Things To Do in Eastern NC When You’re Bored — Jan. 9-12, 2020

Things To Do in NC When You're Bored
Things To Do in NC When You're Bored

Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor

This week’s list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond — occasionally including unique coastal or mountain events. While most listed events are free, ticketed or fee-for-entry events may be included.

Events may be rescheduled/delayed or locations changed. Contact an event’s organizer directly. To suggest an event for a future list, email the editor.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Johnston County Writers Group Meeting

Thursday, January 9, 2020 @ 6-7:45pm

The Johnston County Writers Group meets the second Thursday of every month. Writers of all levels are welcome, beginner to advanced, published or not. Held at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC. Future dates: February 13 and March 12, 2020. Join their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/jocowriters and visit www.jcartscouncil.org/literary-arts.html.

The Harlem Globetrotters

Thursday, January 9, 2020 @ 7pm

Get your tickets to see the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters at the Rocky Mount Event Center, Rocky Mount, NC. Tickets start at $18 per person and go up from there. Pre-game activity passes available. Purchase tickets at www.etix.com.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Franklin County Farmers Market

Friday, January 10, 2020 @ 9am-1pm

Come and pick up locally grown food from local farms, fresh eggs, and more. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather and other factors. The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC. Follow their Facebook page for updates including market closing days, holidays, and produce/art/goods available at this year-round farmers market.

Murder Mystery Dinner

Friday, January 10, 2020 @ 5:30-7:30pm

The Roaring Twenties are coming to the library with this murder mystery set in 1920’s in Chicago. “Unravel the crime scene to discover which one of our dinner guest is guilty” at this free event. Held at the HD Cooley Library, 114 W Church Street, Nashville, NC. For adults (18 and up). Registration is required, call 252.459.2106. Follow the library on Facebook here.

Free Family Movie Night

Friday, January 10, 2020 @ 6:30-9pm

Join Zebulon Parks & Recreation for a free indoor movie at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC. For movie title, call 919.823.0432. Movie will begin showing at 7pm. Popcorn and bottled water provided. Future date: March 13, 2020. Follow the town’s parks and rec department on Facebook.

Wilmington on Fire Film Screening and Discussion

Friday, January 10, 2020 @ 7-9pm

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, 1219 Broad Street, Durham, NC, will host the Black on Black Project for this screening of the Wilmington on Fire documentary film, about  the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, the only successful coup in United States history. A community discussion, including the film’s director Christopher Everett, will follow the film.  Register for this free event at EventBrite.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Ed. Note: Clayton Farm and Community Market, Wendell Farmers Market, and Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market have closed for the season. The Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market (quarterly) returns soon. The Nash County Farmers Market opening day has been announced as April 4, 2020. Zebulon Farm Fresh Market will re-open in May, with an April pop-up market pre-opening.

Wake Forest Farmers Market

Saturday, January 11, 2020 @ 10am-noon

Weekly offerings from farms, artisans, and crafters at this year-round farmers’ market. Check with market directly for any schedule changes related to weather, holidays, and other factors. Located at 235 S Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC The Wake Forest Farmers Market website is www.wakeforestmarket.org and on Facebook here.

Downtown Goldsboro History Walk

Saturday, January 11, 2020 @ 10-11am

This free, museum-led walking tour will start in the lobby of the Wayne County Museum, 116 N William Street, Goldsboro, NC. Learn about the history and architecture of downtown. Wear comfortable shoes. Event may be canceled in the event of bad weather. With questions, call 919.734.5023. Registration is not required. Follow the museum on Facebook here.

Are You “Yeti” to Read? A Winter Reading Challenge

Saturday, January 11, 2020 @ 1-2pm

Head to Held at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC, and celebrate the Winter Reading Challenge kick-off. There will be activities and crafts, snacks, and challenge sheets will be handed out. For more information call 252.442.1951 x.235. Follow Braswell updates on Facebook.

An Intro to Mindfulness: Stress Less, One Mindful Moment at a Time

Saturday, January 11, 2020 @ 2-3pm

Learn how to manage your stress more effectively and support your well-being through simple mindfulness practices that you can apply to all areas of your busy life. Held at East Regional Library,  946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. Programs offered for all ages, with events for adult, teen, children, and families. Registration requested. Library information is online at www.wakegov.com/libraries/locations/erl.

Second Saturday at Art Happens on Tarboro

Saturday, January 11, 2020 @ 5:30-8:30pm

Come to Art Happens on Tarboro, 106 Tarboro Street W, Wilson, NC, and make a Rose Wire Ring. Fee is $3 per person. Follow Art Happens on Tarboro for updates.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Family Movies @ the Library

Sunday, January 12, 2020 @ 2pm

Feature presentation: Toy Story 4. Create your own Forky craft while watching an adventure with the whole Toy Story gang.  Rated G. Run time 1 hour 40 minutes. Snacks provided. Held at East Regional Library,  946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, NC. Programs offered for all ages, with events for adult, teen, children, and families. Library information is online at www.wakegov.com/libraries/locations/erl.

Coming Soon

flix4kidz

Monday, January 13, 2020 @ 10:30am-noon

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre hosts free family-friendly movie showings on the second Monday morning of each month.  Concessions. will be available for purchase. Movie screenings are free and open to the public. Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. Visit www.wakeforestrencen.org for upcoming events.

Free at 3 (Movie for Seniors)

Monday, January 13, 2020 @ 2-4pm

Movies for adults age 50 and up, “Free at 3” features a variety of film favorites and genres screened on the second Monday afternoon of each month. Concessions will be available for purchase. Movie screenings are free and open to the public. Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. Visit the Renaissance Centre website at www.wakeforestrencen.org for upcoming events.

Growing Your Market Workshop

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 @ noon-1:30pm

The Zebulon Farm Fresh Market, part of the town’s parks and recreation department, is hosting this workshop to share ideas regarding the market’s 2020 season and beyond. Vendors, farmers, small business owners, and market managers are invited to attend and join the discussion. Two presentations are planned. Held at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC. RSVP here.

Coffee & History

Thursday, January 16, 2020 @ 10:30-11:30am

The Farmville Public Library and May Museum & Park are offering this unique series, with local history presentations and special guests at the museum or library. On January 16, 2020 @ 10:30am — Farmville Mayor John O. Moore opens the series. Mayor Moore will present on his storied broadcasting career and vision for the town. Held at the May Museum, 3802 South Main Street, Farmville, NC. For more information, call the library at 252.753.3355 or the museum at 252.753.6725. Updates may be posted to Facebook pages of the Farmville Public Library and May Museum.

Rockin’ the Forest

Friday, January 17, 2020 @ 7:30-10pm

This music series features a variety of musical acts at ticketed concerts. Tickets are $15+tax per person. Cash bar will be set up on-site. Scheduled bands:

  • Friday, January 17, 2020:  Legacy Motown Revue
  • February 28, 2020:  Jim Quick & Coastline
  • March 27, 2020:  The Magnificents

Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. See details and purchase tickets via the Ren Centre website.

The Market

Saturday, January 18, 2020 @ 10am-2pm

New farmers market featuring farm goods, local businesses, artisans, and crafters. Under cover and heated. Held at Oak Ridge Farms, 92 Thomas Arnold Road, Zebulon, NC (near the Pilot area).  This market will be open every-other Saturday in early 2020. Future dates: February 1 and 15, 2020. Follow Oak Ridge Farms on Facebook for market details/updates.

Comic with a Cop

Saturday, January 18, 2020 @ 11am-noon

Join the Zebulon Police Department at Comic World, 122 E Gannon Avenue, Zebulon, NC, where Officers will read a comic to children and allow them to ask questions. Enjoy positive interaction with officers present. A free comic will be given to kids who participate. This event is a collaboration of the Zebulon Police Department, Comic World, and Brown Bag Bagels.

Soup and Chili Cookoff

Saturday, January 18, 2020 @ 4pm

We will have a soup and chili supper. Everyone is invited. Soup, chili, sides, desserts and drinks will be available. “Bring your appetite and a friend.” Held at Ransdell Chapel Baptist Church, 929 MC Wilder Road, Louisburg, NC. Follow the church on Facebook here.

Murder We Write Meeting for Writers

Sunday, January 19, 2020 @ 1:45-4pm

Come to this Writers Workshop: “Tax Considerations Before and After Your Books are Published.” Presentation will be by Diane Kelly, CPA, retired business attorney, and author of Death & Taxes romantic suspense series; and Becke Turner, retired RN, author of romantic humor, and IRS audit survivor who fought the agency and won on appeal. This workshop is free and open to the public. NC authors are encouraged to come, and stay after until 5pm to converse re: their own writing. Sponsored by Triad NC Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the High Point Public Library, and held at the library, 901 N Main Street, High Point, NC. See details and future events at www.murderwewrite.org.

DIY Soap Carving

Friday, January 24, 2020 @ 5-5:45pm

Try this interesting arts project and hand-carving “something unique” out of a bar of soap. Open to people ages 16 and up. Held at the HD Cooley Library, 114 W Church Street, Nashville, NC. Registration is free but required. Call 252.459.2106 to register. Follow the library on Facebook here.

Two Gardening Presentations in One Morning

Saturday, January 25, 2020

The Wayne County Public Library, 1001 E Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC, will host two gardening/farming speakers:

  • Easy Container GardeningSaturday, January 25, 2020 @ 9-10am — Dr. Kathleen Liang of the CEFS Small Farms Unit shows how to use containers “to grow healthy, happy vegetables right on our own porch or patio.” Bring a container (plastic tub, large planter, etc.) for planting.
  • Gardening for ProfitSaturday, January 25, 2020 @ 10:30-11:30am — Dr. Kathleen Liang will teach “low-cost ways to make money from growing fruits and vegetables in your own back yard.”

With questions, call 919.735.1824. Follow the library for updates here.

Coffee with A Cop

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 @ 8-9am

Have coffee with Chief Steven Boraski and GA Kane of the Bailey Police Department. Gathering will take place at Hardee’s, 6474 Deans Street, Bailey, NC. Follow the Bailey PD on Facebook here.

Super Special: Frozen Frenzy

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 @ 5-6pm

Kids from Kindergarten through Grade 5 are invited to this celebration of the Frozen movie sequel. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes. Held at the Wendell Community Library, 207 S. Hollybrook Road, Wendell, NC. See library information here.

Healthy Smoothies for the New Year

Thursday, January 30, 2020 @ 3-4pm

Attend this adult workshop where Alex Spicer will show how to make healthy smoothies. Held in the Warner Room, Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Contact Brenda at 252.442.1951 x.256 or visit braswell-library.libguides.com.

Teen Lifehacks @ The Library

Friday, January 31, 2020 @ 4-5pm

Teens, come and learn about surviving the “Zombie Apocalypse” at the Zebulon Community library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon, NC. Designed for grades 6-10. See library events at www.wakegov.com/libraries/locations/zeb.

Bright Star Touring Theatre Performances

Saturday, February 1, 2020 @ 1pm and 3pm

Come for a performance and “take a historical journey through time with Rosa Parks.” This Project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.  Ages 5 and up are invited and registration is not required. Held at the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street N, Wilson, NC. With questions or to register, call 252.237.5355 and visit www.wilsoncountypubliclibrary.org.

 

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.

Event organizers: News site display advertising is available month-to-month.

Event information may be 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 the news site nor staff. Any 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.

Why are the day, date, and year included, repetitively, under each dated heading? The better for readers like you to cut-and-paste complete event information and share with others… though sharing of this article’s link is encouraged, so that readers may see all listed events.

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.