By Kay Whatley, Editor

This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond (Inner Coastal Plains-Five County area of Eastern NC).

While most listed events are free happenings, some ticketed events may be included.

Events may be rescheduled, delayed by weather, canceled, times adjusted, or locations changed without our knowledge. Contact an event’s organizer directly for updates.

Friday, September 28, 2018

Franklin County Farmers Market

Friday, September 28, 2018 @ 9am

Head to the Franklin County Farmers Market, Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg NC. and check out the farmers market. The market is on Facebook here. Also open on Saturdays at 9am and Tuesdays at 9am, according to NC Farm Fresh website.

Movies in the Park: Sherlock Gnomes

Friday, September 28, 2018 @ 7-9pm

Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and friends of all ages to watch a movie under the stars (and whirligigs) at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC.  Brought to you by Cucalorus’ Pop-Up Cinema and Gig East. Okay to bring food/drinks with you; however, NO alcohol is permitted. Snacks will be on sale. The movie begins showing around 7pm (sundown). See updates on the Whirligig Park’s Facebook page.

Jazz on John

Friday, September 28, 2018 @ 7-9pm

Come to this free event and enjoy music by the WAHH World Fusion Band. Held at the Arts Council of Wayne County, 102 N John Street, Goldsboro NC. Snacks and wine will be available.

Note that there will also be a Community Drum Circle hosted by the Arts Council, beginning at 6pm.

Mumkin Fest

September 28-29, 2018

Join the fun with vendors, inflatables, food trucks, live music, and much more. Held at Knightdale Station Park, 810 N First Avenue, Knightdale NC. See hours and details here.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Big Sweep Challenge

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 8am-noon

Make a difference in Nash and Edgecombe counties by participating in the Twin Counties Big Sweep Challenge. The event is a way for participants to clean up or improve sites in the area. Keep America Beautiful of Nash and Edgecombe counties will provide volunteers with the needed clean-up supplies. There are two locations at which to volunteer/clean-up:

• Gather at the boat ramp in Battle Park, 1308 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC.
• Meet in Riverfront Park, at the end of East Panola Street, Tarboro NC.

To register for the Big Sweep Challenge or the Big Sweep, call Melissa Battle at 252.972.1500.

Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 8am-1pm

Shop a variety of locally grown and locally made goods. Held on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. See details at www.historicdowntownwilson.com/farmers-artisan-market.

Master Gardeners are expected to be in attendance on September 29.

Rocky Mount Farmers Market

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 8am-1pm

The Farmers Market is located at 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC. The Rocky Mount Farmers Market is open on Saturdays. (Tuesdays at The Market ended for the season.) See updates on their Facebook page. Market webpage is www.co.nash.nc.us/175/Farmers-Market; see also the Nash County Co-op Ext Service market page.

Community Fall Farmhouse Day

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 8am-2pm

The Farmhouse, located at  4146 Massey Road, Zebulon NC, annual Fall Community Sale returns. Vendors will be set up with a variety of crafts, baked goods, handmade goods, home decor, wreaths, and more.  For more information on vendors/space, call or text Melanie at 252.206.6884, or email.

Zebulon Farm Fresh Market

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 9am-1pm

Head to the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC, for the market day with a variety of local produce, handmade goods, homemade treats, and more. Updates may be posted on their Facebook page.

The September 8 market theme is Apple Day. There will also be apples, live music, and the regular market vendors offering local goods and crafts. (See our ZFFM article for future dates.)

Youngsville Fall Festival

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 9am-3pm

Youngsville Kiwanis presents the 14th-annual Fall Festival. This event includes a craft show, food trucks, a Classic Car and Truck Show, inflatables, and activities for children. Come and enjoy the family fun in the fall weather. Location is 125 US 1-A, Youngsville NC.  See details and directions at www.youngsvillefallfestival.com.

Peer into the Past

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 10am-noon

Join Preservation Rocky Mount at historic Battle Park, 1308 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC,  for this free event — a walk into the past. Naturalist Tom Stutz will guide a group and share stories of how our ancestors used their knowledge and skills to survive. There will be demonstrations using: tools of stone, bone, animal hide, plants, soils, shells and the guide will teach fire-making. Meet at the boat ramp. Dress and bug-proof accordingly with sensible walking shoes/boots.

Note that during this same time/date, the Big Sweep will be taking place within Battle Park.

Downtown Garner Pop-up Market

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 10am-2pm

Head to Downtown Garner for this monthly public market with baked goods, locally made items, fresh produce, food trucks, and more. Held in Garner Recreational Park, 221 E Garner Road, Garner NC. Future dates are October 27, and November 24, 2018. See event here.

Falling Into Fall Vendor Event

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 10am-5pm

Come and shop from local craft vendors, purchase food from an on-site food vendor, and listen to live music at this monthly event. Hosted by the Clayton General Store, 10522 Hwy 70 Business, Clayton NC. Fired Up Pizza and BBQ will be cooking up delicious food. The Clayton General Store is on Facebook here, and offers vendor opportunities at some of their events.

Banned Books Week Teen Movie

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 1-3pm

Teens are invited to the Assembly Room at Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC,  for this teen, PG-13 movie based on a challenged book. See details on Facebook here.

Movie Under the Stars

Saturday, September 29, 2018 @ 6-10pm

Join the town as it puts up an outdoor screen, pops popcorn, and shows a free movie under the stars. Bring a blanket/chair for comfort. Held at Glover Memorial Park, 174 JW Glover Memorial Park Drive, Nashville NC. See the Town of Nashville’s Parks and Rec calendar for this event and more.

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Family Sundays

Sunday, September 30-December 23, 2018 @ 2-4pm (every-other Sunday)

Sundays are for families, and are free. Bring your family to the Art Gallery for an afternoon full of family-friendly activities instructed by April Dickens. Drop into the gallery for art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour! Registration is not required, drop-ins of age 3 and up with accompanying adults welcome. Held at Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. See the event on Facebook. For more information, visit imperialcentre.org. (Article)

Coming Soon

Outdoor Movies on the Back Lawn

Thursday, October 4, 2018 @ 7pm

Watch a movie under the stars on the back lawn of the Garner Performing Arts Center at 125 Avery Street, Garner NC. There will be food and fun too. Held on the first Thursday of each month from May through October. Times vary depending on dusk-time. Free Admission. Bring lawn chair/blanket for comfort. Food/treats on sale, but attendees are welcome to bring a picnic. Free Parking at two nearby locations. Check the Facebook event for movie titles, parking information, rules (no pets, etc.), and weather updates.  In case of rain, the movie will be cancelled. In case of bad weather or rain, this event will be canceled. No pets.

First Friday on the Lawn

Friday, October 5, 2018 @ 6-9pm

The Human Relations Commission and the City of Wilson Human Relations Department are celebrating diversity through music on the first Friday of each month (July to October), scheduled for the Wilson County Library Lawn, 249 Nash Street NW, Wilson NC. See bands and more details here.

Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market

Saturday, October 6, 2018 @ 8am-noon

As the name implies, a variety of goods are available at this market, which is open on first- and third-Saturdays of the month. The market is open, rain or shine, and runs through October 31, 2018. First and third Saturdays market are held at 526 N Main Street, Tarboro NC. The HomeGrown-HandMade Market Saturday dates may be found on this Facebook event.

Downtown Beats & Eats

Saturday, October 6, 2018 @ 2-6pm

This is the fifth year for the city’s fall concert series which will be at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC. Entry is free for this live music event. Additional concerts planned on alternating Saturdays through October 20, 2018. homegrown music . Food trucks on-site. Adults-only: wrist bands available for $1 allowing beer/wine purchase. Bring chair/blanket for comfort. No coolers. See event details on the Historic Downtown Wilson website. Future date is October 20, 2018.

Sunday in the Park: Oktoberfest!

Sunday, October 7, 2018 @ 1-5pm

Join Goldsboro Parks and Recreation and the Arts Council of Wayne County for this event at Herman Park, 1101 Park Avenue, Goldsboro NC, including vendors — art, crafts, food, and beer — available for shopping/gift buying, while listening to live music by Shannon Baker & Sometime Soon. The environment will be family-friendly and pet-friendly. See this event and more on the Parks and Rec events page.

2018 Ten Plant Tour Series

Friday, October 12, 2018 @ noon

On this date, the topic is “10 Plants that Are Creepy” in this event by the Nash County Co-op Extension Service. Held at the Nash County Arboretum, located at the Nash County Agriculture Center, 1006 Eastern Avenue, Nashville NC.  See full 2018 tour at nash.ces.ncsu.edu.

Indigo Moon Film Festival

October 12-14, 2018

This annual film festival draws movie-goers to multiple venues around Fayetteville NC, to view movies, shorts, and enjoy social activities. See details at www.indigomoonfilmfestival.com, which includes film schedule, venue information and ticket package pricing. Tickets may be purchased for individual films, social events, full pass, and other options. (See our article on how this year’s festival is Going Green.)

Stepping Into The Past

Saturday, October 13, 2018

This series focuses on demonstrations and displays of traditional / old-time processes. This presentation is included with museum admission fee. See upcoming topics at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. Held at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church Street, Kenly NC.

The October 13 event includes: butter making and candle making.

Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market

Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 9am-1pm

Markets are held once-a-month in Fall and Spring. The market welcomes arts and craft vendors and farmers to sell their wares.  The location is the Uptown Selma Gazebo, in the back parking lot of Town Hall, near 100 E Anderson Street, Selma NC. Next date is November 10, 2018. The market season Facebook event is here. See www.selma-nc.com/selma-saturdays.

Black Creek Heritage Day Festival

Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 6:30-9pm

Come out for entertainment, vendors, and community fellowship at this 20th-annual festival. Held near 112 W Center Street, Black Creek NC. Follow the town on Facebook here. (Vendor opportunities.)

Shaw RV Family Movie Series

Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 7:30-9:30pm

Enjoy a free movie outdoors on the football field at Rolesville Middle School, 4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville NC.  Bring a chair or blanket for comfort. Concessions will be open for purchases during the movie. See full movie series here.

OkTARberfest & More

October 19-20, 2018

Louisburg NC will be the place to be this weekend, as a variety of events collide including the OkTARberfest Weekend (free concerts plus living history in the park), the Chamber Oyster Roast (ticketed), and the Franklin County Arts Council “Six Pack of Authors” book event by the Writers’ Guild. Multiple locations. (Article)

Nashville Creekside Music Series

Friday, October 19, 2018 @ 6:30-8:30pm

The Town of Nashville will be bringing back its popular Creekside Music Series for a second year with four concert dates.   We hope that you will bring your friends and family out to this free community event at Stoney Creek Park in Nashville. The address for Stoney Creek Park is 455 West Washington Street, Nashville NC.  Series details on this Town of Nashville web page.

Town Square Concert Series

Friday, October 19, 2018 @ 6:30-9:30pm

Free concert outdoors in Downtown Clayton’s Town Square, 110 W Main Street, Clayton NC. Arrive early and set up your lawn chairs and/or blanket. Activities, vendors, and inflatables will be available starting at 6pm. Live music will start on-stage at 6:30pm. See the full concert series on Facebook here and on the town website.

Friday Nights on the Tar

Friday, October 20, 2018 @ 6:30-9:30pm

The Town of Louisburg invites everyone to their “Friday Nights on the Tar” Summer Concert Series with live music and food trucks. Doors open at 5:30pm; live music starts at 6:30pm. Held at Downtown Louisburg Amphitheatre, 116 N Main Street, Louisburg NC. Concerts held every-third Friday, April-September. See more on this Town of Louisburg web page.

2018 Fall FunFest

Saturday, October 27, 2018 @ 10-4pm

The Town of Rolesville’s annual festival takes place on Main Street, Rolesville NC. There will be arts and crafts vendors, informational booths, small businesses selling goods, hot dogs, live music, and costume contests.

Interested in being a vendor? See vendor application form here (PDF).

Event organizers: News site display ads, with a link, are available for a monthly fee. Call 919.637.6973 or email Sales.

To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsors and logos are not included in Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.

Ed. Notes:

Event information gathered from various sources. While attempts are made to verify data, for most events contact details are included. If you’re planning to attend an event, use contact information or event links to confirm, check for updates or changes, or verify space is available. These events are publicized by The Grey Area News, but are not events overseen by this news site or staff. 

Highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event, knowledge of offerings, or relation to a recent article on this news site.