Things To Do in NC When You're Bored - greyareanews.com

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.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market

Wednesday, May 9, 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. Weekly Wednesday markets are held at 102 Grandville Street, Tarboro NC, Follow the HomeGrown-HandMade Market on Facebook here.

Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market

Wednesday, May 9, 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.

Owning and Renovating Historic Property In Rocky Mount

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 @ 6-7:30pm

Organized by Preservation Rocky Mount. JoSeth Bocook with the City of Rocky Mount’s Planning department presents Local and National Historic Register property benefits, programs, information, and more. Enjoy refreshments while learning about owning and renovating a historic property in Rocky Mount, NC. This program is free. Held at 301 S. Church Street, Station Square, Rocky Mount NC.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Tour on the Tenth

Thursday, May 10, 2018 @ 3-5pm

Take a walk behind-the-scenes at the TS Designs production facility. Free, public tour begins promptly at 3pm, and show t-shirt creation while discussing the company’s systainable practices. Address for TS Designs is 2053 Willow Spring Lane, Burlington NC. See event details via www.facebook.com/cottonofthecarolinas.

Johnston County Writers Meeting

Thursday, May 10, 2018 @ 6:30pm

Selma-area writers meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at Selma Public Library, 301 N Pollock Street, Selma NC. Writers from Pine Level, Selma, Smithfield, Clayton, Garner, and other areas gather to talk about the craft and hear from published authors. Young and old, poets, fiction and non-fiction writers welcome. Several of their members are also members of the North Carolina Writers Network, and one writes for Johnston Now magazine. Free and open to the public.

Mudcats Baseball Home Games

May 10-13, 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.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Franklin County Farmers Market

Friday, May 11, 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 Night on White

Friday, May 11, 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. Future date June 8 (Bull City Syndicate). For complete information about Friday Night on White, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/friday-night-on-white.aspx.

Fantastic Friday: Music in The Park

Friday, May 11, 2018 @ 6:30-9pm

Come out and relax and enjoy an evening of entertainment and community fellowship. Held at the Gazebo, near 112 W Center Street, Black Creek NC. May event featuring music by The Daniels Chapel Singers Generation III . Concessions will be on-site including hot dogs. Bring a lawn chair for comfort. More outdoor events coming this summer. Follow the town on Facebook here.

Movies at the Park

Friday, May 11, 2018 @ 8-10pm

Cucalorus Pop-up Cinema and Gig East will be holding a four-week movie series at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. Bring the family and join the fun at these free film nights. Next date is May 18, 2018. See all dates here.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Stepping Into The Past

Saturday, May 12, 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 May 12 event is a 35th Anniversary Celebration.

Wake Forest Farmers Market

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 8am-noon

Vendors offer seasonal goods, handmade soaps and candles, honey, and more at this Saturday market. The Wake Forest Farmers Market location is 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. The market’s Facebook page is www.facebook.com/wakeforestfm. Website is www.wakeforestmarket.org for this year-round farmers market.

Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 8am-1pm

Rocky Mount Farmers Market

Saturday, May 12, 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.

Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 9am-1pm

Markets are held once-a-month in Spring and Fall. 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. This is the final spring date, and Fall market will start September 8, 2018.

Fees start at $20 per date, with seasonal rate available. Interested Fall vendors, see www.selma-nc.com/selma-saturdays.

Zebulon Farm Fresh Market

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 9am-2pm

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.

Beginners Plant Identification

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 10am-1pm

Learn the basics of plant identification. Come with notebook and pencil, ready to learn. Warning, this is not the usual nature walk. We will cover plant structure, habitat, form, and function. Meet at shelter C in Battle Park, Battle Park Road, Rocky Mount NC. See additional details and pre-walk charts via this event page. Organized by the Friends of Battle Park.

ABC Craft and Learn: A Kindergarten Readiness Program

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 10:30-11:15am

Held on Saturdays at Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC. Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to participate in this weekly interactive program. Includes an alphabet craft to nurture pre-reading skills through writing and play. Provides an opportunity to develop fine motor skills children require to start school. Free to participate, and registration is not required. The library is online here.

This program is also held at Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon NC, on the same dates @ 10:30-11:30am; and at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC, at 11:30am.

Teen Saturday Matinee

Saturday, May 12, 2018 @ 1-3:30pm

This teen program offers snacks and a movie. Held in the Assembly Room at the Wilson County Main Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. With questions, call 252.237.5355 x.5073.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Family Sundays

Sunday, May 13, 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 page for updates, or call 252.972.1632 or email with questions. Next date scheduled is May 27, 2018.

Coming Soon

Gardening Program

Monday, May 14, 2018 @ 7-9pm

Staff from the Wilson Botanical Gardens will present a gardening program. Additional details forthcoming. Registration required. Held in the Assembly Room at the Wilson County main library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. For more information or to register, contact Amanda Gardner at 252.237.5355 x.5072 or email.

Gig in The Park: Nantucket Band

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 @ 6:30-9:30pm

This free concert series is held in the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. Next date is May 30, 2018 (Mystic Vibrations). See full Gig in The Park schedule at www.historicdowntownwilson.com/gig-in-the-park. (Article) GreyAreaNews.com is proud to be a sponsor of this event series.

Center Street Jam: Jupiter Jones

Thursday, May 17, 2018 @ 6-9pm

Head downtown to the John Street parking lot at 130 N Center Street, Goldsboro NC, for the first night of 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. Next date is May 31, 2018 (Bryan Mayer Military Appreciation). See poster and details on the Downtown Goldsboro (DGDC) website.

Edenton Music and Water Festival

Friday-Saturday, May 18-19, 2018

Celebrating Chowan County’s 350th Anniversary with a Guided Sunset Paddle, Wooden Boat Exhibit, wall climbing, musicians, vendors, food, and more. This festival is free and open to the public. Held at Saturday Colonial Park-Edenton Bay, Edenton NC. This is the 20th year for this festival. Hours and more information may be found on this webpage.

Got To Be NC Festival

May 18-20, 2018

The Got to Be NC Festival, a unique event with a focus on NC agriculture and farming, is held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Admission is free, and so is parking. Rides, vendor foods, and other events and attractions will be available for purchase. Last year’s festival drew 75,000 attendees. Festival information may be found on the festival website at www.gottobencfestival.com. Updates may be posted to the Got To Be NC Festival’s Facebook page.

Clover C Farm Shearing Day

Saturday, May 19, 2018 @ morning

Shearing time is coming, and this year Clover C Farm, 117 Cheves Road, Bunn NC, invites all to come and “see how it’s done.” No appointment or registration, just get to the farm any time before noon — when the shearing is usually completed. Visitors may watch the shearing, check out the farm, and enjoy a snapshot of farm life. Note that the farm does have electric fences that are not friendly; use caution / at your own risk if wandering. This date is the “save the date” notice and may adjust. For updates, follow Clover C Farm on Facebook here.

Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market

Saturday, May 19 and June 2, 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.

Shred-A-Thon — Rocky Mount Event

Saturday, May 19, 2018 @ 9am-noon

Held at the State Employees’ Credit Union, 2550 Benvenue Road, Rocky Mount NC. Bring personal documents for shredding. Paper only at this event; no business or commercial documents. Event may end early if the truck is full.

Shred-A-Thon — Wilson Event

Saturday, May 19, 2018 @ 9am-noon

Held at the State Employees’ Credit Union, 3004 NC Hwy 42 W, Wilson NC. Bring personal documents for shredding. Paper only at this event; no business or commercial documents. Event may end early if the truck is full.

Around The Tables

Saturday, May 19, 2018 @ 10am-12:30pm

Free clothing for all ages and a free noon meal on the third Saturday of each month. This event is held by Dream Coat Ministries to ensure local families in need are able to take home clothing for home, work, or school, and share a meal together — prepared by church volunteers. Hosted by Now Faith Community Baptist Church, 8933 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale NC. For this and future “Around The Tables” dates, see the Dream Coat Ministries Facebook page. (See this July 2017 article regarding Around The Tables.)

Spring Gala Celebration

Saturday, May 19, 2018 @ 5-8pm

Support the Franklin County Arts Council with this evening of fun, mingling with artists, live music, food, a door prize, raffle, and silent auction. Held at the beautiful, historic Victorian home of Dudley and Barbara Whitaker at 210 Winston Road, Franklinton NC. Tickets are for sale at the Up Front Gallery (22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC) or buy with PayPal. (Interested in being an event sponsor? Call 919.497.6910.)

Faux Mosaic Flowerpots

Monday, May 21, 2018 @ 2-6pm

Learn the fun, easy art of painting faux mosaic flowerpots, and make a sample to take home. Small clay pots and paint will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring larger clay pots and acrylic craft paint in their own colors if desired. Held in the Assembly Room at the Wilson County main library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. Registration is required; call 252.237.5355 to register.

Sensory Friendly Night

Thursday, May 24, 2018 @ 5:30-8pm

For families and visitors requiring special accommodations, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Exploration Center will stay open late for visitation during a quieter evening. There will be plenty of fun activities, scientists, and live animals, the museum’s featured exhibition “Mazes & Brain Games,” and more. Registration is not required, but registered guests will receive a schedule of event activities and other preparatory materials. This free event is being held North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh NC. See details here.

Downtown Garner Pop-up Market

Saturday, May 26, 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 June 30, 2018. See more dates here.

Nature Walks at Battle Park

Saturday, June 2, 2018 @ 10am

Join the Friends of Battle Park at the Battle Park boat ramp parking lot, Battle Park Road, Rocky Mount NC. Free, Fun, and Educational! Learn about wildlife, plants/trees, Native American lore, and more. See more Battle Park events via the Friends of Battle Park’s Facebook page here.

Outdoor Movies on the Back Lawn

Thursday, June 7, 2018 @ 8pm

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. Next date is July 5, 2018, 8:30pm.

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.

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.