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

Compiled by Kay Whatley, Editor

This weeks things-to-do listing may include in-person events in the North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, or beyond — unique coastal or mountain events are occasionally included.

Links for updates/information are included. Things to do may be rescheduled/delayed or locations changed. Contact an event’s organizer directly to confirm.

Any online offerings (watch from home) events that may be included will be marked as online.

At public gatherings, follow state coronavirus/Covid-19 safety measures for the good of yourself and others: wear a mask, keep your hands clean, and let everyone enjoy their time out-and-about with a bit of personal space. When in doubt, stand six feet out.

Exhibit “Beyond Self: The History of the OddFellows in Wayne County” Open: October 2, 2021-January 8, 2022

This new exhibit displays information and artifacts on the OddFellows order. Included are photographs of the “IOOF” facilities in Goldsboro in past centuries.

The Wayne County Museum is located at 116 N William Street, Goldsboro, NC. Open Tuesdays-Fridays (11am-4pm), and Saturdays (10am-6pm).

For more information, visit www.waynemuseum.org.

Wednesday

ZFFM Pop-Up Market: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 @ 4-7pm.

While the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market’s Saturday markets are done for the season, Pop-Up Markets on Wednesdays continue with this October 20 event.

Held in downtown Zebulon, NC.

Follow here for any holiday market announcements or market dates.

Thursday

Wake Forest Halloween Boo Bash: Thursday, October 21, 2021 @ 4:30-7:30pm

This Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department event is a free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger.

E. Carroll Joyner Park is located at 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC.

See details in article here.

Live on the Lawn: Thursday, October 21, 2021 @ 5:30-7:30pm

This free concert, live music outdoors by the Wayne County Public Library.

Held in the Carolyn Baddour Garden (outside the library), 1001 E Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC.

Follow the library for updates and future concert planned for October 28, 2021.

Halloween Spooktacular Drive Thru: Thursday, October 21, 2021 @ 6-8pm

Drive through with the kids and get them goodie/treat bags, while supplies last, provided by the town and county. Optionally, wear costumes and decorate your vehicle as you come for treats!

Held at the Nash County Agricultural Center, 1006 Eastern Avenue, Nashville, NC.

See the Nash County Parks & Rec flyer here.

Note: For more Nashville, NC Fall/Halloween offerings, see our article on the town’s October happenings.

Friday

Franklin County Farmers Market: Friday, October 22, 2021 @ 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 scheduled to be open through part of December.

The market is located in the parking lot at 137 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC.

Follow the market for updates or closures.

Whitakers Friday Market Days: Friday, October 22, 2020 @ 3-6pm

This community market will be open Fridays through October, with vendors offering homegrown/produce, homemade, local items, and (sometimes) hot foods.

The location is at 101 S White Street, Whitakers, NC — the corner of Hwy 301 (S White) and Pippen Street in the old Southern Bank Building.

For updates, Follow WRAP — Whitakers Revitalize and Preserve — at www.facebook.com/WRAPFORWHITAKERS.

Outdoor Movie Night: Friday, October 22, 2021 @ 6:30-9pm

Enjoy a family movie, free and open to the public. Held outdoors at Zebulon Commmunity Park. Bring blanket/chair for comfort.

The park is located at 401 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC.

See details and movie title here.

Saturday

Wake Forest Farmers Market: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 8am-noon

Weekly offerings from farms, artisans, and crafters at this year-round farmers’ market. Live music at the market!

Located at 235 S Taylor Street, Wake Forest, NC.

The Wake Forest Farmers Market website is www.wakeforestmarket.org. Updates may be found here.

Nash County Farmers Market: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 8am-1pm

This farmers market encompasses two buildings and an outdoor areas, with lots of room for the wide variety of offerings. Shop for locally-grown produce, meats and seafood, homemade goods, home decor, crafts, furniture, plants, apparel, and more, food trucks. Open Saturdays into November (then continues as Winter Market).

Held at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount, NC.

Follow the market, or visit nashcountync.gov/175/Farmers-Market.

The Farm Market at Oak Ridge Farms: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 9am-1pm

On-farm market featuring farm goods and a variety of vendors — local businesses, homemade goods makers, artisans, and crafters. Open every Saturday until the end of October.

Held at Oak Ridge Farms, 92 Thomas Arnold Road, Zebulon, NC (near Rocky Cross/Pilot).

Follow Oak Ridge Farms for market details/updates.

Note: This farm will be holding a Fall Festival at the market on October 30, 2021.

Fall on First Festival: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 10am-4pm

Family fun at this festival includes inflatables, music, pumpkins/mums, music, a BBQ contest, and more.

Held in Knightdale Station Park, 910 N First Avenue, Knightdale, NC.

Visit Knightdale Parks & Rec here for festival flyer and updates.

Knightdale Saturday in the Park Free Concert: Saturday, October 23, 2021, 10am-4pm

Enjoy live music by the Hip Pocket band, shop craft vendors as part of the “Fall on First Festival,” check out the BBQ contest, or pick up a treat from the food trucks at the park.

Saturday in the Park events are held in the Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater, located at 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale, North Carolina.

For concert series details, visit www.knightdalenc.gov.

Meet The Artist at the Gallery On the Hill: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 11am-3pm

Stop by the Gallery on the Hill to meet Dawn Lancaster and view her art on display, or purchase a work from the gallery for your home. Entry to the gallery is free, no registration is necessary, and light refreshments will be provided.

The FCAC gallery address is 99 S Bickett Blvd, Louisburg, NC. (Turn right just before the traffic lights at Nash Street & Bickett Blvd, and drive up the hill behind the Ag Extension complex. Or, FCAC may also be reached from Tanglewood Drive.)

See this and other Arts Council events at www.fcacarts.org.

Stoney Point Trail of Terror “Trunk or Treat” Night: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 1-3pm

This Halloween attraction is run by, and benefits, the Stoney Point Fire Department. On one night each year, the FD holds a free family event where kids age 12 and younger may trick-or-treat at the fire department.

Held at 7221 Stoney Point Road, Fayetteville, NC.

This year’s Trail of Terror (ticketed scary attraction) will be open October 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30 @ 8-11pm and October 31 @ 8-10pm (Halloween night). See details and information about the Trail of Terror hours at www.undeadfd.com. Follow the FD on social media for updates here.

Fall Fling: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 1-4pm

This annual hay ride by Clayton Parks and Recreation offers inflatables, pumpkin painting, and a hay ride with interactive storytelling.

Location is 715 Amelia Church Road, Clayton, NC.

See Fall Fling details here.

Note: This organization is also holding a Boo Bash Halloween Dance on October 22, 2021, 6-8pm, for individuals 13+ with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Pre-registration is required.

Fall Nature Hike: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 2-3:30pm

Did you know Nash Community College has a “Live Well and Learn Trail” for hiking? Join this Fall hike along the trail, enjoy time outdoors, and learn about the plants and insects that live in this Nash County space.

Trunk or Treat and Fall Festival: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 4-8pm

This event presented by Stantonsburg PH Church, and includes games, a yard sale, silent auction, lunch boxes for sale, and all proceeds to to the church youth group.

Held at 309 Moyton Avenue, Stantonsburg, NC.

See details here.

Downtown Beats & Eats: Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 4-8pm

Free concert series produced by Gig360 Young Professionals, featuring homegrown music, food trucks, and craft beverages.

Held in Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC.

Details here.

Coming Soon

Clayton Harvest Festival: October 27-31, 2021

Five days of fun! Carnival rides and games, food, vendors, a Latin American Festival, a BBQ contest, and more.

Held in various Clayton, NC locations.

See detailed schedule of events at www.claytonharvestfestival.com.

Fall Festival at the Cooley Library: Friday, October 29, 2021 @ 3:30-5:30pm

This is an outdoor festival with fun for all ages.

Held outside the HD Cooley Library, located at 114 West Church Street, Nashville, NC.

See the library’s calendar (posted here) for their scheduled October activities and story times. Contact the library directly with questions or to confirm/register for events.

Note that Nashville’s Downtown Trick-or-Treating is scheduled for Friday, October 29, 2021 @ 5:30-7pm. Take the kids through downtown Nashville, NC to gather treats from various shops. Dress up for the occasion! Kids may bring a bag or pumpkin to carry their goodies!

Free Outdoor Movie: Friday, October 29, 2021 @ 7-9:30pm

Watch a free outdoor movie appropriate for the season, The Addams Family. Dress for the weather, and bring lawn chairs for comfort. Parking is limited.

Held outdoors in the parking lot of the Nash County Courthouse, 234 W Washington Street, Nashville, NC.

See details here.

Fall Festival at Oak Ridge Farms: Saturday, October 30, 2021 @ 9-3pm

Shop the farmers market, see the farm animals and equipment, purchase from food trucks and local vendors. Kids may play games, paint pumpkins, see “princesses,” and more for kids including treating (no tricks). Raffle, too. Admission $2 per person, with children under 3 free.

Festival activities will be on the farm at 92 Thomas Arnold Road, Zebulon, NC.

Visit Oak Ridge Farms on FB for event flyer and updates.

Haunted Dollhouse: Sunday, October 31, 2021 @ 5-8pm (Halloween Night)

Head to Comic World for their fourth-annual “haunted house” event with comics and candy for kids, a costume contest (up to age 15), and more. Walking through the Haunted Dollhouse is free, with 2-4 people inside at a time for social distancing. A food truck is planned offering fairground-type foods.

Comic World is located at 122 E Gannon Avenue, Zebulon, NC.

10 Plant Tours: Friday, November 12, 2021 @ noon-1pm

Nash County Arboretum offers a series of free, public, tours discussing different types of plant. These monthly tours are led by extension agents from the Nash County Center. Plants discussed on each date:

Ten Plants That Look Good in Winter: November 12

To attend the tour, gather at the Nash County Agriculture Center entrance, 1006 Eastern Avenue, Nashville, NC. Note that dates may change due to weather (not rain/shine).

See 2021 details here.

Selma Saturdays “Shop Small Selma”: November 27, 2021 @ 9am-1pm

Head to downtown Selma for outdoor live entertainment, local artisans, and business vendors.

Held on N Raiford Street (Anderson to Waddell Streets), Selma, NC.

See flyer via selma-nc.com/departments/parks-rec.

Wendell Farmers Market: Saturdays Done for the Season

The downtown Wendell, NC market closed after its October 2 market. Follow on Facebook for updates, vendor calls in the Spring, and future market updates.

Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market: Saturdays Done for the Season

This Saturday market at the Whirligig park in Wilson, NC is closed for 2021. Find them online at www.historicdowntownwilson.com/farmers-artisan-market and Follow here.

____

To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsor names 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.

While most listed events are free to enter, ticketed or fee-for-entry events may be included and its fee/price noted.

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 the news site nor staff.

Listed are mostly in-person events; however, online/zoom/YouTube events may be included and will be identified as online. If unsure whether to go to a location or login, use the event’s link provided and contact the organization/person directly responsible for that event.

Why are the day, date, and year included, repetitively, under each dated heading? The better for readers like you to cut-and-paste complete event information and share with others… though sharing of this article’s link is encouraged, so that readers may see all listed events.

____