Fall Fun in Fuquay-Varina
Autumn has arrived, and there is no better place to celebrate fall than Fuquay-Varina! From spooky trails to live music, here is what’s happening this season:
Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina Concert Series: Experience the heart of downtown with live music, local brews, and a variety of food truck favorites. New time: 6:00 to 9:00 pm. www.fuquay-varina.org/fm2fv
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival & Concert: Join us for our town’s signature celebration! The festivities kick off with a concert on October 1, followed by a full day of festival fun on October 3. www.CelebrateFV.com
Haunted Trail (October 17): Choose your own adventure! Choose the Family Trail for a light-hearted walk suitable for all ages or brave the Full Fright experience (not recommended for children under 10).
Trick or Treat in Downtown (October 23): No tricks—just treats! This free community event features over 100 participating local businesses.
Fire Dept. Open House (October 31, 10 am-2 pm): A day of safety demonstrations and family fun at Station 1.
First Friday: Visit our beautiful Downtown Social District to stroll through local shops, enjoy a sip, and support our local business community.
For more information on these or all Town of Fuquay-Varina events, visit fuquay-varina.org.
Pedestrian Crossing Enhancement Project
The Town of Fuquay-Varina has launched a project to improve pedestrian safety at four priority locations: Town Hall, Downtown Varina, Downtown Fuquay, and Fuquay-Varina High School.
Project improvements include the installation of Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), crosswalk upgrades, signage, curbs, and ADA accessibility enhancements. Construction began this summer at Fuquay-Varina High School, with all work expected to be completed this fall.
Local Hero: Firefighter Riley Prince Honored for Courageous Flood Rescue
On September 24, 2024, Fuquay-Varina was struck by a devastating flash flood, testing the mettle of our first responders. Amidst torrential rain and rapidly rising water, the crew of Ladder 2 responded to several emergencies, including a harrowing scene where a vehicle was swept off the road by a surging creek.
With a driver trapped inside as the water rose quickly, Firefighter II Riley Prince stepped into action. Utilizing limited rescue equipment and steady nerves, Prince descended from a ground ladder toward the submerged vehicle. Facing a panicked driver, he demonstrated exceptional composure, coaching her through every step of the evacuation process with calm, clear instructions. Working side by side with her, Prince ensured she reached solid ground just moments before the vehicle was swept away.
Firefighter II Riley Prince’s bravery and leadership exemplify the very best of the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department. By putting his own life at risk to ensure a neighbor’s safety, he proved himself to be a true hero.
Fuquay-Varina is incredibly proud to announce that Prince is the 2025 recipient of the Fuquay-Varina Local Hero Award. His heroism has also earned him prestigious recognition on a larger scale: he was named the American Legion State Firefighter of the Year and the American Legion’s National Southeast Region Firefighter of the Year. Please join us in celebrating Riley’s extraordinary service and dedication to our community!
Terrible Creek and North Harnett Regional WWTP Construction Updates
Progress continues on two wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) projects, ensuring the Town’s infrastructure meets future community needs.
The Terrible Creek WWTP expansion, which began in fall 2024, will double capacity from 3 million gallons per day (MGD) to 6 MGD by adding new processing tanks, filters, and an expanded laboratory for both drinking water and wastewater samples. This project also includes significant upgrades to influent/effluent piping and a new administrative building to support 24/7 operations, with completion expected in February 2027.
A Smoother Road Ahead: A New NCDMV Facility is Coming
The North Harnett Regional WWTP expansion, which began in early 2024, will increase capacity from 7.5 MGD to 16.5 MGD. Harnett County has agreements with Fuquay-Varina, Angier, and Lillington to expand capacities, with Fuquay-Varina’s growing from 2.6 MGD to 6.0 MGD. Completion for this project is estimated for early 2028.
We’ve all heard the stories—the long lines and the stressful wait times at the DMV. Well, some relief is on the horizon for southern Wake County.
In early 2027, a state-of-the-art NCDMV office will open its doors in Fuquay-Varina. Situated in the former Walgreens building on N. Main Street, this new facility will be nearly four times the size of the current location. With the number of exam portals increasing from 4 to 14 and a full registration office, the expansion is specifically designed to streamline the process for local residents.
The project was recently launched with a Kick-Off Ceremony on August 10. The event featured Paul Tine, Commissioner of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), alongside Representative Erin Pare and Town officials. Representative Pare played a vital role in ensuring that these critical services remained in the Fuquay-Varina community.
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center Announces Vibrant Fall & Holiday Performance Season
The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center has unveiled a packed calendar of performances for the upcoming fall and holiday seasons, promising a diverse lineup of music, dance, magic, and theater for the local community.
The season kicks off with a heavy emphasis on jazz and iconic sounds. In October, renowned vocalist and saxophonist Camille Thurman will perform a tribute to Sarah Vaughan and Dexter Gordon. This will be followed in November by a concert featuring the music of STING & The Police, performed by Grace Kelly and Chrissi Poland.
Fans can also look forward to the annual return of Beatlesque, a perennial favorite with local audiences. For those seeking something more rhythmic, “Noche Flamenco” will bring the heat and sizzle of Spain to the stage, offering an immersive experience of traditional dance and music.
Adding a touch of mystery to the autumn lineup, world-renowned magician Jeki Yoo will perform his innovative and inspired magic act on October 30, just in time for Halloween.
As the season transitions into the holidays, the Arts Center will host the 4th Annual Fuquay Film Fest and a full slate of seasonal favorites, including The Embers, the community Nutcracker, and the Chorale holiday concert. Attendees can also enjoy the big band sounds of Gerald Parker’s Orchestra and a special milestone performance by the community theater: a production of 1776 celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
Residents interested in attending these performances are encouraged to visit the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center for ticket information and showtimes. The Box Office is located at 123 E. Vance Street or online at www.FVArts.org.
Alston Ridge Greenway Extension to Open this Fall
The Alston Ridge Greenway expansion is set to be completed and opened by mid-October. This one-mile trail extension will connect the existing greenway at Alston Ridge Park to the Bass Lake Greenway network, providing a pedestrian and cyclist connection between Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs. The greenway is partially funded through a Locally Administered Project Program.
A Dash More News
Launched this year, the Fuquay-Varina MicroLink program is an on-demand microtransit service that has already surpassed 10,000 rides with a 4.9-star rating. The service operates within designated zones on weekdays from 6 am to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 7 am to 8 pm.
Kelly Gordon began her role as Economic Development Director for the town in mid-July. Ms. Gordon joins the town with over 20 years of experience in business development, economic programming, grant acquisition, and strategic planning across the Ohio River Valley region.
The Fuquay-Varina Police Department has successfully completed its second NCLM Risk Review—an achievement held by fewer than 12 of the state’s 200+ agencies. Notably, it is only the second department in NC to hold this alongside CALEA and NCLEA accreditations. These voluntary accreditations signify the FVPD’s dedication to best practices, continuous improvement, and accountability to the community.
The inaugural class of the Citizens Planning Academy graduated this summer! Participants spent four weeks exploring the essentials of planning and code compliance. The program received fantastic feedback, and the Planning Department will host another session this fall.
