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
2016 Downtown Sundown Concert Series (August 26, 2016 @ 6-10pm)
For this Downtown Sundown concert with Tuesday’s Gone. 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.
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).
Summer Film Series (August 26, 2016 @ 8:30pm)
Tickets are free for North Carolina Museum of Art members and $6 for nonmembers. Showing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. 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.
Fall into the Future Series Outdoor Movie (August 26, 2016 @ doors open 5:30; movie at dusk)
The Town of Knightdale’s outdoor movie series is starting up for the Fall. The series is set to being with a showing of Avatar on August 26. The movies are shown at Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater is located at 810 North First Avenue, Knightdale NC. For the Avatar showing, there will be a school supplies collection and all are encouraged to bring supplies to donate. Supplies will later be distributed (at K-Fest).
New Show Opening Reception at the MC Erny Gallery (August 26, 2016 @ 6-9pm)
Artists Candy Pegram and Kirah Van Sickle team up to showcase the different ways we experience and observe the world around us. WHQR Public Radio is excited to announce the “Insider/Outsider” opening reception at the MC Erny Gallery at WHQR. Guests are invited to meet the artists, WHQR staff, and on-air personalities, while enjoying great food and wine. WHQR’s MC Erny Gallery is located at 254 N Front Street, in Wilmington NC. Online at whqr.org/insideroutsider-art-two-ways.
Winterville Watermelon Festival (August 25-27, 2016)
Join the fun at the 31st annual Winterville Watermelon Festival! This family-oriented event includes watermelon eating, music, vendors, food, Veterans breakfast, Watermelon Parade, and cool things to watch on-stage and off. Come for the food, the music, the amusement park rides, and Bingo! So many things to do, the whole family will find something fun. The festival runs from 6pm to 11pm on Thursday and Friday (August 25-26), and 8am to 11pm on Saturday (August 27). All concerts at the Winterville Watermelon Festival are free. All seating is limited, and available on a first come, first served basis. Gates open at 5pm for music, so plan accordingly — and bring a folding lawn chair or canvas chair for comfort. Plan to head to 324 Sylvania Street, in Winterville NC for a day or for all three. The detailed schedule of events is online here.
Saturday
Stepping into the Past Series (August 27, 2016 @ 10am-3pm)
This Saturday retro event includes demonstrations and displays of traditional arts, crafts, and trades at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 North Church Street, in Kenly NC. All activities are included with regular admission to the Museum ($8 for adults, $7 for Seniors age 55 and over, $6 for children and students, and free for children under 2 years old. On August 27, the event is “Personal Expressions: Jewelry making demonstrations.” Note that on September 3, the event is “Spinning, Casting and Knotting: Fabric art demonstrations.” More information on the museum website at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past.
Coloring Club for Teens & Adults (August 27, 2016 @ 3-4pm)
Come by for coloring and relaxing. Held in the Wiley Conference Room, Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. Visit the library online at braswell-library.libguides.com/home.
ABC Craft & Learn (August 27, 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.
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.
Paranormal Talk “Livin’ It Up In Asheville” with George Noory & Friends (August 27, 2016 @ 5pm)
The host of Coast to Coast AM, George Noory, is coming to Asheville NC. Noory will be joined by Ufologist Micah Hanks, The Paul Revere of our century, William R. Forstchen, and Asheville’s own Paranormal Investigator, Joshua P. Warren. The event is at the Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, in downtown Asheville NC. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are $106 and available here or by calling 828.257.4530. There will be a Meet-and-Greet following the show. For more information on Coast to Coast AM events, visit www.coasttocoastam.com/pages/events.
Franklin County NC Poetry Workshop (August 27, 2016 @ 9:30-11am)
Franklin County Arts Council’s Diversity Team will sponsor a poetry workshop titled “Finding the Words-Making Them Work” with facilitator, Dasan Ahanu. The workshop will include preparing for spoken word performances and poetry slams. This event is hosted by the FCAC, 22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC. The cost is $5 for FCAC members; $10 for non-members. To register, call 919.497.6910 or email.
Paw Paw Festival (August 27, 2016 @ 10am-1pm)
This event is being held at 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem NC. There will be orchard tours, cooking demonstrations, vendors, and more. Organized by the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension.
Summer Film Series (August 27, 2016 @ 8:30pm)
Tickets are free for North Carolina Museum of Art members and $6 for nonmembers. Showing Spectre (2015). 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.
Centennial Celebration at Mount Mitchell State Park (August 27-28, 2016)
North Carolina State Parks is holding its second Signature Centennial Celebration. Visitors are invited to a daylong celebration Saturday, August 27, 2016, with traditional and bluegrass music, clogging, demonstrations of traditional mountain skills, such as blacksmithing, quilting, chair caning and spinning, traditional crafts for sale, storytelling and games for children and adults, and displays from area museums. Sunday, August 28, 2016, will be dedicated to recreation and education with guided hikes by rangers and volunteers. More info here.
Beats & Beer (August 27, 2016 @ 5-9pm)
Edgecombe Arts is holding this ticketed event on the Blount-Bridgers House lawn, 130 Bridgers Street, in Tarboro NC. It includes a night of music with Backyard Groove, food trucks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and more. The organizers at Edgecombe Arts encourage everyone to bring a lawn chair, sit under the stars, and enjoy great local music. No coolers, umbrellas, or pets are allowed. Come enjoy the day, and enjoy food and drink from the food trucks and vendors. This is a ticketed event, and tickets are $50-$20. More details here.
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 27 — Free Lick’s Ice Cream, backpacks for EBT users, live music, and free meals for kids.**
Sunday
Asheville NC Organicfest (August 28, 2016 @ 10am-6pm)
All are welcome to attend the 15th Organicfest celebration for a festive day filled with live music by local entertainers such as Kendra Warren, Sheri Lynn, JImmy Landry and many more. Asheville’s annual Organicfest celebration will bring thousands to Pack Square Park, 121 College Street, in downtown Asheville NC. For more information, the Entertainment Schedule, marketplace information, kids’ activities, and drawings, visit www.organicfest.org.
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.
Coming Soon
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.
Wendell National Day of Service (September 10, 2016 @ 11am-4pm)
Music, games, raffles, and food trucks at J. Ashley Wall Town Square, corner of Third Street and Cypress Street, Wendell NC. Join this fun-filled family festival in support of Military Missions in Action. If you are interested in being a vendor please email.
International Food and Music Festival (September 17, 2016 @ 11am-6pm)
Annual festival with performances, music, dancing, foods from across the globe, raffles, games, vendors, attractions, and more. Organized by St. Eugene Catholic Church each year, this fundraiser has something for every age and taste! Held at the J. Ashley Wall Towne Square, at the corners of W Third Street and W Cypress Street, Wendell NC. Details, schedules, and ride overviews are available at www.thefoodfestival.com.
K-Fest (September 10, 2016 @ 10am-7pm)
K-Fest (Knightdale Kids Education Festival), will be held at Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater, 810 North 1st Avenue, Knightdale NC. This new event includes tons of fun plus a school supply giveaway and a food drive. The details are online here.
Multicultural Festival (September 11, 2016 @ 1-6pm)
NC Hispanic Chamber is holding its second annual festival at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner NC. Event includes music, food, dance groups, inflatables, face painting, soccer games, clowns, and more. Visit the Chamber site for more information.
Yappy Hour Animal Rescue Benefit (September 10, 2016 @ 5pm)
Held at Tarboro Brewing Company, 526 N Main Street, Tarboro NC. This event benefits the animals of Friends of Edgecombe County Animals, Tarboro TNR, Tender Mercies Pet Organization, and PawNC. Join the fun, have a drink, fellowship, and get to know local animal advocates. There will be a photo booth, cornhole, raffles, live music, and food truck(s). This is a pet friendly event, so bring four-legged friends. Donation boxes will be set up at the door. Feel free to bring a bag of dog or cat food, kitty litter, or pet toys. Donations aren’t required, but are appreciated. Beverage specials for humans. More information at www.facebook.com/events/277737302598330.
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.
Taste of Stantonsburg Festival (September 17, 2016 @ 9am-5pm)
This annual festival is coming up! This year, it features Craig Woolard and the Embers from 11am-2pm! For those interested in participating, contact the police chief at 252.238.3534.
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.
NC State Fair (October 13-23, 2016)
Held at the State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Visit www.ncstatefair.org for general event information, tickets, and stage/event schedules.
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!
