The North Carolina Fall Festival returns this week with live music on two stages, the annual Turkey Bowl football game and Senior Day fun for Hoke’s senior citizens.

Melissa Kaye Senior Day is set for Wednesday, October 13. The event is named after the late Fall Festival Director Melissa Kaye Pittman. The event will happen this year at the Robert A. Wright Agricultural Building, located at 645 Palmer Street in Raeford, next to the Hoke County Health Department.

The Turkey Bowl Football game and Hoke High Homecoming is Friday, October 15. The Hoke County High School Bucks will take on the Union Pines High School Vikings from Moore County in a battle for the Turkey Bowl trophy. The home game is also Homecoming and Hoke High Senior Night.

There won’t be a parade or Stuffin’ and Stompin’ dinner this year, but there are many live acts on the schedule and plenty of vendors who will be selling fair food favorites in the food court at the street fair Saturday. The street fair is going to be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, October 16 on Main Street in Raeford.

Thousands of people will turn out to enjoy live entertainment on two stages from bands, singers, and dancers. Some of the performers set to take the stages include The Sand Band, Guy Unger Band, South Ridge Bluegrass, the Dowdy Boys, Chris Nelson, Right Turn and Creek Water.

Vendors will have all kinds of arts and crafts, decorations, home goods items, toys for the kids and great gift items for sale. Funnel cakes, lemonade, fresh sausage hot off the grill and lots more tasty treats will be available to buy.

There will be many fun activities just for children to enjoy. There will also be lots of vendors with information about services and things to do in Raeford and Hoke County. Residents can also get a COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Festival.

The festival also held the first annual Marvin Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10 at Deercroft Golf Club in Wagram.