Things to do in North Carolina this weekend. While most events listed are in the Five County Stadium area and surrounding towns, some events are in other parts of the state.
The Grey Area News has attempted to confirm each event, as many local events are cancelled. Folks across Eastern NC face flooding and hardship. Venues are flooded. Needs of the area come before event rescheduling. If you see an event we have missed, or that has been canceled, let the editor know.
Friday, October 14, 2016
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.
The Excelerate Experience (October 14, 2016 @ 8:30am-6:30pm)
For Entrepreneurs, Small and Independent Business Owners Ready and Willing to Excelerate their businesses to go from Great … to Extraordinary!
This ‘experience’ will is not a ‘nuts and bolts for business’ event, but rather you will learn from industry experts the soft skills required for your final ‘leap’ to the greatness you have earned … and deserve. Tickets are $97 and are available online at excelerateexperience.com. Scheduled for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, 15 TW Alexander Drive, Durham NC. Tickets have **SOLD OUT**.
Free Family Movie Night (October 14, 2016 @ 7pm)
Doors open at 6:30pm as the Zebulon Parks and Recreation Department presents a free movie and popcorn — for all ages — at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. A parent/guardian must be present for all children. This event repeats on the second Friday of each month, with a future showing planned for December 9, 2016 (no movie in November due to Veteran’s Day). Call 919.823.0432 to find out what movie is showing. This event is happening as scheduled, even though other Parks and Rec activities have been canceled. See their Facebook page for updates.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
NC State Fair (October 13-23, 2016)
Continues today… Held at the State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. See www.ncstatefair.org.
Fall Vendor Fling (October 15, 2016 @ 3-5pm)
Come shop the vendors, which will be set up at the Knightdale Recreation Center, 101 Lawson Ridge Road, Knightdale NC. Check out the Facebook event for a full list of vendors here.
Stepping into the Past Series (October 15, 2016 @ 10am-3pm)
**See Facebook for updates; as of this writing this event is NOT canceled nor rescheduled.** 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. More information on the museum website at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market (October 15, 2016 @ 9am-1pm)
The market and event are on the grounds of the Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. For more details, contact Market Manager Maurine Brown at 919.823.0432 or email.
Annual Taylorsville Apple Festival (October 15, 2016)
The weather should be as crisp as the apples! The third Saturday in October, this event is expected to draw well over 30,000 visitors to shop at the vendor booths, enjoy food (including apples), watch performances on the stages, and let the kids play in the Kids Korner area. See the Alexander County festival event page, www.alexandercountyonline.com/applefestival/indexAppleFestival.htm, for vendor and attendance details. The Taylorsville Apple Festival is in downtown Taylorsville NC.
“Wilmington on Fire” Film Screening (October 15, 2016 @ @ 6:30pm)
This screening is being held at Christ Village Conference Center, 3415 Green Valley Road, Fayetteville NC. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the film starts promptly at 7pm. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 if purchased in advance at www.fayettevillewof.eventbrite.com. See details in this article.
Triangle VegFest (October 15-16, 2016)
The Third Annual Triangle VegFest is free, with two days of festival at two locations. The festival highlights “the many benefits and joys of choosing a plant-based lifestyle.” Admission is free; a $5 donation is suggested. Day 1 (Saturday, October 15, 12-5pm), is being held at Nash Square, in downtown Raleigh NC. Day 2 (Sunday, October 16, 10am-4pm), is at McKimmon Center, NC State University, Raleigh NC. Speaker schedules and more details are online at www.trianglevegfest.com.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
NC State Fair (October 13-23, 2016)
Continues today… Held at the State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. See www.ncstatefair.org.
Triangle VegFest (October 15-16, 2016)
The Third Annual Triangle VegFest continues from Saturday. Day 2 (Sunday, October 16, 10am-4pm), is at McKimmon Center, NC State University, Raleigh NC. See www.trianglevegfest.com.
Coming Soon
PRISM Movie Screening (October 19, 2016 @ 6:30pm)
Join PRISM-Community United Church of Christ for discussion with the film producer after a screening of Coming Out: Coming In: Faith Identity and Belonging. This is a half-hour documentary that presents personal stories from gay and lesbian Christians who live and worship in North Carolina. Event is at 104 S White Street, Wake Forest NC. To register, email.
Fall Festival at ZUMC (October 22, 2016 @ 8am)
This is the new date, postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. Come out for a day of fun, shopping and good food. We’ll have children’s activities, plant sales, crafts, baked goods, great jams and jellies, etc. in our country store, chicken and pork BBQ plates for $8, and live and silent auctions. Held at Zebulon United Methodist Church, 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC.
Knightdale Public Safety Day (October 22, 2016 @ 10am-2pm)
This is the new date, as Public Safety Day was rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew. In Knightdale NC. See this article.
Dogtoberfest (October 22, 2016 @ 12-3pm)
Bring family, friends, and pups and get to Ashley Wilder Dog Park — the grassy area across from the Knightdale Station Park playground and Oak City Brewing — at 810 North First Avenue, in Knightdale NC. Enjoy fun, a run, and much more. See this town event page.
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.
Local Artist Showcase (October 22, 2016 @ 4-8pm)
Come and meet local artists and enjoy singing, poetry, and more. This $10 event includes food while it lasts. All must be 21 or older to enter. All proceeds from this show are being donated to a family affected by the recent flooding. The event is being held at the Mosaic Wine Lounge and Bar, 517 west Jones Street, in downtown Raleigh NC. For more information, call 919.438.3528.
Downtown Beats & Eats (October 22, 2016 @ 11am-3pm)
Historic Downtown Wilson presents this event in the Beer Garden, 217 Brew Works, 217 South Street, Wilson NC. The event includes a free concert, and all are encouraged to bring chairs or a blanket. Food trucks and beverages will be available for purchase. Leave pets and coolers at home.
Tea with Belle (October 22, 2016 @ 2-5pm)
Little Princesses and Little Princes are invited to have tea with Belle from Beauty and the Beast. In addition to tea, there will be songs and stories, and etiquette too.Children’s admission is $20, Adults $10. Held at Common Grounds Coffee & Music House, 20 Cheves Road, Bunn NC. Visit their Facebook page for updates.
Koichella (October 22, 2016)
This full day of music, food trucks, beer, peace, and family fun is shaping up to be a blast! Music by Matty Begs, High Hat Hipsy, milo, Acoustic Bus, and Strange Velvet. Organized by Koi Pond Brewing Company in Rocky Mount NC. See details at koipondbrewing.com.
Truely Unique Halloween Carnival (October 22, 2016 @ 5-7:30pm)
Two hours of games, crafts, food, and fun at this seasonal carnival! $5 per child. Held at 2006 US Hwy 301 S, in Wilson NC.
Truely Unique is also holding a Cemetery Walk and class on October 29, 2016, 2-5pm, also in Wilson.
Wendell Harvest Festival (NEW DATES ARE November 4-5, 2016)
This event has been rescheduled from October to November due to Hurricane Matthew and its after-effects. Held in Wendell NC. See www.facebook.com/wendellharvestfestival for updates.
Whirligig Festival (November 5-6, 2016)
Held each year in Historic downtown Wilson NC, this Arts Festival celebrates all things whirly, and draws more than 35,000 attendees for music, arts, crafts, food, kids activities, and much more. There will be three stages of entertainment! The event is 10am-5pm Saturday, and noon-5pm on Sunday, rain or shine. Vendor applications are online, along festival details, at whirligigfestivalnc.org.
Canceled
Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down (was October 7-8, 2016) — CANCELED due to Hurricane Matthew. No new date yet, for 2016 or 2017.
Join the fun and enjoy the food at this annual gathering, held in front of the Helen P. Gay Historic Rocky Mount Train Station, 101 Coastline Street, in Downtown Rocky Mount.
The 2016 BBQ Throw Down is scheduled for 12pm to 8pm on Friday, and 10am to 6pm on Saturday. For details, visit bbqthrowdown.net.
Monarch Festival (was October 8, 2016 @ 10am-4pm) — CANCELED (Matthew)
Come and celebrate the journey of the Monarch butterfly! Sandy Creek Park is a certified waystation for Monarch butterflies as they migrate throughout North America. The festival features music, family-friendly activities, educational talks, pollinator plant sale, and food. This second annual festival is at Sandy Creek Park, 3510 Sandy Creek Drive, Durham NC.
Taste of Wayne County (was October 14, 2016 @ 11am-2pm) — CANCELED (Matthew)
Since 1990 the Taste of Wayne County has taken place to benefit United Way of Wayne County. It is Wayne County’s only food festival featuring local food. Held on the City Hall block, 200 N Center Street, in downtown Goldsboro NC. Tickets are $15 per person, with children 6 & under free. More information on participating restaurants and event updates may be found at www.tasteofwayne.com.
2016 Disability Awareness Family Fun Day (October 22, 2016) — CANCELED (Matthew)
This Rocky Mount NC event has been canceled. No new date has been set.
Stay tuned for “Things to Do in NC When You’re Bored” from Eastern North Carolina!
