By Kay Whatley, Editor
This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond. Piedmont and Coastal events are sometimes on this weekly list. 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. Events may be added/updated.
Feel free to email event notices to the editor.
Be sure to check out our Independence Day events list at greyareanews.com/…/nc-independence-day-events-2017.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Wilson Farmers Market (June 28, 2017 @ 7:30am-noon)
This market is open from the end of April through August at two locations, depending on day of the week. Wednesdays (8am-1pm), the market is open at 207 W Green Street, Wilson NC. Saturdays (7:30am-noon), the market is at the Hwy 301, Wilson County Fairgrounds on Highway 301, Wilson NC. Updates are posted here.
Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants (June 28, 2017 @ 11am-noon)
This educational walk teaches about edible and medicinal plants in NC Piedmont, how to identify them, and how to use them. Hosted at Kateras, 128 Garnet Lane, Clayton NC. There is a $10 fee per family, or $5 per individual. See more about the Kateras village and its educational workshops at www.facebook.com/Yeargan.
Wednesday Hemp Day (June 28, 2017 @ 6-11pm)
Held at THE BLOCK Off Biltmore, 39 S Market Street, Asheville NC. Live music,CBD massage, extracts to try, hemp ales, and CBD oil information. Admission is free. See more on the Hemp Day series of events on the Carolina Hemp Company’s Facebook events list.
The Lost Colony (June 28, 29 & 30, 2017)
Outdoor theatre drama showcases Roanoke Island area history at the Historic Waterside Theatre, 1409 National Park Drive, Manteo NC. Ticket prices vary, with adult tickets $20-$35 and kids’ tickets offered at lower prices. See details and buy tickets at thelostcolony.org.
Fayetteville SwampDogs Baseball (Home Games: June 28, June 30, & July 1, 2017 @ 7:05pm)
Enjoy a baseball game at “The Swamp” — J.P. Riddle Stadium, 2823 Legion Rd, Fayetteville NC. See full schedule at www.goswampdogs.com.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Food Truck Thursday (June 29, 2017 @ lunch & dinner)
Stop by to purchase lunch 11:30am-1:30pm or dinner 6-8pm near the Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC. Food trucks arranged weekly at the park. See the full schedule on the town website here. Next date is dinnertime only on July 20, 2017 with live music.
Sprinkler Fun Days (June 29, 2017 @ 3-4pm)
The Bridge Church presents this event every Thursday through mid-August. Held at Cornerstone Commons, 200 S Center Street, Goldsboro NC. Beat the heat this summer. Supervised by the City of Goldsboro Fire Department. See www.dgdc.org/events.
Art Walk Reception and Auction (June 29, 2017 @ 6:30-8pm)
Held at Wine & Beer 101-Wendell, 17 N Main Street, Wendell NC and organized by the Town of Wendell. Paintings on display at Wine and Beer 101, starting at 5pm. Art starts at minimum bid of $50. Proceeds of the judged paintings will go back to the Wendell Appearance Commission for public art projects. The Tookies Grill food truck will be at the event site. Questions, contact Patrick Reidy at 919.365.4448 or preidy@townofwendell.com. (This event was originally scheduled May 13, 2017.)
Small Business Celebration (June 29, 2017 @ 6pm)
Held at Rose Hill Conference Center, 3815 Rose Hill Lane, Nashville NC, this Celebration features activities, recognition of our past Small Business of the Month Winners, and business awards. The People’s Choice Award gives attendees a chance to vote during the evening. The celebration will provide our business community a chance to do a full night of networking and really celebrate our small business community. Tickets are $40 for Member, $50 for non-members. The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce ticket link is here.
Center Street Jam (June 29, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
Come and enjoy this free, after-hours summer concert series in Downtown Goldsboro, with music, cold drinks, delicious food from local vendors, kids activities, and more. Bring a lawn chair, dancing shoes, and friends and family. See more details at www.dgdc.org/events. Next date is July 13, 2017.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Soul Sistas The Musical: Dinner Theatre (June 30 & July 1, 2017)
Spend an evening 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. Show tickets and times listed here.
Pokemon Friday Night Tournaments (June 30, 2017 @ 6:30pm)
Held at Uncle Sleepys Sports Memorabilia and Supplies, 6204 Main Street, Bailey NC. This location holds Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon Tournaments. See more on the shop’s Facebook page.
Outdoor Movie Night (June 30, 2017 @ 7pm)
Knightdale Parks, Recreation & Cultural Programs hosts this Series. Movies are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket and/or chairs for comfort. The series will be held at the Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC. Movie will begin at dusk. “Doors” open before dusk so get there early, settle in, and check out the concessions too. Next date is July 7, 2017. See more at www.knightdalenc.gov.
Final Friday: X-Men (June 30, 2017 @ 5:30-9pm)
Head over to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh NC, for this Final Friday event. Admission is $5 per person. Doors open at 5:30pm. Movie and presentations begin at 7pm. Music plus science stations, and food/drink available for purchase. Recommended for ages 12 and up. See schedule at naturalsciences.org/calendar/final-fridays.
Lawn Chair Theatre (June 30, 2017 @doors open 7pm, movie 8:30pm)
Held on the Imperial Centre lawn, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Be sure to bring a lawn chair! Kids activities available before the free movie showing. Additional dates July 14, and July 28, 2017. See imperialcentre.org/events/lawn-chair-theater.
Gospel Music Night (June 30, 2017 @ 7-10pm)
SaYum Jamaican Restaurant, 408 E Nash Street, Wilson NC, is holding this Gospel Night. Dinner available for sale, with live gospel music performed by Wilson local musicians.
Carolina Mudcats Baseball (Home Games: June 30, 2017 @ 7pm)
Come and root for the home team at Five County Stadium, 1501 NC-39, Zebulon NC. Home games often include special promotions and Friday fireworks. See full schedule online here.
Movies on the Farm: “Ingredients” (June 30, 2017 @ 7:30-10pm)
Held at the Raleigh City Farm, 800 N Blount Street, Raleigh NC. Come out for a free, family-friendly documentary film screening under the stars. Movie: Ingredients. Movie begins at 8:30pm. There will be concessions available for purchase. Event series (Movies on the Farm) information and future dates at raleighcityfarm.org/movies-on-the-farm.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Wilson Farmers Market (July 1, 2017 @ 7:30am-noon)
This market is open from the end of April through August at two locations, depending on day of the week. Wednesdays (8am-1pm), the market is open at 207 W Green Street, Wilson NC. Saturdays (7:30am-noon), the market is at the Hwy 301, Wilson County Fairgrounds on Highway 301, Wilson NC. Updates are posted here.
Wendell Farmers Market (July 1, 2017 @ 8am-noon)
This market includes produce and goods from local farmers and crafters. Held at the corner of Pine Street and Wendell Boulevard, Wendell NC. Check schedule/updates on their Facebook page.
Rocky Mount Farmers Market (July 1, 2017 @ 8am-1pm)
The market is located at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC. The market is open Saturdays (8am-1pm) from April to November. During summer months — June, July, and August — the market is also open on Wednesdays (8am-1pm). Updates are posted to this Facebook page.
Tarboro Home Grown Hand Made Market (July 1, 2017 @ 8am)
This farmers market is open the first and third Saturdays of the month. The location is 500 N Main Street, Tarboro NC. Updates may be posted on their Facebook page here.
Franklin County Farmers Market (July 1, 2017 @ 8am-1pm)
Held outdoors at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg NC, this market is open Saturdays (8am-1pm), Tuesdays (9am-1pm), and Fridays (9am-1pm). Updates are posted on their Facebook page.
“ZFFM” — Zebulon Farm Fresh Market (July 1, 2017 @ 9am-1pm)
ZFFM is open Saturdays from May to October 2017. The location is the Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC — just across Arendell Avenue from the Food Lion plaza. See market updates and weekly themes on their Facebook page.
Clayton Farm and Community Market (July 1, 2017 @ 9am-1pm)
Held at 348 E Main Street, Clayton NC. This market has two seasons: Regular Season runs Saturdays through October, and Winter Season is every-other Saturday November through March. See more on their Facebook page.
Stepping Into The Past (July 1, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
This weekly series focuses on demonstrations and displays of traditional / old-time processes. This presentation is included with museum admission. Confirm topic and details at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. Held at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church Street, Kenly NC. Next date is July 8, 2017 (ice cream social).
Brown Bag Lunches (July 1, 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.
Festival for the Eno 2017 (July 1-4, 2017)
This annual festival is being held at 4404 Guess Road, Durham NC. More than 60 artists/musicians on four stages across the festival. Plus, crafts, food trucks, farming/clean energy information, demonstrations, and more. Tickets range from $23-35, with teen/kid tickets for less. See details at www.enofest.org.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Tobs Baseball (July 2 & 4, 2017 @ 6pm)
July 2 is “Bang for Your Buck Sunday” with $1 hot dogs, $1 popcorn, and $1 snow cones. July 4 is fireworks. Head over to from Fleming Stadium, 300 Stadium Street SW, Wilson NC, for a Tobs home game. See game times and more at wilsontobs.com.
Sunday in the Park (July 2, 2017 @ 6-8pm)
Enjoy a concert at Dorothea Dix Park-Harvey Hill, 693 Palmer Drive, Raleigh NC. Bring a blanket or short lawn chairs and enjoy the music. Register for this free event at www.eventbrite.com. For refreshments, Food Trucks will be on-site.
Coming Soon
Be sure to check out our Independence Day events list
at greyareanews.com/…/nc-independence-day-events-2017.
2017 Outdoor Movie Series: The Sandlot (July 6, 2017 @ 8-10pm)
Held on the back lawn of the Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W Garner Road, Garner NC. Free outdoor movie starting at sunset, around 8pm. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfort. The 2017 Outdoor Movie Series is presented by Downtown Garner, the Town of Garner, Planet Fitness, and Home Towne Realty. No pets. Parents are asked to use discretion when deciding to bring children under age 13. In case of rain, the movie will be cancelled, so watch this event on Facebook for updates. See more about this event at downtowngarner.com/event/outdoor-movie-fantastic-beasts. Next movie date is August 3, 2017.
RMT’s Downtown Live! (July 6, 2017 @ 6-8:30pm)
Free outdoor concert featuring Spare Change. Held on the lawn at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Doors open at 5pm. Food and beverages available for purchase. No coolers. For more information, go to www.downtownrockymount.com or call 252.972.1266. Next date is July 20, 2017.
Seniors Ice Cream Social and Movie Day (July 7, 2017 @ 2-3:30pm)
Enjoy movie and ice cream at this special senior event. Held at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Fee is $2 per person. Call Zebulon Parks and Rec at 919.823.0432 for movie title. See town happenings at www.townofzebulon.org.
Summer Night Lights (July 7, 2017 @ 6-8pm)
The city of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department presents this free block-party style program every Friday night through August 18. Join the fun outside with sports, a DJ, inflatables, and more at a city park. July 7 the fun is in Branch Street Park, 1731 Branch Street, Rocky Mount NC. Questions, call 252.972.1151. Future date is July 14, 2017 in Martin Luther Park, 800 E Virginia Avenue. See schedule here.
Bluegrass Picnic Summer Series (July 8, 2017 @ 5-7pm)
Hear local artists live at these free, family-friendly, alcohol-free outdoor concerts. Held at J. Ashley Wall Town Square, Wendell NC. Future dates are August 12, 2017, and September 9, 2017.
Night Sky Over Hatteras (July 11, 2017 @ 9-10pm)
Check out the night sky over Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This free skywatching night is held every Tuesday (summertime) by the National Park Service. Meet at the parking lot near ORV Ramp 43 in Buxton NC. See details, upcoming dates, and other Cape Hatteras National Seashore events at www.nps.gov/caha/…/event-details.htm.
Friday Night on White (July 14, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
The Town of Wake Forest holds free outdoor concerts along S White Street, Wake Forest NC. See details and future dates on the town website here.
Mill Music Sessions Free Concert (July 14, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
Chatham County Line plays on June 16 as part of the Rocky Mount Mills free music series. Held on the lawn at Rocky Mount Mills, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, family, and friends. Concerts are free, open to the public and are fun for all ages! No coolers; pick up a picnic dinner from one of the Mill restaurants and grab a drink from one of the local breweries and the bottle shop. Event is pet friendly. This this series and more events at www.rockymountmills.com/calendar-events. Next date is August 11, 2017.
Family Movie Night (July 14, 2017 @ 7pm)
Enjoy free family movie and popcorn on the second Friday of each month. Held at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Doors open at 6:30pm. Call Zebulon Parks and Rec at 919.823.0432 for movie title. See more on the town website at www.townofzebulon.org. Next date is August 11, 2017.
Kids’ Day (July 15, 2017* @ 11am-8pm)
*This event was rescheduled from June 24 due to weather. Join the fun at 1500 Corbett Avenue, Wilson NC. There will be games, prizes, food, drink, and a volleyball tournament presented by SweetRiches. For more information, call 252.315.8553. Fee $2-5 depending on age. Parents free with children.
Concert at Clayton Town Square (July 20, 2017 @ 5:30-9pm)
Join the crowd for a free concert in Town Square, 110 W Main Street, Clayton NC. Event begins at 5:30pm with food trucks, inflatables, vendors, and more, with live music starting at 6pm. This Clayton Downtown Development Association (CDDA) concert series offers free concerts August 17 and September 8, 2017.
RTP 180 “Biomedical Engineering” Presentation (July 20, 2017 @ 6-8pm)
Held at The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle Park NC. At RTP180 events, speakers from universities, local companies, and the community take the stage to speak about what matters to them. Doors open at 5pm for networking. Show kicks off at 6pm. The hashtag for this event is #RTP180. Tickets are free, but often “sell out” — so they always livestream from their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/TheRTPNC for those unable to attend. See future event dates and topics at www.rtp.org/program/rtp-180.
Friday Nights on the Tar (July 21, 2017)
Come and join the Town of Louisburg, Tar Bank Brewing Company, and local business sponsors for this free Summer concert Series in downtown Louisburg. The band performing is Big Fat Gap. This event is family friendly. Bring lawn chairs or blanket for comfort. No Pets. Food and beverages will be offered for sale, and there will be games to play. No coolers. See lineup and food truck information at townoflouisburg.org. Next date is August 18, 2017.
Real to Reel International Film Festival (July 26-29, 2017)
This Cleveland County (NC) Arts Council festival is held in Kings Mountain NC. See film schedule and purchase tickets at www.ccartscouncil.org/realtoreel. In addition to the regular screenings, “Real to Reel Kids Fest” screenings take place Saturday, July 29, 2017, 10am-noon.
Family Movie Night at Joyner Park (July 29, 2017 @ 8:30-10:30pm)
This Town of Wake Forest event is being held at the E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC. The town’s “free, monthly outdoor movie series features a variety of family-friendly film favorites and genres, all projected on an inflatable movie screen in the park’s amphitheater.” There will be on-site food vendors. Movie night is free and open to the public. Bring a blanket and/or chairs, and arriving early is recommended. No alcohol, smoking, or unleashed pets. (To obtain the movie title, sign up for The Week Ahead, www.wakeforestnc.gov/enews.aspx or call 919.556.7063.) If it rains, Family Movie Night will be moved inside Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White Street, in Wake Forest. Next date is August 12, 2017. See details at www.wakeforestnc.gov/family-movie-nights-at-joyner-park.aspx.
MUFON-NC Chapter Meeting (TBD Summer 2017 @ 2-5pm)
The Mutual UFO Network – North Carolina’s next chapter meets several times a year, rotating between Winston-Salem NC and other locations. Admission is usually $10, payable at the door, which includes the presentation, networking, and often door prizes. An optional dinner gathering follows meetings, for those who’d like to continue discussions. See upcoming announcements at www.mufon-nc.com.
Family Movie Series (August 12, 2017 @ 8:15pm)
Come and watch a free movie on the football field at Rolesville Middle School, 4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville NC. Concessions available. See more on this and other events at secure.rec1.com/NC/town-of-rolesville/catalog. Future movie date is September 15, 2017.
Winterville Watermelon Festival (August 24-26, 2017)
Held annually in Winterville NC, the festival includes entertainment, watermelon, and much more. Watch for coming schedule at www.watermelonfest.com.
North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest (September 9, 2017 @ 11am-4pm)
This spicy, 11th-annual event takes over Main Street in Oxford NC. Celebrate North Carolina hot sauces and BBQ sauces, breweries, wineries, and fiery foods. Compete, or enjoy a Classic Car Show, watch “North Carolina’s only Pepper Eating Contest” with Bailey Farms, live local bands, food trucks, children’s rides, a craft show, an Antique Farm Show with the Lord Granville Agricultural Heritage Association, and a day of family fun. See more at www.nchotsaucecontest.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 or staff.
