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, March 30, 2017
Dinner Theatre (March 30, 2017 @ 7:30pm)
The Zoo Story will be performed at Big Harold’s Diner on Thursday evenings — March 30, 2017 and April 6, 2017. Big Harold’s Diner is located at 126 Tarboro Street W, Wilson NC. Dinner at 7:30pm, with the show beginning at 8pm. Tickets $25 include dinner and the show. Call 252.291.3663 or email dulamaes@gmail.com to reserve in advance.
2017 Spring Carnival Fundraiser for Special Olympics (March 30-April 9, 2017)
Held each year in the parking lot of the Shoppes at Midway Plantation, near 6601 Knightdale Blvd, Knightdale NC. Admission and parking are free. Open Monday-Friday at 5pm, Saturday at noon, and Sunday at 1pm. This year, all-day ride wristbands are $25, with individual tickets available. This is a great fundraising opportunity to attend this carnival by Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, sponsored by the Knightdale Police Department.
RiverRun International Film Festival (March 30-April 9, 2017)
This film festival includes screenings at several locations in Winston-Salem NC. To see what’s showing and purchase tickets, visit the festival website at riverrunfilm.com.
2017 Homeschool Expo (March 30, 2017 @ 6-8pm)
Hosted by CHARM (Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount), this open-to-the-public expo is being held at Calvary Baptist Church, 505 S Englewood Drive, Rocky Mount NC. This 2017 Homeschool Expo is geared toward current and prospective homeschool families. Come and learn about homeschooling opportunities in the local area, meet other homeschool families, and find answers to questions.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Making Your Voice Heard – Advocacy Opportunity (March 31, 2017 @ 10:30am-noon)
Mary Bethel, President NC Coalition on Aging, plans to discuss Aging Related Issues Considered by the NC General Assembly, followed by a Q&A opportunity. Held at Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E Holding Avenue, Wake Forest NC.
Wilson Lions Club Vision and Hearing Screening Clinic (March 31, 2017 @ noon-6pm)
The Wilson Evening Lions Club is celebrating 95 years of serice to the Blind, Visually Impaired, Deaf & Hearing Impaired members of Wilson County. The Brighter Vision Van will be on hand, first come, first served. This event is open to everyone. Held in the parking lot of Walmart-Wilson, 2500 Forest Hills Road W, Wilson NC. See more about the Wilson Evening Lions Club and its activities at www.facebook.com/WilsonEveningLionsClub.
Horti-Couture: Fresh Flower Fashions on Stage (March 31, 2017 @ 3pm)
Floral fashion clothing/accessories “created by AIFD American Institute of Floral Designers designers and friends, inspired by the tropics of Tahiti.” Held at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Tickets $25-$30, available at eTix.
Garden Folklore Class (March 31, 2017 @ 6-7pm)
Special class held at Truely Unique, 2006 US Highway 301 S, Wilson NC. Fee is $10. See this event and more at truelyunique.com.
The Cat in the Hat (March 31, April 1 and 2, 2017)
Scheduled performances are March 31 and April 1 at 7:30pm, and April 2 at 3pm. Held at the Arts Council of Wilson’s Edna Boykin Cultural Center, Nash Street SE, Wilson NC. The final production of ACT! for Youth’s 2016-2017 season. Tickets range $10-$15, may be purchased in advance or at the door (if not sold out), and student rates are offered. For tickets, call 252.291.4329 or visit www.etix.com.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Yard Sale Fundraiser (April 1, 2017 @ 6:30am)
This annual yard sale fundraiser is at Wakefield Central Baptist Church, 308 Proctor Street, Zebulon NC. Proceeds raises going to the church ministry helping kids and families affected by Chernobyl radiation since 1986, and serves as the church’s Belarussian Day. Yard sale goes through the morning. In the evening, a live auction continues the fundraiser. More information here.
90th birthday Celebration / Family Fun Day (April 1, 2017 @ 8am-4pm)
The C.E. Barnes Store is celebrating their 90th birthday by “giving back to the folks who have made us who we are today.” Join the fun for this day of bluegrass music, kids’ activities, and food options. The C.E. Barnes Store address is 13726 Buffalo Road, Clayton NC.
Hope Station Food Drive (April 1, 2017 @ 10am-noon)
Gather at Wilson Community Church, 2301 Montgomery Drive W, Wilson NC. Each community group will be given a map and bags to hang in neighborhoods around Wilson, encouraging them to fill the bag with food for the Hope Station. If you aren’t in a community group yet, you’ll be paired with a group that needs help. On April 8, volunteers will again gather to pick up bags and deliver them to Hope Station. See www.wccnc.org for contact information.
Farm Grand Opening Celebration (April 1, 2017 @ 10am-2pm)
Celebrate the farm’s opening with farm store sneak peeks and giveaways. HS Howell Farms is located on 4371 Massey Road, Zebulon NC. See more about this new farm at www.hshowellfarms.com.
Dirt Day (April 1, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
Held in downtown Wake Forest NC. Children may plan in an over-sized sandbox or make a wheatgrass container. Adults may learn about gardening and composting, check out outdoor-activity gear, watch a beekeeping demonstration, and check out local vendors. Many special activities, music, and more. Come prepared to work out and try something new. Exercise classes will be held in Centennial Plaza in front of Town Hall. For details, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/dirt-day.aspx.
Grow And Share Volunteer Day (April 1, 2017 @ 10am)
Each Spring, nonprofit Grow And Share holds garden plant giveaways to help people start their gardens and grow their own food with free plants — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more. Volunteer to help Grow And Share each Saturday as they go from seed to seedlings, with free plants distributed in April-May. Volunteer work takes place in the Grow And Share “Tucker” greenhouse, Raleigh NC. See their Facebook page for more information and contact/address.
ABC Craft and Learn: A Kindergarten Readiness Program (April 1, 2017 @ 10:30-11:15am)
Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to participate in this free, interactive program with an alphabet craft to nurture pre-reading skills through writing and play and to give opportunity to develop fine motor skills children require to start school. No registration needed. Held at Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC.
This reading program is also being held on this date, 10:30-11:30am, at Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon NC.
It is also held on this date at 11:30am at East Regional Library, Knightdale NC.
Stepping Into The Past (April 1, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
Weekly series focused 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.
Park Opening Day (April 1, 2017 @ 10am-2pm)
Hosted by Town of Nashville Parks and Recreation. Join us for Opening Day at J. W. Glover Park, 1782 North Carolina Hwy 58, Nashville NC. Muddy the Mudcat will be there from 9:45-10:45am to help with the opening pitch. Come out for good food (see the new choices at the concession stand) and watch the kids play. Follow the Nashville NC Parks and Rec updates on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nashvillencparksandrec.
Fremont Daffodil Festival (April 1, 2017 @ 10am)
Fun, music, food, crafts, entertainment, and celebration of the arrival of spring. Held in downtown Fremont NC. See more about the day’s activities at fremontdaffodilfestival.weebly.com.
Brown Bag Lunches (April 1, 2017 @ 11am)
Each 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.
K-5th Super Special: A Mother Goose Comedy (April 1, 2017 @ 2-3pm)
Raleigh Little Theatre’s Storytellers to Go! Presents “A Mother Goose Comedy.” This show uses comedy and audience participation to explain how her nursery rhymes and characters come about — with some energetic new twists. Held at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC. Register via the library’s website www.wakegov.com/libraries/locations/erl.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Movie Night! (April 2, 2017 @ 7:15pm)
April Fools Day! Stop by and watch a “1986 Slasher film.” Hosted at Well Travelled Beer, 201 S Center Street, Goldsboro NC. See other events, and more movie nights, at www.facebook.com/welltravelledbeer .
Coming Soon
In addition to the upcoming events listed below, check out our articles on:
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (April 6-9, 2017)
This 20th annual festival is held at the Carolina Theatre, Durham Convention Center, Durham Arts Council theater, and other sites in Durham NC. Tickets and details are online at www.fullframefest.org/attend.
Pig in the Park (April 8, 2017 @ 9am-4pm)
Barbecue teams compete in a whole-hog cook-off for the “Wayne County’s Best Barbecue” title. There will be music, vendors, inflatables for children, and more. This festival is held in Old Waynesborough, 801 US-117 Bypass S, Goldsboro NC. Note that Friday evening, before the cook-off day, music is planned. For details on this Wayne County Boys and Girls Club event, visit www.piginthepark.com.
Community Recycling Day (April 8, 2017 @ 9am-noon)
Drop off your old paint, tires, oil and antifreeze, computers, televisions, and appliances to Town Hall for recycling and disposal. A shred truck will be on site to shred your confidential documents. Need more info? Call Public Works at 919.269.5285. Held at the Zebulon Town Hall, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC.
Paws in the Park (April 8, 2017 @ 11am-2pm)
The seventh-annual Paws in the Park includes new games, vendors, entertainment, food and more. Bring your family and fur kids out to enjoy the afternoon of fun. Held at Best Friends Dog Park, 480 N Lee Street, Rocky Mount NC. See more about the dog park here.
Paws in the Park Easter Egg Hunt (April 8, 2017 @ 9:30am)
Bring the pup(s) and head to the Ashley Wilder Dog Park located at Knightdale Station Park, 810 S Main Street, Knightdale NC. With questions, contact Knightdale’s Recreation Program Supervisor, Megan Thornton, at 919.217.2236 or via email.
Beach Fest (April 8, 2017 @ 11am-5:30pm)
Come for this fourth-annual concert and fun day, part of The Farm Concert Series. Presented by YETI Coolers, this event is at The Farm,
215 Batten Road, Selma NC. This year’s best beach music lineups includes: Jim Quick & Coastline, The Embers, Band Of Oz, and Hip Pocket. Tickets are $20; parking $10. Find more details on The Farm and Beach Fest at www.thefarmnc.com/news.cfm/page/4th-annual-beach-fest.
Tax March on Raleigh (April 15, 2017 @ 10am-8pm)
Hosted by The Ascent of the Resistance, this march is focused on gathering a crowd on the annual Tax Return deadline day to show the president that they want to see his returns. Location is the North Carolina State Capitol, 1 E Edenton Street, Raleigh NC. See the Raleigh march details here or visit taxmarch.org to view all locations.
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.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market Opening Day (April 22 @ 9am-1pm)
“ZFFM” is open every Saturday from May to October 2017. This year’s location is the same: Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 North Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and eggs, baked goods, honey, and more. Meet local nonprofit groups, and participate in programs that help feed the community. See more here or on the ZFFM Facebook page.
Bailey NC Flea Market / Craft Fair (April 22, 2017 @ 8am-2pm)
Bailey Chamber of Commerce is planning its town flea market and craft fair in downtown Bailey NC. Details will be forthcoming. See the Bailey Chamber Facebook page for updates and vendor details. Note that the town generally plans a Spring town-cleaning day in April too.
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.
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 go on sale April 1.
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.
