Things to do in North Carolina this weekend. Any multi-day events are listed under the first date.
While most events listed are in the Five County Stadium area and surrounding towns, some events are in other parts of the state.
What’s missing? Let the editor know.
Friday
Dirty Dancing Festival (August 19-20, 2016)
For six years the Dirty Dancing Festival has descended upon the beautiful town of Lake Lure NC for two days of live music, dancing, food, and fun. Come see what all the fuss is about and Have the Time of Your Life! More information at www.dirtydancingfestival.com.
HempX Asheville NC festival (August 19-20, 2016)
Free festival including presentations, a hemp fashion show, and music by The London Souls. Held at Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, in Asheville NC. The schedule, presentation overview, and more are on the event website at www.hempxasheville.com.
2016 Downtown Sundown Concert Series (August 19, 2016 @ 6-10pm)
For this Downtown Sundown concert with Skydog. The Downtown Sundown Concert Series offers a free concert. Shows are held in the parking lot located at the corner of Water and Princess, Wilmington NC. For more information, visit this site.
Summer Film Series (August 19, 2016 @ 8:30pm)
Tickets are free for North Carolina Museum of Art members and $6 for nonmembers. Showing Spotlight. Doors open at 7pm. Held at the Museum Park Theatre, North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Due to construction, early arrival is recommended to give you time to park. More on the museum’s summer film series is available here. To buy tickets, choose the desired movie date.
Resume 101 Workshop (August 19, 2016 @ 3-4pm)
This workshop is scheduled for the Harold Cooley Library, 114 W Church Street, Nashville NC.
National Aviation Day (August 19, 2016 @ 9am-5pm)
Admission is free. Celebrate this exciting day with many activities including NASA Earthdome, kite building, 3D chalk art, and aircraft displays. The focus is to celebrate the achievement that the Wright brothers had in the field of aviation. Hands-on learning activities for kids. Held at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1002 N Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills NC.
Saturday
Teen Leadership Corps Orientation (August 20, 2016 @ 2-3pm)
Teens in grades 6-10 are invited to attend this Teen Leadership Corps (TLC) orientation. TLC is a leadership and volunteer program at East Regional Library. Enjoy refreshments while meeting other teens and learning about volunteer opportunities. An application is required for all new TLC members. For more information, email Janet West. This orientation is at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC.
ABC Craft & Learn (August 20, 2016 @ 10:30-11:30am)
Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers may participate in “an interactive program with an alphabet craft to nurture pre-reading skills through writing and play and to give opportunity to develop fine motor skills children require to start school.” This is a free event, and no Registration is required.
It is held at the Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, in Zebulon NC. For more information, contact Margaret at 919.404.3610.
It is also held at the Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC. The time and date are the same as for Zebulon.
Back to School Backpack Giveaway and Sales Event (August 20, 2016 @ 9am-5pm)
Raleigh Rescue Mission will host a Back to School Backpack Giveaway and Sales event at Raleigh Rescue Mission Store and Donation Center, 4700 Capital Blvd, Raleigh NC. Giveaway of backpacks stuffed with school supplies until supplies run out. Muddy the Mudcat will make a visit from 12-1pm and there will be special games for the kids. Come early for the best deals and the best chance to take home a backpack. Questions? call Viki Redding at 919.793.2656 or Ronstadt Manuel at 919.878.7117.
School Supplies and Clothes Giveaway (August 20, 2016 @ 8am-1pm)
Olive Branch Baptist Church will host a school supplies and clothes giveaway at Olive Branch Baptist Church, 326 E. Juniper Ave, Wake Forest NC. For more information, email Freda Hall.
Back 2 School Bash at Stedman (August 20, 2016 @ 10am-noon)
Held at the Stedman Recreation Center, 175 Circle Dr, Fayetteville NC. Pencils, erasers, and more for school. All ages welcome. There will also be bounce houses, games, food, and more. The center will also be collecting items for the teachers.
Movie Night (August 20, 2016 @ 9pm)
Jones Lake State Park will be showing “Saving the Best: North Carolina State Parks at 100” — a PBS video showcasing North Carolina State Parks and celebrating their centennial. The viewing will be located in the front of the Visitor Center and is free to the public. Bring family and friends, chairs, popcorn, and drinks. For more info, contact Ranger John Privette at 910.588.4550. Held at Jones Lake State Park, 4117 Hwy 242 N, Elizabethtown NC.
Hope House, Inc. will host this giveaway and all are welcomed to attend. Children need to be present to receive their book bag, with school supplies inside. There will be games, food, music, and fun. Come out for a fun day before school starts for most children. For more information, contact Norma J Bennekin at 919.556.8730 or via email. Held at Hope House, Inc., 334 N Allen Road, Wake Forest NC.
Center Street Jam – Digger Foot (August 20, 2016 @ 6-9pm)
An outdoor summer concert series, featuring live music, great food and cold beverages. Free admission! Grab your dancing shoes, lawn chairs and enjoy the fun! Picture ID required for all beer purchases. More information, visit www.dgdc.org. Held at 219 N John Street, Goldsboro NC.
Clayton Town Square Concert Series (August 20, 2016 @ 5:30-9:30pm)
“Kasey Tyndall with Big River Band” on August 20. There will be food trucks, adult refreshments available. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for this free public concert, no coolers. Note that on September 15, “Natural Wonder” will be playing. More information at www.downtownclayton.org. Event held at 110 W Main Street, in Clayton NC.
Saturday Farmers Markets and Farm Stores (Five County Area)
- Deans Farm Market — Fresh produce from the farm, plus kids activities, 8am-2pm. Located at 4231 NC Highway 42 W, in Wilson, NC. More info, call 252.237.0967.
- Knightdale Farmers Market — A new theme each week! A food truck onsite from 11am-2pm. The market is at Knightdale Station, 810 S Main Street, Knightdale NC. It is open Saturdays, 10am-2pm. Contact the market manager via email with questions. (Article)
- Ray Family Farms — This farm store is open Saturdays from 10am-4pm. (They also have Friday hours.) The farm is located at 6913 Pearces Rd, Louisburg NC — just outside Bunn NC. For more information, visit rayfamilyfarms.com.
- Rocky Mount Farmers Market— This Saturday Market is held at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC, 8am-1pm. Call 252.407.7920 or email with questions.
- Vollmer Farm Market — The farm store is open Saturday 10am-7pm (same hours Friday and Sunday). The farm is located at 677 NC 98 Hwy E, Bunn NC. More online at vollmerfarm.com.
- Wendell Farmers Market — The Wendell Farmers’ Market is open, 8am to noon. The market is located at 3700 Wendell Blvd, Wendell NC (Wake County). The market accepts EBT, debit and credit cards. For more information, email the market Director, Cathrine Evans.
- Wendell Yellow Dog Farm Roadside Produce Stand — Located at 1705 Eagle Road Road in Wendell NC, this farm stand is open each Saturday from 9am until noon. (Article)
- Wilson Farmers Market — The Saturday Market is held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds, Hwy 301, Wilson NC, and is open Saturdays, 7:30am-noon. Call 252.237.0111.
- Wrenn’s Farm — The farm store is open daily, with Saturday hours 8am-6pm. The farm address is Zebulon NC; they are close to Middlesex NC. Updates on their Facebook page.
- Zebulon Farm Fresh Market — Held on the grounds of the Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC, this market is open Saturdays, 9am-1pm. For more details, contact Market Manager Maurine Brown at 919.823.0432 or email. ** August 20 — Free mini pizzas at the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market, squash recipe contest, and live music by Russ James.**
Sunday
Music by the Bay at the Penelope Barker House (August 21, 2016 @ 2-4pm)
The Barker House Lawn alongside picturesque Edenton Bay — 505 S Broad Street, Edenton NC — is the site for “Fueston Brothers & Co” acoustic rock concert. Free to attend. Bring chairs and picnics. Come early to grab a piece of lawn. More information at www.ehcnc.org.
What’s a Paw-Paw? (August 21, 2016 @ 2pm)
Come and learn about one of our most fascinating native trees. The humble paw-paw is a relatively small understory tree, but it has big significance! This talk will start indoors and move outside, so dress for the weather. Starts in the auditorium at Dismal Swamp State Park, 2294 US 17 North, South Mills NC. More information, call 252.771.6593 or email.
Leave it to Beaver (August 21, 2016 @ 10am)
Be amused as you watch a volunteer be dressed up like a beaver. With every body part added you will learn a new interesting fact about beavers and their unique habitat. Come to this program where you can be thrilled at the funny site of the volunteer while learning about a remarkable animal. Event begins at Sandling Beach Shelter 1, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, 13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest NC. For more information, call 919.676.1027 or email.
Coming Soon
Friday Afternoon Popcorn & a Movie (August 26, 2016 @ 2pm)
For seniors, at the Nash County Senior Center, 103 N Alston Avenue, Nashville NC. The fourth Friday of each month, enjoy popcorn and a great movie in Room 112. There is no cost to view the movie and popcorn is just 25 cents per bag! Please pre-register for each movie to ensure adequate seating and refreshments. The movie August 26 is Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015).
See Spot Read! (August 27, 2016 @ 11am–12pm)
Practice reading to a therapy dog! Readers of all levels welcome. No registration required. Kids can just show up at the Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, in Zebulon NC. For more information, contact Margaret at 919.404.3610.
Dancin at the Depot (August 28 @ 5-8pm)
Come for this last-Sunday event with food, fun, and music by East Coast Rhythm and Blues. Held in downtown Spring Hope NC. More information at www.springhope.net/NewsandEvents.html.
Downtown Live! featuring Steve Owen & Summertime (September 1, 2016 @ 6pm)
Head to downtown Rocky Mount for this concert event featuring live music. Admission is free to the public. Held at the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC.
For more information, contact Rocky Mount Parks & Recreation at 252.972.1151.
Concert in the Park (September 4, 2016 @ 5-7pm)
Spend an evening with family and friends while enjoying music by Dark Water Rising. The free performance is at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC. Bring a picnic, leashed pets, a blanket/lawn chair, and enjoy the music. Alcoholic beverages, smoking, and unleashed pets are prohibited. For more information, visit the Wake Forest event page.
NC Apple Festival (September 2-5, 2016)
The North Carolina Apple Festival is held annually over Labor Day Weekend in Hendersonville NC. It has been Western North Carolina’s Premier Family Festival for over 60 years. From September 2-September 5, 2016 you can enjoy 4 days of fun including one of the most best known Street Fairs in the Carolinas with freshly picked apples, arts & crafts, festival food, and free entertainment at the Historic Courthouse on Hendersonville’s beautiful Main Street. Details online at www.ncapplefestival.org.
Eastern Triangle Farm Tour (September 17-18, 2016 @ 1-5pm both dates)
Tour local, sustainable farms and discover the delicious meat, dairy, fruits and veggies produced in the Eastern Triangle region of NC. Details and fees are online at www.carolinafarmstewards.org/etft.
Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival (September 30-October 1, 2016)
Great annual event with food and fun activities downtown Spring Hope NC, alongside vendors and local shops. More details to follow.
Rolesville Fall FunFest (October 22, 2016 @ 10am-4pm)
The event will be a street festival held on Main Street near the park in Rolesville NC. This FunFest will feature various arts/crafts vendors. There will be food trucks and live bands. Get an early jump on holiday shopping! Vendor application PDF is available on this link.
Stay tuned for more from Eastern North Carolina!
