Many things to do in North Carolina this weekend. Note that 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 5, 2016 @ 6-10pm)
For this Downtown Sundown concert, enjoy Slippery When Wet — the Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute Band. 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.
First Fridays on the Lawn in Wilson NC (August 5, 2016 @ 6-9pm)
Held each month on the first Friday, the concerts are on the Wilson County Library lawn, 249 Nash Street NW, in Wilson NC. **August 5 music is by the Swivelhip Band.**
Rock and Roll Send-off for Olivia Cummings (August 5, 2016 @ 4-11pm)
This is a free event. Come check out two great local bands, Qualian and The Antique Hearts followed by the fabulous Bill Lyerly Band!! Bring a chair or blanket, BYOB. Held at Idlewild Farm, 6801 Winding Ridge Road, in Zebulon NC.
Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens (August 5, 2016 @ 9pm)
Tickets are free for North Carolina Museum of Art members and $6 for nonmembers. Come and watch J. J. Abrams’s hotly anticipated sequel to the original trio of films. Disney title; no alcohol served. Doors open at 7:30pm. Held at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. More on the museum’s summer film series is available here. To buy tickets, choose the desired movie date.
Saturday
2nd Annual Thoroughfare Vol Fire Dept Car Show (August 6, 2016 @ 9am)
Fun-filled day of cars and fellowship! Spectators free. Entrants $10 entry fee per entry — to “fill the boot” for the Thoroughfare Vol Fire Dept Fireman’s Fund. Collector Dash Plaques to first 50 entries. Wayne county fire departments invited to bring any type of apparatus to display. An award for best fire apparatus will be presented. Food provided by Providence Methodist Church Witness team. Fire Department demonstration will be conducted. Hope to see you there. All years makes and models allowed! Cisit www.seymourclassiccruisers.com. Providence United Methodist Church, 202 Providence Church Road, Goldsboro NC.
Get Wet: IronMen Water Wars/Challenge Day (August 6, 2016 @ 10am-noon)
In case you haven’t heard, there’s going to be some wet fun to be had on the lawn in front of WCC!!! Kids of all ages are invited to join us for some wet relays/games and then who knows……a water war might even break out!! NO COST. Please dress modestly. You may want to bring a towel. Wear sunscreen. There will be an area for the little ones to have some wet fun aside from the games/relays. Held at Wilson Community Church, 2301 Montgomery Drive W, Wilson NC.
Community Day 2016 (August 6, 2016 @ 10am-4pm)
Join the fun as Shiloh Temple celebrates 10 years of service to the community. Games, giveaways, food, backpacks, and school supplies. Address is 118 W Horton Street, Zebulon NC. See Shiloh Temple event flyer.
ABC Craft & Learn (August 6, 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.
This event is also available, same date and time, at the Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC.
Summer Bazaar (August 6, 2016 @ 9am-3pm)
Come out for a great day of shopping! Vendor event with 20+ vendors offering a wide variety of products. The location is Faith Christian School, 1333 Faith Christian Drive, in Rocky Mount NC. More information about the school is online at www.fcspatriots.com.
Customer Appreciation and Corn Hole Tournament (August 6, 2016 @ 11am-6pm)
Hosted by Rocky Mount Harley Davidson, 928 N Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. “We just want to say Thank You for an awesome Summer and to the rest of the year. Come out for hot dogs and hamburgers, Budweiser, music and friends. We will also be holding a Corn Hole Tournament that day. All proceeds from the Corn Hole Tournament will go towards our Nash County Salvation Army Fund. $30 entry per team 1st Place $100, 2nd Place $50, 3rd Place $30. You can pre-register via this tickets link or register the day of for the Corn Hole Tournament.” Check their Facebook page for updates.
Ready, Set, School Community Playdates (August 6, 2016 @ 3-5pm)
Join Marbles Kids Museum at the library for family play to support kids ages 3-5 in getting ready for school. Build language, reading, math, and problem-solving skills through hands-on fun and exploration. Take home ideas to continue the play at home. Held at the Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC.
Meet The Heels (August 6, 2016 @ 4-6pm)
Free to the general public with free parking available in various campus locations in close proximity. This Tar Heels event is at the Eddie Smith Field House, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC.
The Friends Present An Authors’ Showcase (August 6, 2016 @ 1-4pm)
“The Friends of the Wilson County Public Library are pleased to present a “first-of-its-kind” event which is NOT to be missed. Please join us to meet and welcome 30 eastern North Carolina authors as they share their work and time with the general public in this exciting forum. Authors will discuss their books, offer autographs, and discuss the writing process. Also, attendees will have a chance to win one of seven themed baskets filled with the authors’ books and an array of other goodies. We truly hope you can join us as we showcase local authors and welcome them to Wilson!” Held at the Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC.
Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens (August 6, 2016 @ 9pm)
Tickets are free for North Carolina Museum of Art members and $6 for nonmembers. Come and watch J. J. Abrams’s hotly anticipated sequel to the original trio of films. Disney title; no alcohol served. Doors open at 7:30pm. Held at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. More on the museum’s summer film series is available here. To buy tickets, choose the desired movie date.
Saturday Farmers Markets and Farm Stores
- 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! The 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’s opening day is June 4, 2016, and 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 6 — Music by The Jim Riche Project. Free Kids Summer Meals.** Note that August 13th there will be free watermelons at the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market.
Sunday
Concert in the Park (August 7, 2016 @ 5-7pm)
Spend an evening with family and friends while enjoying some foot-tapping, finger-snapping good times. Featuring Christiane & The Strays, the free performance will take place at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC. Area residents are encouraged to 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.
Baseball Games
It’s that time of year! Check for local baseball games on:
- Carolina Mudcats — www.gomudcats.com
- Durham Bulls — www.durhambulls.com
(Both above baseball links redirect to the team pages on the MiLB.com (Minor League Baseball) website.
- Wilson Tobs — www.wilsontobs.com
- Fayetteville SwampDogs — goswampdogs.com
- Hickory Crawdads — www.hickorycrawdads.com
Coming Soon
Family Movie Night at Joyner Park (August 13 @ 8:30pm)
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department presents Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park. Films are projected on a 26-foot inflatable movie screen in the park’s amphitheater. There will be food vendors on-site. Movies are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket and/or chairs for your comfort. Pets, smoking, and alcohol are not allowed.
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.
Stay tuned for more from Eastern North Carolina!