🍁 Happy Saturday! It's Alexis, who considers Sept. 1 the start of fall and changes her home decor to fit the vibe faster than the leaves change colors.

🌧️ Today's weather: Showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 88 and a low of 71.

🎂 Happy birthday to our members Jeff Bechtold, Scott Huffman, Dana Gruber, Susan Dosier and Cindy Booke!

This newsletter has 658 words and is a 2.5 minute read.

Fall activities aren't waiting for the weather to cool down — and with festivals, pumpkin patches and haunted attractions on the calendar, neither should you.

Here are six things in and around Charlotte to add to your fall bucket list.

• 😱 Face your fears at SCarowinds from now through Nov. 1.
• 🇩🇪 Celebrate Oktoberfest at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Mecktoberfest this weekend.
• 🌽 Find your way out of Hall Family Farm starting Sept. 18.
• 🎨 Surround yourself with local art at Festival In The Park Sept. 25-27.
• 🎊 Harken back to ye olde times at Carolina Renaissance Festival Oct. 3-Nov. 22.
• 🎃 Marvel at the Great Pumpkin Wall in Elizabeth Oct. 25-Nov. 1.

Full fall guide

Speaking of fall events, the 2026 Yiasou Greek Festival is back in Dilworth this weekend.

What to expect: The festival one of Charlotte's largest cultural events bringing traditional Greek food, including festival favorites like Greek pizza and souvlaki, plus dancing, music and vendors.

If you go: The Yiasou Greek Festival is at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (600 East Blvd.). Save their map for later if you decide to stop by.

• It runs 11am-10pm today and 11am-6pm tomorrow.
• Tickets are $5. Admission is free for children under 12.

More weekend events

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Nothing says fall quite like football. Cheer for the Carolina Panthers from the stands or your living room starting with their regular home opener tomorrow.

If you go: The team is scheduled to play nine regular-season home games at Bank of America Stadium. 

🗓️ Upcoming home games:

• Sept. 13 — Chicago Bears
• Oct. 4 — Detroit Lions
• Oct. 25 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Nov. 8 — Denver Broncos
• Nov. 22 — Baltimore Ravens
• Dec. 13 — New Orleans Saints
• Dec. 20 — Cincinnati Bengals
• Jan. 3 — Seattle Seahawks
• TBD — Atlanta Falcons

Where to park and pregame with the homies

If your fall plans call for a coffee run, then check out this new shop in downtown Concord.

Context: Sisters and co-owners Karlee McBride-Webber and Kayla McBride, a guard for the Minnesota Lynx, designed their 1122 Coffee Co. to feel like an extension of their house.

• The name "1122" comes from the number of the childhood home address in Erie, Pennsylvania. Growing up in a basketball family, Karlee and Kayla traveled often and made a point to seek out local coffee shops instead of chains, inspiring them to open a place of their own.

What to expect: The menu features lattes, cappuccinos and espresso drinks made with locally roasted coffee, North Carolina ingredients and house-made syrups.

• Signature drinks include the blueberry-vanilla 1122 Latte, matcha topped with blueberry cold foam and a brown sugar honey latte sweetened with brown sugar and honey.

Stop by: Find 1122 Coffee Co. at 25 Barbrick Ave SW Suite 103. It's open Monday 7am-5pm, Wednesday-Saturday 7am-5pm and Sunday 8am-1pm and closed Tuesday.

Take a look around

😔 I'm sad that one of my favorite fall events, Charlotte International Arts Festival, won't return this year.

🕯️ Alex's favorite fall activity is lighting a pumpkin-y candle and eating seasonal Trader Joe's snacks while the Panthers are on.

🍁 McKenzie's favorite fall activity is leaf peeping on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

🎃 Ashley is excited for the Great Pumpkin Wall.

Thanks to Jen Burkett for editing this newsletter.