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 an event’s organizer directly for updates.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Center Street Jam
Thursday, August 23, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Head downtown to the John Street parking lot at 130 N Center Street, Goldsboro NC, for this free Summer Concert Series. Bring a lawn chairs and dancing shoes. There will be live music, food, cold drinks, and children’s activities. Mandatory ID check for beer purchase; no coolers; no pets. See poster and details on the Downtown Goldsboro (DGDC) website.
This performance by The Embers is the final concert (August 23) of the season.
Town Square Concert Series
Thursday, August 23, 2018 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Free concert outdoors in Downtown Clayton’s Town Square, 110 W Main Street, Clayton NC. Arrive early and set up your lawn chairs and/or blanket. Activities, vendors, and inflatables will be available starting at 6pm. Live music will start on-stage at 6:30pm. Next date is September 7, 2018. See the full concert series on Facebook here and on the town website.
Friday, August 24, 2018
Franklin County Farmers Market
Friday, August 24, 2018 @ 9am
Head to the Franklin County Farmers Market, Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg NC. and check out the farmers market. The market is on Facebook here. Also open on Saturdays at 9am and Tuesdays at 9am, according to NC Farm Fresh website.
StreetBeats: Acoustic Jam Session
Friday, August 24, 2018 @ 5-7pm
Held downtown around 219 N John Street, Goldsboro NC. Join this Friday evening acoustic jam session in the heart of Downtown Goldsboro. StreetBeats is intended to be a creative collaboration, encouraging all forms of art to come together in an all-acoustic, open-air setting. No need to RSVP, just show up, bring friends and instruments and get ready to play/paint/dance/jam. With questions and interest, contact 919.735.4959 or email.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market
Saturday, August 25, 2018 @ 8am-1pm
Shop a variety of locally grown and locally made goods. Held on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. See details at www.historicdowntownwilson.com/farmers-artisan-market.
Rocky Mount Farmers Market
Saturday, August 25, 2018 @ 8am-1pm
The Farmers Market is located at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC. The Rocky Mount Farmers Market is open on Saturdays. (Check out Tuesdays at The Market too.) See updates on their Facebook page. Market webpage is www.co.nash.nc.us/175/Farmers-Market; see also the Nash County Co-op Ext Service market page.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market
Saturday, August 25, 2018 @ 9am-1pm
Head to the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC, for the market day with a variety of local produce, handmade goods, homemade treats, and more. Updates may be posted on their Facebook page.
The August 25 market theme is Back to School Day — Free backpacks and school supplies for EBT customers, lemonade and cookies for the kids, and as always live music and the regular market vendors. (See our ZFFM article for future dates.)
Downtown Garner Pop-up Market
Saturday, August 25, 2018 @ 10am-2pm
Head to Downtown Garner for this 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. Future dates are September 29, October 27, and November 24, 2018. See event here.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Asheville’s Organicfest
Sunday, August 26, 2018 @ 10am-6pm
Join this festival in and around North Pack Square (1 N Pack Square, Asheville NC). Enjoy eco-friendly activities, goodie bags, lots of organic-oriented vendors, crafts, a parade, and more. Dress up like a bug or fairy, optional, and come enjoy a celebration of organic, natural eating and pollinator health too. See details at organicfest.org.
Coming Soon
Rocky Mount Farmers Market
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 @ 4-7pm
The Farmers Market is located at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC. The Rocky Mount Farmers Market is open on Saturdays and Tuesdays. See updates on their Facebook page. Market webpage is www.co.nash.nc.us/175/Farmers-Market; see also the Nash County Co-op Ext Service market page.
Downtown Live!
Thursday, August 30, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Come and enjoy free, live, outdoor music at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Bring a lawn chair for comfort. Free concerts held every-other Thursday. Future date is September 13, 2018. See all of the City of Rocky Mount’s Downtown Live! dates at imperialcentre.org/events/downtown-live.
Southern Authors Book Club
Thursday, August 30, 2018 @ 6:30-7:30pm
The month’s book is Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail by Louise Shivers. This book club is hosted by the Farmville Public Library, located at 4276 W Church Street, Farmville NC. The Library’s Southern Authors Book Club is free to join and open to the public. Meet generally on the 4th Thursday each month. With questions or to join, contact Connie Widney via email or call 252.753.3355. See this event and more via the library’s Facebook page.
September 2018
Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market
Saturday, September 1, 2018 @ 8am-noon
As the name implies, a variety of goods are available at this market, which is open on first- and third-Saturdays of the month. The market is open, rain or shine, and runs through October 31, 2018. First and third Saturdays market are held at 526 N Main Street, Tarboro NC. The HomeGrown-HandMade Market Saturday dates may be found on this Facebook event. Upcoming dates include September 15 and October 6, 2018.
CLAWS, Critters, Chuck, and Cupcakes
Saturday, September 1, 2018 @ noon-4pm
Organized by and held at Wild Birds Unlimited, 1806 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill NC. Come out and celebrate store owner, Chuck Brewer’s 50th birthday with the critters of CLAWS, Inc. There will be cupcakes — first come, first served while they last. This is a free event, open to the public so come and join the fun (and learning opportunity). See this event and more via the Wild Birds Unlimited-Chapel Hill Facebook page.
Support Local Authors Event
Saturday, September 1, 2018 @ 2-5pm
Organized by and held at CreativeMindz Book Lounge, 3715 Airport Blvd NW, Wilson NC. A chance for published authors and publishers to showcase their work, let the public meet them, and promote reading. Author spots available; requested donation $35. Attendance donation requested. See details and ticket link on EventBrite.
Bingo for Seniors
September 6 and 20, 2018 @ 7-9pm
Bingo is held monthly on first and third Thursdays, for ages 55 and up. Held at the E.L. Roberson Senior Center, 305 W Baker Street, Tarboro NC. Prizes and time to socialize; soda and popcorn available for purchase.
Outdoor Movies on the Back Lawn
Thursday, September 6, 2018 @ 7:30pm
Watch a movie under the stars on the back lawn of the Garner Performing Arts Center at 125 Avery Street, Garner NC. There will be food and fun too. Held on the first Thursday of each month from May through October. Times vary depending on dusk-time. Free Admission. Bring lawn chair/blanket for comfort. Food/treats on sale, but attendees are welcome to bring a picnic. Free Parking at two nearby locations. Check the Facebook event for movie titles, parking information, rules (no pets, etc.), and weather updates. In case of rain, the movie will be cancelled. Future date is October 4, 2018 (7pm). The full Garner movie series is listed here. In case of bad weather or rain, this event will be canceled. No pets.
First Friday on the Lawn
Friday, September 7, 2018 @ 6-9pm
The Human Relations Commission and the City of Wilson Human Relations Department are celebrating diversity through music on the first Friday of each month (July to October), Future date is October 5, 2018, scheduled for the Wilson County Library Lawn, 249 Nash Street NW, Wilson NC. See bands and more details here.
Stepping Into The Past
Saturday, September 8, 2018
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.
The September 8 theme is “Capturing Our Past” (painting class).
NC Hot Sauce Contest
Saturday, September 8, 2018 @ 11am-4pm
Held on Main Street in Historic Downtown Oxford NC. The Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation invites the public to this annual NC Hot Sauce Contest and festival. Food, crafts, car show, a Bailey Farms pepper eating contest, and more. See www.nchotsaucecontest.com. (Vendor opportunities.)
Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market
Saturday, September 8, 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. Spring dates are done for 2018. Fall market will start September 8, 2018. VENDOR FEES FOR FALL start at $20 per date, with seasonal rate available. Interested Fall vendors, see www.selma-nc.com/selma-saturdays.
Downtown Beats & Eats
Saturday, September 8, 2018 @ 2-6pm
This is the fifth year for the city’s fall concert series which will be at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. Entry is free for this live music event. Additional concerts planned on alternating Saturdays through October 20, 2018. homegrown music . Food trucks on-site. Adults-only: wrist bands available for $1 allowing beer/wine purchase. Bring chair/blanket for comfort. No coolers. See event details on the Historic Downtown Wilson website. Future dates are September 22, October 6, and October 20, 2018.
Note that the deadline to sponsor this event series is August 3, 2018.
Shaw RV Family Movie Series
Saturday, September 8, 2018 @ 8-10pm
Enjoy a free movie outdoors on the football field at Rolesville Middle School, 4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville NC. Watch the film The Wizard of Oz. Bring a chair or blanket for comfort. Concessions will be open for purchases during the movie. Future movie is The Greatest Showman (Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 7:30-9:30pm). See full movie series here.
2018 Ten Plant Tour Series
Friday, September 14, 2018 @ noon
On this date, the topic is “10 Plants that Have Stories” 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.
Friday Night on White
Friday, September 14, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Join the crowd on White Street in downtown Wake Forest NC for a live concert each month. No admission fee. Event organized by White Street Brewing and the Town of Wake Forest. For complete information about Friday Night on White, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/friday-night-on-white.aspx.
Movie Under the Stars
Saturday, September 15, 2018 @ dusk
Join the town as it puts up an outdoor screen, pops popcorn, and shows a free movie under the stars. Bring a blanket/chair for comfort. Held at Glover Memorial Park, 174 JW Glover Memorial Park Drive, Nashville NC. See the Town of Nashville’s Parks and Rec calendar for this event and more.
Hearkening back to the day of drive-in movies, we are throwing up a screen, popping some corn and watching a movie. The movie is free. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or some chairs and invite your friends and neighbors.
Friday Nights on the Tar
Friday, September 21, 2018 @ 6:30-9:30pm
The Town of Louisburg invites everyone to their “Friday Nights on the Tar” Summer Concert Series with live music and food trucks. Doors open at 5:30pm; live music starts at 6:30pm. Held at Downtown Louisburg Amphitheatre, 116 N Main Street, Louisburg NC. Concerts held every-third Friday, April-September. See more on this Town of Louisburg web page.
Nashville Creekside Music Series
Friday, September 21, 2018 @ 6:30-8:30pm
The Town of Nashville will be bringing back its popular Creekside Music Series for a second year with four concert dates. We hope that you will bring your friends and family out to this free community event at Stoney Creek Park in Nashville. The address for Stoney Creek Park is 455 West Washington Street, Nashville NC. Remaining series concerts are Alexa Rose (September 21) and Pat “Mother Blues” (October 19). Series details on this Town of Nashville web page.
Wake Forest Mini Comicon
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. See organizer’s on this Facebook page.
Family Sundays
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. For more information, visit imperialcentre.org. (Article)
Later This Year
Heritage Day Festival
Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 6:30-9pm
Come out for entertainment, vendors, and community fellowship at this 20th-annual festival. Held near 112 W Center Street, Black Creek NC. Follow the town on Facebook here. Vendor opportunities available.
2018 Fall FunFest
Saturday, October 27, 2018 @ 10-4pm
The Town of Rolesville’s annual festival takes place on Main Street, Rolesville NC. There will be arts and crafts vendors, informational booths, small businesses selling goods, hot dogs, live music, and costume contests.
Interested in being a vendor? See vendor application form here (PDF).
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.
