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 17, 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)
Friday, October 18, 2019
Franklin County Farmers Market
Fridays, October 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.
3rd Friday with The Artist
Friday, October 18, 2019 @ 6-8pm
Join the Franklin County Arts Council for this event featuring the art of Margaret Hilpert. Held at the FCAC Gallery On Main, 118-B North Main Street, Louisburg, NC. Follow the arts council on Facebook here.
Clayton Free Outdoor Movie
Friday, October 18, 2019 @ 6-9:30pm
Free movie plus face-painting, balloon animals, an inflatable, and more for the whole family. Food and snacks available for purchase. Held in the Town Square, Clayton, NC. Brought to you by Zaxby’s-Clayton and the Clayton Downtown Development Association. See details at DowntownClayton.org/movies.
Wilson Movies In The Park
Friday, October 18, 2019 @ 7:30-10:30pm
Held at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC.
Movie starts at sunset. Before the movie, the Wilson Police Department’s Police Athletic League’s Food Truck will have hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, and drinks available for purchase. Bring a blanket/lawn chair for comfort. Made possible by Cucalorus Pop-up Cinema, Gig East, and the city. See this and other events in our Whirligig Park article.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Ed. Note: The Zebulon Farm Fresh Market has closed for the season.
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Saturdays, October 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 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 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.
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Saturdays, October 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 19 and 26, 2019 @ 9am-1pm
Market 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.
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.
Twilight at the Museum
Saturday, October 19, 2019 @ 6-8:30pm
The Country Doctor Museum in Bailey, North Carolina is holding a special “spooky” evening with tours, demonstrations, plague doctors roaming, medical artifacts, and more. Admission is $4 for ages 5 and up. The admission fee goes toward Country Doctor Museum educational event costs. The Country Doctor Museum is located at 7089 Peele Road, Bailey, NC. (See our article.)
Fifth Street Community Garden Halloween Festival
Saturday, October 19, 2019 @ 7-10pm
An early jump on Halloween festivities with this festival at Fifth Street Community Garden, Smithfield, NC. Free food, games, pumpkin carving, costume contests, face painting, hay rides, and more. Find details on the Town of Smithfield Facebook page. and the community garden’s page.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Family Art Sundays
Sunday, October 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.
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.
Coming Soon
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.
Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market
Saturday, November 9, 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). For information including vendor booth reservations, contact Melissa Dooley at 919.965.9841 x.8003 or via email.
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.
Johnston County Writers Group Meeting
Thursday, November 14, 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.
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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