Weekend best bets: Bugfest, SparkCon

RALEIGH, N.C. — Lots happening this weekend in the Triangle.

Bugfest - The NC Museum of Natural Sciences will celebrate creepy crawling bugs this Saturday during this annual event. Experience more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities. And if you dare, Cafe Insecta will have some buggy dishes prepared by local chefs. This year's theme bug - cicadas.

CenterFest - More than 500 performers will perform this weekend as part of Durham's annual CenterFest celebration. There will be art, music and fun for the entire family in downtown Durham Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

SparkCon - This annual festival in downtown Raleigh celebrates art, design, food, fashion, film and more. Check out our list of five "sparks" not to miss this weekend. 

Apex Jazz Music Festival - Downtown Apex will host local, regional and national acts during this festival Saturday. In addition to the live music, there will be a pub-crawl and beer and wine garden. The festivities run 3 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10.

Oktoberfest - Lafayette Village will host this German-inspired festival from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 15 fall beers and food will be available. There will also be music, face painting and train rides. Admission is free.

International Food and Music Fest - Head to Wendell Saturday for this event featuring international cuisine, music and dance and a children's rock climbing wall. Admission is free. Food will cost about $2 to $4 per dish. The event runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at J. Ashley Wall Town Square.

CCF Music Fest - Sleeping Booty, The Rollovers and Crush will play this free music festival held Saturday at Midtown Park at North Hills. The event, which will also feature local breweries and food trucks, will help raise awareness of and support for Children's Flight of Hope. The local organization provides free air transportation for seriously ill or injured children who are unable to reach their destinations by any other means. The festival is 2-10 p.m.

Dragon Boat Festival - Watch Dragon Boat racing from club and community teams Saturday at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre. In addition, there will be live performances, food and crafts. The event starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. 

Pirate Fest - Pittsboro winery/distillery Fair Game Beverage Company will celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day Saturday with an evening of live music, food trucks and an interactive handmade Pirate Ship. The plundering begins at 5 p.m. Pirate themed activities such as a 14-acre plant-wide Treasure Hunt, Peg Legged Races, Cannonball Tossing and costume contests will continue through the evening.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. 

Lord of the Rings w/ NC Symphony - Peter Jackson's Award-Winning Epic will be projected digitally on a high definition screen while the combined forces of the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Master Chorale and The Raleigh Boychoir bring the music of Middle-earth of life at Red Hat Amphitheater Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets start at $23.

Here Come the Mummies - This funk band out of Nashville performs in full mummy attire and it is pretty amazing. See them Friday night at The Ritz in Raleigh. Tickets are $27.

Triangle Corporate Battle of the Bands - This is the ninth year for this annual event that helps raise money for deserving local charities. This year's nonprofit partner is Book Harvest, which collects donations of new and gently used children's books and then distributes them to low-income students around the Triangle. Corporate bands will be playing at American Tobacco Campus Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $25 per person. Students with a valid ID are admitted for $10.

Cameron Village Night at the Movies - Cameron Village hosts a Night at the Movies Friday night. They will be screening the 1949 Academy Award-winning film "All the King's Men." The free outdoor screening will be on Woodburn Road and will help celebrate the shopping center's history and its founding that same year.

Dog Olympics - Head to N.C. State's College of Veterinary Medicine Saturday for this celebration of animal athletes. Dogs will be competing 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in athletic and non-athletic competitions like limbo, musical sit, howling and more. Admission for owner and competing canine athlete is $5  Admission for owner and a non-competing dog is $3. And if you just want to go watch the fun, tickets are $5 and children ages 5 years and younger are admitted free. All proceeds support the rescue groups in attendance. 

Caniac Carnival - Join the Carolina Hurricanes for the 16th annual Caniac Carnival at PNC Arena on Sunday. There will be a Hurricanes Red-White scrimmage, a team autograph session, food trucks, inflatables, interactive games, live music and Stormy and Storm Squad. Admission and parking is free. The event runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Raleigh Times 3rd Sunday Kids' Carnival - Take the family to this carnival on Sunday hosted by Raleigh Times Bar. Activities include bounce castles, face painting, children's games and arts and crafts. Cotton the Clown provides entertainment and balloon animals. Snacks provided by The Morning Times. Event starts at 11 a.m.

Shake it up Mixology Challenge - This fun event Sunday night at Carolina Ale House on Glenwood Avenue will feature eight bartenders - all competing to serve the best drink. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste each drink and vote for their favorite. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds will benefit the N.C. Hospitality Education Foundation.