👋 Happy Friday! It's McKenzie.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 90 and a low of 69.

Today’s newsletter is 726 words — a 2.5-minute read.

🎃 Hello, pumpkin season. Here are 11 pumpkin patches to check out around the Charlotte area.

🎃 Bush-N-Vine Farm (York, S.C.): Pumpkins are $1.15/lb. under 5 lbs. and 69¢/lb. over 5 lbs.

🚜 Carrigan Farms (Mooresville): $8 deposit + $10 at the door per person.

🌽 Cherry Place Farm (Rock Hill, S.C.): $12 per person; free for kids under 2. No admission fee if you're just buying pumpkins.

🍩 Hall Family Farm (Lancaster, S.C.): Free admission; pumpkins are 70¢/lb.

🐐 Hodges Family Farm (Charlotte): Free admission; $5 parking on Saturdays and Sundays.

🧡 Lineberger's Maple Springs Farm (Dallas): Free admission; $8 wagon rides include a medium pumpkin.

🍎 Millstone Creek Orchards (Ramseur): $18.95 per person; free for kids under 2. Pumpkins are 75¢/lb.

🚂 Patterson Farm (Mount Ulla): Free admission to shop for pumpkins. The "Fun on the Farm" experience is ticketed separately.

👻 Shelby Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (Shelby): $17.58 farm admission.

🍕 Wise Acres (Indian Trail): Reservations required with the option to pre-order pizza.

🎶 The Union Exchange (Monroe): Reservations required Saturdays and Sundays; $5 per car on event days.

Times and ticket prices for each patch

🗓️ See what's going on around the city.

• 52nd Annual Dilworth Home Tour in Dilworth Oct 2-3: Step inside 7 homes in the annual Dilworth Home Tour, Oct 2 & 3. From a 1925 Craftsman bungalow to a 2025 transitional build, see a century of architecture! Proceeds benefit the Dilworth Community Association and a local nonprofit.
• White Duck Taco Shop Grand Opening at Lenny Boy Brewing Oct 3: Enjoy free chips + queso, Lenny Boy beer and margarita specials, and plenty of delicious tacos at the grand opening tomorrow! 
• Clint Black & Midland - Live in Concert at TD Amp Ballantyne Oct 8: Don't miss these two country artists kicking off their tour for 8 nights only. Tickets start as low as $30 plus taxes and fees!
• Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade at Belk Theater Oct 9 - 10: Music Director Kwamé Ryan opens the CSO's Classical Series with the vivid musical storytelling and a sweeping piano concerto featuring pianist Orion Weiss.
• 18th Annual Ties & Tails Gala at The Revelry at Camp North End Oct 17: Enjoy dinner, an open bar, dancing and auctions at HSC's dog-friendly Ties & Tails Gala, supporting pets and people in our community. Tickets close Oct. 2 at noon. Presented by Social Pet Hotel & Daycare.
• International House's Annual Fundraiser: A Celebration of Cultures at The Revelry North End Oct 23: Every aspect of the evening has been thoughtfully curated with live music and artifacts to create a memorable and meaningful experience. Please join us to support our impactful work.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

The murder trial for Mary Collins has continued this week, with jurors hearing detailed testimony about the injuries that led to her death. (WCNC)

A total of four teenagers have now been charged in connection with the shooting death of 4-year-old Caleb Flax. (WBTV)

🎙️Panthers legend Cam Newton is bringing his "4th&1" podcast to the Roaring Riot Tailgate on Oct. 25 at 11am ahead of the Buccaneers game. (X)

🏫 Myers Park High School principal Robert "Bob" Folk has been named Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' 2026 Principal of the Year, per CMS.

💪 Jungle in West Charlotte will open its second heated mat studio Oct. 17. (Instagram)

It's peak fall, y'all. October holds 15 major events, including arena concerts, NASCAR races, hot air balloons, cultural festivals and plenty of spooky season celebrations.

🎸 Oct. 2–3: FabFest at Knight Theater + other Charlotte venues | Friday is ticketed; Saturday is free

🩰 Oct. 2–17: Charlotte Ballet's Black Box Series at Center for Dance | $30+

🍺 Oct. 2–4: Mecktoberfest at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Ballantyne | Free

🌎 Oct. 3: Hola Charlotte Festival in Uptown | Free

🇰🇷 Oct. 3: K-Fest at Seoul Food Meat Co. + Urban District Market | Free

🏰 Oct. 3–Nov. 22: Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville | Prices vary

🏈 Oct. 3: Charlotte 49ers vs. Memphis at Jerry Richardson Stadium | Prices vary

🎤 Oct. 7–8: Olivia Rodrigo at Spectrum Center | Prices vary

📚 Oct. 10: Charlotte BookPalooza at Truist Field | $5 for adults; free for kids and teens

🏺 Oct. 10: Carolina Clay Matters Fall Pottery Festival on Monroe Road | Free

🏎️ Oct. 11: Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway | $12+

🎶 Oct. 13: Jonas Brothers at Spectrum Center | $56+

🎈 Oct. 16–18: Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville | Prices vary

🪩 Oct. 23: QC Swap's Bad Prom at Amos' Southend | $55 in advance

👻 Oct. 24–31: NoDaWeen in NoDa | Prices vary; many events are free

Full October events guide

This week's hot homes come with plenty of perks like this Plaza Midwood property with Midwood Park in its backyard.

2121 Chambwood Dr. — $1,395,000

Zoom in: 4 beds, 3.5 baths and 2,763 square feet

• Notable features include wood floors, fireplace, open layout, modern light fixtures, built-in bench seating, spacious rooms, shaded enclosed patio with a fireplace and fenced-in yard.

More homes starting at $250K

Local artist Valentin Ramirez, who goes by Dead Folks, recently completed a mural for Charlotte FC of midfielder Pep Biel at TAOH Outdoor Gallery.

Zoom in: The mural is part of the team's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Stop by: TAOH Outdoor Gallery is at 2200 N. Brevard St.

What's next: Charlotte FC's next game is Saturday, Oct. 10, at Bank of America Stadium vs. FC Dallas at 7:30pm.

🤩 I had so much fun talking about Charlotte's growth and meeting some of you at last night's event at The Artisan. Thank you to everyone who joined!

🛍️ Ashley bought a last-minute dress for a wedding at Thrift Pony.

🪩 Alex is having a really exciting birthday weekend.

🎃 Alexis is bedazzling pumpkins this weekend.

🍷 Melissa, who edited this newsletter, enjoyed hanging at Runaway last night with friends.