By Kay Whatley, Editor
This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond (Inner Coastal Plains-Five County area of Eastern NC). While most listed events are free happenings, some ticketed events may be included. Events may be rescheduled, delayed by weather, canceled, times adjusted, or locations changed without our knowledge. Contact organizers directly for updates. Events may be added/updated by emailing details to the Editor.
**Due to the snow received in Eastern NC January 3-4, 2018, note that events may be canceled. Check with organizers directly.**
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Artist Reception with Denise White & Judith Glover
Thursday, January 4, 2018 @ 5:30-7pm
Come for this reception and see creations by two local artists. There is no admission fee and light refreshments will be served. Held at the Nash County Arts Council, 100 E Washington Street, Nashville NC. To see this and other Arts Council January events, visit the Nash County Arts Council Facebook page. The exhibit will be open through January 31, 2018.
Christmas Bird Count
December 14, 2017 – January 5, 2018
For the 118th year, the National Audubon Society is organizing its annual Christmas Bird Count. Participate from wherever you are. For more information and to find a count near you visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Field School: Birds of a Feather
January 5, 2018 @ 10am-noon
Held at Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh NC. Drop off program for ages 7-14. Fee is $8 per child; adults are welcome to stay. Bring the children for National Bird Day and learn about area birds and their habitats. Registration is required, and may be done here.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturday, January 6, 2018 @ 10am-noon
Pick up local produce and products at the Wake Forest Farmers Market, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. There will be live music, fresh food, “and lots of kindness.” See seasonal offerings on this event page.
Brown Bag Lunch
January 6, 2018 @ 11am-12:30pm
Having a tough time and in need of food for yourself or your loved ones? Pick up lunch, at no cost, at Zebulon United Methodist Church, 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. See www.zumchurch.org.
Koi Pond Pig Pickin’ and Chowder Cooking Contest
Saturday, January 6, 2018 @ 2pm-midnight
Held at the Koi Pond Brewing Company, 1107 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC. Join the fun and celebrate their second anniversary celebration with live music, chowder, and a pig pickin’. Sign up your chowder cooking teams (limited spaces) by email. First-come-first-serve for teams and for pig. Koi Pond is online at koipondbrewingcompany.com.
Washington NC Haunted Tour
January 6, 2017 @ 7-8pm; ticket sales 6:45pm
An exclusive tour of the haunted courtroom of the old Beaufort County Courthouse’s haunted courtroom is planned. Tickets will be for sale at Harding Square, Washington NC, 6:45-7pm. Tickets will be $10 per person, cash only, no reservations. The group will then walk to the old courthouse for an hour-long visit. Hear historical information, and the account of Reverend Carawan — who is believed to haunt the courthouse. There will be Q&A, photographs, and exploration of the haunted courtroom. See updates at www.facebook.com/WashingtonHaunts.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Oak City Turns 2
Sunday, January 7, 2018 @ noon-8pm
Help Oak City Brewing Company, 616 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC, to celebrate their second anniversary. There will be abonfire, live music, and a mini food truck rodeo. Updates may be posted on their Facebook page.
Coming Soon
Friendships & Soul-Ties
January 13, 2018 @ 1-3pm
Open to all teenagers. Hosted by Love One Another, this gathering’s location is the SIRI Event Venue, 3456 Airport Blvd NW, Wilson NC. What is a Friendship? Is he/she really your friend? Are you a good friend? Soul-ties…What is that? Is it something you need to know about? Will it affect the way you choose who you let enter into your life? Come and find out the answers for yourself. Enjoy a good message — Speaker is Darron O’Neal. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are free; reserve a ticket here.
Finally Friday Movie
Friday, January 26, 2018 @ 5:30-9pm
Enjoy food, live music, science stations, and the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Held at the WRAL 3D Theater, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh NC. The museum’s expert, Patrick Treuthardt of the Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab will be on-hand to talk about the movie science. Fee is $2 per ticket for museum members, $5 per ticket for non-members. See details on this event page.
DreamFest 2018 Live
January 27, 2018 @ 8:30am-2pm (note new start time)
The live “Shark Tank-like” event is being held at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, 108 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. Hosted by Upper Coastal Plain Business Development Center, tickets will be sold for those interested in watching the event and being part of the audience. In addition to the main event, two speakers are scheduled. Audience tickets are $25 per person, available via dreamfest2018.info. Also on that site, enter to win a free ticket to the event, a $25 value. Winning names will be drawn January 4, 2018.
DreamFest 2018 will begin with registration and festivities in Historic Downtown Wilson. Historic Downtown Wilson restaurants and retail stores will be open for business, food trucks will be out, and downtown will be alive with much anticipation, music, dance, marching bands, and more.
Then, settle in at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center and hear two fabulous speakers talk about their journeys in the development of their businesses. Learn from speakers Ken Adelglass (Waxhaw Kid Coders) and Julius Tillery (Farmers of Color).
Around 11:30am, the business dreamers pre-selected will give their Oral Presentations to judges. The judges will rate the oral presentations, add the small business plan scores, and come up with the top three winners. Winners will be announced in the afternoon.
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 or staff. Any highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event or knowledge of offerings.
Originally published January 2; updated January 4, 2018 following snow fall.
