Things to do in North Carolina this weekend. Any multi-day events are generally listed under the first date. (For this weekend’s list, these are re-listed on Sunday as applicable.)

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

Cumberland County Fair (September 9-18, 2016)

The Cumberland County Fair celebrates agriculture and offers ag shows, music, motorsports, and more. Entry tickets are $7 and ride wristbands are available. The Cumberland County Fair is online, including performance schedule, at www.cumberlandcountyfair.org. The fair is at Crown Complex, 1960 Coliseum Drive, in Fayetteville NC.

11th Annual SPARKcon! (September 15-18 2016)

SPARKcon is an interdisciplinary creativity, art & design festival produced by the non-profit creativity incubator, Visual Art Exchange, in downtown Raleigh NC.

See details online at www.sparkcon.com.

Guilford Native American Association’s 39th Annual Pow Wow (September 16-18, 2016)

The Pow Wow will be held at beautiful Greensboro Country Park, 3802 Jaycee Park Drive, Greensboro NC. This traditional gathering will bring together Native Americans representing all of the recognized tribes of NC, as well as throughout the southeastern US The Pow Wow will once again bring to life the rich history of the Native American people through song, dance, arts & crafts, traditional foods & more. It will be a weekend to celebrate and experience the traditions of indigenous people that have been preserved & maintained for many generations. Admission $7, with discounts available. See here for more details.

Fall into the Future Series Outdoor Movie (September 16, 2016 @ doors open 5:30; movie at dusk)

The Town of Knightdale’s outdoor movie series is starting up for the Fall. The movies are shown at Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater is located at 810 North First Avenue, Knightdale NC. More information and movie title may be found here.

Fall Art Expo Reception (September 16, 2016 @ 5-8pm)

This reception for the Wildlife and Wetlands of Eastern North Carolina Art Expo is free and open to the public. The location is the National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on Roanoke Island — 100 Conservation Way, Manteo NC. Artwork will then be exhibited in the 100-seat auditorium of the Visitor Center for the next several months. Artist details and updates are on this Facebook page.

Saturday

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. Choose the area and farms you wish to visit, from Durham to Louisburg and Bunn or Raleigh or … well, farms are spread across a broad area. Travel to the farms that you wish to see! Details and fees are online at www.carolinafarmstewards.org/etft, along with a detailed PDF brochure showing the location of each farm, and describing each farm and its products.

North Carolina Rice Festival (September 17-18, 2016)

Join the fun with two days of music, a kids play area, youth art show, and vendors with arts, crafts, food, and more. There will be a rice cooking contest, cooking demonstrations, and more rice-related activities! Celebrate the history of rice production in NC. The location is the Brunswick Riverwalk at Belville, 580 River Road, Belville NC — across from Belville Elementary School. Adults are $5, while children under 12 are free. More details are online at ncricefestival.com/events.

Renaissance Faire (September 17-18, 2016 @ 10am)

This Elizabethan-themed festival is open to the public, and features jousting, unicorn rides, period musicians, living history exhibits, renaissance dance, games, food, and merchants. Elizabethan themed festival is held at Smith Lake Recreation Center, 2812 Smith Lake Road, Fayetteville NC. No pets are allowed, the cost to enter is $10 per car load. More details online here

CenterFest Arts Festival (September 17-18, 2016)

The 2016 CenterFest is the 42nd annual festival. Come to downtown Durham NC to see art, listen to music, and observe dancing and awards. Enjoy tasty local and international foods, while the kids play in the Kids Zone. Check out the vendors, including artists selling their works. For information on CenterFest and this year’s plans, see centerfest.durhamarts.org.

Walk-up Rabies Clinics (September 17, 2016)

Rabies Vaccines and other shots available. No Appointment needed, just grab your pet(s) and show up. Rabies 1 year and 3 year (with prior year certificate) will be available for cats and dogs. Fees range from $5 (rabies) up to $15 for other vaccines. Two locations offer the clinic this Saturday:

Foy Mart — 8-10am — located at 1329 Tant Road, Spring Hope NC.
Franklin County Animal Shelter — noon-1pm — located at 351 T Kemp Road, Louisburg NC.

Call Tar River Veterinary Hospital at 919.494.5500 with any questions.

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.

Coopers Fire-Rescue 3rd Annual Community Day (September 17, 2016 @ 9am-4pm)

Coopers Fire & Rescue is hosting this free, third Annual event. Lots to do and fun for all ages. Fire demonstrations, obstacle course, helicopter, face paint, food, and more.

Coopers Fire & Rescue Dept. / Nash EMS 100, 2408 Volunteer Road, in Elm City NC.

More details may be found on the Coopers Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

Pop-Up Raleigh Market (September 17, 2016 @ 12-5pm)

Pop-Up Raleigh is “downtown Raleigh’s original monthly vintage market” and is expecting over 40 vendors for the September 17 market. Expect a variety of art, crafts, vintage items, and more. Located, near the NC State Farmer’s Market, the Pop-up Market features indoor and outdoor spaces. Food Trucks will be on-site too.

This event is at Trophy on Maywood, 656 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh NC. For more information, visit popupraleigh.com.

Taste of Stantonsburg Festival (September 17, 2016 @ 8am-5pm)

This annual festival is coming up! This year, it features Craig Woolard and the Embers from 11am-2pm! Meet the Stantonsburg Police Department’s Officers and join community members and vendors for a fun day. There will be a car show, inflatables, a dunking booth, Bingo, and more. Stantonsburg Moyton VFD will be raffling off two bicycles. Tickets will be on sale during the festival — $2 a ticket, or three for $5. The winner will be announced at the end of the day; winner does not have to be present to win.

For those interested in participating/vendors, contact the police chief, Orlando Rosario, at 252.238.3534. The event is held in Stantonsburg NC.

Down East Viking Football Classic (September 17, 2016 @ 4pm)

According to Rocky Mount’s Tameka Kenan-Norman, the Down East Viking Football Classic (DEVFC) game returns to the Rocky Mount Athletic Football Stadium, 600 Independence Drive, Rocky Mount NC. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) will compete against Morehouse College. Hosted by ECSU and the city of Rocky Mount, the classic draws thousands to the stadium. However, the football game is only one of a host of activities, including an athletic banquet, a Down East Viking Mixer, and a recruitment reception for potential ECSU students. The football game will be preceded by a pre-game ceremony at 3pm, and followed by a high school band showcase at 6:30pm. Both of these events are at the stadium.

The classic will end with a Down East Step Show at 8pm, taking place in the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts, 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount NC.

For more information on the DEVFC and a complete list of events, visit www.rockymountnc.gov.

Stepping into the Past Series (September 17, 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. More information on the museum website at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. **September 17 is North Carolina Agribusiness: Information and activities regarding NC Agriculture.**

ABC Craft & Learn (September 17, 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.

24th Annual Dublin Peanut Festival (September 17, 2016 @ 10am)

It’s Salty, Plain, Roasted, Green and Boiled. It’s always the STAR of the show, better known to us as Bladen County’s finest gem, “ PEANUTS”. Celebrate the Peanut at this Festival in Dublin NC. Our festival kicks off with a Parade. There will be food and other vendors, a plate sale, a car show, tractor pull, peanut recipe cook-off, rides, games, and so much more! There will also be hot boiled, cold boiled, salted in the shell, roasted, and green peanuts for sale. For the safety of all of our festival guest, NO PETS of any kind are allowed, except Service Animals. More details may be found on this festival’s website at www.dublinpeanutfestival.com.

Events Continued from Friday into Saturday

Cumberland County Fair (September 9-18, 2016)
11th Annual SPARKcon! (September 15-18 2016)
Guilford Native American Association’s 39th Annual Pow Wow (September 16-18, 2016)

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.

Sunday

Splash Bark (September 18, 2016 @ 2-5pm)

Dogs and their owners are invited to a one-of-a-kind event on Sunday. Fur family members and their human companions will be able to take a trip on the train, ride around in circles on the carousel, and even wade through the waters at the spray park. Sunset Spray Park is located in Sunset Park, 1550 River Drive, Rocky Mount NC.

Events Continued from Saturday into Sunday

Cumberland County Fair (September 9-18, 2016)
11th Annual SPARKcon! (September 15-18 2016)
Guilford Native American Association’s 39th Annual Pow Wow (September 16-18, 2016)
Cumberland County Fair (September 9-18, 2016)
11th Annual SPARKcon! (September 15-18 2016)
Guilford Native American Association’s 39th Annual Pow Wow (September 16-18, 2016)
Eastern Triangle Farm Tour (September 17-18, 2016 @ 1-5pm both dates)
North Carolina Rice Festival (September 17-18, 2016)
Renaissance Faire (September 17-18, 2016 @ 10am)
CenterFest Arts Festival (September 17-18, 2016)

Coming Soon

“Downtown Live!” Concert Series (September 15, 2016 @ 6pm; doors open 5pm)

Downtown Live! is the summer music series hosted by the city of Rocky Mount. Concerts are held Thursdays on the lawn at the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. The family friendly music series is free and open to the public. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for comfort. Food concessions available. For more information, visit www.Downtownrockymount.com. The September 15 concert features the East Coast Rhythm and Blues Band. The final concert of the season will be September 29 with the Embers featuring Craig Woolard.

Bluegrass Island Festival (September 21-24, 2016)

Come to North Carolina’s Roanoke Island Festival Park, 1 Festival Park, Manteo NC, for a day or for all days of the event. Dubbed as “Bluegrass Island,” Roanoke Island Festival Park covers a 27-acre island across the water from Manteo NC. It includes Island Farm, a state living-history site. This event will benefit the nonprofit Island Farm.

Mayberry Days (September 21-25, 2016)

Held each year in Mount Airy NC. Mayberry Days events take place in locations around Mount Airy, with the Andy Griffith Playhouse, the Historic Earle Theatre and Blackmon Amphitheatre being the hubs of activity. Most everything is within walking distance, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes (the festival goes on, rain or shine). There is free parking in the numerous municipal lots downtown. Events are scheduled for minimal overlap where you can enjoy nearly everything.

Details including tickets and schedule are online at http://www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/index.html.

Heaven Or Hell Drama (September 23, 2016 @ 7:30-9:30pm)

Hosted by Alert Pentecostal Holiness Church. Come and watch this walk-through, real life drama. This play is about real life situations and decisions people make everyday, performed by members of the church. There are 5 scenes in all and the last scene is the judgement. This performance’s main objective is seeing souls saved. During the event, the church is providing free donuts, coffee, and water. If it rains, the play will be all inside. Alert Pentecostal Holiness Church is located at 719 Alert Road, Louisburg NC. The church is on Facebook here with updates.

Outdoor Movie Night: Planet of the Apes (September 23, 2016 @ 5:30-10pm)

Knightdale Parks, Recreation & Cultural Programs hosts this Outdoor Movie Night. This event is free and open to the public. Vendors open at 5:30pm, and the film begins at dusk. Bring a blanket and/or chair for your comfort. The series will be held at the Knightdale Station Park Amphitheater, 810 North First Avenue, Knightdale NC. Proceeds support local schools’ PTA groups.

Note that on October 7 , the Outdoor Movie Night showing is Big.

Computer Basics Class (September 24, 2016 @ 3-4pm)

The Wilson County Public Library main branch location also offers free computer classes. All programs are free and open to the public. Some programs may require registration. For more information and to register, contact the Main Library, 249 Nash St NW, Wilson NC, at 252.237.5355 or visit the library’s website, www.wilsoncountypubliclibrary.org.\

Coloring Club (September 24, 2016 @ 3-4pm)

This adult-oriented Club meets in the Wiley Conference Room at Braswell Memorial Library, located at 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. More information on the library is online here.

34th Annual Storytelling Festival (September 24, 2016 @ 11am-4pm)

Wake County Public Libraries and Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space are holding their annual Storytelling Festival at Historic Oak View County Park, 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh NC. Bring a blanket or chair and get comfortable on the lawn. Listen to stories from professional storytellers including Donna Washington, Adam Booth, and Regi Carpenter. There will also be music by the Sandbox Band, an activity tent, food vendors, and a wagon shuttle. This is a family-friendly event, free to all ages, and scheduled rain or shine. The festival is on the library website here.

Mountain Heritage Day (September 24, 2016 @ 10am-5pm)

The 42nd annual Mountain Heritage Day will be a combination old-fashioned mountain fair and showcase for Southern Appalachian music, arts, dance and song, with the atmosphere of a big family reunion. Visitors will find three stages of traditional old-time, gospel, and bluegrass music and dance, with plenty of fiddles, banjos, and clogging. Festival-goers are invited to join in workshops at the Circle Tent and participate in shape-note singing, one of the mountains’ sacred traditions. Admission and parking are free so bring your family and experience all that our rich heritage has to offer. Festival schedule and vendor details are online at mountainheritageday.com. This event is held on the campus of Western Carolina University, Cullowhee NC.

Don’t miss the Smoky Mountain Splendor Quilt Show at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center on campus, featuring 300+ quilts, displays, vendors and more. September 22-24th. For more information visit www.smokymtnquilters.org.

Carrboro Music Festival (September 24-25, 2016)

The Carrboro Music Festival is an effort to host a free two day event that showcase Triangle-area performers and the varied musical styles they represent. All of the performers donate their talents to foster a strong sense of community and to reveal their talents to a wider audience. More online at www.carrboromusicfestival.com, including festival map to locations around downtown Carrboro NC.

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. Festival updates and schedule are available on this Facebook page.

Enfield Peanut Festival (September 30-October 1)

The 2016 Enfield Peanut Festival will hold a block party on Friday, 6-9pm. Festival vendors and entertainment are on Saturday, noon-8pm. More information on this event and the Town of Enfield NC is on their website here.

Brushy Mountain Apple Festival (October 1, 2016)

The Annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast. The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival has become a one of Wilkes County’s biggest fundraisers. Over 100 civic, church, and other nonprofit organizations participate in the festival. For many of them, the festival has become the biggest fundraiser of the year. Over 160,000 people visit this festival during the day and it’s free. The streets of downtown North Wilkesboro NC are filled with over 425 arts and crafts, 100 food concessions, 4 different music stages. More online at www.applefestival.net/festival.php.

Fall Festival 2016 (October 1 at 10am-7pm)

Join New Life Church for a fun-filled day for the whole family. Bounce Houses, Games, Relay Races, Craft Vendors, Bingo, Silent Auction, Face Painting, Hay Rides, Hot Air Balloon Rides, Music and Entertainment, a Bake Sale, Hot Dog Lunch, Popcorn, Cake Walk, Cotton Candy, Chili Cook-off, and a BBQ Chicken/BBQ Pork Dinner fundraiser. Located at New Life Church, 6900 Zebulon Road, Wake Forest NC. More information at www.newlifenow.us/fall-festival.

Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down (October 7-8, 2016)

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.

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.

Free Family Movie Night (October 14, 2016 @ 7pm)

The Zebulon Parks & 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.

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.

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.

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.

Stay tuned for “Things to Do in NC When You’re Bored” from Eastern North Carolina!

Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — Sept. 16-18