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, June 21, 2018
Reinventing Power: Reinventing NC’s Energy Economy
Thursday, June 21, 2018 @ 6-8pm
“Reinventing Power: America’s Renewable Energy Boom” takes viewers across the country — including North Carolina — to hear directly from the people making a clean energy future achievable. Includes screening of 50-minute film, then a panel discussion. This event is free, but registration required (link). Held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh NC.
Summerfest — J. Parker Band
Thursday, June 21, 2018 @ 6:30-8:30pm
Organized by the Pride of Kinston, 327 North Queen Street, Kinston NC. Eastern North Carolina’s “hippest music and arts festival” –formally known as Sand in the Streets. Come and see a diverse selection of talents and get ready to dance. See details here.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Franklin County Farmers Market
Friday, June 22, 2018 @ 8:30am
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 8am and Tuesdays at 9am, according to NC Farm Fresh website.
Friday Morning Family Movies
Friday, June 22 and 29, 2018 @ 10am-noon
Enjoy a free, family-friendly movie at Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street NW, Wilson NC. Free popcorn and lemonade provided. Can bring your own snacks if you like. No registration required. Groups welcome, but arrange visit in advance by calling 252.237.5355 x.5050. See library calendar for this event and more.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market
Saturday, June 23, 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, June 23, 2018 @ 8am-1pm
The Farmers Market is located at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC. The Rocky Mount Farmers Market is open on Saturdays, with Saturdays and Wednesday markets June-August. See updates on their Facebook page. Market webpage is www.co.nash.nc.us/175/Farmers-Market.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market
Saturday, June 23, 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.
BATS – Dogfights, Stealth & Sonar Jamming
June 23, 2018 @ 11am-noon
Educational / nature event at Wild Birds Unlimited, 1806 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill NC. Evolutionary Warfare Between Bats and Their Insect Prey presented by Dr. Aaron Corcoran. Using arrays of ultrasonic microphones and infrared cameras, Dr. Corcoran probes a world that is hidden just beyond our senses, a world where animals “see” with sound, fly gracefully through trees and caves in darkness, and snatch moths out of the air as fast as you can blink an eye. Seating is limited and is first come, first serve. See event details here.
Blueberry Music Festival
Saturday, June 23, 2018 @ 2-10pm
Join the fun on the Back 40 Country Playground at this festival on the farm: Vollmer Farm, 677 NC-98 Hwy E, Bunn NC. Bands, food trucks, adult beverages, cooking demonstrations, and more. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 the day of the festival. Kids 12 and under are free. See full details at www.vollmerfarm.com.
Mudcats Baseball Home Games
June 23 and 24, 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 at www.milb.com/tickets. Weather may affect schedule. Team is on Facebook here.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Family Sundays
Sunday, June 24, 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. See their Facebook event for updates, or call 252.972.1632 or email with questions.
Coming Soon
Gig in The Park
Wednesday, June 27, 2018 @ 6:30-9:30pm
This free concert series is held in the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. See full Gig in The Park schedule at www.historicdowntownwilson.com/gig-in-the-park. GreyAreaNews.com is proud to be a sponsor of this event series.
Note that the June 27, 2018 concert is a reschedule/new date.
Center Street Jam
Thursday, June 28, 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.
Downtown Garner Pop-up Market
Saturday, June 30, 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 July 28, 2018. See more dates here.
1st Friday on the Lawn
Friday, July 6, 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 August 3, 2018.
Outdoor Movies on the Back Lawn
Thursday, July 5, 2018 @ 8:30pm
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.
Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market
Saturday, July 7 and 21, 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.
Spring Concert Series with Bender Street
Saturday, July 7, 2018 @ 5:30-7pm
Join the Town of Rolesville for their free Spring Concert Series at Mill Bridge Nature Park, 425 Nature Park Drive, Rolesville NC. This is a June rescheduled concert with Bender Street. See more details on the town website.
Friday Night on White
Friday, July 13, 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.
Stepping Into The Past
Saturday, July 14, 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.
This July 14 event is an Ice Cream Social.
Author Event: Kim Beall
Sunday, July 19, 2018 @ 7pm
Page 158 Books, Suite B, 415 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC, holds author events on a regular basis. Local author Kim Beall will be part of Page 158 Books’ author series with her newly released novel. See this and other author events on the Page 158 Books Facebook page.
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.
20th Annual Heritage Day Festival
Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 6:30-9pm
Come out for entertainment, vendors, and community fellowship. 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.
