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 organizers directly for updates.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Coffee and History Program
Thursday, February 22, 2018 @ 10:30-11:30am
“Ceramics with Jim Tisnado” hosted by the Farmville Public Library and the May Museum & Park. Held at the May Museum, 3802 S Main Street, Farmville NC. Jim Tisnado, Associate Professor of ceramics at East Carolina University, will discuss the wood firing process, the peculiarities of the American wood fired pottery movement, and wood fired kilns.
“Coffee & History” semimonthly programs are informal speaking engagements led by selected local volunteers who have a special knowledge of a topic. If you have a topic, wish to volunteer, or would like more information, contact David Miller at 252.753.3355 or email, or Lindsay Annis at 252.753.6725 or email.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Managing Landscape Pests Through Better Plant Selection Wilson County Center Fri 2/23 12pm – 1:30pm Parker’s Barbecue, 2514 US-301, Wilson, NC 27893, USA Parker’s Barbecue, 2514 US-301, Wilson, NC. Organized by the Nash County Coop Extension. Colby Griffin, Horticulture Extension Agent from Franklin County, will speak on alternative plants for Leyland cypress, Japanese hollies, boxwoods, roses, and other pest-prone plants
Dancing with The Arts Fundraiser
Friday, February 23, 2018, 7-9pm
The Nash County Arts Council fundraiser returns for the fifth year. See local performers dance. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase bids to choose their favorites. Admission is $16 per person. Attendees will have the option to purchase bids (votes) for $1 each. The event will be held at Nash Arts, 100 E Washington Street, Nashville NC. (Article) Tickets for sale here.
Nevermore Film Festival
February 23-25, 2018
This 19th annual film festival is a juried competition festival with feature and short films from around the world. Submissions emphasize horror, science fiction, dark fantasy, animation, mystery/suspense, and action-thrillers. Held at The Carolina Theatre, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham NC. See www.carolinatheatre.org/films/festivals/nevermore.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Mardi Gras by the Sea Parade and Festival
Saturday, February 24, 2018 @ 1-4pm
Enjoy the parade and costume contests for people and for pets, live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors, arts and crafts, and more. Details here.
Open Mic
Saturday, February 24, 2018 @ 3pm
The Franklin County Arts Council’s Diversity Team will host its second annual open mic in celebration of Black History Month.. This year’s theme is “Embracing the Dream”. Each artist or group will have 5 minutes to sing, recite, read, or play pieces related to dreaming. Held at the Arts Council headquarters (The Pottery), 22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC. Email Jackie Dove-Miller to book a spot at the mic.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Bull City Food and Beer Experience
Sunday, February 25, 2018 @ 4pm
This sixth-annual event features delicious local restaurants, paired with breweries from across the nation. This event is a fundraising event to benefit the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association. Help a great cause and indulge in the finest food and beer the Bull City has to offer. See details at www.bullcityexperience.com. (May be sold out.)
Coming Soon
Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner Fundraiser
February 27, 2018 @ 6:30-8:30pm
With kitten season approaching, it’s the perfect time to celebrate “World Spay Day” and bring awareness to animal overpopulation. Come enjoy camaraderie with other cat-lovers, SAFE Care Clinic staff and volunteers, and enjoy a dinner of spaghetti with no meat-balls, at this 4th-annual a spaghetti fundraiser benefiting the SAFE Care Clinic at SAFE Haven for Cats, a 503(c)(3) nonprofit. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per child (under 12 years old). Purchase tickets on this EventBrite page. Held at Abbotts Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Road, Raleigh NC.
Blue Dragon Festival
Saturday, March 3, 2018 @ 10am-1pm
Participants will learn traditional Chinese crafts, taste food, and help decorate the dragon’s head at this free festival. When the Blue Dragon is finished, children will run with him into the woods to wake up all the insects for Spring First-ever Blue Dragon Festival organized by the Arts Council of Wayne County and Friends of Cliffs of the Neuse. Held at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, 345A Park Entrance Road, # A, Seven Springs NC (Wayne County). More here.
International Festival of Cultures
Saturday, March 3, 2018 @ 12-4pm
The festival will be held in the Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College, 522 N Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount NC. Celebrate the city’s diverse cultures. For event updates, see the Facebook event.
For those interested in being a part of the event, see www.rockymountnc.gov or call 252.972.1181 for information on available booths.
First Friday
Friday, March 2, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Visit the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences for “First Friday” and enjoy exhibits and special activities. The address is 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Admission is free. See imperialcentre.org.
Stepping Into The Past
Saturday, March 10, 2018 @ 8am
This weekly 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.
March 10 presentation is “Working the Land: Antique tractor displays/farmer appreciation”.
Muscle Mopar and More
Saturday, March 17, 2018 @ 8am-4pm
Spend St. Patrick’s Day at this Bunn vehicle-oriented event. Spectators enter for $1 per person. Enjoy a day of family fun at this car, truck, and motorcycle show with vendors, food, music and more. Low riders participate in a Car Limbo contest. Held at the Montclair Complex, 907 NC Hwy 98 E, Bunn NC. Register a vehicle, or see spectator details at carshowpro.com/events/view/156.
Annual Tree Give-Away
Saturday, March 17, 2018, 9am-until trees are gone
Stop by the Franklin County Farmers’ Market, located in the lot of the Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg NC. Trees will be given away, first come, first served. Made possible by the Franklin County Cooperative Extension. To see types of trees, visit franklin.ces.ncsu.edu/2018/02/annual-tree-give-away.
Workday in the Apiary
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-4pm
Come help Baxter’s Bees assemble and paint bee boxes, put together frames, and get hives ready for bees this Spring. Or, help with pollinator garden plantings. Lend a hand and learn about other ways to support beekeepers and honey bees. Baxter’s Bees is located on Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. In January 2018, most of their beehives were poisoned and vandalized. Support this local business as they recover from the vandalism. To volunteer and for address, Email Baxter’s Bees or call 919.665.5038.
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 listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.
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. Any highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event or knowledge of offerings.
