Good News Friday: Looking to start fall early? The NC Apple Festival is back!

Our weekly roundup of positive stories from North Carolina embraces autumn, if it is a bit early. Plus: Raleigh gets a new downtown park and three NC BBQ joints made a list of the best in the South.

Thank goodness it’s Friday! We’re serving up another round of positive NC news stories to brighten up your week. 

Smoky Hollow park project in Raleigh lands federal grant

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Raleigh Parks and Recreation (@raleighparks)

Raleigh will receive $8.7 million from the National Parks Service to go towards the construction of a 14-acre park in the city’s downtown. 

Raleigh consistently lands pretty low on national rankings for public parks, so the new Smoky Hollow Park, which will add walking trails and valuable green space to the city, is an exciting step in the right direction.

The grant will allow the park to be built all at once, rather than a phased approach. Construction is set to begin in 2026.

3 NC restaurants make list of best new barbecue joints

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Longleaf Swine (@longleafswinebbq)

Southern Living released their list of the 22 best new barbecue joints in the south, and 3 North Carolina restaurants made the cut. 

Asheville’s Huli Sue’s, which fuses Texas BBQ with Hawaiian flavors, came in at number 22. In the #21 spot is Raleigh’s Lechón Latin Barbecue, which, as the name suggests, specializes in Latin American-style BBQ. Longleaf Swine, located in Raleigh, took the #12 spot for their whole hog barbecue.

Head to Hendersonville for annual apple festival next weekend

This lovely cooler weather we’ve been having almost makes it feel like it’s autumn. 

And though we have a few weeks before it’s officially fall—until Sept. 22 to be exact—you can get into the spirit of the season early next weekend at the annual North Carolina Apple Fest. 

Held every year over Labor Day weekend, the festival features an exciting variety of activities–from crafts and carnival rides to live entertainment and apple recipe contests–as well as fresh apples and apple products for sale from 14 different local NC farms. 

And don’t miss the King Apple Parade that closes out the festival on Monday, Sept. 2!