This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market

This week, the Market Manager is on vacation and I'm taking a little vacation from writing. Instead, I'm leaving you with this lovely fall scene I captured at Market last week. Check out the availability list below and what the vendors have sent in for you.

Tomorrow is the 5th Annual Farmer Foodshare Challenge! This year, 13 NC Farmers' Markets that work with Farmer Foodshare to help hunger relief in their areas are participating in the challenge. This year, Farmer Foodshare is asking people to buy 5 lbs of food or give $10. Five pounds of food gives immediate assistance to a local agency. Ten dollars builds a cash reserve so that the Durham Farmers' Market can provide food assistance all winter long. Every dollar raised goes 100% to buy local food for urgent hunger. www.FarmerFoodshare.org

See you at the Market,
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow DFM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Upcoming Events

September 25th & 28th - 5th Annual Farmer Foodshare Challenge! Buy Five (lbs) or Give Ten ($) to support local farms and feed the hungry. More info: FarmerFoodshare.org
Saturday October 5th - 5th Annual CHEF CHALLENGE!! This years chef contestants are.... Mike Hacker from Pie Pushers, Katie Coleman from Durham Spirits Co, and Justin Rakes from the soon to open restaurant The Salted Pig!!
Wednesday October 9th, 3:30-6:30 - Last Day of the Wednesday Market for the season. The Wednesday Market will re-open in April 2014. 

Fresh this Week....
FRUITS: Scuppernong & Muscadine Grapes, Apples, Pears, Watermelon
VEGETABLES: OCTOBER BEANS, SPAGHETTI SQUASH, Acorn Squash, Arugula, Beets, Bitter Gourd, Bok Choi, Butterbeans, Butternut Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Collards, Cucumbers, Delicata Squash, Edamame, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Basil, Catnip, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sorrel, Parsley, Roselle), Eggplant, Frisee, Green Beans, Green Onions, Garlic, Ginger, Gourds, Kale, Lambs Quarter, Lettuce, Long Beans, Malabar Spinach, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Pumpkins, Purple Hull Peas, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Greens, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turmeric, Turnips, Zucchini, and more
MEATS AND EGGS:  Rabbit, Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon/Cabrito, Lamb, Pork, Veal, Rabbit
Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged COW and GOAT milk cheeses.
PLANTS: Bedding, House, and Flower Plants.
FLOWERS: Lisianthus, Tuberose, Gomphrena, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Zinnia, Mixed Bouquets
SPECIALTY ITEMS: RAW HONEY, creamed Honey, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies & Pastries, Fermented Foods, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Handmade Baskets, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Goats Milk Soaps, Body Butters, Lotions, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions 

This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

• Music by Scott Boggs
• Education by Master Gardeners and the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
• In Season: Okra, Cauliflower, Bok Choy, Radishes, Lettuce, Squash,  Flowers and more!

Farmer Foodshare Challenge V
All week, Farmer Foodshare has been throwing down the gauntlet in an effort to gather enough food and funds for 20,000 meals to feed the hungry in North Carolina. Please help Farmer Foodshare and the South Durham Farmers’ Market to reach this goal by giving to the market’s Farmer Foodshare Donation Station.

We encourage you to meet the Farmer Foodshare Challenge by either donating five pounds of food or giving $10. By meeting this Challenge, you will be entered to win fabulous prizes from Counter Culture Coffee, Locopops, or Market Street Coffeehouse.

BB&T Bank is sponsoring crafts for kids at the market this Saturday, and the Donation Station will have information available for those interested in learning more about how to support local farms and provide fresh food for people in need. All proceeds go towards the purchase of local food for local need. For more information visit: www.farmerfoodshare.org/donate.  

Please spread the word! To get enough food and/or funds for 20,000 meals, each of the 12 participating markets will need to collect 400 pounds of fresh, healthy and local food.

 Donate from the bounty of produce available at market!

A City Connected
The creation and recent expansion of the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) is a demonstration of our community’s values. In a 2011 survey by Durham Parks and Recreation, 90 percent of the respondents named trails and greenways as their number one priority.  Greenways not only increase connectivity, but they are free, public playgrounds to be enjoyed by all. The ATT passes by thousands of Triangle residents, linking urban areas while providing a natural environment for joggers, bikers, dog walkers and baby strollers.

With the October 12th opening of the ATT bridge, we hope that more local residents will find the South Durham Farmers’ Market easily accessible, and that current marketgoers will enjoy having the option to bike to the market.

Tomorrow, the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission will be at the market to answer your questions about the soon-to-open ATT bridge and accompanying 4.2 miles of trails, as well as bike lanes currently being considered in South Durham. They bring with them Chris Pappas, an REI bike technician, who will be happy to help you out with your bike troubles. Throw your broken bike in the car this Saturday, so you can ride to market in another two weeks!

NC Pride is This Weekend

This weekend, Durham is going to be full of people feeling Pride - gay pride, that is. Durham is a place where people can be who they are in an open and accepting community since - that open and accepting nature is one of the community's hallmarks.

This is the 29th year the NC Pride Parade is being held in Durham, and it is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender event in a five-state area, attracting over 12,000 participants. Since Durham is a place where all who want to be are welcomed, the parade is a great community event and demonstration of support. NC Pride events last all weekend long in Durham and in neighboring communities. The full schedule is online.

So open and welcoming is Durham that there are few outward signs of the LGBT community. According to the website, OutInDurham.com, "...make no mistake, Durham is a great place to visit if you are gay, just not necessarily because you are gay." According to Sam Poley at the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, the LGBT community is such an integral part of the scene in Durham that it is totally accepted. "Some say it's invisible as though that's a bad thing. In Durham, there are just so many other things we care about as a community rather than the orientation of our fellow citizens. We're all here to make Durham an awesome place to live. That makes it an awesome place to visit, too, no matter who you love," Poley said.

Durham is also home to the 10-day long NC Gay and Lesbian Film Festival each August held at the historic Carolina Theatre in Downtown Durham.

Learn more about Durham online.

This Wednesday at the Durham Farmers' Market

This fall, the Wednesday Market will be open for a couple weeks longer than usual! Instead of closing up this week, (the last week of September), it has been extended through the second week of October!

This year, people have asked me why the Wednesday Market season comes to an end when the Saturday Market stays open all year round. So, I have done some investigating about the origins of the Wednesday Market.

The Wednesday Market opened in the May of 2008. The reason for opening up a mid-week Market was two fold. It gave the farmers who sold at the Saturday Market a place to sell their highly perishable summertime harvests (think strawberries and tomatoes). It also gave customers and restaurateurs the opportunity to re-stock on these perishable summertime goodies during the middle of the week.

Over the past 5 years, the Wednesday Market has transformed from a convenient pit stop to pick up strawberries and tomatoes to a thriving mid-week Market that can stand on its own two feet. It has a selection that is similar to what is available on the Saturday Market, farmers that specialize in selling to the Wednesday Market, and specialty items that are only available at the Wednesdays. Not to mention, the Wednesday Market also has its own unique, laid-back vibe.

Both vendors and customers expressed interest in having the Wednesday Market  open for a longer into the fall. So, the Market's Board of Directors decided to give it a shot!  Instead of closing this week, the Wednesday Market will be open through October 9th. This winter, they will collect feedback from customers and vendors consider future changes to the Wednesday Market season.

TODAY AT MARKET
It is looking a lot more like fall these days! Pumpkins, greens, ginger and turmeric will be available alongside the end of the summer produce.

Also, you can catch storyteller Cynthia Raxter! She'll be telling all-true stories about growing up on a farm from 3:30 to 6:30.

See you at the market!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow the Market on Facebook and Twitter

Available Wednesday!
Fruits: GRAPES - Scuppernong & Muscadine, Cantaloupe, Peaches, Watermelon
Vegetables: GINGER, TURMERIC, COLLARDS, RADISHES, KALE, TURNIPS,  Arugula, Beans, Beets, Braising Mix, Butternut Squash, Butter Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Corn, Cucumbers, Delicata Squash, Edamame, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Onions, Herbs (Cilantro, Basil), Leeks, Malabar Spinach, Onions, Okra, Peppers - Sweet and Hot, Potatoes, Purple Hull Peas, Pumpkins, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Zucchini
Meats: Beef, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Pork
Eggs: Chicken and Duck  Eggs
Flowers: Celosia, Gomphrena, Tuberrose, Lisiasnthus,  Dahlia, Gladiolus, and mixed Bouquets
Specialty Items: Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits,  Goat and Cow Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods - Breads, Pastries, & Pies, Preserves, Gluten Free Baked Goods, Nut Butters, Pasta, Herbal Teas, Herbal Salves,
Crafts:  Wood Crafts, Pottery, Goats Milk Soaps

Breaking News: Google Selects Durham's American Underground

Durham, NC.  A community where, among other things, entrepreneurs are regularly greeted by opportunity and support.  That sort of support makes this morning's announcement by American Underground that it will become part of an exclusive Google for Entrepreneurs Tech Hub Network all the more important. Durham is now one of of seven hubs throughout North America in the network that supports entrepreneurs and provides a stimulus for the economy in local communities.

“The American Underground is making great strides to ensure every entrepreneur in our network has an unparalleled opportunity to launch, grow and succeed,” said Adam Klein, chief strategist, American Underground. “Being selected as a Google for Entrepreneurs Tech Hub means that the 100-plus startups in our network are one giant leap closer to being the companies that capture imaginations and create jobs here and, as they grow, around the country.”

American Underground, along with Durham's other incubators, has really helped to drive that message home. "In Durham, the common refrain is more likely to be 'How can I help?' rather than 'Good luck with that.'" said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.  "Entrepreneurship has been part of Durham's DNA for hundreds of years, so this announcement is one that has implications for economic development across the board - tourism included," she added.

Google will support American Underground both financially and technologically. Hubs will have greater access to Google experts and products, and will participate in a number of Google events each year. Most importantly, hubs in the network will have access to each other, with Google facilitating quarterly calls and bringing hub partners together in-person to share lessons learned and best practices for entrepreneurs.

The Google for Entrepreneurs Tech Hub Network is the first formal network of this kind in the world. “Google heard consistently from tech hubs that they wanted to be part of a larger network, to learn from each other and collaborate together on ideas. We are happy to facilitate that,” said John Lyman, Head of Partnerships for Google for Entrepreneurs. “Our team has been incredibly impressed with the great work these hubs have done in their cities, and are excited to partner with them to do even more.”

Durham's stock-in-trade as a hub for entrepreneurs and startups has risen so sharply in recent years that it is regularly mentioned in the same breath as Silicon Valley, Austin, and Boston as a destination for visionaries looking for a place to get going.

The other six hubs in the network include: CoCo in Minneapolis, MN; 1871 in Chicago, IL; Communitech in Waterloo, Ontario; Nashville Entrepreneur Center in Nashville, TN; Galvanize in Denver, CO; and Grand Circus in Detroit, MI.

Learn more about Durham online.

Visitor Demand Drives List of Downtown Durham Hotels to Grow

Increased visitor demand has prompted another hotel announcement for Downtown Durham, this time a 134-room room Aloft.   This announcement makes four new lodging properties expected to come online in and adjacent to Downtown Durham in 2014 and 2015.

The other three are: the 125-room 21c Museum Hotel in the Hill (formerly the SunTrust bank) building, a 54-room boutique hotel in the former Mutual Savings building on East Chapel Hill Street near the post office and a 145-room Residence Inn in Trinity Park near Duke's East Campus. These four hotels will add 458 rooms in Downtown Durham, bringing the total number of hotel rooms to 648 in Downtown Durham alone.

Having enjoyed a fierce coming-of-age in recent years with dining and retail leading the charge, Downtown Durham  is supported by major projects like the American Tobacco Campus, West Village, the Golden Belt Arts Complex, and the ever popular and evolving Brightleaf Square. Nearing its tenth anniversary, American Tobacco is critical on the downtown landscape with the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center.

"There has been a huge deficit of downtown hotel rooms in Durham for more than a decade," said Shelly Green, the President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The financial impact of that has been far-reaching including lost business at our convention center and visitors choosing to return home, rather than staying overnight."

Durham currently has 65 hotels with nearly 7,700 rooms.  There are an additional 10 hotels with more than 1,200 rooms under development or consideration in the pipeline.  "But keep in mind," warned Green.  "All of these rooms come empty and it takes marketing the destination to fill them so they can become part of the $840 million visitor-driven economic engine for Durham."

Learn more about why Durham is where great things happen.

Guglhupf to Host 4th Annual Rocktoberfest

When the weather turns cooler and the harvest arrives, everyone can share in the German festival best known for sausages, beer and baked goods.

Guglhupf Café in Durham, NC will host its annual Rocktoberfest party on Saturday, September 28 from 4pm to 10pm.  Now in its 4th year, this family-friendly “Oktoberfest-with-a-twist” features live music, delicious German street food and specialty beer on tap!

Originating in Munich, Germany in the early 1800’s, Oktoberfest is now celebrated around the world. Here in Durham, Guglhupf’s German-born owner Claudia Cooper brings an innovative spin to the festivities at this contemporary European café.

Traditional German street fare will be cooked and served outside on the patio, which will be decorated with colorful banners and long tables for family-style dining. The grill will sizzle with house-made Bratwurst, Weisswurst and rôtisserie chicken.  A la carte sides include German potato salad, cucumber salad, braised red cabbage and Sauerkraut.  Also on the menu:  Zwiebelkuchen (a single-crust pie of steamed onions, cream and caraway seeds) and freshly-baked soft Brezels.  And for your sweet tooth, indulge in Guglhupf’s Berliner doughnuts, oozing with raspberry jam and coated with granulated sugar. Or choose from apple fritters and Strudl with ice cream – all house-made at Guglhupf’s adjoining bakery.  And of course….sample specialty draft brews from Hacker Pschorr, Spaten, Franziskane and Gaffel, along with wines by the glass.

Three bands will perform live on the patio:  The Oompah Trio (traditional Bavarian tunes); D-Town; and Pipe.  So make sure to dig out your Dirndl dresses and Lederhosen for the party!  And don’t miss out on face-painting from the talented Character Paints – for both kids and adults alike.

Reservations are not needed and there is no cover charge.  Guglhupf is located at 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC.  Go online or call 919.401.2600 for further information.

This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market

It is Farm Tour weekend!
On Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm-5pm both days, there are 2 great farm tours happening in the area: The Eastern Triangle Farm Tour and the Person County Farm Tour. These two tours will feature 42 farms, 8 of which are regulars at the Durham Farmers' Market!
  
If you have ever wondered how mushrooms grow. Wanted to know what on earth a farmer is referring to when she talks about "chicken tractors". Had the desire to peek inside a milking parlor. Or if you just want to see a buffalo grazing in its pasture. This is your chance to do all of those things! These local farms will be opening their gates for you to visit and get to know more about local farming & local foods.  

These tours, which happen annually (along with other tours in the springtime), have done an important service of strengthening the local food economy by bringing a greater level of transparency and trust between the consumer and the farmer.  It gives consumers have the opportunity to see how their food is grown, how the animals are raised, see honeybees in a hive and ask farmers directly about their growing methods and practices. That is something that you'll never have the chance to do with food available at a grocery store.
  
"This tour is a great way to learn where your food comes from and support the farmer who grows it.  It's also a whole lot of fun, "said Roland McReynolds, CFSA Executive Director.
  

If you are interested in visiting farms this weekend, you can find more information here: Eastern Triangle Farm Tour and Person County Farm Tour.

  

DFM Farms that are featured on these tours include:

Abanitu Farm

Flat River Nursery

Sunset Ridge Buffalo Farm

Meadow Lane Farm

SEEDS

Spain Farm

Vollmer Farm

Wild Scallions Farm

  

Then on Sunday evening, following the Farm Tour, Meadow Lane Farm will be holding a Celebration and Remembrance of Steve Mobley, who passed away last month. The celebration will start at 5:30pm at the Green Hill Country Club, 252 Club Road, Louisburg, NC.  Pork, Chicken, boiled potatoes, and green beans will be served.   Martha Mobley says that everyone is invited and if you would like to bring something you can bring a vegetable or covered dish. 

TOMORROW AT MARKET
We should have another cool morning to kick off fall! Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes will be in abundance tomorrow (and probably for the next few months too). Last week, both Ginger and Turmeric Root made their fall appearance! Should be more and more in the next few weeks!.
  
See you at the Market, 
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow DFM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Upcoming Events 

Saturday September 21st - Homefries Kid's Cooking Class! 9:30am. Chef Aaron Vandemark from Panciuto will be teaching the kids how to make ICE CREAM! A couple of spaces are still available. If you would like to sign your child up for the class, please email info@durhamfarmersmarket.com.

 Wedensday Sept 25th, 3:30-6:30 - Storytelling by Cynthia Raxter - Stop by and listen to true stories about growing up on a farm in western NC. 

 September 25th & 28th - 5th Annual Farmer Foodshare Challenge! Buy Five (lbs) or Give Ten ($) to support local farms and feed the hungry. More info: FarmerFoodshare.org

 Saturday October 5th - 5th Annual CHEF CHALLENGE!! This years chef contestants are.... Mike Hacker from Pie Pushers, Katie Coleman from Durham Spirits Co, and Justin Rakes from the soon to open restaurant The Salted Pig!!

Fresh this Week....

FRUITS: Scuppernong & Muscadine Grapes, Apples, Pears, Watermelon, Peaches
VEGETABLES: GINGER, TURMERIC, ROSELLE, COLLARDS, MUSTARD GREENS, GOURDS, Acorn Squash, Amaranth Greens, Arugula, Beets, Bitter Gourd, Bok Choi, Butterbeans, Butternut Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Delicata Squash, Edamame, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Basil, Catnip, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sorrel, Parsley), Eggplant, Frisee, Green Beans, Green Onions, Garlic, Gourds, Kale, Lambs Quarter, Lettuce, Long Beans, Malabar Spinach, Mizuna, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Pumpkins, Purple Hull Peas, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Greens, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Zucchini, and more
MEATS AND EGGS:  Rabbit, Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon/Cabrito, Lamb, Pork, Veal, Rabbit Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged COW and GOAT milk cheeses. 
PLANTS: Bedding, House, and Flower Plants. 
FLOWERS: Lisianthus, Tuberose, Gomphrena, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Zinnia, Mixed Bouquets
SPECIALTY ITEMS:  RAW HONEY, creamed Honey, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies & Pastries, Fermented Foods, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Pastas, Perogies, Wool 
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Handmade Baskets, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Goats Milk Soaps, Body Butters, Lotions, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions 

This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

• Education by Pinwheel Kid's Craft
• In Season: apples, sweet potatoes, eggplant, lettuce. yellow squash, zucchini, chard, butternut squash, beans and flowers 

Soup du Marché

We are officially heading into fall! The air is cooler, the days are shorter, and a bowl of hot soup sounds wonderful. You can certainly simmer up your own pot from scratch with all the delicious ingredients currently available at market, or you can take the night off with one of the delectable soups from Slim on Soup. 

 

If you haven’t tried their soups yet, now is the perfect time. Until the end of September, if you spend $10 or more, you are entered to win Slim on Soup’s Back to School Raffle. The prize is “Lunch for the Week,” which is a generous five pints of any of their soups.

 

Cara Demu, the founder and owner of Slim on Soup, started the company in order to give consumers a tasty, easy meal chock full of vitamins and nutrients.  All of the soups are vegan, gluten-free and no-salt added, and nearly 80% of the ingredients are locally sourced. 

Slim on Soup always brings samples!

While Cara did craft each soup with weight management in mind, I assure you, this is not your friend’s cabbage soup diet. Every soup starts with a savory homemade broth that is intensely flavored with fresh vegetables and herbs. And, each soup contains healthy fats, protein and lots of fiber, which will make you feel satiated enough not to reach for dessert.

 

Cara’s soups are great on their own, but they are also quite amenable to being dressed up with other farmers’ market ingredients. The Sundried Tomato-Vegetable soup would be excellent with slices of Walter’s Unlimited chorizo and topped with Hillsborough Cheese Co.’s aged gouda. You could try a crispy garnish on the Sweet Potato Peanut soup like broiled kale leaves with olive oil and salt. Or, try the Dark Asian Vegetable soup with some of the Asian greens available at market this Saturday, like tatsoi and pac choy.

 

Every week, Slim on Soup comes to market bearing pots of soup to sample, so find out which one is your favorite and enter to win lunch for a week! 

Learn more about great things to do in Durham at www.durham-nc.com.

Live On-Air Blue Blood TV Hangout on Google+

In preparation for the upcoming basketball season and in celebration of the UNC/Duke rivalry, fans can hang out with two of their favorite former UNC players.

GreatestFan.com, LLC, a media and technology company located in Durham has announced an interactive Blue Blood TV (Google+) Hangout with two of UNC’s most accomplished basketball stars.

On Tuesday, September 24th at 4:30 PM, Mitch Kupchak and George Lynch will join Blue Blood TV’s social hangout to talk with famed basketball historian, Art Chansky to discuss all things Carolina basketball, including the the theatrical premiere of The Duke-Carolina, The Blue Blood Rivalry on October, 1 at the Carolina Theatre as well as the special moments of the rivalry and the upcoming basketball season.  Kupchak and Lynch will interact with fans online, as well as those in attendance for the live event at Beyu Caffe.

“We are producing interactive online/live events as part of our partnership with Google+,” said Hassan Pinto, Founder of GreatestFan. “GreatestFan is connecting fans to the greatest rivalry in sports.”

“We encourage fans to visit the Beyu Caffe and watch the show live. A few lucky attendees will be selected to participate live on set with Kupchak, Lynch and Chansky in a virtual discussion,” Pinto added. Fans that attend the live event at the Beyu Caffe are encouraged to bring their laptops or tablets to watch and listen to the show as it airs live.

“The Duke-­Carolina rivalry is the best rivalry in American sports due to the proximity of the universities and the sustained excellence of each program.

 “The Duke-Carolina rivalry is the best rivalry in American sports due to the proximity of the universities and the sustained excellence of each program. The rivalry is further intensified because the fans of both teams live and work amongst one another," added Pinto.

As the film’s theatrical premiere at Durham’s Carolina Theatre on October 1st draws near, Pinto and GreatestFan, LLC want fans to experience the hoopla live.  "To one very, very lucky fan we are giving a pair of tickets to each of the 2014 Duke-Carolina games at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham and the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill. The winner will be announced at the Carolina Theatre premiere," Pinto said.  "When we rolled out the Blue Blood brand (eBook, Movie and TV show), we wanted to be sure, absolutely sure, that we were able to connect the fans to the story. The best way to do that is to send a few lucky people to the games!” Pinto added. According to Pinto, fans have entered from across the United States and the globe to win these tickets.

In advance of the premiere, GreatestFan is airing shows live on Blue Blood TV with guests including basketball alumni from each program. Check Google’s On-­air Schedule or the Blue Bood TV’s page for show times. To enter to win the tickets to both games, Blue Blood rivalry fans can like or join GreatestFan’s Blue Blood Facebook, Twitter, or Google pages. Full contest rules are available at GreatestFan’s Blue Blood TV page on Google+. Fans can also text "blueblood" to 919-­490-­8602, or email their name and mailing address to Greatest Fan with the subject line “Blue Blood Tix.”

Discover more about Durham, NC.

This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market Wednesday Market

Today, GINGER and TURMERIC roots will be making their first appearances at the Wednesday Market this season! It wasn't until just a couple of years ago that our farmers started to experiment with growing these roots (another one to look for in the coming weeks is Galangal.) Now, they are a very common sight in the Farmers' Market during the fall.
All three of these roots were originally cultivated in South Asia and are common in these cuisines. All are in the same plant family as well -- Zingiberaceae. When Ginger and Turmeric are freshly dug, they are much different than the forms that we usually see in grocery stores. Because of that, the best way to use them is slightly different from how you may be used to using these ingredients. I haven't done enough experimenting with these roots to be able to give any knowledgeable tips. So, if you are interested in broadening your culinary horizons, ask the farmers that grow Ginger, Turmeric and Galangal how they use them. Not only will they have tips from their own cooking, they all have talked to lots of customers over the years that have great knowledge of cooking with them and farmers are always happy to share the knowledge that they've gained from their customers.

As ginger has become more prevalent at the Market, several customers have told me about (and brought me tastes of) candied ginger that they have made using fresh ginger from the Market. It is DELICIOUS! Check out the recipe for Crystallized Ginger that is below!
While you are contemplating the many uses of ginger and turmeric at Market today, you can stop by and check out today's cooking demonstration! Blogger and cook, Matt Lardie (GreenEatsBlog.com) will be demonstrating and sampling 2 simple and delicious recipes. He'll be making Easy Garlic and Eggplant Dip and Quick Squash Pickles. Matt will show us step by step how to make both and there will be copies of the recipes to pick up so you can make them at home. 
COMING UP AT THE WEDNESDAY MARKET

Remember, the Wednesday Market has been extended for 2 weeks! The Market will be open through October 9th. Tell all your Wednesday Market loving friends that it won't be closing next week!
Next week, catch storyteller Cynthia Raxter! She'll be telling stories from 3:30 to 6:30.

See you at the market!

Erin KauffmanMarket ManagerFollow the Market on Facebook and Twitter

Duke to Attempt World Record for Largest Cardboard Fortress

On Friday, Sept. 20, a crew of Duke University employees and students will attempt to build the largest fort made entirely of recycled cardboard in Durham, NC.

Participants hope to break the world record by using 3,500 cardboard boxes, gathered from academic buildings and student move-in, to erect the structure.

The event begins at 9 a.m. on the West Campus quad in front of Duke Chapel. Media members are invited to cover the event and interview participants from 2-3 p.m. Parking will be available in the Bryan Center surface lot. More information on the effort is available here.
     
Organizers will be on hand, including Arwen Buchholz, program coordinator for Duke’s recycling and waste reduction office. Buchholz can be reached prior to the event at (919) 660-1448 or email.

Learn more about why Durham is a creative hotspot.

Durham County Library Hosts Art with the Experts: Doris Duke’s Shangri-La

Shangri La evokes peaceful images of an earthly paradise, a pristine place that merges fantasy with reality. Part of that fiction will be discussed as it pertained to reality of one of the Duke family's most illustrious members.

Durham County Library will host the Nasher Museum of Art’s Juline Chevalier and Katie Adkins for a presentation and slide lecture on the museum’s exhibit Shangri La: Architecture, Landscape, and Islamic Art, which highlights the collection of American heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke. The program will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 23, at the Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.

Internationally known for her wealth and style, Duke amassed one of the nation’s most important private collections of Islamic art over a period of more than 50 years, beginning in 1935 at Shangri La, her private residence outside Honolulu. Melding modern architecture, tropical landscapes and art collected throughout the Islamic world, “Shangri La” provides an opportunity for deeper exchange and understanding at a time of mistrust between the United States and many Muslim cultures. The exhibit will run at the Nasher until December 29, 2013.

Juline Chevalier is the Curator of Education and Katie Adkins is the Assistant Curator of Exhibitions at Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art. This is the first time works from Duke’s Islamic art collection have traveled to North Carolina.

This program is sponsored by Durham Library Foundation. For more information, contact Joanne Abel at 919-560-0268 or visit their website.

Durham County Library encourages Discovery, connects the Community and leads in Literacy. As a department of Durham County Government, the library furthers Goal 1 of the county’s Strategic Plan by enhancing cultural, educational and creative opportunities.

Learn more about Durham and all that it has to offer.

Duke Moves Up to Tie For 7th In Latest U.S. News Rankings

Durham's own Duke University rose to a tie for seventh place in the latest annual rankings by U.S. News & World Report magazine of national universities that offer doctoral degrees.

Last year, Duke shared the No. 8 spot. It was ranked 10th in 2011. This year, Duke is in a tie for seventh with the University of Pennsylvania and MIT.

In its latest rankings, U.S. News also placed Duke in a tie for seventh among national universities that have a strong commitment to teaching.

The magazine singled out Duke in four categories in "Programs to Look For," which it described as enriched offerings that provide undergraduates with the best possible experience. Duke was cited for service learning, senior capstone, undergraduate research/creative projects and writing in the disciplines.

Duke's undergraduate engineering program was ranked in a tie for 19th among doctoral universities -– up one spot from a year ago -- and the Pratt School’s biomedical/biomedical engineering program placed second in the rankings.

In the latest survey, U.S. News ranked Duke at No. 12 in a category called "Great Schools at Great Prices," for which the magazine compares a school's academic quality with the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.

Duke also was among four schools tied for 17th in the category "economic diversity," which the magazine said gauges “institutions’ relative commitment to access for all.” Duke was among seven national universities tied for 12th in a survey of high school guidance counselors.

Additional information about the U.S. News & World Report rankings is available online.

Learn more about why Durham, NC is a place where great things happen.

This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market

Just a few short months ago, this egg basket was packed full of eggs every week in Fickle Creek Farm's booth. Eggs were just about everywhere in the Market and even if you arrived at the Market at 11:58, you could almost certainly find a dozen eggs to bring home. As summer has dragged on, that has started to change bit.
 
Over the past few weeks, when I've been walking through the Market, several egg producers have stopped me to ask if anyone in the Market still has eggs. They want to know because their egg have sold out and they want to tell their customers where else to look for eggs in the Market. Farmer David Spain, of Spain Farm, told me last week that his hens and ducks egg production has really started to decrease in the past few weeks and he hasn't had as many eggs to bring to the Market. We collectively surmised that it may have something to do with the change of the season, perhaps the shortening days.
 
I came home and did a little bit of research on the internet about egg production. I came across several websites associated with universities with information about egg production on small farms or backyard flocks. Publications from the University of Oregon, LSU, and the Universities of Minnesota, Maine & Nebraska all concurred that egg production starts to decrease as the day length shortens. I found a very succinct quote from LSU poultry specialist Dr. Theresia Lavergne that sums up the effect that day length has on egg production. "The reproductive state of birds is regulated by the amount of light they receive each day," Lavergne says. "Hens are stimulated to lay eggs when day length increases and reduce egg laying when day length decreases."

Commercial egg producers compensate for the changing day lengths by putting their hens under artificial light to increase their production. But, the farmers that raise eggs and sell them at the Market don't use commercial models. The hens laying the eggs found at the Market have access to the outdoors, space to run around, lots of sunlight, an adequate supply of bugs to eat, and all of the other things that you can think of when imagine an idyllic farm scene. (Speaking of which, you'll be able to see lots of those idyllic scenes on next week's Eastern Triangle Farm Tour!) So, the hens that produce eggs for us here in Durham will follow these natural changes as the seasons change.

Like almost everything at the Market, eggs are a seasonal product. While they will be available every week of the year, the quantities will ebb and flow as the length of days decreases and increases. In February, eggs will once again be abundant and will be able to be found everywhere in the Market. In the meantime, if you are looking for local, farm-fresh, free range eggs at the Market, my advice would be to get to the Market on the early side.
 
See you at the Market,
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow DFM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Upcoming Events

Saturday September 14th, 9am-Noon - Story Telling by Cynthia Raxter
Wednesday September 18th, 3:30-5:30 - Quick Dinners from the Market Demo with Matt Lardie (greeneatsblog.com)
Saturday September 21st - Homefries Kid's Cooking Class! 9:30am. Chef Aaron Vandemark from Panciuto will be teaching the kids how to make ICE CREAM! Spaces are still available. If you would like to sign your child up for the class, please email info@durhamfarmersmarket.com.
Saturday & Sunday September 21& 22, 1-5pm both day - Eastern Triangle Farm Tour! This year's tour includes the following DFM vendors... Meadow Lane Farm, SEEDS, Wild Scallions Farm, Spain Farm, and Vollmer Farm along with 22 other great farms in Durham, Granville, Wake, Franklin and Chatham Counties! More info & tickets: www.carolinafarmstewards.org/etft/
Saturday September 28th - Farmer Foodshare Challenge!
Saturday October 5th - 5th Annual CHEF CHALLENGE!! This years chef contestants are.... Mike Hacker from Pie Pushers, Katie Coleman from Durham Spirits Co, and Justin Rakes from the soon to open restaurant The Salted Pig!!

Fresh this Week....
FRUITS: SCUPPERNONG GRAPES, Apples, Pears, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Raspberries, Peaches
VEGETABLES: SWISS CHARD, MIZUNA, BABY BOK CHOY, Acorn Squash, Amaranth Greens, Arugula, Beets, Bitter Gourd, Butterbeans, Butternut Squash, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Delicata Squash, Edamame, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Basil, Catnip, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sorrel, Parsley), Eggplant, Frisee, Green Beans, Green Onions, Garlic, Gourds, Kale, Lambs Quarter, Lettuce, Long Beans, Malabar Spinach, Okra, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Pumpkins, Purple Hull Peas, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Greens, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Zucchini, and more
MEATS AND EGGS:  Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon/Cabrito, Lamb, Pork, Veal, Rabbit
Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES:Fresh and aged COW and GOAT milk cheeses.
PLANTS: Bedding, House, and Flower Plants.
FLOWERS: Lisianthus, Tuberose, Gomphrena, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Zinnia, Mixed Bouquets
SPECIALTY ITEMS: RAW HONEY, creamed Honey, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies & Pastries, Fermented Foods, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Pastas, Perogies, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Handmade Baskets, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Goats Milk Soaps, Body Butters, Lotions, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions 

This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

This Week at the Market:

• Music: Kaitlin Payne singing & strumming
• Education: Marcia E. Herman on making herbal teas from ingredients in the garden 
• Fresh this week: yellow squash, zuchinni, radishes, apples, beans, cucumbers,  squash, tomatoes, peppers and more!

Local to a Tea
Naturally high in energy, I am still learning how to handle my coffee, so I mostly stick to less caffeinated teas, and in the evening, I prefer comforting herbal teas, also known as tisanes. My tea habit is currently supported by imports from halfway across the world, and comes with multiples layers of packaging, but it doesn’t have to be this way.  Good tea can be local, inexpensive and made by you.

A tea garden could be just a couple pots of herbs, or it could be several beds dedicated to an array of herbs and flowers. Chamomile and mint plants are easy to grow and make excellent bedtime teas. Other great additions to a tea garden include: lemon balm, lemon thyme and lavender. You can even grow ginger root in a pot in order to make a stomach soothing brew. For a natural sweetener, you can include stevia in your tea garden or purchase Bull City’s golden clover honey.

Herb bundle from S&H Farm
Your homemade infusion can be made with fresh or dry herbs, but using fresh ingredients will lend extra flavor, aroma and health benefits to your beverage. Most herbs contain high concentrations of beneficial phytonutrients, and teas are an easy way to include more of them in your diet.

If you don’t have the time for a tea garden, you can still make yourself a fresher cup of tea by purchasing local herbs through vendors at the South Durham Farmers’ Market, like S&H Farm. This fall, S&H will continue to bring their herb bundles, and expects to have ginger root later in the season!

Tomorrow, Dr. Marcia E. Herman will be at the market to sample teas made from her own garden and share her in-depth knowledge of herbal tea-making. Her book, Sipping My Garden: A Simple Way to Make Herbal Teas, will be on sale at the market. We encourage you to come by at 10 o’clock for a special reading on teas for children from her book.

Farmer Foodshare Needs Volunteers!
We are proud to partner with Farmer Foodshare at the South Durham Farmers’ Market. Through the generosity of supporters like you, Farmer Foodshare has collected and donated over 140,000 pounds of food from Farmers’ Markets. Your donations provide healthy, quality food to the hungry and malnourished in seven North Carolina counties.

Donation Station at South Durham Farmers' Market
Currently, Farmer Foodshare is looking for volunteers to help man the Donation Station at the South Durham Farmers’ Market. Please contact Katy Phillips at volunteer@farmerfoodshare.org for more information or to volunteer.

Learn more about agritourism in Durham.

Durham Farmers' Market Wednesday Market

Radishes and sweet, tender  salad turnips are back! Not to mention the reappearance of heads of lettuce, baby bok choy, kale and other mixed greens.

A couple of weeks ago, farmer Mark Hockney, the owner of Tiny Farm was telling me about his summer lettuce. As you may know, Tiny Farm's specialty is growing lettuce with the goal of having it available 52 weeks a year. Under most circumstances, they can do it. But, about 6 weeks ago, in the midst of our unseasonably cool summer, we had a week of HOT weather. Farmer Mark told me that during that weather, he lost a couple of plantings of lettuce. He told me that even the varieties of weather that are well suited for the heat and humidity didn't make it. So, because of the hot weather spell weeks ago, there was a lack of lettuce in the Market in the last 2 weeks of August, when the weather wasn't too hot.

Since that mini heat wave, the conditions for growing lettuce from seed to head have improved dramatically and lettuce is starting to re-appear. Then as we continue to head into the fall, more and more lettuces, greens, and root vegetables will start appearing on the tables of our farmers.

Having Farmer Mark tell me about his lettuce grown trouble in July, reminded me to look at the availability of the products at the Farmers' Market with a different lens. Everything that is available today at the Market is a result of months of planning and preparation by the farmer. It has been made possible by the temperature and weather that had an impact on the growing conditions. No one has called a distributor to get products trucked in from far away in order to insure a steady supply. All of our farmers are local (within 70 miles of Durham) and grow everything that you see on their tables. We, as customers, get to share in the bounties and sometimes in the losses that are a result of forces beyond our control. It can make shopping at the farmers market a bit riskier, but so much more fun!

Thanks for shopping locally and enjoying our local bounty!

See you at the market!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow the Market on Facebook and Twitter

Available Wednesday!
Fruits: GRAPES - Scuppernong, Figs, Apples, Cantaloupe, Peaches, Watermelon
Vegetables: BRAISING MIX, EDAMAME, Arugula, Beans, Beets, Butternut Squash, Butter Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Corn, Cucumbers, Delicata Squash, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Onions, Herbs (Cilantro, Basil), Leeks, Malabar Spinach, Onions, Okra, Peppers - Sweet and Hot, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Purple Hull Peas, Pumpkins, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Zucchini
Meats: Beef, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Pork
Eggs: Chicken and Duck  Eggs
Flowers: Celosia, Gomphrena, Tuberrose, Lisiasnthus,  Dahlia, Gladiolus, and mixed Bouquets
Specialty Items:  RAW HONEY!, Tempeh, Mustards, Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits,  Goat and Cow Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods - Breads, Pastries, & Pies, Preserves, Gluten Free Baked Goods, Fermented Items, Nut Butters, Pasta, Herbal Teas, Herbal Salves,
Crafts:  Wood Crafts, Pottery, Goats Milk Soaps

Nominate a Durham Restaurant for a Nature’s Plate award

As the Tastiest Town in the South, Durham has some heavy hitting players that should be nominated in a current contest being run by The Nature Conservancy (TNC).  Known as a major food destination, Durham foodies are being asked to nominate their favorite green restaurants for Nature’s Plate, a contest to name the people’s choice for each area’s top green restaurant.  

Vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters, enjoy their healthiest and tastiest foods from nature. Whether it's oysters growing out in the Pamlico Sound or tomatoes soaking up the sun at the farm down the road, healthy food demands a healthy planet. And our planet is nurtured when food production is sustainable.

That's why The Nature Conservancy is to working with food producers everywhere and bringing together traditionally unexpected partners in the name of healthy food and a healthy environment, finding solutions that are good for their businesses, for consumers and for nature.

TNC's work is innovative and pragmatic. In the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds they are helping to build oyster reef, and they are working with landowners across the state to create more than 225,000 acres of state game lands – providing North Carolinians with the opportunity to serve up the ultimate local food.

Readers can make a difference by nominating their favorite green restaurant in Durham for a Nature's Plate award.  Wondering which restaurants to vote for? Consider eateries that are using sustainable seafood, free-range and grass-fed meat, organic produce, locally sourced food, and tap water (rather than bottled water).

While the contest is focused on restaurants, it’s only the start of a conversation about food, conservation and The Nature Conservancy’s work with farmers, fishermen and ranchers.  To participate, GO ONLINE AND NOMINATE a favorite green restaurant in Durham. There is also information about what makes a restaurant green.

Nominations will be open until September 16, semifinal voting will begin October 1, and the winner(s) will be announced October 17.

Learn more about all of Durham's great restaurants online.

Durham Chamber to host N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and its Transportation Committee will host N. C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata on Tuesday, September 24 from noon to 1:30 at the Durham Convention Center. This event is open to Chamber members and the public. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Secretary Tony Tata will discuss the future of transportation in North Carolina along with infrastructure development, multimodal transport, the impact of transit on economic development initiatives and how we as a State continue to prioritize transit issues during a time when budgets are being cut. 

Tata was appointed Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation by Governor Pat McCrory in January 2013. Tata, who retired from the U.S. Army as a brigadier general, brings to his position more than three decades of public service as a military officer and public school system leader. He has a history of successfully leading and transforming large, complex organizations with vast responsibilities. Most recently, he served as the Superintendent of Wake County Public School System, leading the state’s largest school district of 18,000 employees and 150,000 students.

Registration is available at online (select the Calendar of Events). For questions, please contact Sheena Johnson Cooper at 919.328.8722 or email. 

Learn more about why Durham is a great place to live, work, and play.

Northgate Stadium 10 Theaters Presents Free Movie Days for Area Schools

Northgate Mall's recently updated and renovated Stadium 10 Theaters is welcoming back students, faculty and staff at area colleges, universities and schools with free admission for any movie of their choice on selected days beginning Tuesday, September 17.

All movies are free when presenting a current, valid school student, faculty or staff ID for the following institutions:

Stadium 10 Theaters at Northgate Free Movies Days Schedule:
Tuesday, September 17                        North Carolina Central University
Wednesday, September 18                    Durham Technical Community College                             Thursday, September 19                       Duke University
Wednesday, September 25                    North Carolina School of Science and Math
Thursday, September 26                       University of North Carolina

Look online for information and show times. Stadium 10 at Northgate is located on the Plaza at 1058 West Club Boulevard, Durham.

Learn more about great shopping and movie activities in Durham.

Durham Bulls Advance to Governors' Cup Championship Round

The Durham Bulls have moved one step closer towards becoming the 2013 International League Champions. With an opening round sweep over the Indianapolis Indians, the South Division Champion Bulls will now face the Pawtucket Red Sox in the Governors’ Cup Championship Round.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park will host Game 1 on Tuesday, September 10 and Game 2 on Wednesday, September 11.  Both contests are scheduled for 7:05pm. After an off day Thursday, the best-of-five series will move to the home park of the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate for Games 3, 4, and 5 (as needed) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The eventual International League Champion will then face the winner of the Pacific Coast League title in the one game, winner-take-all, Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game in Allentown, PA on September 17.

Single game playoff tickets are $10 for all seating bowl locations. Groups of 20 or more can purchase playoff tickets for $8 each. Tickets for the Governors’ Cup Championship Round, presented by Sport Durst Automotive Group, can be purchased now at the DBAP box office, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online.

CenterFest 2013 Features Largest Artist and Entertainment Line Up in its 39 Year History

One of Durham's longest-running and largest festivals is right around the corner - and it's not to be missed!

The Durham Arts Council will present the 39th Annual CenterFest Arts Festival on Sept. 21st and 22nd, featuring 140 juried fine artists and craftsmen from 17 states, continuous music and entertainment on six stages from 72 performing groups, lively Kids Zone art activities, locally sourced foods and fun festival foods, a showcase of over 40 non-profits, government services departments, community and creative organizations, and sponsors, the CenterFest Food and Beer Garden, additional Saturday evening performances, and more. 

The line up of artists, performers and community is the largest CenterFest has ever presented, and promises to entertain, delight and inspire a projected 25,000 visitors. CenterFest is North Carolina's longest running juried outdoor arts festival. Hours are Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, plus a Saturday evening after-party from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Herald-Sun Stage and Food/Beer Garden, and Sunday 11 am - 5 pm. CenterFest remains in its historic location in central downtown Durham on an expanded site including Main, Chapel Hill, Morris, Market, Corcoran, and Parrish Streets in the Five Points and CCB Plaza areas. Admission is a $5 suggested donation at the gate and is welcomed to support the festival and the arts programs and services of Durham Arts Council. Children 12 and under free. More information is available at www.centerfest.durhamarts.org


"We are excited to continue the festival in the heart of downtown Durham," said Sherry DeVries, Durham Arts Council Executive Director. "CenterFest 2013 has involved over a year of planning, resulting in the largest and most exciting CenterFest we have ever produced!" CenterFest will draw visitors from a broad North Carolina region for a weekend of art enjoyment, shopping, entertainment, delicious food, and exploration of all the great things the newly revitalized downtown Durham has to offer.
DAC Board President, Dan Ellison, stated “Centerfest is just plain fun! It is a chance to see and purchase a wide variety of high quality art and craft from North Carolina and around the country and to hear and see great performers. It is a wonderful way to spend a late summer’s day and start the fall season. Art, music, dance, food, and people-watching. Nothing could be better!”


Visual Artists
A record number of excellent artist applications have resulted in the juried selection of 140 visual artists representing 17 states, and including 85 North Carolina artists and 20 Durham artists. This year's Merit Award Judges will view the work of artists in Basket-Weaving, Clay, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Leatherworking, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Wood, Jewelry, Mixed Media, and Sculpture.
This year's Merit Judges are Kim Curry-Evans, Public Art Coordinator at the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Kelly Flanders McChesney, owner of Flanders Gallery in Raleigh, and Kristine Styles, Professor of Art History in Duke University’s Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies . The merit judges will select the winning artists and award cash prizes totaling $2,500 to Best In Show, First Place, Second and Third Place winning artists.


CenterFest 2013 Citizens Choice Award
Festival-goers are invited to pick their favorite CenterFest Visual Artist for a chance to win prizes in the CenterFest 2013 Citizens Choice Award contest, sponsored by Durham Coca-Cola. Voting/Entry Forms will be available at all CenterFest Information Booths and at CenterFest Visual Artist booths. The Citizens Choice Award will be presented to the winning artist at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the festival.


Performing Artists
CenterFest 2013 Entertainment Committee has selected a great line-up of 72 performing groups, providing continuous music, dance and entertainment on 6 stages. 665 individual performers will be sharing their talents with CenterFest. This is the largest number of performing artists ever presented at CenterFest. Performing groups include the Bouncing Bulldogs, Pinkerton Raid, Freylach Time Klezmer Band, Toon & The Real Laww, Jasmé Kelly, Adia Ledbetter Quartet, North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, Durham Jazz Orchestra, the Bulltown Strutters, Eric and the DiMarzios, Ricardo Diquez, Aurora Jazz with Chris Keller, Jo Gore and the Alternative, Thelonious, and more. The 72 groups will be performing continuously on the following 6 stages:

• Fox50, Mix 101.5, WRAL-FM Main Music Stage - CCB Plaza
•  Downtown Durham Inc. Dance Stage - CCB Plaza
•  NC Songwriters’ Co-Op Stage - in the Self Help/Ninth St. Bakery area
•  Five Points Stage
•  The Herald-Sun Stage near Bull McCabe’s and South Bank in the CenterFest Food and Beer Garden 
• The Children’s Stage in the South Bank Parking Lot across from the Durham Arts Council

New This Year 
CenterFest will be offering extended performance hours at the Herald-Sun Stage on Saturday night. The CenterFest Herald-Sun Stage and Food & Beer Garden will remain open until 9:00pm on Saturday night for the enjoyment of downtown Durham visitors. Wigsnatchers, Black Dog Syndrome, Individually Twisted and the Willie Painter Band will be on hand to keep the CenterFest party swinging!


Additional Features
CenterFest is also featuring the return of the bike valet parking system, courtesy of the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and Bike Durham. The bike valet can be found at booths E36 and E37 at the corner of Corcoran and Main Street near the green lawn.
The Bull City Connector is a fare-free, environmentally friendly service that features hybrid-electric buses. The connector only runs on Saturday. For up-to-date route and schedule information, visit www.bullcityconnector.org

CenterFest visitors can make their experience mobile and interactive by participating in the Bull City BUCK$ CenterFest "Scan"venger hunt! Look for the Bull City BUCK$ QR code at popular CenterFest sites such as stages, food zones, and last year’s Best in Show and Citizen’s Choice artist booths to gain BUCK$ to use at downtown Durham restaurants and businesses.


Food and Beverage and CenterFest Food & Beer Garden
CenterFest will feature a variety of traditional festival food favorites and new locally-sourced food from the Durham food truck community sure to satisfy anyone’s appetite - from locally-sourced barbeque to traditional roasted corn, gyros, ice cream and turkey legs. CenterFest will also be bringing back the outdoor Food and Beer Garden in partnership with Bull McCabe's. Please note that beer will only be sold at CenterFest on Saturday, September 21st.

CenterFest will also have numerous Coca-Cola product booths, sponsored by Durham Coca-Cola, to quench the thirst of festival goers of all ages. Wristbands for beer purchase will be required and will be available near the Beer Tent entrance.


Food Vendors

• Coco Crissi Tropical Icees: Refreshing icees from a cart
• Cross Roads Kettle Corn Concessions: Sweet and salty kettle corn
• D&J Concessions: Turkey legs, Roasted Corn, Deep-fried treats, ice cream, lemonade
• Eddie D’s Oasis: Refreshing Iced Treats
• Foxy Concessions: Sun fun varieties and sweets
• Humble Pig: Local barbeque with Southern Sides and Desserts
• Orlando’s Concession: Fried seafood including fish and shrimp
• Party in a Pita: Lebanese and Greek vegetarian food
• Sarges Chef on Wheels: Chop soul home cooking with Asian/Caribbean flair
• Sherri’s Crab Cakes: Award-winning Maryland style crab cakes made fresh
•  Wendy’s Hospitality – classic Mexican, Southern Style, Cajun, Mediterranean

Creative Kids Zones
Two Creative Kids Zones will be featured at CenterFest -- including fun, hands-on art activities, face painting by Paint Savvy, and the popular Bounce House, Slide and Trackless Train from
F & M Entertainment. Hands-on, make and take art projects are free. Face painting and kids rides have nominal fees. The Kids Zone Stage will feature family-friendly entertainment including musicians, magicians, storytellers, and more.

This is one of Durham's busiest festivals, and it always makes for a great experience. Learn more about it, and other Durham festivals on the Durham Event Calendar.