Weekend best bets: Triangle Oktoberfest, Ben Rector

RALEIGH, N.C. — There is plenty to do in the Triangle this weekend. Here are our top picks.

Events continue through the weekend. Look for beer dinners, beverage pairing events and more, including Lonerider Brewing's annual Brew it Forward home brewing competition on Saturday.

Triangle Oktoberfest - This third annual event will feature live music, traditional Bavarian food and fare, authentic German beer and a Wiener Dog Race. Events run Friday and Saturday at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. Proceeds will benefit Alzheimer's North Carolina.

Live and Local Bluegrass - This third annual festival will be held Saturday and Sunday at Raleigh Little Theater's Louise Stephenson Amphitheater at the Rose Garden. There will be lots of live music, a children's zone, food trucks and dozens of vendors. Admission is free.

Ray Price Capital City BikeFest - Lots of live music, BMX stunt shows, a tattoo festival and more are all part of this annual event held in downtown Raleigh this weekend.

International Folk Festival - Head to Fayetteville for this 38th annual event. Everything kicks off Friday night and continues Saturday with a parade of nations and activities all weekend at festival park. Admission is free. WRAL is a proud sponsor of this event.

Carrboro Music Festival - Enjoy free live music in downtown Carrboro on Saturday and Sunday, as part of this festival. Shows will be at various venues.

MACfest - Durham County Library presents this Multicultural, Arts and Crafts Festival Saturday at Durham Central Park. The event is free and open to the public and will include musical performers Sahara Reggae Band, Indigo Dance Evolution Academy, African Drumming with Osei and Friends, bagpipers, multicultural arts, crafts and more. Multicultural food trucks, including Boricua Soul, will also be on hand.

LaFiesta del Pueblo - This Hispanic cultural event will be held Sunday in City Plaza in downtown Raleigh. There will live music, food vendors, artists and more. Admission is free.

Latino Festival of Art and Culture - Head to Rock Quarry Park on Saturday for this festival. There will be live music, dancing, a marketplace for arts and crafts, authentic cuisine and children's activities.

NC Pride Parade and Festival - This lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival will include vendors, displays, bands, a drag king show, a drag queen race and a parade through the Ninth St. area in Durham. The festival will also provide a place to talk about how LGBT communities can work for social justice while joining together in a festive, celebratory space. Events kick off Saturday at Duke University's Page Auditorium.

North Carolina Jerk Food Festival - This festival will include a 5K, jerk wing eating content, cook off and Caribbean food court. It all happens Saturday at West Point on the Eno in Durham. Admission is free.

Southern Ideal Home Show: Fall Edition - This three-day home and garden event will feature more than 300 experts on remodeling, decorating, kitchen and bath and more. Check it out at the N.C. State Fairgrounds Friday through Sunday.

Benson Mule Days - Events kick off Thursday and runt through Sunday in Benson. Enjoy concerts, rodeos, a carnival, rodeo and more.

Dirty Dogs Pet Extravaganza - The Town of Wake Forest is partnering to host the Fourth Annual Dirty Dogs Pet Extravaganza at E. Carroll Joyner Park on Saturday and Sunday. This annual event raises money, awareness and food donations for local animal rescues and provides pet owners a fun day out with their furry sidekicks. Ultimate Air Dogs, the premier dock jumping organization, will be on site to present an amazing show.

Ben Rector - The "Brand New" singer is bringing his "The Biggest Tour I have Done So Far" to Red Hat Amphitheater on Saturday night.

Grace Potter - See the singer-songwriter with The Hip Abduction at Lincoln Theatre Friday night.

Friday Night Tributes - See a Fleetwood Mac tribute band at North Hills this week as part of the Friday Night Tribute Series, a free concert series that pays homage to throwback music genres. The music starts at 7 p.m. and continues until 9.

Legends of Southern Hip Hop - Southern Hip Hop, aka Dirty South, began in the early 90s in reaction to the dominance of NYC and LA on the hip hop music industry. The sound reached its peak in the early 2000s. This tour reunites the rappers from the golden age of Dirty South for one concert. Juvenile, Trick Daddy, Bun B., 8 Ball and MJG, and Pastor Troy will take the stage at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium Saturday night.

Il Divo - The multi-platinum crossover group will bring its "Amor and Pasion" tour to DPAC Sunday night.

Dr. Bacon - See this “Appalachian Funk-Rock” band from Asheville at Southland Ballroom Friday night.

Billy Hart Quartet - Elder statesman Hart joins three next-generation stars: The Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson, tenor saxophonist Mark Turner and bassist Ben Street for this show at 21c Museum Hotel on Sunday.

Theater in the Park's Southern Baptist Sissies - Storyteller Mark Lee Fuller tries to create a world of love and acceptance in the church and clubs of Dallas, Texas, while desperately trying to find a place to put his own pain and rage. See the production Thursday through Sunday.

Raleigh Little Theater's Mother and Sons - A powerful story. A woman pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son's partner. He is now married to another man and has a young son. This mother is challenged to face how society has changed around her. The show runs through Oct. 9.

Steve Byrne - The star and creator of TBS's "Sullivan and Son" will be at Goodnights Comedy Club Thursday through Saturday.

Hannibal Buress - See the Emmy nominated comedian (and guy who got us talking about Bill Cosby) at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium Friday night.

Fire in the Hole Chili Cook Off - Fortnight Brewing will host this event on Saturday, where some of the best chefs in the area battle the art of chili making. Presented by the Polka Dot Mama Melanoma Foundation, proceeds from the event go towards the installation of sunscreen dispensers at fire stations across Cary.Tickets are $15 per person and children under 12 eat for free. Tickets include unlimited chili tasting, pizza and more. Beer will be available for sale.

Downtown Garner's Pop Up Market - This monthly pop up market includes crafts, locally grown food and food trucks. Check it out Saturday.