The Weekender is proudly presented by zMAX Dragway, home of the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals taking place this weekend. Tickets start at $35 and kids 12 and under get in free.  To get your tickets, click here.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

82. Scattered thunderstorms. 37% chance of rain.

Scarowinds Season Opening at 14523 Carowinds Blvd.: You know that spooky season is right around the corner once Scarowinds opens. It’s the time of year when Carowinds transforms from a “theme park” into a “scream park.” More than 500 monsters, ghosts and goblins will roam freely around the park, so enter if you dare. Select nights from September 17 through October 31. $39.99. Details.

DeWalt National Hot Rod Association Carolina Nationals at 5555 Concord Pkwy S.: Start your engines for the return of one of drag racing’s most exciting weekends. Tickets give fans up-close access to the drivers and crews. September 17-19. 3-day pass: $99+; Kids: Free. Details.

Healthy Weeknight Meals with Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen at 4001 Yancey Rd.: Cooking healthy doesn’t have to be hard. Join Chef Alyssa in learning how to prepare seared snapper with cucumber raita sauce, stir-fried rice with local English peas, cabbage and carrots and herb and feta stuffed roast chicken topped with marinated tomatoes. 10:30am to 1pm. $70. Details.

Mecktoberfest Weekend One The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd.: This year’s Mecktoberfest is being divided into two separate weekends. Guests can expect live music in the 10.5-acre Biergarten and authentic German-fare like pork schnitzel, German potato salad, and Bavarian pretzels with Copper bier cheese. 11am to 11pm. Free. Details.

CEENTACares Classic Golf Tournament Emerald Lake Golf Club, 9750 Tournament Drive: Play 18 holes of golf on a beautiful championship layout course. All proceeds will benefit Phillips Academy. 11am. $150. Details.

Petty Thieves One Year Anniversary Party at 413 Dalton Ave., Suite B: Join Petty Thieves Brewing in celebrating its one-year anniversary with a weekend-long lineup of festivities. There will be a Friday night market, beer releases, live music, food trucks and contests. September 17-19. Free. Details.

Charlotte FC Block Party at 6210 Old Pineville Rd.: Charlotte Football Club is kicking off National LatinX Heritage Month with a night of music, food trucks, face-painting, games plus special Charlotte FC guest appearances. 6-9pm. Free. Details.

Cordovas at The Music Yard 2433 South Blvd.: Head to The Music Yard to catch American rock band, Cordovas perform a mix of Grateful Dead covers and original tunes. 6-11pm. $5-$100. Details.

FixaPlate at 2901 Romare Bearden Drive: This immersive theatrical experience allows participants to discuss the history of gentrifying a southern city over a shared meal. 7-9:30pm. $35. Details.

Delicious & De-Lovely at Common Market Plaza Midwood at 2007 Commonwealth Ave.: Join Queer Society Charlotte for a fun live performance featuring hostess Ms. Cici Deelite and Tallulah Van Dank. 8-11pm. Free. Details.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

86. Isolated thunderstorms. 37% chance of rain.

Flow Fest at the Whitewater Center at 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.: Flow through a variety of yoga practices and workshops, great for first-timers and seasoned yogis. Free, registration required. Details.

I Dream at Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St.: This performance by Opera Carolina tells the compelling story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, figures who led the movement that would change the nation. September 18 & 19; showtimes vary. $30-$100. Details.

OrthoCarolina 10K & 5K Classic: Lace up your running shoes to run/walk one of the best 10K and 5K courses in Charlotte. There will also be a kid’s dash as well as food trucks and beer samplings from local breweries. 7:15am. $34.99-$49.99. Details.

South End Rail Trail Clean-Up at 129 New Bern Street: Give back to the South End community by cleaning up around the Rail Trail. Clean-up supplies will be provided. 10am to noon. Free, registration required. Details.

Hot Glass Alley Annual Pumpkin Patch at 438 Atando Ave.: Hand-blown glass pumpkins will be on display and available for purchase. And stick around for glass-blowing demonstrations to see how the pumpkins are made. 10am to 4pm; Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Free. Details.

Cornhole Tournament Presented by Protagonist at 227 Southside Drive, Unit A: Register with a partner and get ready to show off your cornhole skills. Each team will receive two $10 gift cards to Protagonist just for participating, and the 1st place team will receive a $500 gift card to Protagonist. If you prefer not to compete, there will be a DJ, bar games, and cold Protagonist beer and cocktails. 11am $20. Details.

Skiptown September Pool Party at 222 Rampart St.: Bring your pup to Skiptown for the ultimate pool party. Each Saturday and Sunday this month, there will be inflatable pools and sprinklers for the pups and bubble blasters in the main yard. 11am to 8pm: Saturday & Sunday. Free admission (for humans). Details.

Fido Fest at 1111 Metropolitan Ave.: The Metropolitan has partnered with local animal shelters and small businesses to host an afternoon celebrating your four-legged friends. There will be pet adoptions, pet-inspired face painting, balloon twisting, pet-themed caricature art, and mini photo sessions with BARKography. 11am to 3pm. Free. Details.

Charlotte’s Arab Outreach Festival at 1817 Central Ave.: Learn about Arab culture through fun festivities like a bazaar flea market, food & desserts, henna, kids’ activities and music. 11am to 5pm. Free. Details.

Blackhawk Hardware’s Expansion Extravaganza 4225 Park Rd.: To celebrate its 12,000 square foot, two-story expansion, Blackhawk Hardware is throwing a party with live music, bounce houses, Big Green Egg demonstrations and circus performers (including chainsaw jugglers). 11am to 6pm. Free. Details.

Starving Artist Market Pop-Up at Summit Seltzer at 2215 Thrift Rd., Suite B: Shop from more than 20 local vendors, enjoy refreshing drinks and take in views of the skyline. Noon to 5pm. Free. Details.

John Leslie Breck: American Impressionist Opening Weekend Celebration at 500 South Tryon St.: This latest exhibit from The Mint Museum Uptown features the works of John Leslie Breck, most of which have not been on public view in more than a century. 1-5pm. Free. Details.

2nd Annual Queen City HBCU Cookout at Park Road Park, 6220 Park Rd.: Join fellow HBCU alumni from Charlotte and surrounding areas for food, fun and fellowship at one of the largest HBCU takeovers in the Queen City. 2-6pm. $12-$25. Details.

31st Latin American Festival at Symphony Park at 4400 Sharon Rd.: This two-day festival will feature live performances, visual artists, authentic Latin American cuisine and handmade crafts. Saturday 5-10pm; Sunday noon to 8pm. $25 on Saturday; Free on Sunday. Details.

Aw Shucks Farm’s 4th Annual Carolina Corn Fest at 3718 Plyler Mill Rd.: Head to Aw Shucks farm for its annual food festival celebrating everything corn. It’ll feature live bands, arts and crafts, corn mazes, and of course, corn. 5-10pm. $16 pre-sale, $20 day-of. Details.

Jam Session feat. Jackson Fig by The Music Yard at 2433 South Blvd.: Catch a vibe at The Music Yard’s first-ever jam session featuring psychedelic rock group Jackson Fig. 5-10pm. Free, RSVP required. Details.

Full Moon Paddle at 724 Elm Ave., Mt. Holly: Watch the moon rise as you kayak on this scenic, undisturbed section of the Catawba River. This adventure is for beginners to experienced paddlers. September 18-20; 7:30 p.m. $45. Details.

Armored Cow Brewing Comedy Night at 8821 JW Clay Blvd., Suite 1: Have a beer while you have a laugh. Headlining the show is Mike Speengerg, featuring Andre Copeland and hosted by Lauren Ansley. 8-10pm. $15. Details.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

87. Partly cloudy. 24% chance of rain.

Wake Up Meditation and Stretch by Mood House at 2400 Park Rd., Suite A: Start your Sunday with a morning meditation and gentle stretch session, great for all levels. Bring a mat and some water. 8:30-9:15am. $10 for non-members; free for members. Details.

Gameday at The Yard at 2433 South Blvd.: Watch the Panthers game on The Music Yard’s big screen. There will be drink specials, food and music from DJ Trife during commercials. Noon to 8:30pm. Free. Details.

Drag Brunch by The Vanity House Tailgate Party at 200 East Bland St., A: Tailgate with the divas of The Vanity House. Tickets include brunch and a drag show. Noon. $10. Details.

Yoga on the Rooftop by Harvey B. Gantt Center at 551 South Tryon Street: Join yoga instructor Sajeedah Jones “SJ” on the rooftop of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for an energizing and inspiring yoga session that will get you in the right mindset to start your week on the right foot. Following the practice, you can treat yourself to a self-guided tour of the Gantt Center’s galleries. Bring a mat or towel. 12:30pm. $10, free for members. Details.

Panthers vs. New Orleans at Saints Bank of America Stadium: Cheer on the Panthers as they take on the Saints for their second regular-season game. 1pm. $39+. Details.

An Evening With Gabrielle Union at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square: Actress and tv personality, Gabrielle Union will lead a conversation about her newest book, You Got Anything Stronger? that will leave you feeling empowered and inspired. Tickets include a copy of Union’s book. 7 p.m. $45. Details.

Punchlines at Pinhouse at 2306 Central Ave.: Laugh away the Sunday scaries at Pinhouse’s monthly comedy showcase. The lineup includes national touring headliner EJ Nonstop plus the incredibly funny Saseddrick and Evan Pittfield. 7-10pm. $15. Details.

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Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email [email protected].

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