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, October 10, 2019
Johnston County Writers Group Meeting
Thursday, October 10, 2019 @ 6-7:45pm
Writers of all experience levels are invited to this monthly meeting of JoCo Writers and hear a guest author. Held at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC. This group meets on the second Thursday of the month. Join the group on Facebook here.
Mindfulness in the Garden
Thursday, October 10, 2019 @ 7-9pm CANCELED
Join the Soil Trotters Garden Club and Mindful Motion for the Walking Meditation. Relax and follow the guided steps while focusing on breathing. Held at the Artmosphere Community Arts Center, 3919 Raleigh Road, Clayton, NC. Follow the Soil Trotters Garden Club for updates here.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Franklin County Farmers Market
Fridays, October 11, 18, and 25, 2019 @ 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. Market is also open Tuesdays and Saturdays. The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC. Follow their Facebook page for updates, closings, and produce available at this year-round farmers market.
Free Family Movie Night
Friday, October 11, 2019 @ 7-8:30pm (Doors Open 6:30pm)
Enjoy a free, family-friendly movie courtesy of the Zebulon Parks & Recreation Department. Free popcorn and bottled water are provided. Held at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC. See movie title here.
Movies in the Park
Friday, October 11, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Movies are free. Food and beverages may be purchased. This free movie series is made possible by Cucalorus Pop-up Cinema and Gig East. Bring blankets and chairs for comfort on the lawn for this outdoor movie, which will begin at sunset. Held in Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC. Future Dates: October 18 and 25, 2019 @ 7:30pm; October 26, 2019 @ 8:30pm. See movie titles and more in our article.
Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down
October 11 & 12, 2019
This cooking competition offers awards/trophies for participating chefs, and a fun experience for the general public. Held at the Helen P. Gay Historic Rocky Mount Train Station, 101 Coastline Street, Rocky Mount, NC. See downtownrockymount.com/…/bbq-applications.
Indigo Moon Film Festival
October 11-13, 2019
This annual film festival is held in multiple locations around historic downtown Fayetteville, NC. An Opening Night Film and Reception on Friday provides the kick off for the festival. On Saturday, IMFF brings in dozens of films from around the world to screen in several walkable venues. Filmmakers provide insight during post-screening Q&A sessions. Awards Banquet is held on Sunday. See details and ticket information at IndigoMoonFilmFestival.com.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019 @ 8am-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 and other factors. Located at 235 S Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC. (Starting in November, hours are 10am-noon.) The Wake Forest Farmers Market website is www.wakeforestmarket.org.
Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market
Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019 @ 8am-1pm
Local farm offerings and handmade/homemade goods. Open Saturdays through October 2019. Held in the Pavilion at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC. See details here. Updates may be posted via the market’s Facebook page.
Farmers Market Rocky Mount
Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019 @ 8am-1pm
Check out local farm and craft offerings at this weekly market. Held at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount, NC. Updates may be posted to the market Facebook page.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market (CLOSING DAY)
Saturdays, October 12, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Vendors at the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market (ZFFM) offer farm produce, baked goods, handmade goods, arts, plants, and more. Zebulon Farm Fresh Market is located at the Zebulon Municipal Complex (town hall), 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Free parking available in the town hall parking lots. Follow the market on Facebook for updates and market theme information.
Note that October 12 is “Hay Day” at the market.
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
The market will be open every Saturday for its regular season through the last Saturday in October 2019. The Clayton Farm and Community Market is located at 348 E Main Street, Clayton, NC. Contact information may be found at www.cfcmnc.org/contact. Follow this market’s Facebook page for updates.
Wendell Farmers Market
Saturdays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Although the market had a late start, it is scheduled for every Saturday through October 2019. Held at W Campen and Main Streets, Wendell, NC. See details at www.townofwendell.com/living/farmers-market or follow the market on Facebook.
36th-Annual Fall Festival
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 8am-2pm
Zebulon United Methodist Church, 121 West Gannon Avenue, Zebulon, NC, offers activities and food for the whole family. Children’s activities, a BBQ dinner, bake sale, crafts, plant sale, silent auction, and more. The church website is and they may be Followed on Facebook here.
Note that the church will hold its annual live auction fundraiser after the festival.
Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Held monthly. Browse a variety of local vendors for arts and crafts, handmade items, and more. Live entertainment too. Held at the Uptown Gazebo, 100 block of E Anderson Street, Selma, NC (parking lot behind Town Hall). Future date: November 9, 2019. For information including vendor booth reservations, contact Melissa Dooley at 919.965.9841 x.8003 or via email.
Black Creek Heritage Day Festival
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 9am-4:30pm
For this 21st-annual festival, enjoy food, meet vendors, see cars on display, dance, and enjoy the Fall weather outdoors at 112 West Center Street, Black Creek, NC. This event may be rescheduled if weather is unsuitable. Follow festival updates via the town’s Facebook page.
Little River Nature Program Series
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 10am
Held in Little River Park, just off NC-97, Zebulon, NC, this free educational event is presented in conjunction with Sylvan Heights Bird Park! Events open to families with elementary children. On October 12, learn about the Birds in Your Backyard. Future date: November 9, 2019. See series here.
Downtown Beats & Eats
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 4-8pm
Free concert held in the Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC. On-site food trucks and adult beverage sales. Bring a blanket or chair for comfort. Future date: October 26, 2019. See details and band names in our article.
Tambourines to Glory: A Musical Comedy Gospel
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 7-9:30pm
Enjoy this presentation, written by Langston Hughes. Held at Forest Hills Middle School, 1210 Forest Hills Road NW, Wilson, NC. See details and ticket ($15; advance ticket sales have ended) information on EventBrite. Follow Vision Community Theatre Group for updates.
Fall Movie Series (Family Friendly)
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 7:15-9:15pm
Join the Town of Rolesville for a free movie on the football field at Rolesville Middle School, 4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville, NC. Bring a chair or blanket for comfort. Concessions will be on sale. The movie, The House with a Clock in it’s Walls (2018), begin at dusk. Follow the town on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rolesvillenc.
Shamanic Fire Ceremony
Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 8-10pm
Come dressed for the weather and take part in the Sacred Full Moon Fire Ceremony outdoors by Sage N Smudge, 108 E Vance Street, Zebulon, NC. Open to the public and explanations will be provided. No experience necessary. A donation of $10 may be made at the event. Follow the shop on Facebook for updates.
Note that on this date, noon-3pm, guests may come to see the “Energy Cascade of Healing Light” with Shaman Roland Walters.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Family Art Sundays
Sundays, October 13 and 20, 2019 @ 2-4pm
Drop-in event, meaning family registration is not needed. Event is free. Future Dates:
- November 3, 17, and 24, 2019
- December 1, 8, and 15, 2019
All ages welcome with accompanying adults. Join in art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour. Materials are provided. Held at the art gallery at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC. See event here.
Coming Soon
Flix4Kidz
Monday, October 14, 2019 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
Bring the kids for a free, family-friendly movie on the second Monday of each month. Open to the public. Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. Call the Centre’s Special Events Hotline at 919.435.9428 for movie title. Future dates: November 11, and December 9, 2019. For more information, visit the town’s event calendar.
Senior Center Annual Chili Cook-Off
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 @ 11:30am
Mark your calendars for one of the hottest events of the year! Enter your best batch of chili for a chance to win a $50 VISA gift card and bragging rights for the entire year. Prizes will also be awarded for 2nd and 3rd places. So whether you want to cook and compete or stay and eat, you’re sure to have a smoking’ good time! One entry per contestant. Entries cannot be store-bought. Held in the Large Activity Room at The Nash, 103 N Alston Street, Nashville, NC. Call 252.459.7681 to register or with questions.
Note that the deadline to register is Friday, October 11, 2019.
Food Truck Thursday: Lunch & Dinner
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Sit and eat at the park, or pick up food to take back to your desk or home. Live music during dinnertime.
- Lunch (11:30am-1:30pm)
- Dinner (6-8pm)
Food trucks will be parked near the Knightdale Station Park pavilion, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC. See details and updates via the Parks and Rec Facebook page. (Article)
Around the Tables
Saturday, October 19, 2019 @ 10am-noon
This monthly event by Dream Coat Ministries provides free clothing for kids and adults, plus lunch (11:30am) at no charge provided by Now Faith Community Baptist Church. The address is 8933 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale, NC. Future Dates: November 16 and December 21, 2019. Follow www.facebook.com/Dreamcoatknightdale.
Marketing Know-How (For Writers)
Sunday, October 20, 2019 @ 2-4pm
How do you get the word out about your book(s)? Guest speaker Melissa Ramirez, co-author of The Tricked Out Toolbox: Promotion and Marketing Tools Every Writer Needs, explains how to pick and choose which strategies and tactics will serve you best. Murder We Write monthly writing events are held at the High Point Public Library, 901 N Main Street, High Point, NC. All writers are welcome at this free event. See www.murderwewrite.org.
Friday Afternoon Popcorn and A Movie at The Nash Senior Center
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 2pm
Senior citizens, come and enjoy popcorn and a movie. The movie showing is free and popcorn is 25 cents a bag. Movies shown in Room 112 at the Nash County Senior Center, 103 N Alston Street, Nashville, NC. With questions or to register, call 252.459.7681. Pre-registering is recommended and helps the facility to plan seating and refreshments for those attending. Movie showings are held on the fourth Friday of each month. Movies planned are:
- Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 2pm: The Biggest Little Farm (2019)
- Friday, November 22, 2019 @ 2pm: La La Land (2016)
- Friday, December 27, 2019 @ 2pm: Jack Frost (1998)
For this and other senior happenings, follow Nash County senior center updates on Facebook or check out their quarterly newsletter via the county web page.
Town of Farmville’s Pumpkin Chunkin’ Festival
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 8am-4pm
At this first-annual event, “Pumpkin hurling is going to be taken to a whole new level,” according to the Farmville Parks & Recreation Department. Location will be at the soccer field, 4240 West Horne Avenue, Farmville, NC. If signing up, competitor/vendor applications deadline may be Friday, September 6, 2019 at noon. See details at www.farmvillencparks.com/first-annual-pumpkin-chunkin-festival.html.
Celebrate Owl-o-ween with CLAWS, Inc.
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ noon-4pm
Join CLAWS, Inc. at Wild Birds Unlimited, 1806 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, learn a bit, and take a selfie with a Raven. Costumes are encouraged. This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. Find event and updates here.
Downtown Beats & Eats
Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 4-8pm
Head downtown for live music, food trucks, and more. Held in the Vollis Simpson Whirigig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. Entry is free. Food and drinks will be on sale; no outside food/beverages allowed. Follow Downtown Beats & Eats on Facebook here.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball
October 30-31, 2019 @ 7:30pm (both dates)
Attend this 2nd-annual fun film event presented by Retro Film Series / The Carolina Theatre of Durham. Movie screening with fog, light show, and more. Held in The Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham, NC. Tickets are $12, available via TicketMaster.com.
First Friday Flix
Friday, November 1, 2019 @ 7-9pm
Held the first Friday of each month, this movie showing is free and open to the public. “Feature a variety of film favorites and genres, including comedies, dramas, thrillers and more, often with a seasonal or historical theme.” Held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC. See this event and more on the Wake Forest Renaissance Center calendar.
NC Whirligig Festival
November 2-3, 2019
The Whirligig Festival is held in and around the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC, and is a weekend of celebrating the life of local folk artist Vollis Simpson and his whirligig creations. See details at whirligigfestivalnc.org.
Clayton Harvest Festival/Latin American Festival
November 2 & 3, 2019
This annual festival by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce offers entertainment, attractions, food, cars, barbecue competition, vendors, and more. The event is broken into components:
- Clayton Harvest Festival Vendor Fair, Saturday, November 2, 2019, 10am-5pm (on Main Street, Clayton, NC)
- Latin American Festival Vendor Fair, Sunday, November 3, 2019, noon-5pm (in Town Square, Clayton, NC)
For more details, visit www.claytonharvestfestival.com.
Marketing Know-How (For Writers)
Sunday, November 10, 2019 @ 2-4pm
Join this group of writers for “Toe-tag Chronicles” with Forensics expert Jacque Perkins presenting true-crime cases she has encountered while working in the NC Medical Examiner’s office. Murder We Write monthly writing events are held at the High Point Public Library, 901 N Main Street, High Point, NC. All writers are welcome. See www.murderwewrite.org.
Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market
Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 9am-3pm
Artisans and craftspeople will have their wares on sale at this annual Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market. The Market location is inside Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. The Holiday Artisans’ Market showcases a wide variety of handmade items, featuring many types of crafts in a wide range of prices. Visit Wake Forest Arts.
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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 this news site or 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 visitors to cut-and-paste complete event information to share with others… Though sharing of this full list’s link is encouraged, so readers may see all upcoming events.
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Ed. Note: Originally published October 7, 2019; updated Oct. 10 with event cancellation.
