By Kay Whatley, Editor
This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond. Contact information or RSVP deadlines, where applicable, have been included. Events below range from free happenings (majority) to mid-level and ticketed events.
Event information comes from organizers, event postings, and emailed announcements. Attempts are made to verify events from confirmed sources, or multiple sources when possible.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
West Marine Carolina Cup (April 19-23, 2017)
The world’s largest gathering of professional and amateur standup paddleboard athletes. Presented by Surftech, the five-day West Marine Carolina Cup takes place in Wrightsville Beach NC. All races, clinics, demos, plus the expo and trade show will originate at the host hotel, Blockade Runner Beach Resort. Details may be found at wrightsvillebeachpaddleclub.com/carolina-cup.
Egg Drop (April 20, 2017 @ 4pm)
All ages are invited to the Egg Drop and to use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to protect an egg from going splat. Storytime STEM Program and Egg Drop take place at Black Creek Branch Library, 103 Central Avenue, Black Creek NC. Call 252.237.3715 with questions. Note that this library is part of the Wilson County Public Library system.
Teen Movie Night (April 20, 2017 @ 4pm)
The next Teen Movie Day at the Lucama branch (103 E Spring Street, Lucama NC is a showing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. More information on Wilson County Public Library movies and events may be found on their website, www1.youseemore.com/wilsoncountypl. For more information, contact Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257.
Theatre at Barton presents “My Fair Lady” (April 20-23, 2017)
This Kennedy Family Theatre event is at Barton College, 200 Atlantic Christian College Drive W, Wilson NC. My Fair Lady presentations are Thursday-Sunday at varying times. Tickets are $5-12 online at web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/30005.
Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival (April 20-22, 2017)
Enjoy a festival in a birder’s paradise during the height of the spring neotropical songbird migration. You might catch a glimpse of a Swainson’s warbler and Wayne’s warbler, two of North America’s most secretive birds. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk/Chesapeake, Virginia is a birder’s paradise with more than 200 types of birds either residing here or just passing through. The festival is part of International Migratory Bird Day, which celebrates the incredible journeys of migratory birds between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central and South America.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Town of Nashville Creekside Music Series (April 21, 2017 @ 6:30-8:30pm)
Evening of free music presented by the Town of Nashville (NC) Parks and Recreation. Held at Stoney Creek Environmental Park, Nashville NC. Matty Begs onstage starting at 6:30pm. Koi Pond Brewery will be there with craft beer. Sarge’s Chef and The Rib Cribb will have food available. Come enjoy food, fun, and music too. Sponsored by the Nash County Arts Council.
Retro Film Series Double Feature (April 21, 2017 @ 7pm)
Two movies for $9. The Retro Film Series movie showings are held at the Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham NC. Come and watch Terry Gilliam’s Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Monty Python’s And Now for Something Completely Different. See more at www.carolinatheatre.org/films/festivals/retro-film-series.
HerbFest (April 21-23 and April 28-30, 2017)
This 18th-annual festival returns to Wake Forest, North Carolina for two weekends in April. Come to check out herbs, learn of their uses, and pick up plants for home. To navigate to the historic downtown area where HerbFest takes place, the suggested address is 525 S White Street, Wake Forest NC. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays are 9am-6pm, Sundays 10am-4pm. To see more about this green festival, visit www.herbfest.net. No tickets are needed to attend this open, public event.
Masonic Lodge Fish Fry (April 21, 2017 @ 11am-7pm)
Held at the Rolesville Masonic Lodge 683, 207 Pulley Street, Rolesville NC. Stop by for this Flounder Fish Fry and sides — cole slaw, boiled potatoes, and hush puppies — available for dine-in or take-out. See update on their Facebook page.
RAVE ON! The Buddy Holly Experience (April 21, 2017 @ 7:30pm)
Billy McGuigan is the Buddy Holly interpreter, and is returning to The Dunn. Experience features hits including Peggy Sue, That’ll Be the Day, and Rave On. Held at the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount NC. Tickets are $25 and available here.
Downtown Smithfield Wine Walk (April 21, 2017 @ 5-9pm)
The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation is hosting this eighth-annual Wine Walk, a wine tasting to raise money for Harbor and its programs. “Sip to Stop Domestic Violence” as walkers visit eighteen participating businesses to sample a different wine at each location. Walkers begin at Harbor Shelter’s Pizazz, 119 N Third Street, Smithfield NC, where tickets will be available for $20 per person. Registration available here.
The Ava Gardner Museum will be showing two movies during the Smithfield Wine Walk. As described on the movies’ event posting: “Join us at 5pm to enjoy Show Boat in the museum’s theater, and if you are on the Wine Walk dropping in, the movie will be playing in the library as well. Movie will start at 5:15pm, and end around 7pm, so you can enjoy the wine walk afterwards. The second movie will start at 7:15pm, and we will be showing Mogambo, starring Ava, Clark Gable and Grace Kelly. The movie will be finished by 9pm.”
2017 TinyHouseNC Street Festival (April 21-23, 2017)
Head to Lenoir County to check out this special street festival in Pink Hill NC. See all types of Tiny Houses and even bid on one. Tickets vary from $10-$25 per person, kids free. Visit www.tinyhousencstreetfestival.com for ticketing, speaker, and vendor information, or see updates on Facebook here.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Discovery Table: Going Green (April 22, 2017 @ 8:30am-5pm)
One of four events on this date at Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh NC, this free event is a celebration of Earth Day. Come to the park center exhibit hall and learn fun facts about Earth, tips on how to reduce your ecological footprint, and how to reduce waste. “Take the Earth Day pledge and make a colorful Earth Bracelet to take home. Then go on a self-guided treasure hunt hike around the millpond to search for “gold coins” that contain earth-friendly helpful hints.” For all ages. Registration is not required. See more here.
Stepping Into The Past (April 22, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
Topic this date is Basket Weaving. There will be handmade basket demonstrations and baskets for sale. This weekly series focuses on demonstrations and displays of traditional / old-time processes. This presentation is included with museum admission. See more at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. Held at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church Street, Kenly NC.
Brown Bag Lunches (April 22, 2017 @ 11am-12:30pm)
Just about every Saturday, Zebulon United Methodist Church provides free “brown bag lunches” to anyone who drives or walks by the church at 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. For more information on food distribution for those in need, or to volunteer, visit www.zumchurch.org.
Piedmont Farm Tour (April 22-23, 2017)
The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Weaver Street Market are hosting the 22nd-annual Piedmont Farm Tour. The self-guided tour includes 35 scenic and sustainable farms in Alamance, Chatham, Orange, and Person counties. Advance tickets are $30 per car for all farms, and $35 for day-of registration. Visitors also can visit one farm for $10. See more here. (Article)
Opening Day at Zebulon Farm Fresh Market (April 22 @ 9am-1pm)
“ZFFM” is open Saturdays from May to October 2017. This year’s location is the same: Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC — just across Arendell from the Food Lion plaza. The ZFFM opening day draws together farmers and local goods vendors, alongside a special bake sale, and Earth Day activities. The Zebulon Youth Council’s bake sale will be raising funds for the Farmer Foodshare program at Zebulon UMC. Meet local nonprofit groups, and participate in programs that help feed the community. See more here or on the ZFFM Facebook page. The opening day / Earth Day announcement by market manager Maurine Brown may be read here.
Franklin County North Carolina International Film Festival (April 22, 2017 @ 10:30am-5pm)
This third-annual festival includes a red carpet photo session at 10:30am to kick the day off at Franklin County Arts Council’s headquarters at 22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC. An exciting lineup of thirteen films from around the world are on the program to be screened throughout the day; a closing award ceremony will begin at 4:30pm. Popcorn, candy and drinks will be provided. While this is a free event, donations to Franklin County Arts Council will be happily accepted. More information can be found at the website, www.fciff.org.
Author Visit: Jeremy Whitley (April 22, 2017 @ 1-3pm)
Meet the Creator of Princeless and writer for Marvel’s Unstoppable Wasp. Held in the Warner Room at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257.
Flea Market and Craft Fair (April 22, 2017 @ 8am-2pm)
The Bailey Chamber of Commerce’s outdoor shopping experience is coming up this weekend. Head to 6488 Main Street, in Bailey NC, where you’ll find a large area — across from Piggly Wiggly’s parking lot — filled with vendors. This event will be held on Saturday, rain or shine. Plan accordingly. In addition to the flea market and craft vendors, the Bailey Chamber will be selling Spring Raffle tickets. Proceeds from the Flea Market and Craft Fair vendor space fees, and Raffle tickets, go to the Bailey Chamber, which uses these funds for Bailey community projects. The Bailey Chamber of Commerce is online at baileychamber.org, and on Facebook here.
Bunn Fun Day (April 22, 2017 @ 10am-4pm)
Join the fun along Railroad Street in downtown Bunn NC. Relax, eat, hear live music, and shop from local vendors. Children’s activities range from pony rides to games and barrel rides to inflatables. Visit the Town of Bunn Facebook page for updates and more information. Contact organizer Sherry Mercer via email with questions.
The Bunn Garden Club is holding a plant sale on this date. Stop by and pick up plants and support the Club.
Earth Day Festival (April 22, 2017 @ 11am-4pm)
Join this 11th-annual Earth Day Festival with local Artist, venders, local groups, and activities. Held at Truely Unique, 2006 US Highway 301 S, Wilson NC. See more at www.facebook.com/events/1417695508281346 or truelyunique.com.
Strawberry Festival (April 22, 2017 @ 9am-4pm)
Head to Technology Drive, Garner NC, for family fun, kids inflatables, food trucks, a classic car show, live music/performers, and vendors. Held by the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. See more at www.facebook.com/gcccstrawberryfestival.
Piedmont Earth Day Fair (April 22, 2017)
Support the planet and celebrate with this free community event. This Earth Day Fair is at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, 421 27th Street NW, Winston-Salem NC. The event is organized by the Piedmont Environmental Alliance and includes music, food, exhibits, and activities for all ages. Details are on the event website at www.peanc.org/EDF.
Wilmington Earth Day Festival (April 22, 2017 @ noon-6pm)
Head to Hugh MacRae Park, 314 Pine Grove Drive, Wilmington NC, for this annual Earth Day festival. There will be live music, exhibitors, food, outdoor activities, and more. See activities schedule and directions at www.wilmingtonearthday.com, or check their Facebook page for updates.
March for Science (April 22, 2017)
This new event for 2017 draws scientists and people affected by science to gather to show support for the environment. Marches are planned across the US, with six listed for North Carolina: Raleigh, Wilmington, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Asheville, and Charlotte. Visit the March for Science website at www.marchforscience.com to get details for a specific location.
“Howell Woodstock” (April 22, 2017 1-5pm)
Lots to do at this annual event at Howell Woods Environmental Education Center, 6601 Devils Racetrack Road, Four Oaks NC. (see details here).
Spring Craft Market, on April 22, 2017 @ 8am-noon)
Held at the Wake Forest Farmer’s Market, 405 S Brooks Street, in Wake Forest NC. See more about the Wake Forest Farmers Market at wakeforestmarket.org.
Spring Plant Sale (April 22, 2017 @ 9am-4pm)
The Soil Trotters Garden Club is holding this plant sale at 439 E Main Street, in Clayton NC. The Club is on Facebook here.
Herb Sale (April 22, 2017 @ 9am-noon)
Granville Gardeners are holding this herb sale at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center, 4185 US Hwy 15, Oxford NC. See more at www.thegranvillegardeners.org.
Goldsboro Community Action Day (April 22, 2017 @ 9-11am)
Pitch in downtown! Volunteers are needed to help beautify downtown. Meet at the John Street parking lot (behind the Flying Shamrock), Goldsboro NC. See more at the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. webpage, www.dgdc.org.
Franklin County Homes & Gardens Tour (April 22-23)
The Person Place Preservation Society is offering the annual tour. See more at www.personplace.org/news_events.html, or check out the homes on the tour in this PDF brochure.
SSStrong Community Day (April 22, 2017 @ 11am-1pm)
The Selma and Smithfield communities join together for a celebration with entertainment, vendors, exhibits, and activities (11am-1pm). Free event, with food available for purchase. All are welcome at Smithfield-Selma High School, 700 Booker Dairy Road, Smithfield NC. Information on the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce website here.
Arbor Day Celebration (April 22, 2017)
The Town of Wake Forest NC is holding its Arbor Day Celebration alongside a tree giveaway. Details of the day’s activities may be found here. During the tree seedling giveaway, Urban Forestry Board (UFB) members, Town staff and volunteers will distribute 800 seedlings to area residents while they last. Come early, as this year’s seedling quantity is limited due to the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Seedling varieties to be given away include buttonbush, American hornbeam, overcup oak, dogwood and Shantung maple. Held at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC.
Local nonprofit Grow And Share is holding a Garden Plant Giveaway during the Arbor Day Celebration in Joyner Park (11am-3pm or until plants are gone). Find their booth for more information on this garden-promoting nonprofit.
Riverkeeper Cup Cleanup Challenge (April 22, 2017)
This year marks the eighth-annual event. The challenge is among a series of cleanup efforts within the Twin Counties — Nash and Edgecombe counties, North Carolina — focused on land and river cleanups. The annual Riverkeeper Cup Cleanup Challenge is a competition among volunteers in Rocky Mount, Louisburg, Tarboro, Greenville and Washington. The community that collects the most trash by weight will win the coveted Riverkeeper Cup. Interested volunteers are asked to meet at the Battle Park boat ramp in Rocky Mount NC, or Shiloh landing in Tarboro NC, to receive cleanup supplies and assignments. The cleanup will be held from 8am to noon. For more information on the Riverkeeper Cup Cleanup Challenge, contact McGee at 252.467.4960.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Durham Earth Day Festival (April 23, 2017 @ noon-5pm)
Celebrate Earth Day at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham NC. In addition to environmental education activities, there will be food trucks, music, a parade, family Fun Zone, and market. Bring a water bottle for refills, and optionally a yoga mat for free yoga session(s). Paper shredding will be available for free, open to the public, 12-3pm with ProShred Security drive-through at 412 Morris St. (Measurement Incorporated Parking Lot). See planned activities at durhamnc.gov/1003/Earth-Day-Festival.
Earth Day Tree Giveaway (April 23, 2017 @ 1-4pm)
In celebration of Earth Day, “We Plant it Forward” is coming and giving away free (starter) trees this Sunday. Check out www.weplantitforward.org to learn benefits of planting trees. Held at 41 North Coffee Co., 41 N Main Street, Wendell NC.
Coming Soon
Good Reads Book Club (April 24, 2017 @ 10:30am-noon)
Come for a discussion of the book The Ballad of Tom Dooley by Sharyn McCrumb. This adult program is being held at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. If interested in becoming a member of the Book Club, contact Kesha Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253.
Angle of Imagination Art Show (April 27, 2017 @ 6-8pm)
Nash Community College’s Advertising and Graphic Design program will be holding their 8th-annual art show. Their featured artists will demonstrate their “Angle of Imagination.” Hors D’Oeuvres will be provided by the college’s culinary program, and music will be provided by a local jazz band. The show will be held in the Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College, 522 N Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount NC.
Teen Game Night (April 27, 2017 @ 5:30-7:30pm)
A variety of games will be available for play with friends or family. Held in the Teen Area and Computer Lab, Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257.
Introduction to Entrepreneurship (April 27, 2017)
Ready to start a business? Figure out those critical first steps toward entrepreneurship. Learn about researching the market and competitors, securing funds, and projecting results. Registration requested. Held at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court
Knightdale NC. Contact 919.217.5305 if interested.
Tar River Food and Wine Festival (April 27, 2017 @ 5-9pm)
Fundraising festival with food, wine, and jazz. Held at Rose Hill Plantation, 3815 Rose Hill Lane, Nashville NC. Tickets $60+fee. See details at tarriverwinefestival.com.
Money Smart Week “Estate Planning” (April 27, 2017 @ 6-7pm)
Attorney Mike Eatmon of Etheridge, Hamlett, & Murray, LLP presents Estate Planning with Q&A session. Money Smart Week is a national initiative between the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to provide financial literacy programming to help members of your community better manage their finances. This adult program is being held at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Kesha Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253.
Art Of Murder (April 28-May 12, 2017)
Check out this comedy/drama about art, retribution, and murder. Held at the Barn Dinner Theatre, 120 Stage Coach Trail, Greensboro NC. Tickets and show information available at www.barndinner.com or by calling 336.292.2211.
Eastern NC Film Festival (April 29, 2017)
This festival promotes a mix of amateur and professional filmmakers and actors. Held at Pitt Community College, in Winterville NC. Details on films and ticket availability are online at encff.com/passes-tickets.
Ivan Parker Concert (April 30, 2017 @ 6:30pm)
Come to this fifth-annual concert at Zebulon United Methodist Church, located at 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. Ivan Parker has shared his faith through music all over the world and received many awards throughout his career. Admission is free; however a love offering will be taken. Doors open at 5:30pm. For more information, call the church office at 919.269.9408 or contact Tom Evans at 919.269.8911.
Wilmington Jewish FILM Festival (April 23-25, May 2-4, 2017 and May 7-9, 2017)
Fourth-annual festival is presented “3 by 3” — three days over three weekends. Held at the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington NC. Details and ticket information may be found at www.wilmingtonjff.org. Tickets on sale starting April 1.
Shearing Day at Clover C Farm (May 13, 2017 @ 8am-3pm)
Head over to Clover C Farm, 117 Cheves Road, Bunn NC. The farm is holding their annual shearing day with Fred Pugh III, master shearer. Come and watch this “age-old management practice” as the farm harvests wool from their flock. Check out hats and other goods made from the wool and learn too. The farm is on Facebook here.
Pondapalooza (May 13, 2017)
A full day of live music, food, craft beer and good clean fun. Bring the family and settle in for the day to celebrate our community at the Rocky Mount Mills, Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC. Find out more at koipondbrewingcompany.com.
Ed. Note: Event information gathered from various sources. While attempts are made to verify data, for most events contact details are included. If you’re planning to attend an event, use contact information or event links to confirm, check for updates or changes, or verify space is available. These events are publicized by The Grey Area News, but are not events overseen by this news site.
