By Kay Whatley, Editor

This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond including a few unique coastal or mountain events. 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 an event’s organizer directly via provided links for updates.

Friday, November 2, 2018

Waggy Tales

Friday, November 2 and 16, 2018 @ 11am

The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E Market St, Smithfield NC, offers this opportunity for young readers to practice reading aloud to a therapy dog. The animals are trained to listen, and children struggling with reading may work on their skills. Children may read a library book or bring their own favorite to read. Visit the library website, or follow their Facebook page.

Movie in the Park

Friday, November 2, 2018 @ 7-9pm

Hosted by Stantonsburg Police Department and Stantonsburg-Moyton Volunteer Fire Department Station 3, the public is invited to prepare for the holiday season by watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on a big, outdoor screen. This is a free event at Stantonsburg Park, 100 W Macon Street, Stantonsburg NC (Wilson County).  Popcorn and soda will be available for $1, with proceeds benefiting the community. Bring blanket, chair, or even a golf cart for comfort. Event is online here.

Evening Lantern Tours: Draped in Black; Victorian Death Rituals

November 2-3 and 9-10, 2018 @ 7-9:30pm

Head to Island Farm 1140 N US Hwy 64, Manteo NC, for these unique immersion tours.

 Join costumed interpreters on a night-time tour into the home of a grieving widow. Experience unique and peculiar ways Victorian families mourned the loss of a loved one. Listen to stories of the farm’s former residents and travel by lantern light to their final resting place in the family graveyard.

Admission is $10 per person, with ages 0-5 free with adult. See event details on the Island Farm website.

Clayton Harvest Festival

November 2-4, 2018

This festival, which began Halloween night, continues throughout the weekend in Clayton NC. It offers a midway, special events, concerts, BBQ plates, and more. See the schedule at www.ClaytonHarvestFestival.com.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Zebulon Lions Club Auxiliary Craft Fair

November 3, 2018 @ 9am-3pm

This craft fair is expected to have 20+ local vendors. Food, drinks, baked goods, and desserts will be for sale by Auxiliary members. The Zebulon Lions Club Building is located at 118 E Lee Street, Zebulon NC. Call 919.404.2333 or email the Zebulon Lions Club for information.

Holiday Craft Fair

Saturday, November 3, 2018 @ 9am-4pm

The Lake Royale Clubhouse, Sagamore Drive, Louisburg NC, will be open to the public for this market event. Shop from a variety of local vendors, makers of hand-crafted items, and take part in a scavenger hunt. See flyer and contact information via this Facebook page.

North Carolina Seafood Festival (changed to Hurricane Relief Event)

Saturday, November 3, 2018 @ 11am-11pm

Enjoy food, music and community while raising funds for hurricane relief at the “Amped Up for YOU-Tilities” benefit. Held on the waterfront in Morehead City NC. Updates available via this Facebook page. Basic information on www.ncseafoodfestival.org.

COA Native American Heritage Harvest Meal

Saturday, November 3, 2018 @ 12:30pm

COA Culinary Arts students are partnering with the Chowanoke Native American Tribe for this harvest meal. Includes demonstration of Native American cooking techniques. Held at the Iredell House, 107 E Church Street, Edenton NC. To reserve tickets, call 252.482.2637. Fee is $5 per person and spots will go fast; reserve by October 31, 2018.  See www.ncdcr.gov/coa-native-american-heritage-harvest-meal.

NC Whirligig Festival

November 3-4, 2018

The annual NC Whirligig Festival is held in Historic Downtown Wilson NC, celebrating the life of local folk artist Vollis Simpson and his whirligig creations. Find festival details at whirligigfestivalnc.org.

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Family Sundays (every-other Sunday)

Sunday, September 30-December 23, 2018 @ 2-4pm (every-other Sunday)

Sundays are for families, and are free. Bring your family to the Art Gallery for an afternoon full of family-friendly activities instructed by April Dickens. Drop into the gallery for art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour! Registration is not required, drop-ins of age 3 and up with accompanying adults welcome. Held at Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. See the event on Facebook. For more information, visit imperialcentre.org. (Article)

Coming Soon

2018 Ten Plant Tour Series

Friday, November 9, 2018 @ noon

On this date, the topic is “10 Plants That Make Great Holiday Greenery” in this event by the Nash County Co-op Extension Service. Held at the Nash County Arboretum, located at the Nash County Agriculture Center, 1006 Eastern Avenue, Nashville NC.  See full 2018 tour at nash.ces.ncsu.edu.

Stepping Into The Past:  BBQ Cook-off

Saturday, November 9-10, 2018 @ 10am-2pm

This series focuses on demonstrations and displays of traditional / old-time processes. This presentation is included with museum admission fee. See upcoming topics at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. Held at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church Street, Kenly NC.

November 9-10 is BBQ Cook Off Challenge: BBQ and family fun activities.

Future date: Kenly Christmas Celebration is November 30 and December 1, 2018.

Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market

Saturday, November 10, 2018 @ 9am-1pm

Markets are held once-a-month in Fall and Spring. The market welcomes arts and craft vendors and farmers to sell their wares.  The location is the Uptown Selma Gazebo, in the back parking lot of Town Hall, near 100 E Anderson Street, Selma NC. The market season Facebook event is here. See www.selma-nc.com/selma-saturdays.

Shaw RV Family Movie Series

Saturday, November 10, 2018 @ 5:30-7:30pm

Enjoy a free movie outdoors on the football field at Rolesville Middle School, 4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville NC.  Bring a chair or blanket for comfort. Concessions will be open for purchases during the movie. See full movie series here.

Toe Tag Chronicles Writers Event

November 11, 2018 @ 2-4pm; doors open 1:45pm

At this free event, Murder We Write presents “Toe Tag Chronicles” with actual case studies from their resident forensics expert, Jacque Perkins,  who will present cases she encountered while working in the NC Medical Examiner’s office. This program will be especially helpful for murder mystery writers, but open to writers of all genres. Held on the second floor of High Point Public Library, 901 N Main Street, High Point NC. Visit www.murderwewrite.org for more information.

Zebulon Farm Fresh Market “Holiday Market”

November 16-17, 2018

Zebulon Farm Fresh Market (ZFFM) reopens for two days in November to provide holiday shopping. Shop for gifts at the Holiday Market with vendors, entertainment, food trucks, and more at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. See ZFFM web page for market hours/schedule each day.

Around The Tables: Monthly Free Clothing+Meal Event

Saturday, November 17, 2018 @ 10am-noon; meal at noon

Free clothing and a free meal, open to all. Clothing available for adults and children. Held once a month as a service to the community. Normally held at Faith Community Baptist Church, 8933 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale NC.

Arkham Author Expo

Saturday, November 17, 2018 @ 2-5pm

Head to Arkham Comix, 3710 Peppermill Drive, Suite F, Wilson NC, and meet local authors, check out books they’ve written, pick up some books for gifts (or yourself), and you can even get the books signed. Support local authors, buy and read local. Joint event with Sovereign Tomorrow Publications. See author names in Facebook event discussion.

Leonid Meteor Shower Family Camp-out

Saturday, November 17, 2018 @ 5pm-overnight

Enjoy a cool Fall evening under the stars — well, in a tent really — at this Town of Nashville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources event. Spend the evening around the campfire, eat hot dogs and s’mores (provided), set up your camping equipment (you bring; family tents required), and enjoy this safe and fun overnight activity at Stoney Creek Environmental Park, 455 W Washington Street, Nashville NC. This is for families together; no drop-offs.  Registration in advance is required for this free event, and may be done via this form, their Facebook event, or in-person at town hall.

Crime Scene Investigations Camp

November 19-21, 2018 @ times by age

For children and teens interested in detective work, or becoming a Detective when they grow up, this STEM workshop provides an overview of forensics, clue finding, puzzle solving, and more. Instructed by Sara McAllister, this camp is offered by Selma Parks and Rec. To register, visit www.selma-nc.com/csi-camp (click the registration link and choose “Youth Programs” for age-group registrations. Registration deadline is November 7, 2018. Open to ages 5-13, with Camps held for two-hours per day, separated into age groups. For more information, call 919.975.1411.

Free Family Movie

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 @ 11am-1pm

Join the fun at the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street N, Wilson NC, for a free movie, popcorn, and lemonade. While no registration is required for individuals/families, large groups are asked to contact the library in advance. Contact Genevieve Baillie at 252-237-5355, x.5050 or via email. The library calendar is online here.

Downtown Garner Pop-up Market

Saturday, November 24, 2018 @ 10am-2pm

Monthly public market with baked goods, locally made items, fresh produce, food trucks, and more. Held in Garner Recreational Park, 221 E Garner Road, Garner NC. See event here.

The RTP Mistletoe Market

December 13, 2018  @ 4-7pm

The fourth-annual Mistletoe Market returns to The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle Park NC. This holiday market offers holiday shopping from 50 local vendors and artisans. Shoppers may also enjoy complimentary beer and wine. Visit www.rtp.org/event/the-rtp-mistletoe-market.

Event organizers: News site display ads, with a link, are available for a monthly fee. Call 919.637.6973 or email Sales.

To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsors and logos are not included in Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.

Ed. Notes:

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. 

Highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event, knowledge of offerings, or relation to a recent article on this news site.