Things To Do in NC When You're Bored. Source: The Grey Area News, Zebulon NC.

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. Events may be added in the days following publication.

Feel free to email event notices to the editor.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Wilson Farmers Market (May 31, 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.

Downtown Alive (May 31, 2017 @ 5:30-8:30pm)

Come join the tradition of food, beverages, dancing and fun at the annual Downtown Alive concert series. Held on the grassy lot on 210 Tarboro Street, (Historic Downtown) Wilson NC. No coolers; no pets. It is recommended that you bring a chair, blanket, sunscreen, and/or dance moves. Park in the adjacent Centre Brick lot or the BB&T parking lot. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be rescheduled. See more at www.historicdowntownwilson.com/events. Next Downtown Alive date is June 14, 2017.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Music at Midday (June 1, 2017 @ noon-1pm)

Head to Centennial Plaza, in front of Town Hall, 301 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC, for this free, public concert. Music at Midday offers an opportunity to break away from the grind, go outside, and enjoy a free music concert. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department and Wake Forest ARTS, Music at Midday features diverse one-hour musical programs on Thursdays. This is the final date of the season.

2017 Outdoor Movie Series: Fantastic Beasts (June 1, 2017 @ 8-10pm)

Held on the back lawn of the Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W Garner Road, Garner NC. Free outdoor showing of the hit film “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them” 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 July 6.

Center Street Jam: Military Appreciation (June 1, 2017 @ 6-9pm)

Come for this free downtown summer concert series, which is open to the public. “Bring lawn chairs and dancing shoes and prepare to enjoy live music, great food, cold drinks & children’s activities.” Concert located in the John St. parking lot, 130 N. Center Street, Goldsboro NC. No coolers or pets allowed. See more details and future concerts at www.dgdc.org/events. Next date is June 15, 2017.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Fish Fry & Spaghetti Dinner (June 2, 2017 @ 11am-6pm)

Stop by to pick up lunch or dinner at Wakefield Baptist Church, 809 Proctor Street, Zebulon NC, and support their fundraiser. (Not to be confused with Wakefield Central Baptist Church on the same street.)

Yu-Gi-Oh Friday Tournaments (June 2 & 4, 2017 @ 7-10pm; 4pm)

Held at Uncle Sleepys Sports Memorabilia & Supplies, 6204 Main Street, Bailey NC. This location holds Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournaments every Friday Night starting at 7pm, and Sundays at 4pm. See more on the shop’s Facebook page.

Live Music in Spring Hope (June 2 & 3, 2017 @ 8-11pm)

Featuring Spencer Scholes Friday and Still Kick’in Band Saturday at Michael’s Showside Grill, 102 N Pine Street, Spring Hope NC. Stop by for live music most Friday/Saturday evenings. See schedule at www.showsidegrill.com/showside-music-events.

Goldsboro Shop the Block (June 2-3, 2017)

Local shop and dine in downtown Goldsboro NC to support the city’s home-grown economy. Shop at participating businesses for a chance to be rewarded on-the-spot for supporting downtown. See more here.

Juneteenth Community Empowerment Festival (June 2-4, 2017)

The event kicks off Friday with life Jazz. Saturday, two stages include a variety of performers. Come and enjoy the music, dance, check out cultural activities, shop from local vendors (Saturday), get tasty treats from food vendors (Friday-Saturday), and enjoy the weekend with friends and family. On Sunday, after party at Shaq’s After Dark, 1200 E Highland Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. More information online at downtownrockymount.com/events/juneteenth. (Article)

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Community Yard Sale (June 3, 2017 @ 7-11am)

Open to all surrounding areas, come and check out the local yard sales in Black Creek NC. Should be a variety of items offered throughout the community. VENDORS/RESIDENTS: Free spaces may be reserved to sell/resell by calling Dale Edmundson at 252.373.1890.

Wilson Farmers Market (June 3, 2017 @ 7:30am-noon)

Wendell Farmers Market (June 3, 2017 @ 8am-noon)

This market’s opening day is June 3, 2017, with produce and goods from local farmers and crafters. Held at the corner of Pine Street and Wendell Boulevard, Wendell NC. See more on their Facebook page.

Rocky Mount Farmers Market (June 3, 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.

Franklin County Farmers Market (June 3, 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 (June 3, 2017 @ 9am-1pm)

This Saturday, free walking tacos. 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.

National Trails Day (June 3, 2017 @ 9am-1pm)

In E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC, the town will celebrate the day with environmental education on song birds, reptiles and amphibians, bees, night animals, and much more. See details at www.wakeforestnc.gov/national-trails-day.

Clayton Farm and Community Market (June 3, 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.

Open Call for Talent and Crew (June 3, 2017 @ 9:30am-noon)

Held at the Stephen D Hyers Studio Theater, 200 N Davie Street, Greensboro NC. “A great opportunity for actors, crew and team leaders to meet. People trying to create a team and people trying to join a team can mingle.” Actors are asked to prepare a one-minute monologue of their choice. Held by the Greensboro 48 Hour Film Project.

Stepping Into The Past (June 3, 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 June 10, 2017.

All About Lavender Picnic and Labyrinth Walk (June 3, 2017 @ 10:30am-1:30pm)

Learn how to grow and use lavender. Walk the lavender labyrinth and enjoying a totally-lavender picnic lunch. Held at Toad Song Farm, 14765 Buffalo Road, Clayton NC. This event is appropriate for big kids (12 & up) and adults. Fee is $20 per person. Register on meetup, call 919.815.6090, or email.

Brown Bag Lunches (June 3, 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, which also lists other events on this date.

Afternoon Tea with the Artist (June 3, 2017 @ noon-2pm)

Franklin County Arts Council invites the public to Afternoon Tea with Dawn Lancaster at the Franklin County Arts Council, 22 S Main Street, in downtown Franklinton NC. Dawn Lancaster is a self- taught artist whose medium is eco-printing on silk or paper. She will be talking about the process of eco-printing and show the different stages of the process at this event. The Arts Council is online at fcacarts.org.

Selma Porch Patio Garden Tour (June 3, 2017 @ 10am-4pm)

“Selma has over 400 properties on the national historic registry, many with beautiful gardens and the kind of southern style expansive porches written about in romance novels and history books.” Tour tickets may be purchased at the Selma Historical Museum, 104 W Anderson Street, Selma NC. Organized by S’Uptown Selma NC and Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum. For more information or ticket prices, call 919.291.1428.

Mondo Roots Cultural Arts and Music Festival (June 3, 2017 @ noon-8pm)

Vendors, free concert, dancing, and more. Enjoy funk, jazz, blues bands, and world music. New artists and performers will headline and fan favorite arts and crafts vendors are back. “This free event aims to bring multiple cultures, races, and walks of life together to celebrate diversity and to make a stronger community.” Dozens of artists and vendors will line Main Street near Town Square, 110 W Main Street, Clayton NC. Rain or shine. For details, visit www.MondoRoots.com.

First Annual Book Fest (June 3, 2017 @ 2-5pm)

Free admission to this community event and Literacy Campaign promoting reading in the community. The organization which bring the most guests will receive a cash donation. Meet/greet authors and purchase their books. Held at Wilson Community Church, 2301 Montgomery Drive, Wilson NC. Organized by Epps CreativeMindz Enterprises / CreativeMindz Book Lounge.

Bar-B-Que Pork Plate Sale (June 3, 2017 @ 5-8pm)

Hosted by Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 108 W Center Street, Black Creek NC. Come for a plate and support the fire deparment. For $8 per plate, enjoy a meal of BBQ, slaw, potatoes, and hush puppies. Black Creek is just minutes south of Wilson NC.

Down Home on the Farm (June 3, 2017 @ 5-9pm)

Held outdoors on the Crocker Farm, 3358 Turkey Foot Road, Rocky Mount NC. Tickets are $15 per person (children/students free). The Tar River Orchestra, Children’s Chorus, and Carolina Tradition Bluegrass Band will all perform. Activities planned include inflatables, face painting, and pony rides. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs for comfort. “Picnic food” and Webby’s Sno-cones for sale at the site. Show begins at 5:45pm.

Spring Concert Series (June 3, 2017 @ 5:30-7pm)

Come to Mill Bridge Nature Park for this free Spring Concert in the Park. Bring family and friends to enjoy live music. Food trucks available at the site. Held at Mill Bridge Nature Park, 4600 Winslet Drive, Rolesville NC. Music by the Will McBridge Group. See more on this and other events at secure.rec1.com/NC/town-of-rolesville/catalog.

Tobs Baseball : Beer & BBQ Festival (June 3, 2017 @ 5:30pm)

The 6th Annual Beer and BBQ Festival is at Fleming Stadium, 300 Stadium Street SW, Wilson NC. The Beer and BBQ Festival is one of the largest events of the year for the Tobs. Cooking teams cook a 100-pound pig in hopes of winning the Top Tob Hog Trophy. The best news of all is that you get to enjoy the BBQ too. Southbound 85 will be performing live from Fleming Stadium, and after the ball game, stay for fireworks. May still be spots available for those interested in cooking a 100lb pigs for the festival. See wilsontobs.com/community/beer-bbq.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Summer Concerts on the Lawn (June 4, 2017 @ 6:30-7:30pm)

Grab a spot on the lawn for this free and family-friendly concert. Bring a lawn chair for comfort. Held at the Freeman Roundhouse Museum, 1202 Nash Street SE, Wilson NC. Concerts will run every Sunday (weather permitting) from May 7 through June 25, 2017. Next concert date is June 11, 2017. See more at www.theroundhousemuseum.com.

Carolina Mudcats Baseball (Home Games: June 4-6, 2017)

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.

Six Sundays in Spring (June 4, 2017 @ 5-7pm)

This end-of-season free concert features Charros de Mexico, performing in the E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC. Co-sponsored by PineCone-Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, the June 4 performance by Charros de Mexico is part of Wake Forest ARTS’ annual spring concert series featuring free, live, outdoor entertainment. Six Sundays in Spring offers area residents an opportunity to enjoy a variety of local and regional performers and an enriching cultural experience. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. See full series information here.

Sunday in the Park (June 4, 2017 @ 6-8pm)

Enjoy a concert at 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. Next date at this location is June 18, 2017.

Family Renaissance Fair (June 4, 2017 @ noon-4pm)

Head over for this special, free event hosted by the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. “Step back in time and visit Venice for an afternoon of merriment, music, games, traditional craft demonstrations, and art-making for the whole family! Princesses and kings, pirates and comedians, fairies and acrobats are just some of the people you will encounter at the NCMA’s Renaissance Village. Activities take place inside and out, rain or shine, and will include calligraphy, blacksmithing, maskmaking, interactive drumming, and performances.” Details and Fair food information at ncartmuseum.org.

Coming Soon

“IT Best Practices: Tips and CyberSecurity” (June 6, 2017 @ 5:45-7:45pm)

This SCORE workshop is part of the library’s First Tuesdays for Business and Non-profits series. Held at Braswell Memorial Public Library 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. This is a free program open to the public. Register by calling Joetta Pittman at 252.442.1951 x.239.

Raising Bertie Screening (June 6, 2017 @ 7pm)

This independent film screening, by the GroundSwell Pictures Moon Shadow Film Society, takes place at the CAMEO Art House Theatre, 225 Hay Street, Fayetteville NC. Tickets are $15. Raising Bertie is described as “an intimate portrait of three boys coming of age in a rural African American-led community in Eastern North Carolina” — Bertie County. “This film takes audiences deep into the emotional lives of three boys – Reginald “Junior” Askew, David “Bud” Perry, and Davonte “Dada” Harrell – over six-years.”

Coffee with a Cop (June 7, 2017 @ 8-10am)

“The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve. By removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood.” Join the Zebulon Police Department at McDonald’s, 141 Wakelon Street, Zebulon NC, for coffee and conversation.

Popcorn and A Movie (June 7, 2017 @ 5:30-7:30pm)

Come and watch a movie in the Computer Lab at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. Teens are invited to come and watch a PG movie. For information, call Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257

Downtown Live! (June 8, 2017 @ 6-8:30pm)

The city’s summer concert series. Event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5pm. Local vendors on-site with food/beverages available for purchase. No coolers. Held on the lawn at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. For the full band line-up and for more information, visit www.downtownrockymount.com or call 252.972.1266. Next date is June 22, 2017.

Friday Night on White (June 9, 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.

Soul Sistas The Musical: Dinner Theatre (June 9 & 10, 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.

Small Farm Sheep Day (June 10, 2017 @ 9am-noon)

The NC Small Farm Association presents this special event at Clover C Farm, 117 Cheves Road, Bunn NC. Learn about sheep care, product marketing, see wool-spinning, and learn about a fiber mill coming to Youngsville. Presentation by Carvel Cheves — outdoors, so bring a chair and dress appropriately. Hosted by North Carolina Small Farm Association and Clover C Farm.

Bluegrass Picnic Summer Series (June 10, 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 July 8, August 12, and September 9, 2017

Family Movie Series (June 10, 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 August 12, 2017.

Knightdale Business Expo (June 15, 2017 @ 1-6pm)

The Business Expo is being held at the The Life Enrichment Center, 3805 Tarheel Club Road, Raleigh NC. The public Expo is open 1-6pm, so all are welcome to walk through and meet local businesses and organizations.

Businesses interested in exhibiting, check out the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce exhibitor booth map and access registration forms on the Chamber’s Expo page.

RTP 180 “Design” Presentation (June 15, 2017 @ 6-8pm)

So, what is design anyway? In today’s world it can take on many different forms – architecture, user experience, graphics, and many more. With technology ever-evolving, design has to keep pace and innovate around those technological advances. For instance, what will the impact of autonomous vehicles be on urban design? Speakers for this Design event are:

Rob Surra — Spotlight Solar
Chad Parker — Gensler
Lenny Terenzi — Hey Monkey Design

Held at The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle Park NC. At RTP180 events, speakers from three universities, local companies, and the community at-large 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 and we always livestream from our YouTube channel over at www.youtube.com/TheRTPNC.

Center Street Jam (June 15, 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.

Concert at Clayton Town Square (June 15, 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 July 20, August 17, and September 8, 2017.

301 Endless Yard Sale (June 16-17, 2017 @ 7am-5pm)

Plan to take part in this fifth-annual event with over 100 miles of antiques, thrift store finds, and yard sales with more than 500 vendors along US Hwy 301 from Weldon NC to Dunn NC through five counties. Map and information available at www.301endlessyardsale.com.

Mill Music Sessions Free Concert (June 16, 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 July 14, 2017.

Hot Dogs for the Kids (June 17, 2017)

This upcoming event is planned for Red Oak Fire Department, 7951 Red Oak Blvd, Red Oak NC. Hours are not yet announced; prior offerings have occurred around lunchtime. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) holds hot dog grilling events across the county. The NCSO is reaching out to communities with their “Hot Dogs for Kids” events, offering free lunch and an opportunity to meet local law enforcement officers. These events are “community outreach and community policing” events designed to connect officers with local residents, and ensure positive contact with area youth. Volunteer deputies from across the county will be grilling and serving… Officers aren’t assigned, they choose to be there! Updates and event notices may be found on the NCSO Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NashCountySO.

Tarboro Home Grown Hand Made Market (June 17, 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.

“Shake, Rock, Rattle & Roll” (June 17, 2017)

Presented by Vision Community Theatre Group in celebration of Black Music Month. Enjoy an evening of music, song, dance, and laughter. Tickets are $12. Held at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, 108 W Nash Street, Wilson NC. See more at visioncommunitytheatre.webs.com.

Franklin County Juneteenth Celebration (June 17, 2017 @ 1-4pm)

Franklin County Arts Council’s Diversity team is sponsoring their second-annual Juneteenth Celebration at River Bend Park, Louisburg NC. VENDORS: To reserve a free vendor space, contact Jackie Dove-Miller via email.

Open Mic Night (June 23, 2017 @ 7-9pm)

Cornerstone Writers, a new Selma-area writing group, hosts an Open Mic night every 4th Friday. Cornerstone Writers founder Susanne Poté and Published Author Cindy Brookshire will facilitate. Poets and writers of all ages are welcome to come early and sign up for their time at the mic. Admission is free, with food/drinks available for purchase. Note that 7-8pm is reserved for family-friendly content and the mic is open to all writing from 8-9pm. Held at the Hula Girl Cafe & Catering, 103 S Raiford Street, Selma NC. These and other events may be found on the S’Uptown Selma Facebook page.

Blueberry Music Festival (June 24, 2017 @ 2-10pm)

Head over to Vollmer Farm, 677 NC Hwy 98 E, Bunn NC, for a great day of music, food, family time, and — hopefully — beautiful North Carolina sun shining on this farm setting. Tickets are $12 (link), with proceeds shared with Feeding Franklin, a local non-profit who collects food and distributes to local food pantries. This is the third year Vollmer Farm has held this celebratory event.

Big Truck Day (June 24, 2017 @ 11am-2pm)

Head to the corner of Main Street and Campen Street, Wendell NC, for this day of big trucks and fun. The Grasscats will perform live at J. Ashley Wall Town Square too. See more on the town website.

Y’all at Dix Park (June 24, 2017 @ 4-10pm)

Deep South Entertainment is holding free concerts on Harvey Hill at Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh NC. There will be live music with several performers, food trucks, field day games, and more. The concert series includes local bands. Each date features an opening “next generation” set by a young (under 19 years old), up-and-coming local band. See more at yallatdixpark.com. Additional dates are July 22 and August 26, 2017.

Cars & Coffee Wake Forest (June 24, 2017 @ 8-11am)

Held at 950 Gateway Commons Circle, Wake Forest NC. This event takes place monthly on the 4th Saturday, year round. Huge lot with plenty of parking (parking rules must be followed). Stop by and check out “old school to exotic cars, motorcycles or whatever drops in.” The shopping center offers food, bathrooms, and coffee. Event has a family-friendly atmosphere.

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.

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.

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.