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.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market

Wednesday, July 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.

Uptown Greenville Umbrella Market

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 @ 5-8pm

Shop a variety of vendors offering produce, meats, seafood, arts, jewelry, baked goods, and more. Next Umbrella Market date is August 1, 2018. Held every Wednesday evening through August 29, 2018. Held at Five Points Plaza, 5th and Evans Street, Greenville NC. See this event and more via uptowngreenville.com.

Yappy Hour at Stoney Creek Dog Park

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 @ 6-8pm

Bring your family and pup(s) and enjoy this event by Goldsboro Parks & Recreation. Address is 2300 E Ash Street, Goldsboro NC. See the parks and rec Facebook page for this event and more.

Oral History 101

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 @ 6:30-8pm

Held at the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. Learn about interviewing techniques and video recording for capturing a family member’s oral history — their memories and stories. This program is intended for beginning oral historians. Library programs may be found online here.

Mudcats Baseball Home Games

July 24-26, 2018 @ various times

Head to Five County Stadium, 1501 NC-39 Hwy, Zebulon NC, and watch the Carolina Mudcats play ball.  Tickets are approximately $10 per person, give or take a buck. Buy tickets online via www.milb.com/carolina-mudcats. Weather may affect schedule. The baseball team Facebook page is here.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Adult Non-fiction Book Club

Thursday, July 26, 2018 @ 12:30-1:30pm

Held at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E Market Street, Smithfield NC.The book club will discuss Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Copies of the book are available for check out at the second-floor Reference Desk. A discussion guide will be provided. ​Sign up to receive emails at the Reference Desk or call the library at 919.934.8146, option 3. See the book club online here.

Sprinkler Fun Days

Thursday, July 26, 2018 @ 3pm

The Bridge Church presents this event Thursdays at Cornerstone Commons, 200 S Center Street, Goldsboro NC. Beat the heat this summer. Supervised by the City of Goldsboro Fire Department. See www.dgdc.org/events. or the Facebook event.

Harry Potter Trivia Contest

Thursday, July 26, 2018 @ 5-6pm

Join the fun at the HD Cooley Library, 114 W Church Street, Nashville NC.  All ages are welcome to come and test their knowledge with the library staff. All prizes will be Harry Potter themed. Costumes are optional. See this event and more via the library’s Facebook page.

Center Street Jam

Thursday, July 26, 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.

Southern Authors Book Club

Thursday, July 26, 2018 @ 6:30-7:30pm

This book club is hosted by the Farmville Public Library, located at 4276 W Church Street, Farmville NC. See this event and more via the library’s Facebook page.

Raw Living Foods and Kombucha Workshop

Thursday, July 26, 2018 @ 6:30-8:30pm

Presented by A Healthier You Wellness Ministry. Natalie Palmer of ElegantlyRaw Cuisine will give an introduction to Raw Living Foods and demonstrate easy recipes. Sarah Jokar Deris of Boochie Mama’s Kombucha will demonstrate how you can brew your own kombucha and benefits. Held at the Knightdale Recreation Center, 101 Lawson Ridge Road, Knightdale NC. Attend and learn more about raw living foods, the health benefits, and try free samples. Registration is required for this free workshop.

Wilson Tobs Baseball Home Games

Thursday, July 26 and 31, 2018 @ 7pm (both dates)

Held at the Wilson Tobs home stadium, Historic Fleming Stadium, at 300 Stadium Street SW, Wilson NC. See full 2018 schedule here.

Note that the NC Baseball Museum is located at the stadium, and is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10am-4pm.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Franklin County Farmers Market

Friday, July 27, 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.

Wilson Library Friday Morning Family Movie

Friday, July 27, 2018 @ 10am

Enjoy an indoor, free, family-friendly movie every Friday morning inside the Wilson County Main Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. The final movie of the season, July 27, the movie is Coco. Free popcorn and lemonade will be provided, and movie-watchers are allowed to bring in their own snacks.  Arriving early is recommended, as space fills up quickly. Registration is not required for this event. See this and other library movie dates at www1.youseemore.com/wilsoncountypl.

Clayton Friday Night Movie

Friday, July 27, 2018 @ 6-10pm

Enjoy this free movie at the Clayton General Store, 10522 Hwy 70 Business, Clayton NC. Bring family and friends for this all-ages movie, Sherlock Gnomes. See this event and more hosted by the Clayton General Store via their Facebook page.

Summer Night Lights

Friday, July 27, 2018 @ 6-8pm

Free evening of recreational activities at Aycock Park, 1200 Aycock Street, Rocky Mount NC.  Enjoy games, inflatables, arts and crafts, and a DJ spinning top hits. Food will be provided to the first 200 people (hot dogs, chips, and water). For more about City of Rocky Mount special events, visit their online calendar.

Lawn Chair Theater

Friday, July 27, 2018 @ 7pm (movie 8:30pm)

Enjoy a free, family-friendly movie outdoors in the courtyard at The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. The Children’s Museum will provide children’s activities before the movie. Doors open at 7pm and the movie, Despicable Me 3, will begin around 8:30pm. As the name implies, bring a lawn chair for comfort. Concessions are available for purchase. This is the final date of the season; info here.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market

Saturday, July 28, 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, July 28, 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, July 28, 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 July 28 market will include a tomato recipe contest. (See our ZFFM article for future dates.)

Louisburg Lions Car, Truck And Bike Show

Saturday, July 28, 2018 @ 9am-4pm

Held at Johnny’s Barbecue, 8446 NC-56, Louisburg NC. This third-annual event welcomed all makes and models, with awards planned for Best and Top 10 awards for cars, trucks, and bikes. Raffle planned.  See event here.

Downtown Garner Pop-up Market

Saturday, July 28, 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. Next date is August 25, 2018. See more dates here.

Rocky Mount Library Crafts And Movie

Saturday, July 28, 2018 @ 1-3pm

Youth may join the fun with “Crafts and Movie” in the YS Story Room at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. Come and watch the film, Coco, at this youth afternoon event. For more information on “Crafts And Movie” events, call Melissa Corso at 252.442.1951 x236.

Trunk Show & Lecture with Annie Smith

Saturday, July 28, 2018 @ 5-7pm

Workshop held at The Broken Needle, 219 NC Hwy 98 East, Bunn NC. Annie Smith takes the audience through a journey of color and fabric, discussing what the key to your fabric choices really are. No matter what your skill level, learn the personality of your quilts through choosing fabric with a new eye on color. Tickets are $10 per person, available here.

Wake Forest Family Movie Nights

Saturday, July 28, 2018 @ 7:15pm (movie 8:30pm)

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department shows monthly outdoor movies in Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC. Prior to the movie, there will be activities in the park. Pre-show activity starts at 7:15pm. Bring a cardboard box and create a car with your family, then you can sit in your cardboard car (if you like) while you watch the film. Then, the movie shows at 8:30pm and you can enjoy watching Cars 3. Arriving early is strongly recommended, as space fills quickly. See movie nights information on this Town of Wake Forest web page.

Smithfield Movie at Town Commons

Saturday, July 28, 2018 @ 8:30-10pm

Enjoy a family movie under the stars, presented by Smithfield Parks and Recreation. The location is 150 S Front Street, Smithfield NC. Watch the film, Peter Rabbit, and bring a picnic if you like. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfort. Check out, or follow, the Smithfield Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page for updates and other events.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

At The Movies Family Series

Sunday, July 29, 2018 @ 10am

Held by Wellspring Church at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, Wake Forest NC. Mix of popcorn, movie clips, and God’s word. See details here.

Coming Soon

Rocky Mount Farmers Market

Tuesday, July 31, 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.

A Night of Harry Potter Trivia and Dress Up

Tuesday, July 31, 2018 @ 6-8pm

Join Trax Coffee Bar and Muttley Crew for trivia night at 301 S Church Street, Suite 161, Rocky Mount NC. Humans and canines may dress up, compete for best costume, and [humans can] test their Harry Potter knowledge. See this event and more via the Muttley Crew Facebook page.

Downtown Live!

Thursday, August 2, 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. Next date is August 16, 2018. See all of the City of Rocky Mount’s Downtown Live! dates at imperialcentre.org/events/downtown-live.

Garner Outdoor Movie Series

Thursday, August 2, 2018 @ 8pm

Watch a movie (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) under the stars on the back lawn of the Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W Garner Road, Garner NC.  Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket for comfort. Food, snacks, popcorn, and beverages will be available for purchase from on-site vendors/food trucks. You may bring your own picnic. The town holds free outdoor movies on the first Thursday of each month through October. Parking is free at 742 W Garner Road, and at the Avery Street Rec Center,125 Avery Street. The full Garner movie series is listed here. In case of bad weather or rain, this event will be canceled. No pets. Future dates are September 6, 2018 (7:30pm) and October 4, 2018 (7pm).

First Friday on the Lawn

Friday, August 3, 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), Held on the Wilson County Library Lawn, 249 Nash Street NW, Wilson NC. See details here. Next date September 7, 2018.

The August 3 event includes “National Night Out” with police and first responders participating.

Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market

Saturday, August 4, 2018 @ 8am-noon

As the name implies, a variety of goods are available at this market, which is open for “Weekly Wednesday” markets and 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.

Family Sundays

Sunday, August 5, 2018 @ 2-4pm

Free in the art gallery at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Held every-other Sunday. Bring the family for an afternoon full of family-friendly activities. Drop into the gallery for art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour! Ages 3 and up with accompanying adults. Next date is August 19, 2018 See their Facebook event for updates, or call 252.972.1632 or email with questions.

Friday Night on White

Friday, August 10, 2018 @ 6-9pm

Join the crowd on White Street in downtown Wake Forest NC for a live concert each month. No admission fee. This date, music by Love Tribe. 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.

Zebulon Free Family Movie Night

Friday, August 10, 2018 @ 7-9pm

This Parks and Recreation Department movie event will be held at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. The Center’s doors will open at 6:30pm to give everyone time to settle in before the movie begins. This is a free movie for the whole family, with free popcorn and bottled water provided for everyone. A family-friendly film will be shown. Due to restrictions imposed by the film studio, movie title may not be publicized except by Parks and Rec. Call 919.823.0432 and ask what the movie’s title is, or watch the Parks and Rec Facebook page for movie title announcement. Family Movie Nights are held on the second Friday of each month. All ages welcome.

Stepping Into The Past

Saturday, August 11, 2018 @ 8am

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 August 11 theme is ‘Baccer Stringin’ & Tyin’ including demonstrations of preparing tobacco for curing, selling, and auctioneering.

Shaw RV Family Movie Series

Saturday, August 11, 2018 @ 8:15-10:15pm

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

Downtown Tarboro Live Summer Music Series

Thursday, August 16, 2018 @ 6-9pm

Come to the Courthouse Square in downtown Tarboro NC for this free, community, live music event. Bring a chair for comfort. Food and beverages will be on sale (bring cash to buy). Shop late downtown with participating merchants.  No outside alcohol allowed. See the town calendar here.

Friday Nights on the Tar

Friday, August 17, 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. Next date is September 21, 2018 See more on this Town of Louisburg web page.

Let’s Go Butterflying

Saturday, August 18, 2018 @ 10am-noon

Join Lori M. Carlson of Backyard Butterflies and learn how to identify butterflies. Seating is limited; call 919.969.6778 to reserve a spot. Suitable for ages 10 through adult. See this event and more via the Wild Birds Unlimited-Chapel Hill Facebook page.

Also check out the butterfly walk at Brumley Forest Nature Preserve in Chapel Hill NC to test newly-learned identification skills. See event details.

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.

Later This Year

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.

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.

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.