC was advised to replace the lid to maintain food safety and ensure surfaces remain cleanable.

6-501.11 Repairing Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures Methods (C) Multiple areas of the physical facilities are damaged and not maintained in good repair, including: large hole in stainless steel panel, large hole in fiberglass reinforced panel (FRP), missing and broken floor tiles, damaged ceiling throughout kitchen, missing door handle on walk- in cooler, corroded walk-in cooler gasket, severe corrosion on walk-in cooler door. Physical facilities must be maintained in good repair, smooth, and easily cleanable to prevent contamination and maintain sanitation. PIC is required to repair, replace, or remove damaged areas promptly to restore surfaces to a smooth, cleanable condition. ***REPEAT VIOLATION***

THE PROVINCIAL | Final Score @ Grade: 96 A

119 N SALEM ST, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/19/2026

Comment

3-302.11 Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation (P) Cut lettuce was stored in the drawer underneath a drawer of raw beef burger pattie, raw steak, and raw pork chops. (A) FOOD shall be protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal FOODS during storage, preparation, holding, and display from raw READY-TO-EAT FOOD such as fruits and vegetables. PIC rearranged the drawers so that the cut lettuce is above the raw animal meats listed above. ***CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)***

4-502.13 Single-Service and Single-Use Articles - Use Limitations (C) Establishment is reusing plastic goat cheese and other plastic single use containers for other food storage. (A)SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES may not be reused. These containers are not meant to be reused for food storage and do not meet NSF standards for cleanability. Discontinue the use of these containers.***REPEAT VIOLATION***

4-501.18 Warewashing Equipment, Clean Solutions (C) The rinse basin and the sanitizing solution in the sanitizing basin of the three compartment sink are soiled. The wash, rinse, and SANITIZE solutions shall be maintained clean. PIC had employee clean the rinse basin and replace the soiled sanitizing solution with a clean solution.

6-501.11 Repairing - Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures - Methods (C) Floor sealant and paint worn. Small holes in FRP. Splatter on ceiling tiles. Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. PIC advised. ***REPEAT VIOLATION***

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE | Final Score @ Grade: 95.50 A

1264 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/4/2026

Comment

3-501.14(B); Priority; Watermelon cooling from ambient temp since this morning was observed between 43 and 47F in smoothie fliptop unit. Roasted sweet potato prepared from a commercial package and cooling since 9:26am was observed at 50 - 62F in reach-in unit. TCS foods shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41F or less if prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature. CDI- foods voluntarily discarded.

3-501.16 (A)(2); Priority; Multiple TCS foods observed in fliptop refrigeration above 41F (see temp chart). TCS foods shall be maintained at 41F or less in refrigeration. CDI- foods more than 4 hours old were voluntarily discarded. Other foods placed on ice or moved to walk-in to cool. Refrigeration ambient temperature was at least 41F. Keep foods covered, use ice bags to cool and keep doors/lids closed to help maintain temperature if necessary.

7-201.11; Priority; Bulk bleach bottle stored on shelf above three compartment sink. Poisonous or toxic materials shall be stored so that they do not contaminate equipment, utensils, food or single-use articles. CDI- bottle moved to chemical storage area. No point taken.

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Cut watermelon and sweet potato did not cool fast enough due to ineffective cooling methods. Cooling shall be accomplished by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of food being cooled: (1) Placing the food in shallow pans; (2) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; (3) Using rapid cooling equipment (freezer/walk-in cooler); (4) Stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; (5) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; (6) Adding ice as an ingredient; or (7) Other effective methods. Leave foods vented or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination until cooling is complete. CDI- foods voluntarily discarded.

3-305.11; Core; Two boxes of food were observed on freezer floor. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location; where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI - boxes placed on shelf. No point taken

4-501.11; Core; Ice scoop holder is cracked at the bottom. Blender base on one blender is badly damaged and metal frame is exposed and rusting. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Replace these items.

TURKISH COFFEE LADY | Final Score @ Grade: 98 A

1460 CHAPEL RIDGE RD, APEX NC
Inspection Date: 8/18/2026

Comment

5-205.11(A); Priority Foundation; The handwashing sink in kitchen was blocked by two chairs. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. CDI- chairs removed.

3-501.16 (A)(2); Priority; A container of milk was observed at 46F in the reach-in unit. PIC recently had milk out for beverage prep/service. TCS food shall be maintained at 41F or less. Milk was placed in freezer to cool down quickly. Do not leave milk out of refrigeration for longer than necessary to avoid temperature abuse. All other items were observed sufficiently cold. No points taken today.

7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Observed a spray bottle of bleach sanitizer without a label. Label working containers of poisonous or toxic materials taken from bulk supplies with the common name of the material. CDI- label added.

4-205.10; Core; Insignia model free standing cooler is not NSF sanitation rated. Except for toasters, mixers, microwave ovens, water heaters, and hoods, food equipment shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s intended use and certified or classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited certification program. Spoke with PIC about replacing this cooler with a commercial, sanitation grade cooler. No point taken today. 4-501.11: Core; The lower door hinge to the tall reach-in freezer is detached. Door is still able to seal properly for now. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Repair door hinge to prevent further damage to freezer and issues with refrigeration later on.

YAGG SII TENN | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

1440 CHAPEL RIDGE RD, APEX NC 27502
Inspection Date: 8/26/2026

Comment

4-601.11(A); Priority Foundation; A single food scoop stored as clean had food residue on the scoop and under wiper/ejector arm. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI- scoop removed for cleaning. All other equipment observed clean. No points taken.

3-304.14 (E); Core; Bleach wiping cloth bucket stored on counter above clean equipment and box of food. Containers of sanitizing solutions in which wet wiping cloths are held between uses shall be stored off the floor and where contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and single-service articles cannot occur. CDI- bucket was relocated to a lower shelf.

4-903.11(A)(B) and (D); Core; Spoons and a food scoop were stored in a white plastic basket with visible residue. Cleaned equipment and utensils shall be stored in a clean, dry location; where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI- basket and its contents were sent for washing/sanitizing.

4-501.11; Core; Coated metal shelving in the walk-in cooler is peeling and flaking. This prevents effective cleaning. Flaking paint may contaminate exposed food. Maintain equipment in good repair. Replace metal shelving in the near future. PIC has placed a plastic liner that is smooth and easily cleanable over affected shelving as a temporary measure. Full point not taken.

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 4, 2026 — Eighteen Holly Springs restaurants inspected in August received A grades, with scores ranging from 97.5 to 99.5.

Cleaning and maintenance accounted for many of the problems inspectors found. Several restaurants were cited for grease, dirt, or other buildup on shelving, cooler racks, gaskets, and equipment. Inspectors also found clean containers stacked while still wet at several locations, rather than allowed to air-dry before storage.

Other violations included rusting shelves and racks, damaged or malfunctioning equipment, and problems involving handwashing sinks. At some restaurants, items were placed in or around handwashing sinks, and inspectors also found unlabeled cleaning products in spray bottles.

Food-storage problems included raw eggs and raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat foods. Inspectors also cited an improperly stored utensil that was touching food and a handwashing station without properly available soap. Several of the problems were corrected during the inspections.

Despite the violations, every Holly Springs restaurant inspected during August received an A. Scores, inspection findings, and corrective actions for each restaurant are listed below.

Note: Inspector’s observations and corrective actions taken are available below the summary report. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments

Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2662 GRADING)

(a) The grading of food establishments is based on a system of scoring. A food establishment that earns a score of at least:

(1) 90 percent shall receive a grade A;

(2) 80 percent and less than 90 percent shall receive a grade B;

(3) 70 percent and less than 80 percent shall receive a grade C.

Permits shall be immediately revoked in accordance with G.S. 130A-23(d) for food establishments receiving a score of less than 70 percent.

Summary Report for August 2026

ALPACA HOLLY SPRINGS | 99 A
BOJANGLE’S #55 | 98.50 A
BUFFALO WILD WINGS #439 | 97.50 A
CRISTO’S BISTRO | 99 A
DUNKIN’ #350292 | 98 A
DUNKIN’ #358815 | 99 A
EGGS UP GRILL #31 | 99 A
GRAIN AND BERRY HOLLY SPRINGS | 98.50 A
GREEK BASMA | 98.50 A
KFC/TACO BELL #118 | 97.50 A
MELLOW MUSHROOM | 99.50 A
MI CANCUN | 98 A
RANDY’S PIZZA - HOLLY SPRINGS | 98 A
STARBUCKS #19453 | 99 A
TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE | 97.50 A
TIJUANA FLATS #182 | 98 A
WENDY’S #10543 | 98.50 A
ZAXBY’S #44901 | 98 A

Observations and Corrective Actions

ALPACA HOLLY SPRINGS | Final Score @ Grade: 99 A

109 COLLINS CROSSING RD, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540
Inspection Date: 8/13/2026

Comments

4-901.11 Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required (C) Observed clean inverted metal food containers stacked wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried..

6-501.110 Employee container for personal food items in walk in cooler is on middle shelf. Please keep on bottom shelf. Car keys on prep table. Employees’ food items shall be stored below and away from food, food preparation surfaces, and clean food equipment/utensils. Keep personal items off of prep tables and storage shelves for restaurant related items.

BOJANGLE’S #55 | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

151 COLLINS CROSSING RD, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/10/2026

Comment

3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitations (C) Wet wiping clothes hanging over side of sani-bucket. Moist wiping cloths shall be stored and submerged in approved clean sanitizer between uses.

4-901.11 Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required (C) A few metal containers stacked wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them. No points taken.

4-602.13 Soil build-up on wire shelving in walk in cooler where raw chicken is stored. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS #439 | Final Score @ Grade: 97.50 A

121 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/31/2026

Comment

4-501.11 Rusty wire shelving bracket on shelving to left of dishwash machine and lower shelf in walk in cooler. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Note: Shelving to right of dishwasher replaced. Only half points taken.

4-602.13 Exterior/interior equipment, reach in coolers, drawer coolers and wire shelving in walk in cooler need cleaning. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) Cleaning needed of floors and walls, including both walk in coolers.

CRISTO’S BISTRO | Final Score @ Grade: 99 A

5217 SUNSET LAKE RD, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/6/2026

Comment

4-602.13 Walk in cooler wire shelving left side has soil build-up. Non-food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch.

DUNKIN’ #350292 | Final Score @ Grade: 98 A

1501 WERRINGTON DR, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/4/2026

Comment

4-901.11 Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required (C) Observed clean inverted plastic food containers stacked wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them.

4-602.13 Some cleaning needed on exterior equipment and make line unit interior. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

6-501.110 Vape pen on dry goods shelf.

DUNKIN’ #358815 | Final Score @ Grade: 99 A

208 MATTHEWS DR, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/25/2026

Comment

4-501.11 Walk in freezer cooling unit dripping on floor, large raised area of on floor. Repair as necessary.

4-601.11 General cleaning needed of counters,under/behind equipment and wire shelves in walk in cooler under milk. Non-food contact services shall be clean to sight and touch.

EGGS UP GRILL #31 | Final Score @ Grade: 99 A

4216 LASSITER ROAD, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/4/2026

Comment

5-205.11(A) A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Pf Container lid in handwash sink at front counter area and multiple items in front of sink that had to be moved.

GRAIN AND BERRY HOLLY SPRINGS | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

101 OAKVIEW COMMONS DR

SUITE 102, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/14/2026

Comment

3-302.11 P. Raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat in reach in cooler. In all coolers, store foods according to final cook temperatures. Moved to bottom shelf at time of inspection.

GREEK BASMA | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

7272 GB ALFORD HWY, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/18/2026

Comment

3-302.11 Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation (P) Raw chicken kabobs below make line over ready to eat. In all coolers, store foods according to final cook temperatures. Reorganized according to final temps.

3-304.12 In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C) Found scoop handle touching product in one container of TCS food on make line, (time temp control for safety). Store in product with handles up and extending out of foods. No points taken.

KFC/TACO BELL #118 | Final Score @ Grade: 97.50 A

7108 GB ALFORD HWY, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/10/2026

Comment

6-301.11 Handwashing Cleanser, Availability (Pf) Handwash sink by office has no soap; and handwash sink by chicken cooler has soap container on sink but not installed in wall unit.

4-602.13 Cleaning needed equipment exteriors, gaskets on cooler doors and racks outside chicken walk in cooler. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of grease, dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions. Cleaning needed of floors in dry goods area and behind equipment along wall on drivethru side. Repeat but points not doubled as no points taken on last visit.

MELLOW MUSHROOM | Final Score @ Grade: 99.50 A

124 COLLINS CROSSING RD

SUITE 101, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/13/2026

Comment

4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) Minor cleaning needed on some reach in cooler gaskets and racks in walk in cooler.

MI CANCUN | Final Score @ Grade: 98 A

324 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/24/2026

Comment

7-102.11 Common Name - Working Containers (Pf) Degreaser and sanitizer spray bottles not labeled. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Labeled at time of inspection.

4-501 Some wire shelves rusting in dishwash area and walk in cooler on left. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. 4-101.19 Cardboard used on one shelf in kitchen. Nonfood Contact Surfaces that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be, nonabsorbent, and smooth material.

RANDY’S PIZZA - HOLLY SPRINGS | Final Score @ Grade: 98 A

634 HOLLY SPRING RD, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/6/2026

Comment

3-307.11 Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C) Phone on cutting board at salad/sandwich make line.

4-501.11 Dishrack at 3 compartment sink is rusting. Replace.

6-303.11 Intensity - Lighting. Replace or repair lights in walk in cooler. Very dim/flickering.

STARBUCKS #19453 | Final Score @ Grade: 99 A

185 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/3/2026

Comment

4-501.15 Warewashing Machines, Manufacturers’ Operating Instructions (C) Both detergent and rinse aid hoses are in the detergent. Rinse aid hose removed at time of inspection.

4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C) Dried milk on tall reach in cooler wire shelves in back. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE | Final Score @ Grade: 97.50 A

108 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/27/2026

Comment

7-102.11 Common Name - Working Containers (Pf) Glass cleaner spray bottle not labeled. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Labeled at time of inspection.

4-501.14 Black residue on backsplash at dishwasher area. Dishwasher top needs cleaning as well. Warewashing equipment shall be cleaned to prevent contamination of equipment and utensils. No points taken on last inspection.

4-602.13 Shelving needs cleaning (sticky) in several areas such as to right of dishwasher and shelves across from dishwasher. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

TIJUANA FLATS #182 | Final Score @ Grade: 98 A

161 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/3/2026

Comment

4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Rusting and peeling green coating on wire shelving in walk in cooler. Drying rack also starting to rust. Replace.

4-601.11 (B) Walk in cooler wire and wire shelves in kitchen have grease build-up. Cleaning needed on exterior chip warmer. Non-food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch.

6-501.11 Repairing - Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures - Methods (C) Wall damaged between kitchen and restroom doors. Tiles falling off, drywall damage and hole in wall. Facilities shall be kept in good repair.

WENDY’S #10543 | Final Score @ Grade: 98.50 A

181 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/27/2026

Comment

4-903.11(A), (B) and (D); Core; Wet stacking of steel containers. Clean dishes above three compartment sink observed stacked while still wet. Equipment shall be stored in a self draining position that allows for air drying. No points taken on previous inspection.

4-501.11 Walk in cooler door has over one inch gap at bottom of door (no gasket). Maintain equipment in good repair.

ZAXBY’S #44901 | Final Score @ Grade: 98 A

101 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS NC 27540

Inspection Date: 8/28/2026

Comment

5-205.11 Using a Handwashing Sink - Operation and Maintenance (Pf) Whisk in handwash sink. A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing and shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Item removed.

4-602.13; Core; Cleaning needed of drawer cooler area. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

Want to include your event in Out and About? Click here to submit it for consideration or send it via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, August 28, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

Friday, September 4

Downtown Block Party
Downtown Fuquay-Varina & Downtown Varina, Fuquay-Varina, NC
An upgraded First Friday celebration spanning both the Fuquay and Varina downtown districts, featuring live music, a DJ, a Night Market, free trolley rides connecting the two areas, kids’ activities, and local businesses staying open late.
5:00–9:00 PM

September 5 – 6

African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County
Main Stage, 500 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC
A Labor Day tradition in downtown Raleigh celebrating African American culture through art, music, dance, food, and community, spanning Fayetteville, Hargett, Davie, and Martin Streets.
Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM · Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Saturday, September 5

Melissa Etheridge: RISE
Carolina Theatre, 309 W Morgan St, Durham, NC
Melissa Etheridge performs songs from her 17th studio album, “Rise,” a personal record touching on resilience, loss, and family. $2 from every ticket benefits the Etheridge Foundation, which funds opioid dependence and recovery research.
8:00 PM

Sunday, September 6

FourSquare
Jones Johnson Farm, 7116 Sunset Lake Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
An outdoor Labor Day weekend concert on historic Jones Johnson Farm featuring Dreamscent, Random Mother, IC Bones, The Sheeps, and Dakota Proctor; BYOB and pet-friendly.
5:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

September 12

Air Supply – A Matter of Time Tour
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
Veteran duo Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock celebrate 50 years together with a tour supporting their first new album in 15 years.
7:00 PM

September 17

Little Feat – The Last Farewell Tour
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC
Legendary rock band Little Feat, known for songs like “Dixie Chicken” and “Oh, Atlanta,” bring their farewell touring run to DPAC as part of a multi-year wind-down from the road.
7:30 PM

September 19

Canine-Con
Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake, 2401 Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, NC
An annual pet-friendly festival at Sugg Farm Park featuring dog-themed vendors, demonstrations, local rescue groups, food trucks, and a free rabies and microchipping clinic.
8:00–11:00 AM

September 22

Hockey: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Preseason)
Lenovo Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM

SPORTS

(Local home games)

Friday, September 4

High School Football – Apex vs. Holly Springs
Holly Springs High School, 5329 Cass Holt Rd, Holly Springs, NC
7:00 PM

High School Football – Triton vs. Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina High School, 201 Bengal Blvd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

High School Football – Garner vs. Middle Creek
Middle Creek High School, 123 Middle Creek Park Ave, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Saturday, September 5

College Football – Tulane vs. Duke
Wallace Wade Stadium, 110 Frank Bassett Dr, Durham, NC
3:30 PM

HOLLY SPRINGS

Friday, September 4

Live Music
Drew Johnson
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Ashley Robinson
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, September 5

Event
Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Angela Bingham (voice) & Frank Longino (piano)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Thousand Ways
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

APEX

Friday, September 4

Live Music
Joe’s Cousin
Southline Brewing, 2141 E Williams St, Apex, NC
6:00 PM

Live Music
Jonatas Alves
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Josh Colton Band
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, September 5

Event
SuperFun Saturday
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
A free monthly children’s event featuring arts and crafts for kids ages 4-12, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Live Music
Emma G
Southern Peak Brewery, 950 Windy Rd, Apex, NC
6:30–9:00 PM

Live Music
Tommy Thunderfoot And The Accelerators
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Live Music
Midnight Ripple
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
Kat Taylor
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Lounge Doctors
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
MikeMickXer Duo
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 219 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Sunday, September 6

Live Music
Peak City Band
Bottle Theory, 3675 Green Level W Rd, Suite 101, Apex, NC
3:00–6:00 PM

FUQUAY-VARINA

Friday, September 4

Event
First Friday Fish Fry!
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
4:00–7:00 PM

Live Music
Sam Trebing
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Maskell Freeman
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music

Third Stage Band
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM
Live Music

2Digh4 Band
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM

Saturday, September 5

Live Music
The Cheeze Factor
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
5:00–8:00 PM

Live Music
Travis Russell
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Red Bear
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Afterburn
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM

Sunday, September 6

Live Music
Jason Bunch
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

Event
Open Mic Jam with Sound by Walls
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 3, 2026 — Holly Springs Fire Rescue has retained its Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), the highest rating available under the system used to evaluate fire protection capabilities in communities across the country.

Fire Chief LeRoy Smith presented the results to the Holly Springs Town Council on September 1st, telling council members that roughly 388 of more than 40,000 fire departments nationwide have achieved the Class 1 designation.

The rating can affect more than the department’s standing among its peers. Insurance companies may use ISO ratings when setting property insurance rates, meaning a strong rating can help homeowners and businesses receive more favorable premiums, depending on the insurer and policy.

Holly Springs received 49.03 of 50 possible points for the fire department portion of this year’s evaluation. Smith said the town’s overall evaluation score was 100.6, up from 96 when it was last inspected in 2018. He compared the result to earning extra credit on a school grading scale, although that is his characterization rather than a separate ISO designation.

The inspection was conducted in May after originally being scheduled for March. State Department of Insurance evaluators spent a week in Holly Springs reviewing the town’s fire protection capabilities before the findings were submitted to ISO for validation.

The review came as Holly Springs continues to grow both in population and in the complexity of the properties firefighters are responsible for protecting. The town has grown from about 36,500 residents at the time of the 2018 inspection to nearly 52,000 today.

Smith also pointed to the growth of large industrial and institutional facilities, including Fujifilm, Amgen and UNC Rex, as well as Genentech’s planned Holly Springs operation. Those facilities place different demands on fire protection and the town’s water infrastructure than traditional residential and commercial development.

The Class 1 rating is not based solely on the fire department. Town Manager Randy Harrington said fire department capabilities account for 50% of the evaluation, while the water system accounts for 40% and emergency communications make up the remaining 10%.

That made the inspection a townwide effort. Evaluators examined water availability for some of Holly Springs’ larger buildings, performed hydraulic studies and tested fire hydrant pressure as part of the review. Utilities and infrastructure employees therefore played a direct role in the final rating alongside Fire Rescue and emergency communications personnel.

Maintaining that performance as Holly Springs continues to develop will require additional investment, particularly in the town’s water system, Smith said. Larger residential developments and industrial facilities increase the amount of water that must be available for firefighting and place additional demands on the system.

“Class 1’s the rating, but readiness is our real accomplishment,” Smith told council.

Holly Springs Fire Rescue will next turn its attention to the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The department plans to hold a memorial service Friday morning, September 11th, at Fire Station 1, which houses a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

Editor’s Note: This story involves a developing federal court case with immediate implications for North Carolina’s absentee-ballot process. Under the current court order, USPS is not using the new verification requirements before accepting ballots.

Story source documents can be found by clicking here.

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 3, 2026 — If you plan to vote by mail in North Carolina this November, a federal court case being heard this week could affect how absentee ballots move through the Postal Service.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked key parts of a new U.S. Postal Service rule that would require states to clear several new verification steps before USPS would accept their ballots for mailing. North Carolina is among 25 states challenging the rule, with county boards of elections required to begin mailing absentee ballots September 4th.

For now, nothing has changed for North Carolina voters. USPS says the verification procedures are not being performed, and there is no indication that absentee ballots are being held or rejected under the new system.

What the new rule would do

The rule would require state election officials to upload mail voters’ names, addresses and ballot barcodes into a new USPS system called the Federal Ballot Mail Portal. States would also have to submit ballot-envelope designs for approval and complete a physical barcode-verification process before USPS would accept ballots for mailing.

Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts temporarily blocked those requirements after finding that the states and voting-rights groups challenging the rule are likely to succeed in their case. She found that the federal government likely lacked authority to impose them because election administration is primarily a state responsibility under the Constitution and the government had not identified congressional authorization giving USPS the power claimed under the rule.

USPS described the rule as supporting election integrity, preventing fraud and facilitating federal law enforcement. Talwani noted, however, that USPS had acknowledged elsewhere in the rulemaking process that the incidence of voter fraud was not part of its legal justification.

“The record continues to lack any evidence regarding fraudulent absentee or mail-in voting,” she wrote.

States were also left with little time to comply. Many had already ordered ballots, some were approaching legal deadlines to begin mailing them, and USPS had not said how long approval of ballot designs would take. Talwani found compliance “practically impossible” for the November election and described the potential disenfranchisement of voters as a “grave” harm.

Her order does not shut down the Federal Ballot Mail Portal. USPS can continue developing it and states can participate voluntarily, but mandatory enrollment, required design approval and refusal of ballots that have not passed verification are blocked for the November 3rd election.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined the multistate lawsuit August 26th, arguing that the rule threatened to disrupt absentee voting just as states were preparing to distribute ballots. Hundreds of thousands of eligible North Carolinians vote by mail during a typical midterm election, and Jackson’s office cited older voters, people with disabilities, military personnel stationed overseas and western North Carolina residents still recovering from Hurricane Helene among those who could be affected by disruptions.

“The Constitution is clear on this: The states have the authority over elections, not the Postal Service,” Jackson said. “Not only is this last-minute rule change against the law, but it threatens North Carolinians’ voting rights and imposes a whole new process right before an election.”

North Carolina had also challenged the presidential executive order behind the rule in earlier litigation, prevailing at the trial and appellate levels before the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the injunction. Jackson’s office said the Supreme Court acted for procedural reasons and did not rule on the legality of the order itself.

The USPS rule stems from an executive order President Donald Trump signed March 31st titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.” Its stated purpose is to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections and it called for measures including unique ballot barcodes.

The order gave USPS 120 days to issue a final rule. The Postal Service published it August 26th, several weeks after that deadline and less than a week before its planned September 1st implementation. Election deadlines were already approaching and the underlying requirements were being challenged in court.

Questions about how the Portal was built

A separate set of questions has emerged about how USPS developed the Federal Ballot Mail Portal.

An anonymous USPS whistleblower represented by the nonprofit Whistleblower Aid provided a disclosure to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut alleging that development was rushed, poorly coordinated and inadequately tested. The allegations have not been independently verified, and USPS disputes the whistleblower’s characterization of the project.

According to the disclosure, cross-team work began around June 15th, leaving about 10 weeks before the planned September 1st launch. The whistleblower said a project of similar scope would normally require nine months to a year, an estimate also made separately by Postal Regulatory Commission member Tom Day.

The disclosure describes unclear requirements, poor coordination among teams and testing compressed into as little as four working days. When workers raised concerns about whether the system could be ready, the whistleblower says a senior USPS official responded, “We cannot fail,” and said everything had to work perfectly.

The whistleblower also alleges that USPS continued working on the Portal during periods when court orders restricted implementation of the rule. USPS denies violating any court order.

One part of the whistleblower’s timeline remains unclear. The disclosure and Blumenthal’s letter identify June 25th as the date a court order first froze work connected with the rule, while Talwani’s account of the earlier litigation identifies July 7th as the date of final judgment. The available records do not establish whether those dates refer to separate court actions.

USPS responded publicly September 1st, saying its work on the Portal “has at all times been conducted in a manner consistent with court orders.” The agency noted that Talwani’s order allows continued development for voluntary use and confirmed that the verification process at the center of the immediate dispute is not operating.

“Consistent with the temporary restraining order, verification procedures prior to acceptance are not being performed,” USPS said.

The agency says it is completing the Portal for voluntary use by election officials rather than proceeding with the mandatory nationwide launch originally planned for September 1st. It also said it is “committed to transparency, accountability, and working constructively with election officials, Congress, the courts, and all stakeholders.”

USPS did not respond individually to the whistleblower’s allegations about the development schedule, testing or internal communications.

What happens now

The court is scheduled to consider whether to extend the current block September 3rd. North Carolina counties are required to begin mailing absentee ballots the following day.

September 4th is also Blumenthal’s deadline for USPS to answer questions arising from the whistleblower disclosure, with additional records due September 8th. The midterm election is November 3rd.

Unless the court changes the current order, USPS cannot require North Carolina election officials to use the new verification process before accepting their ballots for mailing.

Story source documents can be found by clicking here.

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 2, 2026 — Holly Springs Town Council recognized two community causes during last night’s town council meeting, proclaiming Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day and Hispanic Heritage Month before turning later in the meeting to several events planned around town this fall.

Among those events is a September 11th memorial marking 25 years since the terrorist attacks, along with Compassion Day, Town Day at the Farmers Market, and the launch of a scavenger hunt celebrating Holly Springs’ 150th anniversary.

Council proclaimed September 15th as Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day, recognizing the work of Note in the Pocket (website), a local nonprofit that provides clothing to children and families in need.

Since 2020, the organization has clothed 1,102 people with help from 1,145 Holly Springs volunteers. Executive Director Megan Steinke-Chase, who accepted the proclamation, said clothing insecurity can be less obvious than needs such as food or housing, but can affect children in similar ways.

She pointed to easily missed signs, such as a child wearing shoes that don't fit or a sweater in 100-degree heat. Beyond meeting a basic need, she said having appropriate clothing can affect a child’s confidence, school attendance and ability to interact with classmates.

Note in the Pocket now works with families connected to several Holly Springs elementary, middle and high schools. When one member of a household is referred for assistance, Steinke-Chase said the organization works to provide clothing for the entire family.

Council also proclaimed September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month.

More than one million North Carolina residents identify as Hispanic, Latino or Latina, according to the proclamation, with Hispanic residents accounting for an estimated 7% of Holly Springs’ population. The national observance began in its current month-long form in 1988 and starts in mid-September to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.

This year’s theme is “Together, We Are More. Unidos, Somos Más.”

Nicole Martinez, co-owner of Silver Lake Construction, accepted the proclamation. She spoke about her family’s experience building a business and a life in Holly Springs and thanked the community for its support.

The community “believed in us, gave us opportunities, and supported us along the way,” Martinez said.

Town officials also shared details about the upcoming observance of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Fire Chief LeRoy Smith and Town Manager Randy Harrington invited residents to attend the memorial on Friday, September 11th at 9:00 a.m. at Fire Station #1 (directions), where the town displays a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

Several other community events and initiatives are coming up in September and October. Compassion Day is scheduled for September 12th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holly Springs UCC (directions), with food, music, and community outreach. The town also plans to have a tent at Town Day at the Farmers Market on September 26th.

Later this week, the town expects to launch “Holly Quest,” a scavenger hunt-style app created as part of Holly Springs’ 150th anniversary celebration. Residents can use the app to explore local history and compete for prizes.

Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 2, 2026 — The Holly Springs Town Council, during last night’s council meeting, approved a $133,000 contract (document) with Raftelis Financial Consultants to review how the town calculates water and sewer rates, including whether large industrial customers are paying an appropriate share of the cost to serve them. The study comes as Holly Springs plans more than $500 million in water and sewer capital investment over the next five years.

Raftelis is expected to present its findings at the Mayor and Council Retreat in February of 2027. The study will examine the town’s financial needs, the cost of providing service to different customer types, and possible changes to rate structures.

Holly Springs’ continued growth, including expansion of its life sciences manufacturing sector, is increasing demands on the town’s utility system. Fujifilm Biotechnologies and Amgen are among the major industrial customers cited in the Raftelis proposal (document) included with the town’s contract documents.

The town’s five-year utility plans include a $222.4 million expansion of the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility, an $81.8 million partnership with Sanford for additional water capacity, and a $59.8 million pipeline to convey water to Fuquay-Varina.

The arrival of large industrial water customers in recent years has also raised questions about the town’s existing rate structure. Under the current fee schedule, those customers are billed for water consumption at the lowest inclining-block rate, which is also the rate residential customers receive for their lowest level of water use. The study will examine whether that structure adequately reflects the cost and system capacity required to serve large industrial users.

The study will also consider existing agreements between the town and large industrial customers. According to the contract documents, any revised structure would need to address the difference between existing rates and the cost of providing service.

The first phase of the Raftelis work is a comprehensive water and sewer rate and financial planning study costing $65,000. It will include a cost-of-service analysis for different customer classes, with particular attention to large industrial users and multifamily properties.

Raftelis will also develop financial models that town employees can continue using after the study is completed. The model will allow the town to test different financial and rate scenarios, including changes associated with shifting its water supply from Harnett County toward the TriRiver Water partnership.

The consultants will then develop possible rate structures designed to recover the town’s costs while accounting for Holly Springs’ goal of increasing its nonresidential customer base.

The remaining $68,000 in the contract covers three optional phases that the town can authorize if needed. Those include $10,000 to update high-strength wastewater surcharges paid by industrial dischargers, $38,000 to recalculate water and sewer system development fees, and $20,000 for documentation that could be needed if the town issues additional revenue bonds.

Work on the project begins this fall with data collection and a kickoff meeting. Raftelis’ schedule calls for draft findings to be completed in time for presentation to the council in February. Any rate changes Raftelis recommends would have to return to the Town Council for approval before they could be enacted.

Raftelis (website), based in Charlotte, was founded in 1993 and specializes in financial consulting for water and wastewater utilities. The company says it has worked with more than 2,000 utilities nationwide, including Cary, Raleigh, Durham, and Apex.

This story is part of HSU’s ongoing coverage of Holly Springs growth and infrastructure planning.

Holly Springs, NC, August 31, 2026 — Pull up Google Maps in the U.S. right now and you’ll see “Lake America” where Lake Ontario used to be. Do the same thing from Canada, and nothing’s changed, it’s still Lake Ontario. Depending on where you are, you might even see both names side by side.

Here’s why. Countries can rename places officially, but that only carries weight within their own borders. Other governments don’t have to follow along. So when a name isn’t universally agreed on, Google has to make its own call about what to show people, and it does that based on location, either pulled from a mobile device’s operating system, or, on the web, from whatever region a user has selected (or appears to be in, if they haven’t picked one).

This kind of split-screen mapping has been happening for years. Japan and South Korea can’t agree on what to call the sea between them, so Google shows “Sea of Japan” to people browsing from Japan, “East Sea” to people in South Korea, and both labels to everyone else.

The Lake Ontario situation is following the same playbook. U.S. federal agencies have switched to “Lake America”; Canada hasn’t budged from “Lake Ontario.” The same pattern shows up with the Gulf of Mexico, which the U.S. now officially calls the “Gulf of America” while Mexico keeps its original name. Google just mirrors whichever label matches the viewer’s location, and shows both in places where neither government’s preference automatically wins out.

So when you see an American and a Canadian post two different screenshots of the same lake, they’re not arguing over facts, they’re both just looking at accurate maps built for different audiences.

No country gets the final say outside its own borders. Washington can dictate what U.S. federal agencies call something, but it can’t make Ottawa or Mexico City follow suit, and neither of those governments can force the U.S. to keep using an older name either.

Google’s just the referee stuck labeling both sides. It’s been localizing contested place names and disputed borders like this for a long time, well before anyone renamed a Great Lake.

Whether the renaming itself was a good call is a real political argument, worth having. But the mechanics of why your map might look different from your neighbor’s, that’s a separate story, and one that was already true long before this particular controversy.

Holly Springs, NC, August 29, 2026 — Felton Grove earned its first varsity football victory in school history Thursday night, shutting out Western Guilford 21-0 in the Galaxy’s first varsity home game.

Junior quarterback Chase Watts had a hand in all three touchdowns as Felton Grove improved to 1-1. The game was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved to Thursday because of the threat of storms.

Watts set the tone early, connecting on the team’s first offensive play with freshman wide receiver Sam Lewis for a 48-yard touchdown. Watts later ran for touchdowns of 2 and 18 yards. Lewis also led the Galaxy defense with 12 tackles and two interceptions, helping Felton Grove keep Western Guilford off the scoreboard.

The win is an early milestone for a young Felton Grove program that competed at the JV level last year before moving to varsity this season. The school, which opened last year, currently has only freshmen, sophomores, and juniors and won’t have its first senior class until next year.

Despite the schedule change, the first varsity home game was well attended, with Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert among those in the crowd.

The Felton Grove cheerleaders helped keep the home crowd engaged, along with a strong showing from the “Guardians of the Grove” student section. The school’s dance team and marching band also performed throughout the evening, adding to the atmosphere surrounding the home opener.

Felton Grove returns to action Friday, Sept. 4, against Northern Durham. The Knights are 2-0 after defeating Carrboro 24-3.

Want to include your event in Out and About? Click here to submit it for consideration or send it via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, August 28, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

Friday, August 28

Blues Traveler / Gin Blossoms with Spin Doctors
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Multi-platinum rock acts Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms co-headline this summer tour, joined by Spin Doctors marking the 35th anniversary of their multi-platinum debut album.
6:00 PM (Doors 4:30 PM)

Saturday, August 29

WAR with special guests The Family Stone and The Ohio Players
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Legendary funk-rock band WAR headlines this 50th-anniversary celebration of “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” joined by The Family Stone and The Ohio Players.
7:00 PM (Doors 6:00 PM)

Chance the Rapper — Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)

Rhythm & Reels — Ol’ Joey Scrums
Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, NC
Free outdoor concert and movie night in the Rhythm & Reels summer series, featuring Raleigh-based genre-blending folk-rock-bluegrass act Ol’ Joey Scrums under the stars.
7:00–9:00 PM

Ira Glass — Stories for a Saturday Night
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC
This American Life host Ira Glass brings his storytelling program to the stage as part of WUNC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, sharing funny and moving true stories in the narrative style he pioneered on public radio.
7:30 PM

Upcoming Dates

August 31 – September 6

PPA Pickleball Tour: Veolia NC Open
Cary Tennis Center, 2727 Louis Stephens Dr, Cary, NC
All Day

HOLLY SPRINGS

Friday, August 28

Live Music
Joel Pruner
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
The Scarecrow Band
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, August 29

Event
Holly Springs Farmers Market — 150th-Themed
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
A 150th-anniversary-themed market featuring historical displays, antique farm equipment, heritage games, and live music, with swag and raffle drawings tied to the town’s sesquicentennial celebration.
8:00 AM–Noon

Event
Complimentary Tasting Featuring Willie Nelson THC Beverages
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
5:00–7:00 PM

Live Music
Electric Carnival
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Suite 103, Holly Springs, NC
5:00–8:00 PM

Live Music
Angela Bingham (voice) & Grant Osborne (piano)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
The Ridge Band Trio
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Ryan Mullaney
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Songwriters Trio — Kitt Ramble, Illoh, Tanner Hunt
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Sunday, August 30

Event
Art Exhibition featuring Migdalia Figueroa
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
1:00–5:00 PM

Live Music
The Trio
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

APEX

Friday, August 28

Live Music
Harvey Dalton Arnold Duo with Tim Carey
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
For The People
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, August 29

Event
Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Apex Country Band
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Live Music
Sam Trebing
Southern Peak Brewery, 950 Windy Rd, Apex, NC
6:30–9:00 PM

Live Music
Sayer McShane
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
2DIGH4
Oaklyn Springs Brewery, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Maverick Rose
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

Live Music
Tribute Night: Imagine Dragons, Red Hot Chili Peppers & Van Halen
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Live Music
Justin Abood
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Live Music
The Motel Keys
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

FUQUAY-VARINA

Friday, August 28

Live Music
Jared Place
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Midnight Thirty
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Matt Crowe
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Live Music
Wagstaff Road
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30 PM

Saturday, August 29

Event
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Live Music
Joe Hero
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
4:00–7:00 PM

Live Music
Deep 6: A Tribute to Pearl Jam and the Seattle Sound
Mason Jar Lager Co., 341 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Note: Top 15 Sales by town are included below

Holly Springs, NC, Aug. 24, 2026 — Home sales remained active across South Wake County in July, with 251 homes sold in Holly Springs, Apex, and Fuquay-Varina at a combined median price of $530,000. Apex accounted for more than half of those sales and had the highest prices, while Fuquay-Varina recorded the second-highest sales volume and remained the most affordable of the three markets.

Apex recorded 148 sales, with an average price of about $776,000 and a median of $638,000. The month’s highest-priced sale was 1340 Weston Farm Way, a new-construction home that closed for $2.07 million on July 22. Wake County records have not yet been updated with the home’s square footage or year built.

Holly Springs recorded 14 sales, with an average price of about $670,000 and a median of $602,500. Its highest-priced sale was 105 Duck Branch Drive, a 4,122-square-foot home built in 2015 that sold for $1.2 million on July 28.

Fuquay-Varina recorded 89 sales, with an average price of about $467,000 and a median of $420,000. Its highest-priced sale was 3809 Fairway View Drive, a newly built home on just over an acre that sold for nearly $1.26 million on July 17. County records have not yet been updated with the home’s square footage.

The July numbers show a significant price spread across the three South Wake markets. Apex’s median was $218,000 higher than Fuquay-Varina’s, while Holly Springs fell between the two at $602,500, although its smaller number of sales can make monthly figures more susceptible to individual transactions.

Data Source: Wake County Register of Deeds, August 2026.

TOP 15 SALES BY TOWN (July 2026)

Note: Where available, links to Zillow listings for each property are provided.

Holly Springs

(Only 13 sales recorded in July)

105 Duck Branch Dr | $1,200,000
Date Sold: 7/28/2026 | Year Built: 2015 | Square Feet: 4,122 | Acreage: 0.34

108 Roslin Way | $865,000
Date Sold: 7/28/2026 | Year Built: 2014 | Square Feet: 3,602 | Acreage: 0.28

240 Sour Mash Ct | $675,000
Date Sold: 7/9/2026 | Year Built: 2015 | Square Feet: 2,371 | Acreage: 0.19

301 Streamwood Dr | $670,000
Date Sold: 7/28/2026 | Year Built: 2010 | Square Feet: 2,880 | Acreage: 0.20

700 Ancient Oaks Dr | $670,000
Date Sold: 7/28/2026 | Year Built: 2008 | Square Feet: 2,410 | Acreage: 0.19

120 Wellspring Dr | $630,000
Date Sold: 7/1/2026 | Year Built: 2005 | Square Feet: 3,621 | Acreage: 0.24

1136 Quindell Dr | $575,000
Date Sold: 7/10/2026 | Year Built: 2023 | Square Feet: 2,733 | Acreage: 0.18

248 Marsh Landing Dr | $550,000
Date Sold: 7/31/2026 | Year Built: 2009 | Square Feet: 1,865 | Acreage: 0.12

717 Bahama Ct | $528,000
Date Sold: 7/10/2026 | Year Built: 1995 | Square Feet: 1,934 | Acreage: 0.24

428 Marsh Landing Dr | $520,000
Date Sold: 7/2/2026 | Year Built: 2007 | Square Feet: 2,011 | Acreage: 0.15

808 Briar Gate Dr | $445,000
Date Sold: 7/17/2026 | Year Built: 2020 | Square Feet: 1,728 | Acreage: 0.15

405 Onondaga Ct | $435,000
Date Sold: 7/14/2026 | Year Built: 2004 | Square Feet: 1,530 | Acreage: 0.25

617 Country Ln | $315,000
Date Sold: 7/15/2026 | Year Built: 1990 | Square Feet: 1,162 | Acreage: 0.26

Apex

1340 Weston Farm Way | $2,073,000
Date Sold: 7/22/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.67

1334 Weston Farm Way | $1,990,500
Date Sold: 7/24/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.54

3121 Westonview Ct | $1,866,500
Date Sold: 7/31/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.53

1349 Weston Farm Way | $1,809,000
Date Sold: 7/23/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.87

4337 Dominion Crest Dr | $1,605,000
Date Sold: 7/15/2026 | Year Built: 2022 | Square Feet: 5,811 | Acreage: 0.30

401 Grand Highclere Way | $1,515,000
Date Sold: 7/27/2026 | Year Built: 2019 | Square Feet: 4,224 | Acreage: 0.42

3069 Portland Ave | $1,501,000
Date Sold: 7/21/2026 | Year Built: 2018 | Square Feet: 4,103 | Acreage: 0.53

2097 Van Gogh Ln | $1,500,000
Date Sold: 7/16/2026 | Year Built: 2007 | Square Feet: 4,809 | Acreage: 0.42

301 E Chatham St | $1,430,500
Date Sold: 7/13/2026 | Year Built: 1947 | Square Feet: 1,752 | Acreage: 0.31

3044 Burlap Dr | $1,374,000
Date Sold: 7/28/2026 | Year Built: 2021 | Square Feet: 4,658 | Acreage: 0.31

109 Cloverdale Rd | $1,325,000
Date Sold: 7/10/2026 | Year Built: 2017 | Square Feet: 4,605 | Acreage: 0.33

554 White Oak Pond Rd | $1,258,000
Date Sold: 7/23/2026 | Year Built: 2019 | Square Feet: 4,566 | Acreage: 0.39

111 Witheridge Ct | $1,194,000
Date Sold: 7/15/2026 | Year Built: 2004 | Square Feet: 5,093 | Acreage: 0.27

2514 Tuffeto Trce | $1,175,000
Date Sold: 7/9/2026 | Year Built: 2013 | Square Feet: 3,565 | Acreage: 0.29

5333 Aged Pine Rd | $1,073,000
Date Sold: 7/8/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.19

Fuquay-Varina

3809 Fairway View Dr | $1,261,500
Date Sold: 7/17/2026 | Year Built: 2026 | Square Feet: Not available (new construction) | Acreage: 1.01

2300 Hilltop Bluffs Ct | $966,500
Date Sold: 7/6/2026 | Year Built: 2025 | Square Feet: Not available (new construction) | Acreage: 0.37

6721 Wavcott Dr | $850,000
Date Sold: 7/8/2026 | Year Built: 2000 | Square Feet: 3,857 | Acreage: 0.92

5717 Buteo Ct | $839,000
Date Sold: 7/20/2026 | Year Built: 2007 | Square Feet: 2,870 | Acreage: 1.05

2317 Forestbluff Dr | $810,000
Date Sold: 7/13/2026 | Year Built: 2003 | Square Feet: 4,127 | Acreage: 0.36

1625 Immagene Way | $734,000
Date Sold: 7/17/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.51

6621 Bentwinds Ln | $705,000
Date Sold: 7/30/2026 | Year Built: 1985 | Square Feet: 3,092 | Acreage: 0.69

7813 Twin Pines Way | $700,000
Date Sold: 7/17/2026 | Year Built: 2003 | Square Feet: 3,639 | Acreage: 0.66

607 Far Post Dr | $690,000
Date Sold: 7/22/2026 | Year Built: 2013 | Square Feet: 3,057 | Acreage: 2.01

5412 Brushy Meadows Dr | $680,000
Date Sold: 7/16/2026 | Year Built: 2000 | Square Feet: 2,845 | Acreage: 0.75

5721 Brushy Meadows Dr | $651,500
Date Sold: 7/6/2026 | Year Built: 1998 | Square Feet: 2,958 | Acreage: 0.47

2049 Herbert Akins Rd | $650,000
Date Sold: 7/31/2026 | Year Built: 2011 | Square Feet: 2,563 | Acreage: 0.93

3301 Clairmeade Dr | $640,500
Date Sold: 7/14/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.25

300 Brindle Dr | $621,000
Date Sold: 7/31/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.23

1521 Immagene Way | $620,000
Date Sold: 7/30/2026 | Year Built: Not available (new construction) | Square Feet: Not available | Acreage: 0.16