In partnership with
Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): Merkato Cafe’ Ethiopian Food Truck
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations: Explore the N.C. State Fair
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, San Diego!
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Daily Chuckle
• 🎁 Adventure starts close to home: Thank You For Your Gift
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?
👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.
Did someone forward you our Cary newsletter? Then subscribe here
Question: What was Cape Kennedy renamed to in 1973?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Elon's new company is private. These 3 tickers aren't.
The next Apple may already exist. Insider sources say Elon has spent two years building a secret device inside Tesla's facilities — one he claims will be "10x bigger than the largest product in history."
There's just one problem: the company is private, and unless you know Elon personally, you can't buy a single share. That was true until Guardian's research team found three public ticker symbols sitting in the launch supply chain.
Click here to see all 3 tickers, free of charge.
You won't hear these names on CNBC — Wall Street hasn't published a word on the connection. But when the launch hits September 21, that quiet ends.
Some are already calling this the biggest opportunity since AI. For anyone who missed Apple before the iPhone, this may be a second look at that kind of setup.
Merkato Cafe’ Ethiopian Food Truck
Merkato Cafe is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you’ve had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.
Merkato Cafe in Cary is a family-owned Ethiopian food truck that cooks every order from scratch, serving spiced beef and chicken tibs, slow-simmered lentil and split pea stews, and soft injera bread, with plenty of gluten-free and vegan choices for first-timers and longtime fans alike.
Check out their menu on their website: Merkato Cafe
Address: 880 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions
Merkato Cafe’ Ethiopian Food Truck
Explore the N.C. State Fair
Nothing says fall in North Carolina quite like the State Fair. From Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 25, the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh becomes the biggest event in the state, and it’s only about a 20-minute drive from Cary. Last year, close to 950,000 people came through the gates over 11 days. The fair is celebrating 158 years this fall, so chances are your parents or grandparents have a few fair stories of their own.
There’s something here for everyone. Thrill seekers can hit the midway, while the brand-new America 250 Wheel offers a calmer ride with a big payoff. At 230 feet tall, it’s the tallest wheel the fair has ever had, and the views stretch up to 14 miles. Little ones will love Kiddieland and Casey’s Big Slide, and the whole family can catch free shows like the Wild West Showdown, the One Man Band, and the Dancing Light Show. Stick around for fireworks over the Heritage Circle pond every night at 9:45 p.m. Hungry? Along with the famous deep-fried treats, the new Food Hall across from Dorton Arena and the Got to Be NC Pavilion serve up food grown and made right here at home.
Animal lovers, this part is for you. The fair hosts thousands of animals, from goats, sheep, and dairy cows at the livestock shows to horses competing at the Hunt Horse Complex. Don’t miss The Bird Man’s bird show, the Butterfly Barn, the State Fair Ark, and the giant pumpkins. Need a break? Grab a table at the SECU Family Picnic Area, enjoy some live bluegrass at Heritage Circle, or stroll through the Village of Yesteryear to watch local crafters at work. If you can make it on a weekday morning, the crowds are usually lighter and it’s easier to see the animals up close.
Good to Know:
Location: N.C. State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 | Directions
Hours: Oct. 15: noon to 11 p.m. | Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. | Oct. 18-22 and Oct. 25: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. No entry after 9:45 p.m. Hours may change in bad weather.
Amenities: Midway rides, free entertainment, Food Hall, livestock and horse shows, exhibit halls, family picnic area, restrooms, family restrooms, mothers’ rooms, first aid stations, wheelchair and stroller rentals, free parking
Entry: You need a paid ticket (available at ncstatefair.org). Kids 5 and under get in free. On Wed., Oct. 21, military members and up to 3 guests get in free with valid ID. On Thurs., Oct. 22, anyone who brings 6 cans of food gets in free.
Tip: Coming from Cary? Skip the traffic by the gates and park free at the Hwy 54 Cardinal Lot off Chapel Hill Road, just past I-40 Exit 290, then take the free shuttle. Pets aren’t allowed, but service animals are welcome. Get your hand stamped if you plan to leave and come back the same day.
Official Website: https://www.ncstatefair.org
Just curious…
What are you most excited about at the 2026 N.C. State Fair?
What We're Gifting the Men in Our Lives
Searching for the perfect gift for the man in your life? Gravité Cologne by Particle blends bright citrus, warm amber, and aromatic rosemary into a sophisticated masculine scent engineered to last all day. Bold without overpowering, it’s sure to earn compliments. Get 20% off and free shipping now with code BH20.
Hello, San Diego!
Gateway to Beaches, Balboa Park and Sunny Days
Welcome to San Diego, California, a place where palm trees sway over golden beaches, sea lions nap on the rocks, and the sun seems to shine almost every day of the year. Getting there is easy: Alaska Airlines and Breeze Airways both fly nonstop from RDU (Raleigh-Durham) to San Diego International Airport (SAN), so you can leave the Triangle in the morning and catch a Pacific sunset that evening. With its laid-back surf culture, rich Mexican-American heritage, and amazing tacos, San Diego mixes adventure, history, and good food in one easygoing city.
Why Visit San Diego?
Balboa Park:
At about 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban cultural parks in the country. Stroll past Spanish-style buildings, explore more than a dozen museums, or spend the day at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, all in one place.Old Town San Diego:
Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town is where the first European settlement in the state began in 1769. Today you can walk through restored adobe homes, browse colorful shops, listen to mariachi music, and dig into fresh tortillas made right in front of you.La Jolla Cove:
Just a short drive north of downtown, La Jolla Cove is a small, picture-perfect beach tucked between rocky cliffs. Watch sea lions and harbor seals lounge in the sun, snorkel with bright orange Garibaldi fish, or paddle a kayak into the nearby sea caves.
Travel Guides – Here are two comprehensive travel guides to help you plan your trip.
Lonely Planet: San Diego Packed with expert tips on the best things to do, top neighborhoods, easy day trips, and the best time of year to visit.
San Diego Tourism Authority (SanDiego.org) The city’s official visitor site, great for finding current events, hotel and dining ideas, and money-saving deals on attractions.
Learn about more family trips built for adventurers of all ages.
G Adventures is the leader in small group and solo travel for 30 years, they know how to do it right. Check out the Online Deals: Shop Travel Deals
Silver Has Beaten Gold Before. It's Doing It Again.
From 1974 to 1987, silver more than doubled gold's returns. After 2008, it beat gold five-fold in three years. Since March 2020, silver is up 402% against gold's 186%. Our research team's free playbook explains why, and how the team would position.
Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.
What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.
🎁 Adventure starts close to home.
If Cary Spotlight has made you smile, sparked a conversation, or helped you find a new favorite spot, consider a small gift to keep the good going.
Choose the option that's most convenient for you:
📅 Planning your week in Cary?
To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead with access to today’s events and next week! See Upcoming Events
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A) Cape Canaveral
Cape Kennedy was renamed back to its original name, Cape Canaveral, in 1973. President Lyndon B. Johnson had renamed the landmark Cape Kennedy in November 1963 to honor the late President John F. Kennedy, but the change was deeply unpopular with local residents who wanted to preserve the 400-year-old historic name.
Learn more: Cape Canaveral